The Quilter's Daughter (7 page)

“If you’d like to talk about it, I promise it won’t be repeated.”

“I—I appreciate that.” Linda’s voice shook with emotion, and she clenched her teeth. “My marriage is a mess.”

“Would you care to explain?”

“Jim and I are unable to have children of our own. We adopted Jimmy five years ago, and ever since then our marriage has been strained.” Linda shifted on the unyielding bench. She didn’t know why she was unloading on a near stranger, but there was something about Beth’s gentle voice and compassionate expression that prompted her to reveal what she had.

“Didn’t your husband want to be a father?”

Linda’s gaze came to rest on her child, happily sharing the teeter-totter with his new friend. “I thought he did. In fact, he seemed as excited about going to Maryland to get our son as I was.”

“You went all the way to the East Coast to adopt a baby?” Beth’s uplifted eyebrows revealed her surprise.

“Jim’s attorney set it up with a lawyer he knew in Maryland. Since Jim’s folks live in Ohio, we turned the trip into a vacation.”

“I see.”

“Everything seemed to be okay until we got home. Then Jim started accusing me of being overprotective of Jimmy.” Linda’s vision clouded with tears, and she sniffed. “Jim looks for excuses to be away from home, and to tell you the truth, I think he would rather be at work than with me or Jimmy.”

Beth offered her a supportive smile. “Do you and Jim attend church anywhere?”

“No. Jim’s opposed to anything religious, and I haven’t been to church since I was a girl.” A sharp throb cut across Linda’s forehead, and she inhaled deeply, hoping to drive away the pain. She hadn’t had one of her migraine headaches for several weeks, and she hoped she wasn’t getting one now.

“Maybe vacation Bible school would be good for both you and Jimmy,” Beth said.

“I—I don’t see how it could do anything to help my stagnant marriage.”

Beth gave her arm a gentle squeeze, and Linda felt comforted. “God can work miracles in people’s lives.”

“I think it would take even more than a miracle to fix my broken marriage.” Linda paused, willing herself not to break down in front of Allen’s mother. “I’ve asked Jim several times if we could go back east for another vacation, but he refuses to take us there.”

“Has he said why?”

“No. He just reminded me that his folks have been out here to visit a couple of times and said there’s no reason for us to make the long trip to Ohio.”

“Men can be so stubborn,” Beth said with a shake of her head.

“My husband can be downright obstinate. He says he loves Jimmy, yet he refuses to adopt another child. It makes no sense at all.”

“I’m glad you’ve shared your concerns, Linda. It helps me know how to pray for you.”

“I appreciate that, and I will think about letting Jimmy go to Bible school.” Linda sniffed and swiped at the tears trickling down her cheeks. She’d given in to her unstable emotions and insecurities again, but at the moment, it didn’t matter. Beth hadn’t condemned her the way Jim always did, and she actually seemed to understand. Maybe this new friendship was exactly what Linda needed.

T
he mail’s here, Abby,” Deborah called as she stepped into the quilt shop the following day. “I put it on your desk. Is that okay?”

“Sure, that’s fine,” Abby replied. She was busy placing some quilts on one of the shelves near the back of the store and would take time to go through the mail later on.

“Looks like there’s a letter from your mamm.” Deborah stepped up beside Abby and reached for one of the Tumbling Block quilts. “How’s Fannie doing these days?”

“Her last letter said she was still having some morning sickness and felt awfully tired, but she’s managed to work in her quilt shop a few afternoons a week.”

“Bet she wishes you were there to help out,” Deborah said as she straightened the corner of the quilt closest to her.

Abby sighed. “I wish I could be in two places at once, but it’s not possible for me to run two quilt shops at the same time. Especially with one of them being in Pennsylvania.”

“I’m sure Fannie will hire a
maad
to help out at home if she needs to.”

