Hearts Knit Together

By kris brown

Patty Dalke has been through the worst. In an effort to reclaim her self-worth and faith, she heads to the quaint town of Abbotsford, Wisconsin.

 

Arriving in Abbotsford, she begins to restore her broken spirit by doing what she loves-cooking. Patty opens a pizza place in a space she shares with the local knitting club, Cathy's Klickers, and forms a fast friendships with the close-knit group. Patty discovers what she never expects to find in a small town - love.

 

Edgar Ellington, a dashing actor in town to film a movie, happens upon Patty at her restaurant. Soon sparks fly. But will Patty's jealous ex-husband and Edgar's trust issues put an end to the budding romance?

 

In this heartwarming tale, Patty finds her faith restored and a family of friends and love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: kris brown
• Release date: Feb 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215108970

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Where are you from? Logan asked Patty, as he rolled a breadstick.

Patty, stirring a huge cauldron of sauce, took a wooden spoon and tasted.

Needs a tad more oregano. She sprinkled the spice into the bubbling pot I'm sorry Logan, what did you ask me?

I was just wondering if you grew up here in Abbotsford. How you ended up starting your own pizza place. Logan slathered on melted butter and placed the sticks on a baking sheet.

Oh Logan, it's a long story. I am from a bigger town, Wausau. I always had the dream in the back of my mind, but life sometimes gets in the way. I had a safe career for a long time, but I was never truly content, you know?

Logan nodded as he set the timer of the oven. Yes, I understand that. It took me a couple years of working in the general labor field before I knew I needed to get to culinary school. I appreciate you have taken me on to be part of this adventure.

Patty ladled the sauce onto a fresh crust. Thank me after we've been in business for a while. This is just opening night, who knows if it will take off and be a success.

How can it not? With your recipes and a great location right downtown we can't miss.

Thanks, Logan. It truly was God's leading to find this location. Having the generous knitting group allow me to take over the first floor while they moved upstairs just blew me away. They are actually meeting tonight, just before closing. Not only am I learning how to knit with them but I'm developing great friendships. She peered out the kitchen window into the dining area. It's been pretty slow for opening night.

Logan shrugged as he arranged the breadsticks in a basket on top of a checkered napkin. It might take a while to get the word out. Do you want me to close up so you can meet with Cathy's Klickers, that's your knitting group's name, right?

Patty nodded. Yes, that is the name of our group, but you don't have to stay. We don't get started right away, I'll take care of closing.

Patty wiped down the tables. The bell over the door rang from a couple leaving.

That's the last customer Logan! Logan peered his friendly face out of the kitchen door.

Thanks! I'll be heading out then.

Thank you for all your help, opening night was pretty good. The knitters are all here, I think, so I will close up when you leave.

He nodded his head and went out the door. Patty was left alone with her thoughts as she finished cleaning the tables. It had been a decent opening day, but could this venture be sustainable? This was a whole new territory for her. All her life she had followed the safe path for her life. It took all of her to muster enough courage to start a risky venture and risk the financial stability of a safe, steady job. She looked over the group of knitters that had assembled for their meeting and felt her fears subside a little. She had their support and her faith in God, who she knew would always be at her side. She just had to believe people would come.

Patty, are you ready to start the meeting? Cathy called out.

I'm coming! Patty replied as she made her way over to Cathy, the leader of their precious knitting group.

Can you bring some leftover pizza? Ephram said, grinning from ear to ear.

Yes, we do have a half of a pepperoni leftover, I'll go get it.

Retrieving their treat, she made her way over to the chairs set up for their meeting.

Why aren't we meeting upstairs? Suzette asked.

I thought it might be nice to just meet on the first level on Patty's first day being open. Just so she's closer to everything. Now, shall we start? Cathy replied.

Patty nodded. I need to get my mind off this place for the rest of the night. Suzette, what's going on with John and the kids?

Well, to tell you the truth, John is a little worried about his job. He's been working as a buyer at that Bargain Shoppers for twenty years now but rumors are flying the company is going to shut its doors. I don't know what he would do, he's been there so long it would be tough to find another job that pays well and offers the same benefits.

