Real Men Knit(78)

“Yeah, right,” Kerry said. “The whole lot of you are nothing but big teases.” Kerry looked up the block in time to see Lucas. “And here comes another one.”

Lucas smiled at her and took her into a hug, kissing her cheek. Tease for sure. He gave Noah a dab and only nodded Jesse’s way, which was fine by him. Jesse didn’t want to hear another one of his speeches or get another judgmental look, which was all he’d been getting since the day he and Kerry had been found out. It was as if Lucas really thought she was their Kerry, as he said.

Screw that.

Like Kerry had made perfectly clear to him, she belonged to no one, and just like he had to figure it out, his brother had to also.

Damian came walking up the block carrying balloons, looking like that Shadow dude from American Gods mixed with that deadly damned It clown.

“Thanks, but it’s not my birthday?” Jesse said.

Damian rolled his eyes. “What’s a grand opening without balloons? We have to let people know in any way possible that we’re here, right? Might as well shout it out. Can’t let you jerks say I’m not doing my part.”

Kerry took the balloons with a smile and a nudge to his side. “And who would dare say that? Thanks, Damian. I think they’re lovely. We should put them on the edge of the bench and in front of the door.”

As they tied the balloons, Jesse looked at her in her pretty skirt and multicolor knit tank, her brown skin glowing with a soft shimmer.

“Now come on in. I made pancakes. Hopefully we’ll be crazy busy today so let’s eat while we can,” Kerry said.

And she was right. They were busy, with folks lining up to come in even before they were officially open. Starting with the Old Knitting Gang, who showed up and brought with them not only potluck for the party, including Ms. June’s carrot cake, but thankfully, some extra folks from the neighborhood, including a few elderly men who may have had less of an interest in knitting than in some twisted hookup. But they also had nimble fingers and deep pockets, so Jesse was grateful to have them.

Strong Knits reopened to brisk business. Jesse put his looming fear aside as he and his brothers posed for photos with the well-wishers from the neighborhood, Lucas telling the OKG jokingly that the photos were free, but it would be a five-dollar charge for each muscle feel-up.

Suddenly there was Ms. Cherry, though, silencing the increasing raucous group. “I’ll do you one better, Lucas Strong,” she said. “How about one thousand dollars for a hug?”

Lucas was momentarily dumbfounded, his eyes going wide as he looked at a straight-faced Ms. Cherry, who only shot him back a raised brow.

“You’re not outdoing me, Cherry,” Mrs. Hamilton jumped in, yelling. “I got a grand on sweet Noah here.” She put her arms out to Noah, who gladly slid forward. “Come here, baby, and don’t worry, I’ll slip you a little something extra for your trip,” she added when she gave his bicep an extra squeeze.

“Stop being cheap now and bring out the big bucks and the big guns,” Ms. June said then and cocked a finger at Damian, who dropped his fork down on his plate midchew. He shrugged, putting his plate aside and coming over to give the woman a huge bear hug.

Jesse shook his head. “We can’t take this kind of money from you. It’s too much.”

“You can and then some,” Sister Purnell said, reaching into her bra, because of course her cross-body floral purse wouldn’t do in this case, and pulling out a wad of bills. She stuffed the bills into Jesse’s hand.

“Why can’t you?” Mrs. Hamilton said. “Don’t block our blessing by trying to refuse, Jesse.”

“That’s right,” Ms. Cherry chimed in. “Blocking is not an option in this case, and if you have a problem with it, then consider it our club rental fee or call us silent angel investors.” She blinked quickly, and suddenly the lump in Jesse’s throat was too large to ignore. “Joy was like a sister to us,” she said. “And that means you boys are family, and we take care of family.”

Jesse swallowed at the memory of Mama Joy laughing and sharing with these women over the years as he sailed in and out of the shop with a quick quip and hardly a backward glance. What he wouldn’t give now to be able to go back to just one of those days. To take time to stop and sit and knit with them. To see his mama happy and smiling with her friends once more. He didn’t deserve this, like he didn’t deserve her. But then he blinked and there was Kerry. She was smiling and looked happy. That smile, these women, this money. It was hope. Could this actually be working out? God, he was scared to think so.

“That’s right,” Sister Purnell said. “Now you boys just keep doing what you do, and Jesse, you’ve got this.” She turned to Damian then and gave him a sharp look. “And you stop worrying so much about loans and all that. When it’s meant to work and it’s for you, then it’s for you. One day you’re gonna learn.”

Damian nodded down at the small woman, knowing when he was beat. “Yes, ma’am.”

Sister then put out a little box she’d made for additional donations in the middle of the farmhouse table and told everyone to give like their heart led them.

Somebody turned on the music and Strong Knits was officially for real-real now open for business once again.

Kerry didn’t think things could get any more emotional. That donation from the OKG had just about taken her out. She took a breath and looked around. Seeing the shop so full of people and thriving took her back, and looking at Jesse now, so comfortable and in the place where she knew he belonged, and where she was starting to think he knew he belonged too, gave her hope. Gave her hope, but at the same time, ripped her apart with the stark realization that it was time for her to move on.