The Quilter's Daughter

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “I’ll drop by Naomi’s place soon,” he promised. “There were enough hard feelings between us after Zach was kidnapped, and I don’t want anything gettin’ in the way of our relationship now.”

  Naomi had just started supper when she heard a knock on the back door. She glanced at the wall clock above the refrigerator. Caleb wasn’t due home from the store for another hour. Besides, he wouldn’t be knocking on his own door.

  She turned down the burner on the propane stove and went to the door. When she opened it, she was surprised to see her father standing on the porch. Since Nancy hadn’t come over today, he obviously wasn’t here to pick her up.

  “Papa, what are you doing here? Is everything all right at home?”

  “Everything’s fine. I dropped by so we could talk.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Is this a good time?”

  She nodded and stepped aside. “I’m just heating some bean soup, but it can warm on the stove while we visit. The kinner aren’t up from their naps yet, so if you’d like to go into the living room, we can visit there.”

  Papa removed his straw hat and hung it on a wooden peg by the door. “Why don’t we sit at the kitchen table? That way you can keep an eye on your soup.”

  “Okay.” Naomi pulled out a chair, and her father did the same. “What’d you want to talk about?”

  He cleared his throat a couple of times and gave his beard a quick tug. “I—uh—it’s come to my attention that you think I’ve forgotten about Zach.”

  Naomi stared at her hands, folded in her lap. “Who told you that?”

  “It don’t matter who told. The question is, do you believe it?”

  Naomi lifted her gaze. “I have noticed the way you dote on the twins, and you hardly ever speak of Zach these days.”

  Papa didn’t respond at first; just sat there fiddling with the stack of paper napkins nestled in the wicker basket on the table. Finally, he leaned forward and leveled her with a most serious look. “Zach’s gone, Naomi. Unless God performs a miracle, he ain’t comin’ back.”

  “I know that, and I was dealing with things fairly well until the twins were born. That’s when I began to wonder—”

  He held up his hand. “Zach’s not here, but the zwilling are. Don’t ya think I should be giving them my love and attention instead of pining for the child I lost and can’t bring home?”

  Tears clouded Naomi’s vision, and the lump in her throat prevented her from answering his question.

  “I still love Zach, and I always will,” he went on to say. “I pray for him often, too.”

  “So do I.” Naomi almost choked on her words, and she swallowed hard. “I miss my little brother. There are times when I still feel guilty for leaving him on that picnic table five years ago.”

  Papa shook his head. “The past is in the past; it can’t be changed. What counts is what we do with the days God gives us now.”

  “I know that, but—”

  “God’s blessed you with two little girls, so rather than dwellin’ on the things you wish could be changed, why not focus on Sarah and Susan? They need you, and so do my twin boys.”

  Naomi grabbed a napkin and blew her nose. “Why would Titus and Timothy need me when they have you and Fannie?”

  “You’re their big sister, and your kinner are their nieces.” Papa paused and gave his beard a couple more quick pulls. “Each member of our family is important, and we need each other. Don’t you agree?”

  She nodded.

  “At times it may seem like I’m favoring my twin sons, but they’re still little and need all the love and attention Fannie and I can give ’em right now.” He smiled. “Just as your kinner need you and Caleb to shower them with love.”

  Naomi drew in a deep breath and released it quickly. “What about you, Papa? Is there enough love in your heart to show my girls a little attention once in a while?”

  “Of course there is.” Papa pushed back his chair, and it scraped across the hardwood floors. “If you’d like, I’ll go upstairs right now and see which one of them is howlin’ like a stuck pig.”

  Naomi jumped up. One of the girls was crying? She’d been so engrossed in their conversation she hadn’t even heard it.

  “Please let me go,” Papa said, starting for the door that led to the stairs. “Why don’t you check on that good-smelling soup, and I’ll find out which girl needs tendin’ to?”

