He turned and looked at me. "Morning," he said. His gaze went from me to Rover. "I didn't know you had a dog."

"I just got him. The pound named him Rover but I'm thinking of changing his name once we get better acquainted." I wrapped my arms around my middle as a chill settled over me.

"Rover's a fine name," he said, and leaned on his shovel. "Can't see changing it, but then you didn't ask my opinion."

That hadn't seemed to bother him earlier, I noticed. "What are you doing here?" I asked, more curious than anything. Our last meeting had been a bit strained. I wasn't sure what to think of this handyman. Yet despite our awkward beginning, I rather liked him.

Mark leaned on the shovel. "You wanted a price quote on setting up a garden area, didn't you?"

"Well, yes, but ..." He'd led me to believe that it would be some time before he was ready to start a project of such magnitude. I hadn't expected him to get back to me this soon.

"But what?"

"Nothing; it's just that I didn't expect to see you so soon."

"Do you want me to come back another time?"

He grinned as he said it, knowing full well I didn't. "Of course not." I hesitated and then decided to forge ahead. "Can I ask you something?"

"Nothing has stopped you before." He gestured with his hand as if granting me permission.

"Why do you need a shovel?" It was an estimate, and as far as I could see, that required a tape measure and not a shovel.

He chuckled, the sound of his amus.e.m.e.nt causing his breath to come in foggy bursts. "I'm not burying a body if that concerns you."

I smiled. "The thought hadn't entered my mind."

He grinned and I was surprised by how warm his eyes got when he smiled.

"I needed it to see how deep some of the roots went, nothing more," he said.

I was getting colder by the minute and I noticed Rover had wandered back inside the house. "Come in for coffee when you're finished, if you want."

He paused as though tempted. "Can't today, but thanks for the offer."

"Can't or won't?" I asked.

He shrugged as though the question had caught him off guard. "Perhaps a little of both."

I heard the phone ring, and the sound seemed inordinately loud, coming from my small office.

"You better get that," Mark suggested.

I nodded, turned away, and rushed into the house.

"Rose Harbor Inn," I answered, a bit breathless by the time I grabbed the receiver.

"h.e.l.lo," a female voice returned, almost as if she had dialed a wrong number.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

Again the hesitation. "Yes, I was wondering if you have a room available in May, around high school graduation time."

I checked my book. "I do." In fact I didn't have anyone down that far in advance.

"Wonderful." She sounded surprised and disappointed all in one.

"Would you like to make a reservation?"

She hesitated and then said with some reluctance, "Yes, perhaps that would be best." She didn't seem the least bit convinced that this was what she wanted.

"The name?"

Again she hesitated and after a moment rushed the words. "Smith. Mary Smith."

"All right, Mary, I have you down. Would you like to secure the date with a credit card?"

"No ... would it be all right if I sent you a cashier's check?"

"No problem." A cashier's check? Interesting. I had to wonder if it was because she didn't want to use her real name.

No sooner had I hung up the phone then I got a second call regarding the same weekend. It was a man this time.

"I'd like to make a reservation for my wife and me for our anniversary. It's in May," he said, sounding matter-of-fact. "If possible."

"It's possible. The name?" I asked.

"Kent and Julie Shivers."

"Okay, Kent, I have you down. I'll see you in May." How odd that I'd received two separate reservations, four months down the road, for the same weekend.

I hung up again and immediately wondered about the mysterious Mary Smith. Was that really her name? I wouldn't have given it a second thought if she hadn't sounded so unsure herself.

And Kent Shivers. He'd seemed oddly flat and emotionless when he'd booked the room.

I returned to the laundry room and added the detergent to the washer. As I closed the lid, I hesitated. "You were right, Paul," I whispered, as I stood motionless in front of the washing machine. My mood instantly lightened. Rose Harbor Inn would welcome its guests whatever their needs. I wasn't alone. I had Paul with me, and Rover, too.

As to Mary Smith and Kent Shivers and his wife, I couldn't help wondering what it was that required healing in their lives.

But then, I'd find out soon enough.

Knitting Patterns.

Jo Marie's Crochet Shawl.

Designed by Ellen Gormley.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS.

Length: 35 Depth: 14 MATERIALS.

Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street Collection Petals Socks (100g/462 yds; 50% fine merino, 30% nylon, 20% angora) Color 601 Cherry Blossom-1 ball Hook: US Size F-5 (3.75 mm) hook or size to obtain gauge.

Notions: 6 lock-ring st.i.tch markers GAUGE.

16 sts x 11 rows = 4 in patt st, blocked.

Save time, check your gauge.

PATTERN NOTES.

Chain 2 at the beg of row counts as 1 dc.

Markers are placed at the increases. Move markers as work progresses.

SPECIAL St.i.tCHES.

Cl.u.s.ter (CL): * Yo, insert hook in first specified st and draw up a lp to height of dc; yo and draw through 2 lps; yo, insert hook in next st and draw up a lp to height of dc, yo and draw through 2 lps **; sk next st, rep from * to ** once in next 2 sts; yo and draw through all 5 lps on hook; CL made. (After the foundation ch, all CL will be worked in ch-3 sps straddling a dc.) SHAWLETTE.

