A Good Yarn Page 0,117

to get out more than one word at a time - and it takes a lot to leave me speechless.

"The truly astounding part is that Matt hadn't even applied with this particular engineering firm. Their Human Resources department contacted him on Thursday and asked him to submit an application immediately, which he did. They didn't have it longer than a day before he heard back and the negotiations began."

"That's marvelous!"

"It is - more than you know. I've hardly ever seen Matt so excited. He was like a little kid when he got the news. He started work yesterday. I wanted to say something on Friday, but we decided to wait until everything was in place - and we could give you this." She pointed to the check.

"Margaret," I said, hugging my sister. "Are you sure? I mean, there must be a hundred things you need. Keep the money, repay me when you can."

"No," she returned sternly. "This is yours, and neither Matt nor I will hear of anything else."

"Wow," I whispered, "the fairy dust is flying all over the place." I don't think my sister realized what a turning point that loan was for me, in more ways than one. Perhaps for the first time since I became an adult, I'd truly stepped outside myself. I know that sounds odd, but it has to do with the rather insular life I'd lived for so many years. What I mean is, when I was a teenager and in my twenties, my whole life revolved around my sickness and consequently around me. Not until I opened the shop on Blossom Street did I begin to understand how self-absorbed I'd become.

This had been an especially difficult summer for me as I learned to consider needs and concerns other than my own. It was a financial stretch to help Margaret and Matt, but I badly wanted to give back to my sister and her family for all the sacrifices they'd made on my behalf.

Later, with Mom, I came to understand that our roles were now reversed. It was time for me to take care of her. The paperwork, finances and everything else involved in getting Mom settled in assisted living had been time-consuming and often frustrating. But my parents had always handled those details for me, during my bouts of cancer. I received the very best treatment available because my parents fought for me. Now it was my turn.

My third emotional lesson was perhaps the most painful. It came when Brad told me about Janice. I'd just about dissolved into a puddle of self-pity because the man I loved had broken off our relationship. Only later, when I looked past the pain I was suffering, did I understand that Brad had done this out of love for his son. Reconciling with Janice wasn't what he wanted, but he loved Cody enough to put aside his own wants in an effort to give him the family he needed. I failed to be as noble. Granted, once I recognized his motives, I felt less hurt, but I wasn't nearly as gracious or understanding as I could have been.

The bell above the door jangled and I had my first customer of the day. I half expected Margaret to rush out. She seemed occupied with order forms, so I placed the check on my desk and hurried into the shop.

Brad stood just inside and my heart seized at the sight of him. Margaret's smile had nothing on mine. "Hello, handsome," I said.

"Hello, beautiful."

We stood there smiling at each other for the longest moment, until he held his arms out to me. I didn't need a second invitation. My feet barely touched the ground as I ran into his embrace. Anyone who happened to be strolling past my shop window would've seen two people in love. Brad and I were entwined, arms around each other, kissing, kissing, kissing.

When we finally managed to break apart, it was with reluctance. "You're so right," I cried, running my hands over his face, needing to touch him. "I behaved like a jealous fool, and I lied, I lied. There's no one else. Brad, forgive me. I'm sorry."

"I am, too - for what I said last week. I could no more walk away from you than I could one of Alix's chocolate eclairs."

I laughed and poked my finger into his ribs. Then because it felt so good to be with him again, I wrapped my arms around him and held on tight.

"So there isn't