The Quilter's Daughter (11 page)

Abby took a sip from her glass of water as a film of tears obscured her vision. “The time will go quickly, you’ll see.”

He reached across the table and took her hand, making tiny circular motions with his rough fingertips. “It hasn’t so far. Every day since you left Berlin has seemed to drag by for me.”

She nodded in understanding, because she felt the same way. “This coming Sunday is an off-Sunday from church, and there’s going to be a picnic and softball game over at the Beechys’ place. I hope you can stay that long, because I know how much you like to play ball.”

Lester let go of her hand and drummed his fingers along
the edge of the table. “Let’s see now. . . Today’s Thursday, so if I hang around ’til Sunday and catch an early bus on Monday, that should work out fine and dandy. I told my mamm and the fellows at work I’d probably be gone ’til early next week.”

“I’ll see if you can stay with Caleb and Naomi while you’re here. They’ve got plenty of room at their place.”

Lester nodded, and she was relieved that his smile had returned. “I’ll stay wherever you say, just as long as I get to spend time with you,” he said.

“I’ll see that you do,” she whispered as the waitress came to take their order.

With a weary sigh, Linda crawled onto her bed and stretched out in the middle. After lunch she’d put Jimmy down for a nap and had decided to take one herself. She was exhausted and couldn’t believe she’d let Beth talk her into helping with crafts at vacation Bible school this week. However, it had been kind of fun.

She jabbed her pillow a couple of times, trying to find a more comfortable position, then rolled onto her side. Her gaze came to rest on the Amish quilt covering their bed, and she thought about the morning they had visited a quaint little quilt shop outside of Berlin, Ohio, over five years ago.

I’ve never understood why Jim doesn’t have any interest in visiting Amish country again. I found it to be so fascinating.
Her fingers traced the uniform, almost perfect hand stitches on the blue and white quilt done in the Lone Star pattern.
If I had more patience and better sewing skills, I might try my hand at quilting.

She flipped onto her other side.
I wish I could convince Jim to take us to Ohio again. I’m sure Jimmy would enjoy the trip, and I know Jim’s folks would love to have us visit.

In an attempt to shrug away her irritation, Linda closed her eyes and pictured the beautiful Amish homes they’d seen when they were back east. Most were neat, orderly, and devoid of weeds in their bountiful gardens.

“Amish country,” she murmured. “Where life is slower, and
the men come home to their families after work every night.”

She squeezed her eyes tighter to keep threatening tears from escaping. It was pointless to wallow in self-pity. She’d done it too much, and where had it gotten her? Short of a miracle, Jim would probably never be the kind of husband she needed. The best thing to do was to keep busy and try not to dwell on their artificial marriage.

Maybe I should take Beth’s suggestion and start taking Jimmy to Sunday school. We’d be around people, and it would be better than watching Jim snooze every Sunday until noon or sit in his recliner, focused on the TV.

Linda exhaled, as the need for sleep took over.
Jim needs church, too. He needs. . .

Jim entered the house through the garage door. Except for the steady hum of the refrigerator, everything was quiet. He slipped off his work boots and left them sitting by the door, then sauntered across the kitchen to get a drink of water. Today had gone well. They’d finished painting the outside of a newly remodeled fitness center, and the general contractor had praised Jim’s work and said he was impressed with how quickly his paint crew had finished the job.

Jim opened a cupboard door and grabbed a glass. “Wonder if there’s any iced tea in the refrigerator? That would taste better than water.”

After filling his glass with cold tea, Jim grabbed a handful of cookies from the ceramic jar on top of the china hutch then dropped into a chair at the table. It was nice to come home to a quiet house for a change. Usually Jimmy had the TV blaring or ran around the house making weird noises.

He shook his head.
That kid’s imagination can sure run wild. One minute, he’s a police car with a blaring siren, and the next, he’s some silly ice cream truck. And then there’s Linda. If she’s not nagging me to fix something, she’s asking me to take her somewhere. It’s ridiculous that she won’t drive. It’s been years since she was involved in that little fender bender, and she wasn’t even hurt.

Jim bit off a hunk of peanut butter cookie and washed it down with a gulp of iced tea. He glanced at the clock.
I wonder if Linda and Jimmy are at the park. She’s usually in the kitchen by now, starting dinner.

“Oh, you’re home,” came a sleepy voice from the doorway.

Jim turned his head. Linda stood there, long blond hair in disarray and cheeks slightly pink. In the early days of their marriage he would have been pleased to see her. Now, he merely tried to be polite enough to avoid a confrontation.

“Have you been sleeping?” he asked.

She nodded. “I put Jimmy down for a nap after lunch and decided to take one, too. I didn’t expect to sleep so late, though.”

“What’d you do all day that made you so tired?”

