The Quilter's Daughter Read Online Free PDF

wiped his mouth and announced, “My mamm’s comin’ by later on.”
    “Does she need some quilting material?”
    He shrugged and gave Abby a quick wink.
    “You’re up to something. What is it?”
    “I ain’t up to nothin’.”
    Abby was sure Lester was teasing and would tell her if it was anything important, so she didn’t press the issue.
    A short time later, as they were clearing away the remains of their lunch, the front door opened and Deborah Mast walked in. “Wie geht’s,” she said with a cheery wave.
    “Good day to you,” Abby replied. “What can I help you with?”
    Deborah smiled and stepped up to the counter, casting a quick glance in her son’s direction. “Lester tells me you’re in need of a helper here.”
    Abby nodded. “Lena had to quit because she’s got the morning sickness real bad. She and my mamm seem to be going through the same struggles right now.”
    Lester cleared his throat. “Uh—guess I’d best be gettin’ back to work.” He gave Abby’s arm a gentle squeeze. “See you later.”
    “Have a good day,” she said.
    “And don’t work too hard,” Lester’s mamm called to him.
    When Deborah’s son waved and disappeared out the door, she stepped up to Abby. “I was pleased to hear that your mamm’s in a family way. She must be real hallich .”
    “Jah, she’s happy as a springtime robin, and so is the rest of the family.”
    “I guess Lena must be excited about her pregnancy, too, since she and Harold have no kinner yet.” Deborah leaned on the counter. “Speaking of Lena. . . Since you haven’t found a replacement for her, I was wondering if you’d want to hire me to take her place.”
    Abby’s lips curved into a smile. “I know you often come by to help the ladies work on a quilt once a week, but I didn’t think to ask if you’d consider coming to work here.”
    “I would be happy to, if you think I’d be useful.”
    “Of course, you’re a wonderful quilter.”
    Deborah grunted. “That doesn’t mean I’ve got a head for business.”
    “I’m sure you’ll do fine. You’re friendly and outgoing, and that’s what matters most when it comes to waiting on customers.”
    “Since I’ve been widowed these last two years and all my kinner but Lester are out on their own, I’ve got time on my hands.” Deborah smiled. “How soon would you like me to start work?”
    “How about right now?”
    “That sounds good to me.” Lester’s mother made a sweeping gesture. “Where do you want me to begin?”

    Abraham wiped the sweat from his forehead using a damp rag he’d left hanging on the pump behind the house. He and the boys had worked hard in the fields all morning, and he was more than ready for their noon meal.
    “Sure hope Nancy and Fannie have lunch on the table,” Jake commented. “I’m hungry enough to eat an old mule.”
    “Jah, me, too,” Matthew agreed.
    Abraham stood off to one side, watching two of his sons as they took turns washing up. Norman had gone to his own place for lunch, saying he wanted to spend a few minutes with his wife.Abraham knew about that “in love” feeling; he’d been blessed with it twice. Even now, after being with Fannie four years, he felt like a lovesick schoolboy whenever she smiled at him in a certain way or said something to make him feel special.
    “Hey, watch what you’re doin’, Jake!” Matthew’s usual calm voice rose a notch, driving Abraham’s musings to the back of his mind.
    Jake grunted. “I’m washin’ up; what do you expect?”
    “I expect you to keep the soap and water on yourself, not on me.”
    Abraham shook his head. It was hard to believe Matthew was almost twenty-six years old and Jake had recently turned twenty, since they both were acting like a couple of schoolboys. “You two had better knock it off, or I’ll make you eat in the barn.”
    Matthew grunted. “That’d be a good place for Jake, since he already smells like one of the sweaty horses.”
    Jake wrinkled his