Ch 186. Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook; * ch 4, sk next ch, CL over next 5 chs, ch 4, sk next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across; with RS facing, counting in from the beginning of the row, pm (place marker) in the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th CL, ch 4, turn-23 CL. Row 2: * Sc in top of next CL, ch 3, dc in next sc, ch 3; rep from * across, ending last rep with ch 1, dc in last sc; ch 3, turn-24 dc, 23 sc. Row 3: Sc in next sc, * * * ch 4, CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, working half of CL in each ch-3 sp, ch 4, sc in next sc; rep from * twice, to next marker: [ch 4, CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, working half of CL in each ch-3 sp, ch 4, sc in same ch-3 sp, ch 7, sk sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 4, CL in same ch-3 sp and next ch-3 sp, ch 4, sc in next sc]; rep from * to * twice to next marker, rep from [to] one time, rep from ** in pattern across, ending last rep with ch sc in last sc, leaving remaining sts unworked; ch 1, turn. Move the markers to the ch-7 s.p.a.ces-22 CL, 5 ch-7 sps. Row 4: Sc in first CL; [* ch 3, dc in next sc, ch 3, sc in top of next CL; rep from * to marked ch-7 sp, ch 3, dc in sc before ch-7 loop, ch 3, sc in ch-7 sp, ch 3, dc in sc after ch-7 loop, ch 3, sc in CL]; rep from [to] across, ending last rep with sc in last CL, leaving remaining sts unworked; ch 4, turn. Row 5: * CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, ch 4, sc in next sc; rep from *, ending last rep with sc in last sc, ch 4, turn-26 CL. Row 6: * Sc in top of next CL, ch 3, dc in next sc, ch 3; rep from * across, ending last rep with sc in last CL; ch 4, turn. Row 7: Rep row 5-25 CL. Row 8: Rep row 6. Row 9: Sc in next sc, * * * ch 4, CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, ch 4, sc in next sc *; rep from * to * twice, [ch 4, CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, working half of CL in each ch-3 sp, ch 4, sc in same ch-3 sp, ch 7, sk sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 4, CL in same ch-3 sp and next ch-3 sp, ch 4, sc in next sc]; rep from * to * twice, rep from [to] one time, rep from ** in pattern across, ending last rep with sc in last sc, leaving remaining sts unworked; ch 4, turn. Move the markers to the ch-7 s.p.a.ces-24 CL, 5 ch-7 sps. Row 10: Rep row 4. Row 11: Rep row 5-28 CL. Row 12: Rep row 6. Row 13: Rep row 5-27 CL. Row 14: Rep row 6. Row 15: Sc in next sc, ch 4, CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, ch 4, sc in next sc, * * * ch 4, CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, ch 4, sc in next sc *; rep from * to * twice, [ch 4, CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, working half of CL in each ch-3 sp, ch 4, sc in same ch-3 sp, ch 7, sk sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 4, CL in same ch-3 sp and next ch-3 sp, ch 4, sc in next sc]; rep from * to * twice, rep from [to] one time, rep from ** in pattern across, ending last rep with ch 4, CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, ch 4, sc in last sc, leaving remaining sts unworked; ch 4, turn. Move the markers to the ch-7 s.p.a.ces-26 CL, 5 ch-7 sps. Row 16: Rep row 4. Row 17: Rep row 5-30 CL. Row 18: Rep row 6. Row 19: Rep row 5-29 CL. Row 20: Rep row 6. Row 21: Sc in next sc, * ch 4, CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, ch 4, sc in next sc *; rep from * to * 5 more times, ** [ch 4, CL in next 2 ch-3 sps, working half of CL in each ch-3 sp, ch 4, sc in same ch-3 sp, ch 7, sk sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 4, CL in same ch-3 sp and next ch-3 sp, ch 4, sc in next sc], rep from * to * 5 times; rep from ** across; leaving remaining sts unworked; ch 4, turn. Move the markers to the ch-7 s.p.a.ces-28 CL, 3 ch-7 sps. Row 22: Rep row 4. Row 23: Rep row 5-30 CL. Row 24: Rep row 6. Row 25: Rep row 5-29 CL. Row 26: Rep row 6. Row 27: Rep row 21-28 CL, 3 ch-7 sps. Row 28: Rep row 4. Row 29: Rep row 5 -30 CL. Row 30: Rep row 6. Row 31: Rep row 5-29 CL. Row 32: Rep row 6. Row 33: Rep row 9 (same as row 21)-28 CL, 3 ch-7 sps. Row 34: Rep row 4. Row 35: Rep row 5-30 CL. Row 36: Rep row 6. Row 37: Rep row 5-29 CL. Fasten off. Block to enhance lace effect.

ABBREVIATIONS.