Has he been looking at other jobs, just in case? Ruth asked.

Yes, he has. But in his field, it's hard to find jobs, at least around here. Just the thought of moving elsewhere and uprooting the family is depressing.

I can understand that. Elaine said as she took Ephram's hand. This town is so special, and the people are so genuine. It's hard to believe there's any other town that has such charm and uniqueness.

Well, Cathy said I did live in a bigger city for a while when I was first out of college. It didn't have the same feel, of course as our town. It did have a lot of conveniences we don't have. Lots of shopping, close movie theaters, pizza delivery.

Oh no, I forgot all about having a delivery service! Patty moaned.

It's just your opening day, you can worry about adding that down the road. Cathy pointed with her knitting needles. Suzette, we'll keep John's situation in our prayers. We'd hate to see you move, you fit perfectly here. Now Ruth, how are things going at the community center?

Things are going good there. There are a lot of people my age and they offer a lot of different programs. I'm involved in the canasta group on Thursday afternoons.

Have you met any eligible men? Suzette asked slyly.

Ruth laughed. There probably are, but after my dear Phil passed I just can't see marrying again, or even dating.

I know of people who have gotten married in their 90's. Ephram piped in.

Elaine gave him a stern look. Who do you know that got married in their 90's?

Well, I guess I don't know them personally, but I did see it on the Internet.

It's ok, after being married and raising a family, I'm actually a little relieved to be single. I can come and go as I please, there's less stress and I can focus on volunteering and spending my retirement making a difference.

Cathy smiled at Ruth. You are making a difference. You've been donating your knitting projects to the senior center and local hospitals for years. You are definitely a shining example of making a difference.

Thanks Cathy, that's very sweet of you. Ruth replied.

Suddenly they heard a chime. The front door opened. A tall chiseled face man, in a black coat and plaid scarf strolled in as if the world was his. Patty couldn't help but eye his black, wavy hair. Her gaze went to a set of deep cobalt blue eyes that reminded her of tropical waters. She gasped.

Excuse me, he said in his rich, baritone voice, I am just coming through town and am starving. Are you still open?

Patty started to her feet and said, Well, we are technically closed and I must have forgotten to lock the door.

But we'll get you anything you want! Shouted Ephram as he jumped up and grabbed Patty's arm. She gave him a quizzical look as he continued. What kind of pizza would you like? We have everything here.

My favorite is traditional pepperoni and mushroom. He said, looking a bit taken aback by Ephram.

Done! Ephram said as he guided Patty to the kitchen. Take a seat, he called over his shoulder, We'll have it done in a jiffy.

As Ephram and Patty rounded the corner, he let go of her arm and she twirled to slug him in the arm. Do you mind telling me what that was all about?

C'mon Patty, you seriously don't know?

No, please enlighten me on why I have to make this guy a pizza when he came waltzing in past closing time.

You were the one who forgot to lock the door.

The open sign was not lit. The hours are clearly posted on the door. She pointed toward the door emphatically.

Patty, listen, that guy out there is Edgar Ellington!

So, is that somebody you know or something? Friend of yours? She peered back out toward the waiting customer.

He pushed his hand through his hair. No geez Patty, Edgar Ellington is Matt Marvel. Haven't you ever seen any of his movies?

Patty paused. I may have heard that name before. Isn't he some kind of superhero or something?

Yes, Matt Marvel is kind of like Superman. He can't fly, though. This guy has done a whole string of action movies. You had to have seen 'Magic Marvel' it had like 3 sequels. He just finished a science fiction movie where he's in space and finds a black hole or something. Supposed to come out in spring. I wonder why he's in town, he must be filming another movie.

Ephram, I see rom-coms or comedies, I don't like action movies. And I really don' have the time to be following up on celebrities. Now if it was Brad Pitt that walked through my door, then I would know who he was.

Well this guy is pretty big time. Plus, he's in your establishment. This could put you on that map.

