The Healing Quilt (39 page)

“I—I’m sorry, and I’m ashamed of myself, but I lied.”

“Why’d you keep it from me?” B.J. rasped, feeling weak and shaky.

“I didn’t think you had the right to know because I blamed you for Judy’s death.”

“And now?”

“After I learned of your illness, and thought things through, I changed my mind.” Tears welled in Noreen’s eyes. “God spoke to my heart, and I realized it wasn’t right to keep the truth from you any longer.”

B.J. swallowed hard, barely able to keep his own tears from falling. He looked back at Todd and said, “If I’d known about you, I never would have broken up with your mother or gone off to another state to attend college. I would have stayed in Columbus and done the right thing by Judy.”

“When Mom and Dad found out Judy was pregnant, they sent her to me and Ben, since we lived here in Sarasota by then, and they knew that nobody in Columbus would be any the wiser,” Noreen interjected.

“Did you plan to adopt me from the very beginning?” Todd asked, turning to face Noreen.

She shook her head. “But after Judy died, we knew adoption was the best thing for you, as well as us, since we truly wanted you, Son.” Noreen touched Todd’s arm. “We never regretted it, either. You were a blessing to both Ben and me. We loved you as if you were our flesh-and-blood son.”

“Todd, I’m sorry I didn’t have the opportunity to know you during your growing-up years,” B.J. said, barely able to speak around the lump in his throat. “I have many regrets, but so little time. If only we had more opportunity to get to know each other. I’d like you to meet your half sisters, too.”

“My wife and I will be here visiting Mom for another week,” Todd said. “I think we should spend that time getting to know each other, don’t you?”

B.J. bobbed his head. “I’d like that, too. I had planned to return to Chicago early next week, but it can wait a few more days. Getting acquainted with my son takes priority over everything else right now.”

After a slight hesitation, Todd took his father into his arms. To B.J., nothing had ever felt better. His son’s strength was just what he needed as he stood enveloped in the young man’s arms, and Noreen stood by, her cheeks damp with tears.

Emma, seeing that things seemed to be working out between B.J., Noreen, and Todd, moved back to the couch to see how Jennifer was doing.

“I hope Randy gets here soon,” Jennifer said, looking up at Emma with wrinkled brows. “I’m a little scared.”

Pulling a chair over to be near Jennifer, Emma sat down and held Jennifer’s hand. “Having a baby for the first time is always a bit frightening since you’re not completely sure of what all to expect. But once that little girl is in your arms, you’ll forget everything else and concentrate fully on her.”

“Thank you, Emma,” Jennifer said, squeezing Emma’s fingers when another pain started. “They told us the same thing during the birthing classes.”

A few minutes later, Randy burst into the room. Emma hadn’t heard him enter the house but figured Lamar must have let him in.

“I came as soon as I got the call,” Randy said, dropping to his knees in front of the couch. Taking his wife’s other hand, he asked, “How far apart are the pains?”

“Kim was timing them for me before she went to the kitchen to take a phone call, and they were about six minutes apart.” Jennifer clenched her teeth. “It feels like the pains might be coming even closer now.”

“Time to go the hospital.” Randy helped Jennifer to her feet and led her toward the door.

“Please call and let us know once the baby is born,” Emma called after them.

“Will do!” Randy said over his shoulder as he steadied Jennifer, going out the door.

A short time later, Kim returned from the kitchen, wearing a huge smile. “You’ll never guess what Star said. She apologized for causing the breakup between me and her dad and said that after talking with her pastor’s wife she realized it wasn’t right to stand in the way of Jan’s happiness. She also said she was sorry for not getting to know me or even giving me a chance to be her friend.”

“I’m pleased to hear that,” Emma said.

“And so am I,” Lamar agreed.

“Star also said that if her dad was going to have a special person in his life, she was glad it was someone like me,” Kim added, squeezing her hands together.

Emma smiled. “That’s wonderful. I was hoping Star would realize that Jan having a relationship with you wouldn’t affect the way he feels about her.”

“And you know what else?”

“What’s that?”

“Star invited me to come visit them, and as soon as I get some time off, I’m going to do just that.” Kim eyes brightened. “When I get home this afternoon I’m going to give Jan a call. I’m just so happy I could burst!”

“
Ach
, my!” Emma exclaimed, looking at Lamar. “Such excitement we’ve had here today.”

