Bleach’s bitter scent burned her nostrils, which, in turn, drew water from her eyes. The room, though neat and clean, mirrored most small hotel rooms with low-pile brown carpet, institutional white walls, a multicolored bedspread, and a framed watercolor print centered over a laminated wood headboard.
“Just like I thought. The work won’t start until guests arrive. Guess we’ll have time to work on your quilt this afternoon.”
“I guess.” Lil shrugged. She’d wanted to dust or vacuum, any kind of physical activity to burn off the anxiety of her situation.
“You’ve been awful quiet, and I think I know why.” Walt closed the door and started down the hallway to the office.
I don’t think you do.
He placed the keys back into the drawer and continued to his main living quarters. “You’re worried that I’m overdoing it by opening the hotel to guests.”
Lil closed the door to the office and looked up to face Walt, who had turned and was now gazing at her, not fazed a bit by their height difference.
“Don’t be concerned. My stamina’s coming back, you know.”
She did know. It’s what she’d been counting on. That after tomorrow he’d lose the walker and gain a quad cane, leaving one hand free and causing him to need her less. Her heart squeezed hard at her last thought. When had she started wanting Walt to need her?
“Do you have an iron and ironing board?” Lil flipped the clasps of the sewing machine cover, the clack of metal against the plastic announcing its release. She lifted off the cover and placed it on the floor.
“Yes, they’re in the hotel laundry room. Why?”
“These pieces need to be fused to the back fabric before I appliqué around them,” Lil called over her shoulder as she headed out of the kitchen.
Walt fingered a stack of cut fabric. How anyone could turn these odd geometric shapes into anything that resembled a flower was beyond him. Tilting his head to look through his bifocals, he studied the large square block with tracing on it.
“Hmm, she has a pattern to follow.” Pulling a square from the pile, he matched the small shapes of fabric to the corresponding pattern on the block.
“Good job.”
Walt jumped. “You startled me,” he grouched. He’d been so intent on seeing the picture the pieces created that he hadn’t heard Lil’s plastic shoes squeak against the floor.
Lil put the iron on the table, then fiddled with the lever under the ironing board until the legs released. Looking around, she found an outlet, placed the board beside it, then began unwinding the cord wrapped around the iron’s handle.
“I wondered how all those little pieces fit together. Didn’t realize you had a guide to go by.”
“Well, now you know and you’re good at it, so that will be your job.” Lil licked her finger and quickly tapped the iron to test the heat.
“I’m not going to sew.”
“Who said anything about sewing? I need you to fuse these pieces on the block like this.” Lil lifted the green pieces from the table and placed them on the end of the ironing board. She grabbed something flimsy, cut to the shape of stems, and laid it on the large bright yellow block’s template.
“Is that tissue paper?”
“No, it’s fusible lightweight interfacing. Watch.” Lil lined up a green rectangle over the papery fabric and placed the hot iron on top. After a few seconds, she smoothed the iron over the fabric then lifted it.
“See.” She lifted the large block with the green fabric stuck to it then set the iron down. “Now when I appliqué around it, the fabric won’t move. Think you can do that for me, to help pass the time, or is it too girlie?” She pulled a face, but it couldn’t hide the challenge reflecting from those green eyes.
“I guess it would help pass the time in a more constructive way than staring out the window.”
Walt lined up another piece of fusing, carefully placed the green fabric over the top, and with a deep breath, pressed the hot iron down.
“Only takes a few seconds.” Lil watched over his shoulder.
Placing the iron in its caddy, Walt lifted the fabric and shook it. “It’s like magic.”
Lil rolled her eyes but smiled. “It is an invention that comes in handy for this quilter. Now, I’ll need all the green fabric adhered to the block first. When you’re finished, give it to me and I’ll start to appliqué around the edges while you work on the next block.”
“We’ll have a regular assembly line.”
“Sort of. The appliqué process takes awhile, so I’m sure you’ll get ahead of me. So if you need a break to sit down, feel free.”
Lil readied her sewing machine while Walt worked on the quilt block.
“I wonder if Mark sells this stuff in his store.” Walt aligned the fabric and pressed the iron down.
“I’m sure he does.”
“Want to stop there after my appointment tomorrow? I can update him on my recovery while you look around.”
“I’d like that, but you haven’t endured a car ride since you came home from the hospital. You already want to pick up some supplies, so you might not feel up to it. And shouldn’t someone be around here in case people come to check in?”
Walt’s head jerked up. “I never thought of that. I’m going to have to call Bill, tell him my schedule. See if they know when folks might be arriving.” He placed another green stem on the fabric.
Finding it hard to carry on a conversation and accurately adhere the pattern pieces to the fabric, Walt and Lil worked in silence.
A soft rap sounded through the kitchen. Walt turned to Lil. “Was that you?”
“No, I think someone’s at the door.”
Walt glanced at the clock, surprised that almost two hours had passed while he helped Lil with her quilt blocks. Putting the iron in the caddy, Walt walked around the ironing board. “I knew if I stopped watching out the window someone would sneak up on us.” He winked at Lil as he passed the table and went to the door, not realizing he’d left the walker behind until the swing of his arm to open the door threw off his balance.
