Hannah’s eyebrows dipped into a V. “Would we have to leave my sweater with them?”

“Probably.”

“I don’t like that idea.” The stubborn tilt of her chin was another familiar Colby trait.

He twisted the key in the lock and pushed the door open. “We’ll let Christi try first.”

“Why don’t you put the sweater here?” Hannah walked over to the couch and patted the back.

He complied, draping it carefully over the upholstery. “You want to help me put away the brownies and tidy up the kitchen?”

“No. I’ll wait here.” She took up sentry duty beside the sweater.

Fine. He could use a few minutes to regroup—and decide how much he wanted to tell Christi about the circumstances of Hannah’s birth.

Unfortunately, she gave him less than five. The bell rang before he’d done more than stow the unwanted brownies, wash the beverage glasses, and begin to formulate the framework of an explanation.

“I’ll get it.” Hannah jumped up and ran to the door.

He tossed the dish towel on the counter and joined them as Christi entered. She was carrying the kind of sewing box his mom used to have.

“We’re in luck. Beth gave me a few pointers after I explained what happened, and she offered to help if I run into any trouble. She also had all the supplies I need. I think I can handle this. May I?” She motioned to the couch.

“Of course.”

She set the box on the floor, picked up the sweater, and turned it inside out. “Hannah, would you like to sit next to me?” She patted the seat cushion. “You can hold the bottom of the sweater while I work.”

His daughter didn’t wait for a second invitation. She perched on the edge of the couch beside the woman who was trying to salvage the mess he’d made.

Brilliant move by Christi.

After witnessing Hannah’s meltdown, she’d realized that letting the girl maintain physical contact with the sweater during the repair process would offer her a modicum of comfort.

Jack propped a shoulder against the doorframe, folded his arms, and kept his distance while Christi chatted with Hannah, talking her through every step.

Using a hook of some sort, she worked the shredded ends of the yarn from the right side of the sweater to the inside, then threaded one piece though the eye of a large needle.

“I’m going to pull the ends through all these loops, one at a time. See?” She motioned for Hannah to lean closer as she worked. “After I do that, I’ll use regular thread to close up the gap and hold the ends of the yarn in place. Once they’re secure, I’ll sew back and forth to give the repair extra strength. The overlapping stitches should keep it from unraveling again.”