Patty started tossing the dough for the pizza. Ephram, I want to be put on the map for my food, maybe a good review from a food critic, not because a celebrity ate here.

Well, I think it'll be good for business. Plus...he's single Ephram said with a sly grin.

Patty set the dough on the pan and proceeded with the sauce.

Ephram, right now dating is the farthest thing from my mind. I am freshly divorced and need time to be single for a while. Besides, with starting up this place I have no time to date.

Patty finished up the toppings. She tossed it in the oven, paused and hastily grabbed some dough, twisting and turning it in her hands. Ok, if he really is that big of deal then I better make sure he gets some of my breadsticks as well.

Ephram grinned. Good to see you're coming to your senses. It looks like everything is taken care of here, I will go out and do some schmoozing with Mr. Marvel.

Patty laughed. Go ahead, I'll be out soon.

Mr. SuperHero's order was ready in no time and ready to be carried out to his table. As Patty held the pizza, she took a deep breath. Butterflies were rising in her belly. If this guy is really that big of deal, she thought, and he doesn't like my food, I'm done. She shook her head and muttered to herself, Trust your skills.

She arrived at the table to find Ephram had kept him occupied with questions about his movies. Cathy had come over and already gifted him with one of her own creations, a hand-knit nubby scarf that was wrapped around his neck.

Look Patty! Hand-signed by Matt Marvel! Ephram shoved a quilter guide in her face.

Edgar laughed.I just play the character, I am far less exciting. I would love to have some of his confidence and bravado, though.

Well, you certainly seem to carry yourself in a confident manner. Patty smiled at him as she put the pizza on the table in front of him.

Thank you. He said, his deep blue eyes twinkling.

She paused, taken aback by this tall, mysterious stranger. She wished him a good dining experience and dashed off to rejoin the knitters.

Oh Patty, gushed Cathy, Edgar is the most amazing man. He had Ephram in stitches with his stories. We haven't had a celebrity in this town for years. I can't remember the last one.

Ephram put in his two cents. I think Johnny Hamilton was the last one in Wisconsin. He was shooting a documentary on sandhill cranes and happened to travel this way. But I think Edgar is cooler because he's actually eating here.

Well, Patty said Let's just let him enjoy his meal in peace and we can get back to the topic of knitting

Knitting? Ruth laughed. Our meetings lately have had next to nothing to do with that.  There's just so much going on with everyone's lives!

I know it! Cathy interjected. But I did want to bring up a little project I had in mind. It's a charming little penguin scarf we can all tackle, I believe. I was hoping if we all knit the same project, eventually we'll have enough of them to hold a little craft fair, or at least have a booth at one. We can donate the proceeds to Children's Hospital.

Suzette clapped her hands in excitement. I love that idea! It sounds like a fun challenge.

Yes, Patty said, I do too. It would be great to give back.

Not to change the subject, Elaine said But I was thinking about publicity for the pizza place. Abbotsford has their Winter Fest coming up in a few weeks. I think we should all go and maybe pass out fliers or at least talk to people about it.

Patty nodded with excitement. That is an absolutely fabulous idea Elaine! I should have realized it was coming up, I've just been so busy with starting up I haven't had time to notice anything else.

Patty sat back in her chair and noticed Edgar had finished his meal and had brought out his wallet.

Excuse me, I'll just check out Mr. Ellington and be right back she said as she got up and walked over to his table.

Did you enjoy your dinner? She asked. He looked up, and Patty felt his blue eyes looking right through her. Had she ever seen such an incredibly good-looking man?

It was great. Edgar tapped his fingers on the table. I have never had a pizza that good not even when I was in Chicago! You really have a gift.

Thanks, it is a passion of mine. I really enjoy playing around with ingredients and coming up with new creations.

I know a little something about following your passions. When I was in grade school I used to pretend I was a captain on a cruise ship. I would boss around my brother and sister, pretending they were my staff.  They tell me now that's when they could see I had the acting bug.

Patty laughed. "I used to pretend I was a celebrity chef. I would have my stuffed animals positioned