Summer on Blossom Street Read online

  Praise for Debbie Macomber’s Blossom Street Books

  “Macomber deftly handles the multiple story lines and emotional terrain of families, while the…happy ending is very genuine.”

  —Publishers Weekly on Summer on Blossom Street

  “Macomber shows no signs of fatigue in keeping her Blossom Street books unique and entertaining.”

  —Library Journal on Summer on Blossom Street

  “Each of Debbie Macomber’s books is the best one yet, and Summer is no exception.”

  —ReaderToReader.com on Summer on Blossom Street

  “Macomber’s assured storytelling and affirming narrative [are] as welcoming as your favorite easy chair.”

  —Publishers Weekly on Twenty Wishes

  “When it comes to creating a special place and memorable, honorable characters, nobody does it better than Macomber.”

  —BookPage on Summer on Blossom Street

  “Even the most hard-hearted readers will find themselves rooting for the women in this hopeful story while surreptitiously wiping away tears and making their own list of wishes.”

  —Booklist on Twenty Wishes

  “Simply delightful.”

  —RT Book Reviews on Back on Blossom Street

  “Poignant story of real women with real problems becoming real friends.”

  —Booklist on A Good Yarn

  “A truly enjoyable read.”

  —BookReporter.com on A Good Yarn

  “Macomber is an adept storyteller…many will be entertained by this well-paced story about four women finding happiness and fulfillment through their growing friendship.”

  —Publishers Weekly on The Shop on Blossom Street

  My Dear Friends,

  Welcome back to Blossom Street and to Lydia Goetz’s knitting shop, A Good Yarn. Lydia’s family and friends are eager to update you on what’s been happening on this Seattle street.

  A few years ago, while I was in Australia and everyone else was busy exploring Sydney, I sought out a yarn store. As I stepped up to pay for my purchase (you didn’t think I wouldn’t buy yarn, did you?) I noticed a sign-up sheet for a class that taught knitting as a way to help people quit smoking. What a great idea, I thought—for a book. I grabbed that plot premise, expanded it (Lydia’s class is for people who want to quit any kind of bad habit, not just smoking) and waited for the right story to come along. I’m pleased to tell you it’s the very one you’re holding in your hands. My Knit to Quit class idea evolved into Summer on Blossom Street. You’ll meet a few new characters and connect with some you already know. And yes, Anne Marie, Ellen and Baxter are back—and Ellen is still working on her twenty wishes, so be prepared for a surprise there.

  When I wrote The Shop on Blossom Street, the first story about Lydia and her yarn shop, I hadn’t expected or intended it to become a series. Who knew? Obviously not me! Although in retrospect it makes perfect sense, since any book that involves my passions (in this case for yarn and knitting) was sure to resonate with my readers, as well.

  My hope is that you’re as eager to catch up with Lydia and her friends as she is to turn over the Open sign on her shop door. Enjoy your visit! And rest assured—she has more classes to teach, more lessons to learn and more friends to make.

  Warmest regards,

  Debbie Macomber

  P.S. I love to hear from my readers. You can reach me at www.debbiemacomber.com or write me at P.O. Box 1458, Port Orchard, WA 98366

  DEBBIE MACOMBER

  Summer on Blossom Street

  To Delilah

  My God-given friend

  KNITTING PATTERN

  CABLE SAMPLER SCARF

  © 2009 Bev Galeskas/Fiber Trends, Inc.

  www.Fibertrends.com

  Size: About 8" wide by 60" long, relaxed after blocking.

  Materials and Supplies: 5 skeins Harmony 8 ply 100% merino wool (50gr–130 yds per skein) or other DK weight yarn to equal gauge.

  U.S. size 6 needles; cable needle.

  Gauge: 21 sts = 4" (10 cm) in garter stitch.

  Stitches and Abbreviations:

  Sl-1 (Slip 1): All slip stitches on this pattern should be slipped purlwise with yarn in front of work.

  k2tog: Knit 2 sts together as one.

  Inc (increase): Lift the stitch below the stitch on left needle and place the loop on the point of left needle. Knit this loop, then knit the stitch. (1 st increased)

  Brackets: Work all stitches within the brackets the specified number of times (x).

  Asterisks: Repeat stitches between the asterisks, including any repeats within.

  C6B (Cable 6 back): Slip 3 sts to the cable needle and hold in back of work. Knit next 3 sts from left needle, then k3 from cable needle.