  “Danki, Papa.” Naomi turned toward the stove, her heart filled with gratitude that she and her daed had been able to talk things through. She knew he was right about Zach, and with God’s help Naomi would try to pray more, love more, and live each day to the fullest. She must leave Zach in God’s hands and move on with her life.

  Abby turned down the burner under the pot of savory stew that was simmering on the stove. Then she opened the oven and slipped a baking dish filled with biscuits inside. Supper was nearly ready, Mom would be up from her nap soon, and when Abraham returned from Naomi’s and the men came in from the fields, they could eat.

  She glanced at the windowsill, where the letter lay that she’d received from Lester today. Mom had received a letter from Harold, too. He wanted to let them know that three days ago Lena had given birth to a healthy baby boy they’d named Ira. Abby wished she could be there to help her sister-in-law, but she was needed here. Lena did have her own mamm living nearby, so she was sure there would be plenty of help at Harold and Lena’s place, and that made her feel some better.

  Abby turned her attention back to Lester’s letter. She’d been too busy to read it until now. She opened it and took a seat in the rocking chair near the stove so she could keep an eye on things.

  Dear Abby,

  I’d thought about making another trip to Lancaster County to see you, but things have gotten real busy at the blacksmith shop, and it would be hard to get away at this time.

  I wish you could come home right now, but I know that’s not possible, since you’ve got your hands full caring for the bopplin, and helpin’ your mamm with the things she needs to have done. Even though January is only two months away, it seems like a long ways off to me. I’m tryin’ to be patient, though.

  Say hello to the family there, and please write soon. Your letters don’t come as often as I’d like them to.

  Always yours,

  Lester

  “I wish I had time to answer his letter right now. But I’d no sooner get it started and it would be time to serve supper.” Abby opened her mouth and released a noisy yawn, causing her jaw to pop. She’d been so busy since she came to help Mom that she barely had any time to herself. There were days when she wished she could be alone, to write letters, read a book, work leisurely on a quilt, or take a walk to the creek. She missed spending time with Lester and longed to go for buggy rides, picnics, or simply walk by his side. Lester might not realize it, but I’m as anxious as he is to marry and begin our family. Being around Naomi’s little girls and my new twin brothers has made me yearn even more to be a wife and a mother.

  Abby glanced at the calendar tacked on the wall next to the refrigerator. If things had worked out differently, she and Lester would be getting married in a few weeks. Now they had two more months to wait, and that was only if Mom could manage on her own by then.

  Abby’s mother was slowly getting her strength back, but she still needed one or two naps every day. Mary Ann helped out when she wasn’t in school, and Nancy alternated between their home and Naomi’s. Then, there was dear Cousin Edna, who’d been more than willing to help at first, but she’d been fighting a cold after her bout with the flu, so she’d been unavailable to come over for the last several weeks.

  Abby grimaced as she thought about the prospect of having to postpone her wedding a second time. How would Lester take the news if she decided to stay even longer? Would he be angry and break their engagement? She prayed he would understand. After all, he’d put off setting a date for their wedding for a couple of years due to his daed’s passing and him trying to get the blacksmith sho
p running smoothly on his own. It wasn’t until he’d hired an employee and gotten him trained to do things the way he and his daed had done that Lester felt ready to make the commitment to marriage.

  “Guess I’d best not borrow trouble,” Abby said, tucking Lester’s letter inside the mending basket at her feet. “I’ll have to pray harder and trust that Mom’s strength will fully return before January.”

  A shrill cry, followed by another one equally high-pitched, alerted Abby that the twins were awake and needed her attention. She pushed herself out of the rocker and started across the room. My own needs must be set aside. All that’s important right now is caring for Mom and those baby brothers of mine.

  Linda hung up the phone then quickly dialed Jim’s cell number. “Guess what?” she said when he answered on the second ring.

  “Beats me.”

  “I just got off the phone with my mother. She and Dad are coming for a few days’ visit, and they’ll be staying through Thanksgiving.”

  “That’s nice.”

  Linda moved to the living room with the cordless phone so she could check on Jimmy, who’d gone there a short time ago to watch Saturday afternoon cartoons.