“I suppose Mom could hire a maid, but she does have Abraham’s two youngest daughters. Nancy is fifteen, and I’m sure she’s capable of cooking and cleaning. Even Mary Ann, who’s not quite eleven, can help with some things when she’s not in school.” Abby frowned, as another thought popped into her head. “It’s the quilt shop Mom needs help with the most.”

The bell above the door jingled before Deborah could comment. “Guess I’d better see what that customer needs,” she said, motioning toward the front of the store.

“And I think I’ll take the time to read Mom’s letter. I really want to see how she’s doing.”

“Good idea.”

Deborah moved toward the customer, and Abby hurried to her desk. She found the letter from her mother on top of the mail and quickly tore it open.

Dear Abby,

I went to the doctor yesterday, and he seemed concerned about the slight swelling I have in my legs.

He told me to avoid salt and to stay off my feet as much as possible. Nancy’s here to help out, and Cousin Edna offered to come by a few days a week, so I’m sure everything at the house will be cared for. It’s the quilt shop I’m worried about. Since I’m not able to work there right now, I may have to close it down. Sure would hate to do that, though, since it’s doing so well. But I suppose if there’s no other way, I’ll have to accept it.

I’m doing some better with the nausea now but still feeling drained of energy. Sure will be glad when I’m feeling better. It’s hard to do nothing but rest. You know me—always puttering around, and not happy unless I’ve got something constructive to do.

Enough about me now. How are things going for you? I hope your quilt shop is doing well, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon. Tell that future son-inlaw of mine I said hello.

Love,
Mom

Abby dropped the letter to her desk and let her head fall forward. If the doctor had ordered Mom to rest more, and she was having some swelling in her legs, he must be concerned about her losing the baby. Ever since Abby had learned of her mother’s pregnancy, she’d been anxious. Now, she was more worried than ever.

Am I being selfish staying here in Ohio when my mamm needs my help there? Even if it means closing my own shop, I feel I must go to
Pennsylvania and keep Mom’s shop open. She gave up one quilt shop when she moved from here; I can’t let her give up another.
Abby’s fingers clenched as she thought about Lester, and how much she would miss him. It would be hard to be separated, but their relationship was strong, and she prayed he would understand.

With her decision made, Abby went to speak with Lester’s mother. The woman she’d been waiting on had left the store, and Deborah now sat at one of the sewing machines, ready to begin a new quilt.

She glanced up when Abby approached. “Is somethin’ troubling you, Abby? Your serious expression makes me think you have some concerns.”

Abby swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I just read Mom’s letter, and she’s had some swelling in her legs, so the doctor advised her to get more rest. I fear she might lose the boppli if she doesn’t follow his orders.”

Deborah shook her head. “Fannie’s no schoolgirl. She’ll be careful to do as the doctor says.”

“But she might have to close the quilt shop.” Abby pursed her lips and drew in a deep breath. “I really ought to go and keep the place running for her.”

“To Pennsylvania?”

“Jah.”

“What would you do about your shop here?”

“I—I was hoping you might be able to take over for me. Maybe I could see if one of the ladies who does quilting for us could help you a few days a week.”

“I could ask my sister, Clara. She still has two children in school, but they’re old enough to fend for themselves when she’s not at home.”

“That would be wonderful if Clara’s in agreement.”

“How soon do you plan to leave, and how long will you be gone?”

“I’ll go as soon as possible and would probably stay until the boppli is born and Mom can manage on her own.”

“I understand why you feel the need to go.” Deborah’s face tightened. “But I don’t think my son’s going to take this news so well.”

“It will be hard for me, too.” Abby smiled through quivering lips. “I’m hoping Lester will understand.”

“What will I understand?”

Abby whirled around. She hadn’t realized anyone had come into the shop. “You scared me, Lester.”

He gave her a quick hug. “I figured you’d hear the bell.”

“Guess I wasn’t paying attention.”

“What were you two discussing?” Lester looked first at his mamm, then back at Abby. “I heard my name, so I suspect it must have somethin’ to do with me.”