That evening while Emma was preparing supper, the telephone rang. Lamar stepped into the kitchen to answer it.

Trying not to eavesdrop, Emma kept stirring the kettle of chicken-corn soup.

A few minutes later, Lamar hung up the phone and joined Emma at the stove. “That was Randy. Jennifer had the baby, and they named her Anna.” He grinned. “I think they chose that name because Anna Lambright was their secret gift-giver.”

“That’s
wunderbaar
!” Emma drew in a deep breath and released it slowly.

“It seems they made it to the hospital in time, because little Anna was born a few hours later,” Lamar added. “Randy said she weighed almost seven pounds and is nineteen inches long.”

“Randy and Jennifer have been blessed in so many ways. And now, they’ve received the biggest blessing of all—a precious baby girl.” Emma remembered the joy she’d felt when her own children were born. “How grateful I am that we’ve had the privilege of not only teaching, but getting to know so many of our students. I pray that God will bless this group of quilters in very special ways.”

Shipshewana
Six months later

T
hink I’ll meander down to the mailbox and see if the mail’s come yet,” Lamar said as he and Emma sat on their front porch, watching their goats frolic in the pen.

“That’s a good idea,” Emma said. “I’m hoping to hear something from my sister in Oregon, letting us know if she’s feeling up to us coming for another visit later this fall. They’d visited Betty in the spring, and Emma had been pleased to see how well she was doing. It was hard to believe that just a year ago, her dear sister had been so ill she barely recognized anyone.
The power of love can work miracles
, Emma thought.

Lamar patted Emma’s arm. “I’ll be back soon with the mail.”

Emma watched as he made his way down the driveway, walking easily and without a limp. They’d had a good time in Florida, but she was glad they were home now, close to their family and friends. Being in the warmer weather all winter had helped the symptoms of Lamar’s arthritis, but of course, the weather was warm here in Indiana now, too. But, in a few months when it turned cold again, they would catch the Pioneer Trails bus and head for their Florida home.

Emma leaned her head against the back of her chair and listened to the twitter of the birds, while a slight breeze tickled her nose.
God has surely blessed us
, she thought.

When Lamar returned with a handful of mail, as well as a large package the mailman had left in the phone shack, he handed the envelopes to Emma and set the package on the porch. “Looks like there’s a letter from Noreen Webber and one from your sister’s daughter, too.”

“Oh, that’s good.” Emma took the mail and eagerly opened the first letter. “We’ve been invited for a family get-together next month in Portland,” she said after she’d read her niece’s letter. “Do you think we can go, Lamar?”

He gave a nod. “Don’t see why not. Cheryl and Terry’s and Jan and Kim’s double wedding is in two weeks, so it won’t interfere.” He grinned. “I’m almost sure that some of our earlier quilting students will be at the wedding, too.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Lamar gave Emma the other letter. “Guess you’d better see what Noreen has to say.”

Emma tore open the envelope and tears pooled in her eyes as she read it aloud:

“I wonder if that’s what’s in there,” Emma said, gesturing to the package.

“Well, let’s take a look.” Lamar opened the box and removed some wrapping paper. Then he lifted the most beautiful painting out for Emma to see.

“Ach, my! It’s just lovely,” Emma gasped as her eyes focused on the seascape, to which had been added a quilt similar to one that Lamar had designed and showed the class. It was spread out on the beach, and the colors from the setting sun cast a rosy appearance across the quilt. At the top of the picture, engraved in the frame were the words: T
HE
H
EALING
Q
UILT
.

Tears welled in Emma’s eyes and she sniffed deeply. “Oh Lamar, even in B.J.’s darkest hour, he remembered us. Wasn’t that thoughtful of him?”

“Jah, it certainly was,” Lamar agreed.

Emma clasped her hands lightly together, gazing at the painting through watery eyes. “I’m looking forward to the days ahead, knowing that with God at the center of our lives, we will continue to be blessed, as we allow the Lord to help us bless others.”

2 cups raisins

1 cup shortening

½ cup sugar

2 eggs

1½ cups molasses

4 cups flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse and drain raisins. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and beat well. Blend in molasses. Sift flour with baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Blend into creamed mixture. Stir in raisins. Drop by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Yields about 6 dozen cookies.

1.   Emma agreed to spend the winter in Florida because of Lamar’s arthritis, but she missed her family in Indiana and soon became bored. What are some ways we can deal with being separated from family and friends?