  “Is that all you wanted?” Jim asked in an impatient tone. “I’m really busy.”

  She grimaced. Why did he always seem so irritated with her? In the early years of their marriage, he’d never minded when she called him on the phone.

  “I won’t keep you long,” Linda said, clicking off the TV and heading back to the kitchen. Jimmy had fallen asleep on the couch. “I was wondering if you might be able to take some time off while Mom and Dad are here. Maybe we could make a trip to the ocean. It’s usually nice there in late fall.”

  “Get real, Linda,” Jim snapped. “I’ve got a ton of work lined up clear into January. The only time I’ll be taking off that week will be on Thanksgiving Day.”

  Tears stung the back of Linda’s eyes, but she willed herself not to cry. Jim hated it when she gave in to her emotions—as he’d so often said. “It was only a thought,” she mumbled. “I’ll let you go so you can get back to whatever you were doing.”

  “I’m painting, Linda. That’s what I do for a living.” She flinched, feeling as if he’d thrown cold water in her face. It seemed that no matter how hard she tried to be sweet and set the example of a Christian wife, Jim responded negatively. She and Beth had recently begun attending a women’s Bible study on Wednesday mornings. The fellowship and lesson helped some, but Linda felt she needed something more, something that would teach her how to respond to Jim’s nasty attitude and eventually lead him to Christ.

  Maybe I’ll speak to Rev. Deming after church tomorrow. He might have the answers I need.

  Mom! Dad! I didn’t expect to see you until later in the day.” Linda grabbed her parents in a hug, as the three of them stood inside the hallway outside her living room.

  “We left Boise yesterday afternoon and drove as far as Yakima,” her father said, running his fingers through the back of his thinning brown hair. “Then we got a hotel for the night and left early this morning to come here.”

  “I’m glad you’re early.” Linda smiled, feeling happier than she had in a while. She missed her family and wished they lived closer. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

  “Just one of those continental things the hotel provided,” her mother replied. “But if you haven’t eaten, I’m sure we could eat again.”

  “Since it’s Saturday, Jimmy and I slept in this morning, so I haven’t fixed anything yet. Jim left for work before we were up. He probably grabbed a donut and a cup of coffee somewhere on the road.”

  Dressed in his pajamas, Jimmy padded out of the living room, where he’d been watching TV. “Grandpa! Grandma!”

  Linda’s father bent down and scooped Jimmy into his arms. “Look at you! I think you’ve grown at least a foot since we were here in the summer.”

  Jimmy giggled and nuzzled his grandfather’s cheek. “I only grew a few inches. My daddy said so.”

  Dad set Jimmy on the floor again. “Say, how come Jim’s working on a Saturday? Doesn’t that man ever stay home?”

  Linda sighed. “He’s trying to get a group of condos painted before Thanksgiving, so he and his crew have been working a lot of overtime.”

  Mom slipped an arm around Linda’s shoulder. “Why don’t we let Grandpa and Jimmy carry our bags upstairs while the two of us go to the kitchen to see about fixing breakfast?”

  “That’s a good idea.” Linda looked down at Jimmy, who was already racing for the front door. “Get your jacket, and don’t try to carry anything too heavy.”

  Her father frowned. “You’re just like your mother, Linda. You worry too much. I won’t let the boy do anything I wouldn’t have done at his age.”

  Mom’s gaze went to the ceiling. “That’s what she’s afraid of, Thomas.”

  Linda led the way to the kitchen. She would have to trust her father not to let Jimmy carry anything heavier than he could handle. “How’s my big sister and her family?” she asked. “Are they still going to Dean’s parents’ for Thanksgiving?”

  Mom nodded. “Cheryl and the children have all had colds, but I’m sure they’ll be well enough to drive up to Lewiston to share dinner with her husband’s family.”

  “It would have been nice if they could have come here,” Linda said wistfully. “Jimmy hasn’t seen his cousins since his birthday in April, and I know he would have enjoyed playing with Cameron and Pam.” She smiled. “Of course, I realize they have to spend some holidays with the Pattersons.”