  C6F (Cable 6 front): Slip 3 sts to the cable needle and hold in front of work. Knit next 3 sts from left needle, then k3 from cable needle.

  C4B (Cable 4 back): Slip 2 sts to the cable needle and hold in back of work. Knit next 2 sts from left needle, then k2 from cable needle.

  C4F (Cable 4 front): Slip 2 sts to the cable needle and hold in front of work. Knit next 2 sts from left needle, then k2 from cable needle.

  Notes: Scarf is bordered in garter stitch. These stitches are included in the directions, so there should not be a need to use markers.

  Slip the first stitch of every row as if to purl with the yarn held in front of work.

  Instructions:

  Loosely cast on 43 sts.

  Knit 10 rows (5 ridges of garter stitch).

  Cable Pattern 1:

  Set Up Row 1: (WS) Sl-1, k7, [p3, k3] 5x, k5.

  Set Up Row 2: (RS) Sl-1, k4, p3, [inc in next 3 sts (see above for method), p3] 5x, k5. (58 sts)

  Begin Cable Pattern:

  Row 1 and all WS rows: Sl-1, k7, [p6, k3] 5x, k5.

  Row 2: Sl-1, k4, p3, [k6, p3] 5x, k5.

  Row 4: Sl-1, k4, p3, [C6B, p3] 5x, k5.

  Rows 6 & 8: Repeat row 2.

  Work rows 1 through 8 a total of 6 times, then rows 1 through 5 once more.

  Final Row: (RS) Sl-1, k7, *[k2tog] 3x, k3,* repeat to last 5 sts, k5. (43 sts)

  Knit 10 rows (5 ridges of garter stitch), ending ready to begin a WS row.

  Cable Pattern 2:

  Set Up Row 1: (WS) Sl-1, k4, p33, k5.

  Set Up Row 2: (RS) Sl-1, k4, p6, [k1, inc in next st, k1, p6] 3x, k5. (46 sts)

  Begin Cable Pattern:

  Rows 1, 3, 5 & 7: (WS) Sl-1, k10, [p4, k6] 3x, k5.

  Row 2: (RS) Sl-1, [k4, p6] 4x, k5.

  Row 4: Sl-1, k4, [p6, C4F] 3x, p6, k5.

  Row 6: Repeat row 2.

  Rows 8 & 10: Sl-1, k4, p1, [k4, p6] 3x, k4, p1, k5.

  Rows 9, 11, 13 & 15: Sl-1, k5, [p4, k6] 4x.

  Row 12: Sl-1, k4, p1, [C4F, p6] 3x, C4F, p1, k5.

  Row 14: Repeat row 10.

  Row 16: Repeat row 2.

  Work rows 1 through 16 a total of 3 times, then rows 1 through 7 once more.

  Final Row: (RS) Sl-1, k11, k2tog, [k8, k2tog] 2x, k12. (43 sts)

  Knit 10 rows (5 ridges of garter stitch), ending ready to begin a WS row.

  Cable Pattern 3:

  Set Up Rows 1 & 2: Work as for Cable Pattern 1. (58 sts)

  Begin Cable Pattern:

  Row 1 and all WS rows: Sl-1, k7, [p6, k3] 5x, k5.

  Row 2: Sl-1, k4, p3, [k6, p3] 5x, k5.

  Row 4: Sl-1, k4, p3, [C6B, p3] 5x, k5.

  Rows 6, 8 & 10: Repeat row 2.

  Row 12: Sl-1, k4, p3, [C6F, p3] 5x, k5.

  Rows 14 & 16: Repeat row 2.

  Work rows 1 through 16 a total of 3 times, then rows 1 through 5 once more.

  Final row: (RS) Sl-1, k7, *[k2tog] 3x, k3,* repeat to last 5 sts, k5. (43 sts)

  Knit 10 rows (5 rid
ges of garter stitch), ending ready to begin a WS row.

  Cable Pattern 4:

  Set Up Row 1: S1-1, k4, p33, k5.

  Set Up Row 2: Sl-1, k5, inc in next st, k3, [inc in next 2 sts, k2] 7x, k5. (58 sts)

  Begin Cable Pattern:

  Row 1 and all WS rows: Sl-1, k4, purl to last 5 sts, k5.

  Row 2: Sl-1, k4, *C4F, k2,* repeat to last 5 sts, k5.

  Row 4: Knit.

  Row 6: Sl-1, k6, *C4B, k2,* repeat to last 9 sts, C4B, k5.