“Actually, it has more to do with my mamm,” Abby replied. “I’ll tell you about it over lunch, okay?”

“Jah, that’s fine.” He held up a brown paper sack. “I brought the dessert, like I promised.”

“I’ll get the lunch I packed, and we can go out back to the picnic table.” Abby turned to Lester’s mamm. “Can you manage on your own for a while?”

Deborah waved a hand. “Jah, sure. You two go along; things will be fine here.”

A few minutes later, Abby took a seat on the bench across from Lester, and they bowed their heads. When they’d finished their silent prayer, Abby reached inside her wicker basket and pulled out the meal she had provided—cold golden-fried chicken, tangy coleslaw, baked beans, and fluffy buttermilk biscuits.

“What were you gonna tell me about your mamm?” Lester asked around a mouthful of chicken.

“She’s having a difficult pregnancy and will probably have to close her quilt shop so she can stay home and rest.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

Abby clutched her napkin, rolling it into a tight ball. “I’ve— uh—I think—I mean—” She paused and moistened her lips. Then, gathering up her courage, she began again. “I’ve decided that I should go to Pennsylvania to help out, and your mamm’s agreed to run my quilt shop while I’m gone.” There, it felt better to have gotten that out.

Lester’s pale eyebrows squeezed together, and his mouth drooped at the corners. “You’re leavin’ me, Abby?”

She touched his arm. “It’ll only be temporary. I’ll be back
soon after the boppli is born.”

“But how are we gonna plan our wedding if you’re not around?”

“We can do it through letters. And if we need to talk, we can call each other. You know, I have a phone here at the shop now, and since Caleb and Naomi took over the general store in Paradise, they’ve put one in as well.”

Lester didn’t look the least bit convinced, but he made no comment.

Abby prayed for the right words that would help Lester understand. “I’ll be back in plenty of time for the wedding.”

“But the boppli’s not due until October. That’s four and a half months away.”

“I wouldn’t go so soon if I didn’t think it was important for me to be with Mom right now. I’ll not only be running her quilt shop, but I’ll be at the house when I’m not working to make sure everything’s going okay and that Mom’s doing as the doctor says.”

Lester’s expression softened some. “I know you’ll be doin’ a good thing by goin’ to help out, but I’ll surely miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too,” she said, blinking against the tears clinging to her lashes.

Lester leaned forward, like he was about to kiss her, but a blaring siren sounded in the distance, and he pulled back. “Sounds like a fire truck.”

Abby sniffed the air. “I smell smoke. Sure hope it’s nothing serious.”

“Think I’ll run around front and have a look-see.” Lester jumped up and disappeared around the side of the building.

“Whenever anything out of the ordinary happens, why is it that men always have to see what’s going on?” Abby muttered. With an exasperated sigh, she rose to her feet and followed him.

Out front on the sidewalk, a group of people had gathered, pointing and chattering about the flames shooting out of the cheese store down the street.

“My friend Joe works there! I’ve got to see if he’s okay,” Lester shouted. He dashed away before Abby could stop him.

With her heartbeat matching the rhythm of her footsteps,
Abby raced down the sidewalk toward the burning building. She was panting for breath by the time she reached Lester’s side.

One part of the store was engulfed in flames, and smoke bellowed from the roof like a teapot boiling over. Lester’s eyes darted back and forth as he took in the situation. “I have to go inside and see if everyone made it out okay.”

Abby grabbed hold of his arm. “You can’t, Lester. Please. It’s too dangerous.”

His wild-eyed expression caused Abby to worry that he might ignore her warning and do something foolish. “What if Joe and the other workers are still inside? Someone has to see if they’re all right,” he argued.

“That’s the firemen’s job. They’re here now, so please let them handle things.”

Lester’s gaze went to the burning building, then back to Abby. She clutched his arm tighter. “If you went in and something happened to you, I would be overcome with grief. Please, Lester, please stay put.”