  “That’s true,” her mother agreed. “So, how are you doing, dear? The last time we were here you looked kind of down, but this morning you seem happier and more at peace.”

  Linda pulled out a chair and motioned her mother to take a seat at the table. “I am feeling peaceful about my spiritual life, and it’s all because of Christ.”

  Her mother squinted her pale blue eyes. “What do you mean?”

  “Jimmy and I have been going to church, and awhile back I accepted Christ as my personal Savior.” Linda took a seat on the other side of the table. “I wrote you about it, don’t you remember?”

  Her mother shrugged and started folding napkins into perfect triangles. “You may have mentioned something about it, but I figured it was only a passing fancy.”

  Linda released a sigh. “It’s not a passing fancy, Mom. I’ve made a decision to follow the Lord, and—”

  “What were you planning to have for breakfast, dear? Shouldn’t we get it started?”

  Linda pushed her chair back and stood. “I guess we can talk and prepare the meal at the same time.” She went to the refrigerator and took out a chunk of ham and a carton of eggs. “Do you want your eggs scrambled, poached, fried, or boiled?”

  “Scrambled is fine. Would you like me to make some toast?”

  “Sure. There’s a loaf of bread in the refrigerator. Do you remember where the toaster is?”

  “I’ll find it.”

  Linda placed the ham and eggs on the cupboard and decided to broach the subject of her newfound faith again. “There’s going to be a Thanksgiving service at my church on Thursday morning. I was hoping we could go.”

  Her mother whirled around. “All of us?”

  She nodded. “First there will be a program about the pilgrims and how they came to America to find religious and political freedom. That will be followed by some singing, and then Rev. Deming will deliver a short message.”

  “What about dinner?”

  “I can put the turkey in the oven before we leave. I’m sure we’ll be home in plenty of time to get everything ready so we can eat by one thirty or two.”

  “If your father is willing to go, I will be as well.” Mom reached up to fluff one side of her blond hair, which she wore in a short bob. “I really should see about getting my hair done if I’m going to church, and maybe I should buy a new dress, too.”

  Mom and Cheryl are just alike. All they ever think
about is how they look and how much money they can spend on new clothes. Linda cracked an egg into the bowl she’d placed on the cupboard. “There’s no reason for a trip to the beauty shop or a new dress, Mom. I’m sure whatever you brought to wear on Thanksgiving Day will be fine.”

  “But it might be fun to go on a shopping spree, don’t you think? How does tomorrow afternoon sound, dear?”

  Linda nodded. “Sure, Mom, that would be fine.” Maybe she would have the opportunity to talk about Christ later on.

  “It’s been almost two months since the twins were born, and I’m sure I can handle things on my own now,” Fannie told Abby as the two of them began lunch preparations for themselves and the crew of men who were painting Abraham’s barn. “I think it’s time for you to return to Ohio.”

  Abby shut the refrigerator door and turned to face her mother. “Not before Thanksgiving, Mom. You’ll need help with the dinner, and I’ve been looking forward to spending the holiday with my family here.”

  Fannie took a large, enamel kettle from the bottom drawer of the stove and placed it on the cupboard. “Wouldn’t you like to be with Lester for Thanksgiving?”

  Abby handed her mother the container of chicken noodle soup they had made last night. “Of course I would, but Lester and I will be together at Christmas. Soon January will be here and then we’ll be getting married. After that we can spend every holiday with each other—some here and some in Ohio.”

  Fannie nodded. As much as she wanted to have her daughter with them for Thanksgiving, she felt bad for Lester. He’d been without Abby for several months and had to postpone his wedding because of the twins being born and Abby staying to help. She was glad he and Abby would finally be together for Christmas.

  “If you’re feeling up to being on your own for a few hours, I thought I’d go into Paradise after we serve lunch to Jacob Weaver’s painting crew. I’d like to see how things are going at the quilt shop,” Abby said.