  Row 8: Knit.

  Work rows 1 through 8 a total of 6 times, then rows 1 through 7 once more.

  Final Row: (RS) Sl-1, k5, k2tog, k4, *[k2tog] 2x, k2,* repeat to last 10 sts, [k2tog] 2x, k6. (43 sts)

  Knit 10 rows (5 ridges of garter stitch), ending ready to begin a WS row.

  Cable Pattern 5:

  Work Set Up Rows 1 & 2 as for Cable Pattern 1. (58 sts)

  Begin Cable Pattern:

  Row 1 and all WS rows: Sl-1, k7, [p6, k3] 5x, k5.

  Row 2: Sl-1, k4, [p3, C4B, k2] 5x, p3, k5.

  Row 4: Sl-1, k4, [p3, k2, C4F] 5x, p3, k5.

  Work rows 1 through 4 a total of 13 times, then work row 1 once more.

  Final Row: (RS) Sl-1, k7, *[k2tog] 3x, k3,* repeat to last 5 sts, k5. (43 sts)

  Knit 10 rows (5 ridges of garter stitch), ending ready to begin a WS row.

  Cable Pattern 6:

  Set Up Row 1: (WS) Sl-1, k4, p33, k5.

  Set Up Row 2: (RS) Sl-1, k8, inc in next st, k5, [inc in next 2 sts, k4] 4x, k4. (52 sts)

  Begin Cable Pattern:

  Row 1 and all WS rows: Sl-1, k4, p42, k5.

  Row 2: Sl-1, k7, C4B, [k4, C4B] 4x, k8.

  Row 4: Sl-1, k5, C4B, C4F, [k8, C4B, C4F] 2x, k6.

  Row 6: Sl-1, knit to end.

  Row 8: Sl-1, k5, C4F, C4B, [k8, C4F, C4B] 2x, k6.

  Row 10: Repeat row 2.

  Row 12: Sl-1, k13, C4B, C4F, k8, C4B, C4F, k14.

  Row 14: Repeat row 6.

  Row 16: Sl-1, k13, C4F, C4B, k8, C4F, C4B, k14.

  Work rows 1 through 16 a total of 3 times, then rows 1 through 9 once more.

  Final Row: (RS) Sl-1, k6, *[k2tog] 2x, k5, k2tog, k5,* repeat once, [k2tog] 2x, k9. (44 sts)

  Knit 10 rows (5 ridges of garter stitch), ending ready to begin a WS row.

  Cable Pattern 7:

  Set Up Row 1: (WS) Sl-1, k7, [p4, k3, p2, k3] 2x, p4, k8.

  Set Up Row 2: (RS) Sl-1, k4, p3, [inc in next 4 sts, p3, inc in next 2 sts, p3] 2x, inc in next 4 sts, p3, k5. (60 sts)

  Begin Cable Pattern:

  Row 1 and all WS rows: Sl-1, k7, [p8, k3, p4, k3] 2x, p8, k8.

  Row 2: (RS) Sl-1, k4, p3, C4F, C4B, p3, C4F, p3, C4F, C4B, p3, C4B, p3, C4F, C4B, p3, k5.

  Row 4: Sl-1, k4, p3, [k8, p3, k4, p3] 2x, k8, p3, k5.

  Row 6: Sl-1, k4, p3, C4B, C4F, p3, C4F, p3, C4B, C4F, p3, C4B, p3, C4B, C4F, p3, k5.

  Row 8: Repeat row 4.

  Row 10: Repeat row 6.

  Row 12: Repeat row 4.

  Row 14: Repeat row 2.

  Row 16: Repeat row 4.

  Work rows 1 through 16 a total of 3 times, then rows 1 through 7 once more.

  Final Row: (RS) Sl-1, k4, k2tog, k1, *[k2tog] 4x, k3, [k2tog] 2x, k3,* repeat once, [k2tog] 4x, k8. (43 sts)

  Knit 10 rows (5 ridges of garter stitch), ending ready to begin a WS row.

  Cast off loosely, knitwise.

  Work in yarn ends neatly. Rinse in cool water and roll in a towel to remove excess water. Lay scarf out on a flat surface and pull into shape. Blocking wires are helpful for nice straight edges.

  Pin as needed and leave until completely dry. Note that while the scarf may pull out to about 9" wide while wet, it will relax back to about 8" wide afterward.

  Enjoy!

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  EPILOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  In knitting, as in life, we grow when we challenge ourselves. The concentration required to learn a new stitch or technique is good for both our hands and our brains.