Beg-Beginning; Ch(s)-Chain(s); CL-Cl.u.s.ter; Dc-Double Crochet; Lp(s)-Loop(s); Patt-Pattern; Pm-Place marker; RS-Right side; Rep-Repeat; Sc-Single Crochet; Sk-Skip; Sp(s)-s.p.a.ce(s); St(s)-St.i.tch(es); Yo-Yarnover Jo Marie's Knitted Shawl.

Designed by Michael del Vecchio.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS.

Length (Along Top Edge): 72.

Depth: 6 MATERIALS.

Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street Collection (distributed by Universal Yarn) Petals Sock (100g/462 yds; 50% fine merino, 30% nylon, 20% angora) Color # 602 Alpine Strawberry-1 ball Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm) 29 circular ndl or size to obtain gauge Notions: St.i.tch markers, tapestry needle GAUGE.

14 sts x 31 rows = 4 in Garter st, blocked.

Save time, check your gauge.

SHAWLETTE.

Cast on 179 sts. Set-up row (WS): K2, place marker (pm), [k21, pm, k1, pm] 7 times, k21, pm, k2. Inc row (RS): K2, slip marker (sl m), [yo, knit to marker (m), yo, sl m, k1, sl m] 7 times, yo, knit to m, yo, sl m, k2-16 sts inc'd. Knit 1 WS row. Rep these 2 rows, 7 more times-307 sts.

BORDER.

Row 1 (RS): K2, sl m, yo, [k1, * yo, k1, sl1-k2tog-psso, k1, yo, k1; rep from * to m, yo, sl m, k1, sl m, yo] 7 times, k1, * yo, k1, sl1-k2tog-psso, k1, yo, k1; rep from * to m, yo, k2-323 sts. Row 2 (and all rem WS rows): Knit. Row 3: K2, sl m, yo, k1, [k1, * yo, k1, sl1-k2tog-psso, k1, yo, k1; rep from * to 1 st before m, k1, yo, sl m, k1, sl m, yo, k1] 7 times, k1, * yo, k1, sl1-k2tog-psso, k1, yo, k1; rep from * to 1 st before m, k1, yo, k2-339 sts. Row 5: K2, sl m, yo, k2, [k1, * yo, k1, sl1-k2tog-psso, k1, yo, k1; rep from * to 2 sts before m, k2, yo, sl m, k1, sl m, yo, k2] 7 times, k1, * yo, k1, sl1-k2tog-psso, k1, yo, k1; rep from * to 2 sts before m, k2, yo, k2-355 sts. Knit 1 WS row. Bind off all sts very loosely. Weave in ends and block, stretching to enhance length and lace effect.

ABBREVIATIONS.

Inc-increase; K-knit; M-marker; Ndl-needle; Pm-place marker; RS-right side; Rem-remain(ing); Rep-repeat; Sl1-k2tog-psso: Slip 1 st.i.tch as if to knit, knit 2 st.i.tches together, pa.s.s the slipped st.i.tch over the knit 2 together; Sl m-slip marker; St(s)-st.i.tch(es); WS-wrong side; Yo-yarnover.

To my special friends from Knitter's Magazine.

and the St.i.tches Conferences, Benjamin Levisay.

and Rick Mondragon.

Acknowledgments.

It has long been my contention that the only people who bother to read the acknowledgments page are those who are hoping to see their names listed. Keep reading ... who knows.

Early on in my career I learned the importance of surrounding myself with highly competent people, and so as the years went by I built my own publishing team. One of the first people I hired was my personal a.s.sistant, Renate Roth, who has been with me over seventeen years. I tell people, and it's true, Renate is my right and my left hand. In later years I added Heidi Pollard to my staff, along with Wanda Roberts and Carol Ba.s.s. The most recent hiree is my daughter Adele LaCombe who serves as my business and brand manager. These five incredible women work with me in Port Orchard. They keep my life relatively sane and-to use a cliche-are the wind beneath my wings.

Nancy Berland has been my personal publicist for sixteen years. I wouldn't make a move without her. She manages my website, sends out the monthly e-letters, and is responsible for a dozen or more aspects of my career. Theresa Park, my fiction agent, has guided me through the swift current in the rapidly changing world of publishing for the last six years. I am forever indebted to Theresa for her wisdom, intelligence, and business ac.u.men.

The story you are holding in your hands is due in large part to three of the finest women in publishing: Libby McGuire, Jennifer Hershey, and Shauna Summers. They have each added texture and depth to this book. I am grateful for their insights and their faith in me.

Now if this was the Academy Awards there would probably be music playing in the background, telling me to wind this up and get on with the program. So in one final breath, I want to thank my husband, Wayne, and my children for their love and support. And Wayne, you aren't fooling me one bit when you lie down on the sofa and tell me not to disturb you because you are plotting. I know a nap when I see one.

Debbie Macomber.

August 2012.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

DEBBIE MACOMBER, the author of A Turn in the Road, 1105 Yakima Street, Hannah's List, and Twenty Wishes, is a leading voice in women's fiction. Seven of her novels have hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, with three debuting at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly lists. Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle (2009) and Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010) were Hallmark Channel's top-watched movies for the year. Debbie has more than 160 million copies of her books in print worldwide.