Linda joined him at the table. “I’ve been helping with crafts at Bible school this week, remember?”

He grabbed another cookie. “Oh, yeah, that.”

“You don’t have to sound so disapproving. Jimmy’s having fun, and he’s with other children. That should make you happy.”

Her tone was mocking, and it only fueled Jim’s irritation. “Don’t get smart, Linda.”

“I wasn’t trying to be.”

“Yeah, right.”

She sighed deeply. “Why is it that every time I try to have a sensible conversation with you, it ends up in an argument?”

He shrugged. “Who’s arguing?”

No reply.

“Since you’ve slept the afternoon away, when do you plan to have dinner on the table?”

“We’re having sandwiches tonight, so it won’t take long.” She toyed with a piece of her hair but made no move to get up. “Uh, Jim, I was wondering. . .”

He reached for his glass, which was almost empty. “What were you wondering?”

“Allen’s mother invited Jimmy and me to come to Sunday school this week, and I was hoping we could go as a family.”

Jim’s forehead wrinkled. “You want me to go to Sunday school?”

She nodded. “I thought it would be something we could all do together.”

He pushed away from the table and stood. “Count me out.”

“Why?”

“Church is for weak people who are looking for something to make them feel better. It’s a crutch, and if I needed one of those, I would rent a pair from Keller’s Medical Supply.”

“You don’t have to be sarcastic.”

He marched across the room and set his glass in the sink. “If you want to take Jimmy to Sunday school, I won’t stop you, but it’s not likely I’ll step foot inside a church building unless it’s for somebody’s wedding or a funeral.”

Jim glanced over his shoulder to gauge Linda’s reaction. Her chin quivered as she stared at the table. He didn’t care. She wasn’t going to manipulate him with her tears or whining. She’d done that too many times in the past, and ever since the day he’d made up his mind to “put the hammer down,” he’d been a lot happier.

Well, maybe not happier, but at least Linda knows who’s in charge around here.

A
bby reclined on the grass beside Nancy and watched the baseball game in progress. Lester had just made a homerun, and everyone cheered. She was glad the men in Abraham’s family had made him feel welcome.

“Too bad Lester doesn’t move to Lancaster County,” Nancy said. “Then you could stay here for good.”

Abby smiled. “It’s nice to know you’d like me to stay.”

“You’re my big sister now, and I enjoy your company.”

“Danki. I enjoy being with you, too.”

Nancy sniffed. “Sure wish I could help at the quilt shop. I get tired of stayin’ home all the time and doing nothing but housework and cooking.”

Abby knew Nancy worked hard and rarely went anywhere for fun. “Maybe one day when Cousin Edna comes to help Mom you can drive into town and I’ll take you out to lunch.”

Nancy’s green eyes danced with enthusiasm. “I’d like that.”

Abby smiled. “I’ve always wanted a sweet sister like you.”

Nancy shook her head. “It’s you who’s the sweet one. Everyone always says I’m stubborn and bossy.”

Before Abby could comment, she heard a loud
smack
, followed by a groan. Her gaze went to the ball field, and she was shocked to see Lester lying on the ground, with Matthew and several others standing over him. She scrambled to her feet and raced over to the scene.

“Lester, are you all right?”

“Ball. Hit. Stomach,” he gasped.

She looked up at Matthew. “Did you see it happen?”

He nodded. “It was my fault. Lester was up to bat and I got a little overanxious when I pitched the ball. Sure didn’t mean to take him out.”

Lester coughed and struggled to sit up. “I’m okay. Just knocked the wind out of me, is all.”

Abby held her hand out to him.

“That’s what I get for watching my
aldi
instead of the ball,” he said, with a red-faced grin.

“That’ll teach you not to make eyes at your girlfriend when you’re supposed to be playin’ a serious game of baseball,” Caleb teased.

Jake chuckled. “As if you never made eyes at my sister when you two were courtin’.”

“Are you sure you’re not hurt?” Abby asked as she and Lester moved to the sidelines and took a seat on the grass.

“The only thing banged up is my pride,” he replied with a grunt.

“It wasn’t your fault Matthew’s aim was off.” Abby took a deep breath to settle her nerves. It had frightened her to see him lying on the ground like that. What if he’d been seriously injured? What if. . .

Lester leaned closer, and his warm breath tickled her ear. “Don’t look so worried. I’m fine.”

“I couldn’t stand it if anything ever happened to you.”

He touched the side of her face with his thumb. “You worry too much, Abby. I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

“Except back home. You’re still leaving Monday morning, right?”

He nodded. “But it won’t be long ’til your mamm has that boppli, then you’ll be comin’ home to Ohio.” He caressed her chin, and Abby’s skin turned to gooseflesh. She could hardly wait until November when she would become Lester’s Abby.