  —Bev Galeskas, Fiber Trends Patterns and U.S. distributor of Naturally New Zealand Yarns.

  www.fibertrends.com

  Lydia Goetz

  Wednesday morning, a not-so-perfect June day, I turned over the Open sign at my yarn store on Blossom Street. Standing in the doorway I breathed in the sweet scent of day lilies, gladiolas, roses and lavender from Susannah’s Garden, the flower shop next door.

  It was the beginning of summer, and although the sky was overcast and rain threatened to fall at any moment, the sun shone brightly in my heart. (My husband, Brad, always laughs when I say things like that. But I don’t care. As a woman who’s survived cancer not once but twice, I feel entitled to the occasional sentimental remark. Especially today…)

  I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, enjoying the early-morning peace. I just don’t think there’s anyplace more beautiful than Seattle in the summer. All the flowers spilling out of Susannah’s Garden are one of the benefits. The array of colors, as well as the heady perfume drifting in my direction, makes me so glad A Good Yarn is located where it is.

  Whiskers, my shop cat, as Brad calls him, ambled across the hardwood floor and leaped into the window display, nestling among the skeins of pastel yarns. He takes up residence there most days and has long been a neighborhood favorite. The apartment upstairs is an extra storeroom for yarn at the moment; perhaps one day I’ll rent it out again but that isn’t in the plans yet.

  The French Café across the street was already busy, as it is every morning. The windows were filled with pastries, breads and croissants warm from the oven, and their delectable aroma added to the scents I associate with summer on Blossom Street. Alix Turner is usually there by five to bake many of these wonderful temptations. She’s one of my dearest friends—and was among my first customers. I’m so proud of everything she’s accomplished in the past few years. It’s fair to say she reinvented her life—with a little help from her friends. She has an education and a career now, and she’s married to a man who seems completely right for her.

  Blossom Street Books down the street was ready for business, too. Anne Marie Roche and her staff often leave the front door open as a welcoming gesture, inviting those who wander past to come inside and browse. She and her daughter, Ellen, would be coming home from Paris later today.

  Nearly every afternoon Ellen walks their Yorkie past the window so Whiskers and Baxter can stare fiercely at each other. Ellen insists it’s all for show, that the cat and dog are actually good friends but don’t want any of us to know that.

  I grinned at Whiskers because I couldn’t resist sharing my joy and excitement—even with the cat. In fact, I wanted to tell the whole world my news. Yesterday, we found out that we’d been approved for adoption. I hadn’t yet shared this information with anyone, including my sister, Margaret. We’ve been through the interviews, the home test and fingerprinting. And last night we heard.

  We’re going to adopt a baby.

  Because of my cancer, pregnancy is out of the question. While the ability to conceive has been taken from me, the desire fo
r a baby hasn’t. It’s like an ache that never quite goes away. As much as possible I’ve tried to hide this from Brad. Whenever thoughts of what cancer has stolen from me enter my head, I try hard to counter them by remembering all the blessings I’ve received in my life. I want to celebrate every day, savor every minute, without resentment or regret.

  I have so much for which to be grateful. I’m alive and cancer-free. I’m married to a man I adore. His son, Cody, now nine years old, has become my son, too. And I have a successful business, one that brings me great pleasure and satisfaction. When I first opened A Good Yarn, it was my way of shouting to the world that I refused to let cancer rob me of anything else. I was going to live and I was going to do it without the constant threat of illness and death. I was determined to bask in the sunshine. I still am.

  So A Good Yarn was the start of my new life. Within a year of opening the store, I met Brad Goetz and we were married the following spring. Because of what I’d been through in my teens and again in my twenties, I didn’t have a lot of experience with men or relationships. At first, Brad’s love terrified me. Then I learned not to reject something good just because I was afraid of its loss. I learned that I could trust this man—and myself.

  How blessed I am to be loved by him and Cody. Each and every day I thank God for the two men in my life.

  Even with all I have, my arms ached to hold a baby. Our baby. Brad, who knows me so well, understood my need. After discussing the subject for weeks on end, after vacillating, weighing the pros and cons, we’d reached our decision.

  Yes, we were going to adopt.

  The catalyst for all this happened when Anne Marie Roche adopted eight-year-old Ellen.

  I realized the wait for a newborn might be lengthy but we were both prepared for that. Although we’d be thrilled with an infant of either sex, I secretly longed for a little girl.