The Shop on Blossom Street Page 0,26

learned that you're responsible for what's happening in the Blossom Street neighborhood."

Reese reached for his wine. "Most people there welcome the renovation."

"Alix lives in the apartment building at the end of the street." As far as Jacqueline could see, it was a rat-infested dump. If it was slated for demolition, all the better. Alix and her kind would need to look elsewhere for low-rent housing. Girls like that weren't wanted in an upscale neighborhood, which Blossom Street would soon become.

"Ah," Reese murmured and sipped his wine. "Now I understand."

"What's planned for the building?" Jacqueline asked.

"That hasn't been decided." Reese gently swirled his wine against the sides of the goblet. "The city is talking to the owner. My idea was to completely remodel the place into condos, but it seems some advocates for low-income housing now have the mayor's ear."

"That's unfortunate. Those low-rent people will ruin the neighborhood. You might as well kiss all your hard work goodbye." She hated to sound like a pessimist, but if Alix was any indication of the quality of person living in that building, then the entire street was at risk.

"Maybe you should give the knitting class another try," Reese suggested, ignoring her outburst.

The truth of it was that Jacqueline wanted to continue. She hadn't found the class "awful" at all; that was an exaggeration for Reese's benefit. Other than the confrontation with Alix, she'd enjoyed the lesson. At one point, Lydia had told them to walk around the shop and choose three balls of yarn in their favorite colors. At the time it'd seemed like a useless exercise. Jacqueline had chosen a silver gloss, a deep purple and a vibrant red. Lydia's next instruction had been to choose wool in the color she disliked most. Jacqueline had gone immediately to a skein of bright yellow, which was the color that appealed to her least. Lydia had talked about contrasting colors and showed how they often complement each other. In fact, the yellow had looked completely different against the purple, and just as Lydia had said, the contrast was surprisingly effective.

She'd discovered that so much of knitting was about choosing the textures and colors, which was something she hadn't considered before. Jacqueline had walked out of the class with the realization that she'd learn far more than the basic knitting stitches. That, however, did little to quell her uneasiness concerning Alix.

"I might decide to attend the second beginners' session later in the summer," Jacqueline muttered, still unsure of what to do. She'd paid for the entire six-week course and detested the thought of some hoodlum driving her away with intimidation and ill-manners.

The doorbell rang and Jacqueline felt the tension crawl up her spine. While Reese answered the door, she forced a smile and moved into the formal living room, hands clasped in front of her. She waited for Reese to greet Paul and Tammie Lee in the foyer.

"How wonderful to see you both," Jacqueline purred, extending her arms to Tammie Lee and her son as they entered the room. She briefly hugged her daughter-in-law and grazed Paul's cheek with her lips. Now that she knew Tammie Lee was pregnant, she wondered how she hadn't guessed earlier. Her daughter-in-law was definitely showing - enough to be wearing a maternity top.

Paul and Tammie Lee sat on the sofa, so close their shoulders touched. They held hands, as if to proclaim that nothing would tear them apart.

While Reese poured a glass of wine for Paul, Jacqueline carried in the platter of hors d'oeuvres. Tammie Lee smiled up at Jacqueline.

"I just love shrimp and ever since I've been pregnant I've had the worst craving for them," she said in a soft twang. "Just ask Paul. I think he must be thoroughly sick of shrimp, but he never complains." She gazed lovingly toward her husband as she accepted a small napkin and two crackers.

Paul cast his wife a look of love and pride, and it was all Jacqueline could do to maintain her composure. For the life of her, she couldn't understand what her son saw in this girl.

"What can I get you to drink?" Reese asked Tammie Lee when he brought Paul his wineglass.

"It's so nice of you to ask, but I'm just fine, thank you."

If there was anything for which to be grateful, Jacqueline mused, it was the fact that Tammie Lee seemed to be taking care of herself during the pregnancy. At least she had that much common sense.

Reese and Jacqueline sat across from them in leather