The Quilter's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page B

nose and slapped the wet rag against Matthew’s arm. “You don’t smell like no rose garden yourself. No wonder ya can’t find a wife.”
    Matthew’s ears turned crimson, but he made no reply.
    “I think the real reason you’re not married is ’cause you’re scared,” Jake taunted.
    Matthew flicked some water in his brother’s direction. “Let’s drop the subject, okay?”
    “I agree.” Abraham nodded toward the house. “We’d best not keep the women waitin’. I’m sure they have lunch on the table by now.”
    “First one to the house gets two helpings of dessert!” Jake hollered as he took off on a run.
    Matthew shook his head. “I wonder if he’ll ever grow up.”
    Abraham thumped his eldest son on the back. “Why don’t you try to set him a better example?”
    “ Humph ! A lot of good that would do.”
    Abraham wondered if something was eating at Matthew, but he figured in time his boy would come to grips with whatever it was, so he said nothing as he strode toward the house.

    Fannie placed a platter of ham on the table and yawned. She’d been unable to go to the quilt shop this morning because of her queasy stomach, and even though her nausea had subsided some, she felt too tired to do much of anything. All she really wanted to do was get the men fed, then collapse on the sofa awhile.
    “Want me to ring the dinner bell again?” Nancy asked as she headed to the refrigerator to fetch a jar of pickles.
    “I think I hear our menfolk comin’ now,” Fannie replied.
    Sure enough, the thump, thump of men’s boots could be heard on the back steps. A few seconds later, Abraham, Matthew, and Jake entered the room.
    Fannie nodded at the table. “Everything’s ready, so take a chair and eat yourselves full.”
    Abraham gave her a peck on the cheek and then pulled out his chair at the head of the table. Once everyone was seated, he bowed his head for silent prayer, and the others did the same.
    Fannie folded her hands in her lap, and when the prayer was over, she stared at the food set before her. There were thick slices of the ham she had carved earlier, a heaping bowl of macaroni salad, deviled eggs, tangy pickled beets, dilled pickles, and a basket of fresh homemade bread for sandwiches. None of it appealed, but for the sake of the baby she carried, she knew she must eat.
    “You okay, Fannie?” Abraham asked with a look of concern.
    She forced a smile and nodded. “Fine and dandy.”
    “You look awfully mied . Are you still feelin’ sick to your stomach?”
    “Just in the mornings now, but you’re right, I am a bit tired.”
    Abraham glanced over at Nancy, who sat beside Fannie. “After lunch, I want you to clear away the dishes and clean up the kitchen while my wife takes a nap.”
    Nancy nodded. “Okay, Papa.”
    “I take it you’re not goin’ to the quilt shop this afternoon,” Matthew said around a mouthful of macaroni salad.
    “Guess I’d better not,” Fannie replied.
    “I’m thinkin’ we might need to close down the shop or find someone else to run it for a time,” Abraham said.
    Fannie sighed. It would be a shame to close the quilt shop. There were many women in the area who made quilts and sold them in her store. And what of the tourists who liked to shop there?
    “Naomi’s not up to working at the store and minding the quilt shop, as well,” Abraham went on to say. “She’s got her hands full taking care of little Sarah, not to mention her being in a family way again. Once her boppli’s born, she won’t be able to work at the store for a while, either.”
    “If you didn’t need me in the fields, I’d be happy to work at the store while Naomi takes over Fannie’s quilt shop,” Matthew said.
    Jake spoke up for the first time since they’d begun the meal. “Yeah, right. I can see my big brother tradin’ in his plow for a broom and sittin’ behind a cash register all day instead of workin’ the mules out in the fields.”
    “It would be a sight better than