For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) Read Online Free PDF Page B

or then.
    Aggie says: Smart question. Then. I don’t hate it. It’s nice to have a nickname again. Well, one other than Naggie Aggie. How did William pick the exact thing that Doug used to call me? It stings every time he says it.
    Luke says : If you told him, he’d stop.
    Aggie says: And feel bad for something that isn’t his fault. I just have to hope he finds a better one.
    Aggie says: Well, it’s really late, and if I don’t beat the kids up in the morning, I have to beat them when I get up in the morning.
    Luke says: LOL
    Aggie says : JUST KIDDING. I think. No, seriously…
    Luke says: You can pretend all you like, but no one would believe for a second that you’d do it.
    Aggie says : Shh! Don’t let the kids hear you. They’ll revolt en masse.
    Luke says: Nah, just Cari… and on a bad day, Kenzie.
    Luke says: You were amazing with her today. I was impressed. Mom says you have a natural way with children when you don’t second-guess yourself. She says you’re your own worst enemy.
    Aggie says : Probably. I can’t think about it right now, or I’ll never get
    to sleep for wondering.
    Luke says: Goodnight, Mibs
    Aggie says:  Goodnight, Luke. Thanks.
     

Twists of Life

Chapter 3
     
    Wednesday, August 6 th
     
    Aggie’s library looked like a scraggly yard sale by the time Luke and Libby were done dragging in all of the supplies the scout-like woman brought with her. To make room for what Tina called “ the sweatshop, ” Aggie’s bed, otherwise known as the couch, was shoved to one end of the room. Long banquet tables, obviously borrowed from their church, were set up in the center of the room, and piled with sewing machines, fabric totes, boxes of notions, and things that looked too technical for Aggie’s blood.
    While Luke ran power strips to the table for the machines and Libby’s “ killer iron, ” Libby and Vannie unpacked the fabric, stacking it in piles by amount. Curious about the impending clothing factory in her home, Ellie crept in, climbed up into the window seat with her sketchbook, and watched everyone with an interested eye. Baby Ian was already proving to be a problem. Every item placed within reach became a temptation he found impossible to ignore. Much to Aggie’s surprise, Kenzie, Cari, and Lorna stepped into the room, wrinkled their foreheads at the strange contraptions, and went in search of their “ babies. ”
    Once Aggie, Libby, and Vannie set up shop in the library, Tina grabbed Laird and Tavish and took off for Rockland on a masculine clothing-finding mission. They were instructed not to return without church clothes, jeans, shorts, shirts, underclothes, and two pairs of new shoes. The boys looked terrified, but Tina took it in stride. “ No worries, guys. I know right where to go, and with any luck, we’ll be done in time to check out the batting cages before we come home. ”
    The moment the screen door shut with its soft “ whap, ” Libby rubbed her hands together as if hatching a diabolical plot to ruin Aggie’s life. “ All right. Vannie comes first, is that right? ”
    “ I think so. I don’t know what Tina will find for Ellie or the little girls, but we know there wasn’t anything for Vannie. ”
    “ Ok, well I’m going to give you a list of stores to try when you need something for her. There are places that sell exactly what I think Vannie likes, based upon the patterns she’s hoarding, but you have to know what they are and how to find them. Boho isn’t the only place in Rockland to buy decent clothes for young teens. ”
    Aggie sank to the couch in relief. “ Really? You mean, we don’t have to do this! Oh, Libby! That is the best --” The crestfallen look on Vannie’s face changed her words. “-- news I’ve heard in a long time. It’s good to know that if we need to buy something, we can. ”
    “ The list is in my purse. I can get it now --”
    “ Well, I was hoping you’d still be willing to do some sewing with us. I know how Vannie has