Saints Among Us Read Online Free PDF Page B

specific outfit. Though to be fair, the pieces could be worn with any autumn-colored clothing.
    Florence hung Jane’s coat in a hall closet and led the way into her formal living room. The room was crowded with antiques, large pieces of leather and mahogany furniture. Brocade curtains tied back with gold rope swept to the floor and added to the cluttered look. Several large oil paintings in ornate gilded frames hung on the walls, while pieces of ornamental china, silver and crystal covered nearly every surface. Two mahogany display cabinets held additional expensive dishes and knickknacks that Jane knew were pieces passed down through several generations of her family. Jane wondered how Ronald, Florence’s husband, felt about living in a museum dedicated to Florence’s family history.
    “Sit down, Jane.” Florence indicated a wingback chair as she settled herself on a loveseat nearby. “Would you like some tea?”
    “That would be lovely.” Jane was amused to note that Florence actually had a silver tea set on the table before them. It held a small selection of petit fours, delicate china plates and cups, and a dish of mixed nuts. She took a cup and saucer from Florence, hiding a smile. Florence was keen on appearances; she loved to play lady of the manor. Jane could not see the harm in letting Florence enjoy the moment even though it would cut into Jane’s afternoon more than she had hoped.
    As she suffered through tea and small talk, she struggled to hide her impatience. She consoled herself with the reassurance that Florence would be in a more receptive frame of mind if Jane indulged her for a while.
    Finally,
finally
, Florence delicately patted her lips with the linen napkin she had been using and set it aside. “So tell me about this wild idea,” she said. “I understand you’re in charge of crafts?”
    And just like that, Jane understood the real problem. Florence’s feelings were hurt. Beneath the belligerent tone Florence had used was a tiny, telltale quaver.
    “I am,” Jane said, “but all I’m going to be doing is organizing the crafts that will be offered for sale. You know my talents are far more suited to cooking. I really need skilled craftspeople to volunteer a little of their time as well.”
    “I’m sure it’s going to fail. Ethel doesn’t begin to have adequate time to plan such a big undertaking.”
    “I believe they are intending to start small.” It was not a lie, although Jane was pretty sure her aunt had bigger plans in mind. “If you’re not interested in participating, we can try to find someone else. But you know, Florence, there is probably no one else in the community who could come up with such original and lovely creations as yours.” She was quite sincere, even though she had an ulterior motive for the compliment. She had seen some of Florence’s crafts and flower arrangements. While they were not always to her more contemporary tastes, Florence definitely had an eye for color and design.
    Florence almost visibly swelled with pride. “Thank you, Jane. I like to think I have a gift.”
    “You do, indeed.”
    “Perhaps there is something I could do.”
    “I’m certainly open to any ideas. To be honest, I was hoping I could talk you into getting your craft group together to make several different items. Alice mentioned that you have a get-together every year around Christmas.”
    Florence frowned. “I don’t know how many things we really can get done in such a short time frame.” She was determined to hammer away at that theme.
    “I’d be grateful for even one idea,” Jane told her. Then she added, “I spoke with Sylvia this morning and she came up with several.” True, Sylvia was not actually making all of them, but the note cards, microwave bags and Grace Chapel cross-stitch ornaments all were her ideas, and she also was the one to suggest the knitting projects.
    “Well, of course I could come up with several if I choose.”
    “I’m sure you could. And