Page 9 of Beautiful Harmony

“The class is on the upper mezzanine.” Emma pointed to the stairs near the back of the store. “We have a table and chairs set up.”

Mrs. Walters made a long-suffering sigh. “Of course, it’s upstairs.”

She studied her knitting bag and her cane. “I’ll need someone to carry my bag upstairs.”

“I’d be happy to carry it.” Lucas held out his arm to her. “And can I also offer some assistance going up the stairs?”

Mrs. Walters gave him her bag, and he slung it over his shoulder before she hooked her arm around his. “I can see why the ladies love you. What did you say your name was again?”

“Lucas. Lucas Wright.”

As Lucas led Mrs. Walters toward the store, Cora turned to Emma, her face flushed and excitement lighting up her pretty brown eyes. She kept her voice low when she said, “Hey, are you good with me being the one to help Lucas tonight? I’m kind of into him, and it’s a great excuse to get close to him, you know?”

“Sure,” Emma said, keeping a smile on her face. “We have a larger class tonight, though, so you might have to help out more people than just Lucas.”

“Oh, of course,” Cora said. “I know you and Lucas are friends, so I figured he’d assume you would help him.”

She studied Emma. “Hey, you are okay with me making a play for Lucas, right? If you’re not, I’m cool to step back and -”

“No, I don’t care,” Emma said. “Why would I?”

“Just wanted to make sure I’m not stepping on your toes. If you’re interested in Lucas, then -”

“We’re just friends,” Emma said, “so go for it. Lucas is a great guy, and he’d be lucky to have you as a girlfriend.”

She sounded so natural that she almost believed she meant what she said.

“Awesome, thanks, Emma.” Cora gave her a cute smile of excitement.

“Good luck,” Emma said. “I think everyone’s here now, so why don’t you head up to the mezzanine while I lock the front door.”

“Sure.” Cora walked toward the stairs.

Emma locked the front door and headed for the mezzanine, ignoring her churning stomach.

* * *

“Your tension is too tight.”Mrs. Walters leaned over and studied the pathetic five rows Lucas had produced.

“I know.” Lucas forced a smile on his face. The headache that had developed about half an hour ago pulsed through his temples.

Cora returned, sliding into the seat on his right. He kept the smile planted in place, even when her perfume’s heavy scent made his headache worse.

“His tension is too tight,” Mrs. Walters said. “I can hear his needles squeaking when he tries to knit a stitch.”

Cora leaned in, resting one firm breast against his arm as she studied his knitting. “I think we should rip it out, and you can try again.”

He couldn’t keep the frustration out of his voice. “This’ll be the third time I’ve ripped it out.”

“I know,” Cora said. “But I think it’ll be easier if you start again.”

“Maybe I could just keep going,” he said.

Before Cora could reply, the woman across from them said, “Cora, I think I dropped a stitch again. Help, please.”

“Get started on ripping it out, and I’ll help you cast on again,” Cora said with a familiar squeeze to his thigh. She blushed at her boldness before joining the woman across the table.

“Rip it out,” Mrs. Walters said.

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