The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club - 02 - The Tattered Quilt Read Online Free PDF Page A

some time with her aunt. Paul was grateful that his folks as well as his sister, Maria, and her family lived close by. Everyone, including Maria’s three girls, doted on Sophia, and of course she loved all the attention. When Lorinda died, it had been difficult for Paul to cope, but with the help of his family and friends, he’d learned to deal with the pain of losing his beloved wife. Of course attending Emma’s quilting classes and sharing his feelings with Emma and the other students had been a big help, too.
    As Paul drove closer to the Loving Hands Daycare Center, where he dropped Sophia off each morning, he couldn’t believe how quickly the leaves had turned color and fallen from the trees lining the street. The only leaves left were from some of the oaks.
    Taking his foot off the gas pedal in time to let a squirrel run across the road, he smiled when he noticed that the bushy-tailed critter had a good-sized walnut in its mouth.
    Paul pulled into the daycare parking lot and turned off the engine. He was glad things had worked out for Sophia at the daycare. She loved going there, and it made life easier knowing his little girl was content during the day while he taught his second-graders. It hadn’t always been that way. Just a year ago, Sophia had cried whenever Paul dropped her off. Since then, she’d become more settled and content being with some of the other children. That eased Paul’s guilt for having to leave her each day while he earned a living. If Lorinda were still alive, Sophia would have been home with her mother all day.
    Switching his thoughts once more, Paul reflected again on his phone call from Carmen. Maybe he’d take her to meet Emma Saturday morning.

     
    Shipshewana
     
    “I hope you won’t be disappointed, but it looks like we won’t be making a trip to Florida this fall after all,” Emma said to Lamar as he sat in the living room, reading the latest issue of
The Budget
.
    He looked up and blinked a couple of times. “Why’s that?”
    Emma pointed to the sheet of paper she held. “I already have two people signed up for my quilting class, and I have a feeling there will soon be others.” She took a seat beside him on the sofa. “I hope you’ll be able to help me with the classes again. I’m sure the students would be interested in seeing some of the quilts you’ve designed, not to mention gaining from your knowledge of quilts.”
    “I have to admit I’m a little disappointed that we won’t be making any trips in the near future. On the other hand, I look forward to seeing who God will send our way.” Lamar reached for Emma’s hand and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Of course you can count on me to help with the classes.”
    “Danki
, Lamar. I always appreciate your help and input in the classes.”
    “Well now,” he said, rising to his feet, “if there’s gonna be another class starting next week, then I’d better look through some of my quilts and decide which ones to display in your quilting room.”
    As Lamar left the room, Emma leaned her head against the sofa cushion and closed her eyes.
Heavenly Father
, she silently prayed,
I don’t know the two women who’ll be coming to my class on Saturday, nor do I know who else may sign up. But as with all the other students who’ve come here before, I pray that I can teach them more than just how to quilt
.

C HAPTER 4
    D o we have everything we need for class?” Emma asked Lamar as she paced back and forth in the spacious room she used for quilting. Lamar didn’t know why, but she seemed a bit nervous today. It was silly, really, since she’d taught several classes since that first one a year and a half ago.
    In his usual calm manner, Lamar gave Emma’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Now try to relax. I’m sure everything will go as well with this class as it has with the others.”
    Emma sighed. “I hope so.”
    Lamar motioned to the cup of chamomile tea Emma had placed on the table. “Why don’t you