Teetering, he grabbed the wall just as he felt Lil’s arm slip across his back to steady him. “Thanks, Speedy.”
“You did pretty well, but you need to remember that walker.”
The chiding grated on Walt’s nerves.
“Now that you’re steady, wait here.”
A low rumble started in Walt’s throat at Lil’s firm command. Just as he was ready to release it, the rap grew louder. “Just a minute,” Walt hollered, releasing his irritation with Lil on whoever stood on the other side of the door. Instantly aware that he’d just snapped at an innocent bystander, Walt strained to see out the window.
“It’s hard to see in the dusk, but it looks like a blue sedan,” Lil said as she set the walker beside him and gave him a “what’s your problem?” look.
Walt harrumphed and shook his head but bit back his retort as he continued toward the door. “A blue sedan. That would be Sandy’s car.” Walt opened the door, which wasn’t an easy task with Lil shadowing him. He waved Sandy’s petite frame in through the storm door.
“Lil, this is Sandy Callahan. We attend the same church.”
“Sandy, this is Lil, my nurse and friend.” Even in his aggravated state, his subconscious emphasized the last word.
“Nice to meet you.”
Walt smiled as the women said their polite greeting in unison.
“Bill said that you might need some help readying the accommodations and then cleaning throughout the week. I called the Joy group and we have many volunteers, so just tell me what you need done and when and we’ll make a schedule.”
“Sit down.” Walt motioned with his hand. “Want a cup of coffee?”
“No, thank you. I can’t stay that long. What are you making?” Sandy ran her hand over the block Walt had finished.
“Lil’s making her sister a Rose of Sharon quilt.” Walt sat down at the table.
“Is she getting married?” Sandy turned to Lil
.
“No, it’s for her fortieth wedding anniversary.”
“Almost the same. You know it used to be a tradition to give a Rose of Sharon to a bride because it represents romantic love and the sacrament of marriage.”
“Sounds like you know your stuff.” Lil smiled at Sandy.
“Well, our Joy group makes quilts for missions every year and we try to do a quilt block named after a Bible verse. Then one of us researches the block and gives an educational session on the pattern’s history and how it relates to the Bible verse.”
“What she said about the Joy group is true, but she’s also being modest about her knowledge of quilting.” Walt rapped the table with his knuckles. “Her quilts win first place at the county fair every year.”
“Congratulations. That’s wonderful.” Lil patted Sandy’s shoulder before taking a seat across the table from Walt.
“Thank you.” Sandy looked at Lil. “I’m sorry to stare, but have we met before?”
“I don’t think so. But I’ve been a nurse for many years, so maybe…” Lil shrugged.
“What’s your last name?”
“Hayes.”
“Lil Hayes. Is that your maiden name?”
“Yes, it is.” Lil smiled.
“Even that sounds familiar. Do you ever enter quilting contests?”
“No, can’t say that I have.”
“Well, I know you from somewhere, those beautiful green eyes of yours and your name. My memory isn’t what it used to be, but it will come to me. Now let’s get down to business.”
“I thought for sure I’d get a good report.” Walt stared absently out of the passenger window.
“You did get a good report. The doctor said you were right on track for healing.” Lil chided him for putting a negative spin on his prognosis, although she’d hoped for better news, too.
Walt turned toward Lil and jerked his head toward the walker resting against the backseat. “I thought I’d be rid of that and back to using my quad cane or…”
“I know you think you’re ready to try walking on your own.” How many times had she caught him walking around the kitchen without his walker yesterday? “But you’ve relied on a cane for years to offset your limp. You may have to relearn your body’s center and balance.”
She earned a frown for her reasoning.
“You know I’d be more help around the hotel if I could use a cane instead of a walker.”
Lil nodded. “That’s true, but Sandy seems to have things organized, so all you’ll have to do is check people in and fold the dried towels.”
Walt chuckled. “She’s a dynamo in the organization department. Because of her abilities, the soup dinner fund-raisers go off without a hitch and the church rakes in quite a profit.”
“Do you usually serve hot breakfasts?” Lil eased off the gas and hit the brake as the light ahead turned red.
“Nothing more than toast or instant oatmeal. You don’t mind coming over early and popping the egg casseroles in the oven, do you?” To look at her, Walt turned the best he could in his seat.
The sunshine through the windshield couldn’t hold a candle to the light in his eyes. Unable to break her stare, Lil noted how the sun’s rays brought out the green flecks in his hazel eyes.
She jumped at the loud honk behind her. “Oops.” She felt warmth crawl up her neck as she pressed the gas. Walt’s car roared through the intersection.
“Ease up there, Speedy.” Walt grabbed the handle above the door with one hand, bracing against the dashboard with the other.
As the car resumed its normal pace, Lil swatted at Walt’s arm. “It wasn’t that bad.”
Walt crossed his arms over his chest and smiled. “You need to turn left at the next light.”
“I see it. It’s a good-sized store. I thought it might be smaller, more like a quilter’s boutique.” Lil steered the car into the turning lane.
“No, really it’s a full-blown fabric store, not just a quilt shop.”
Lil pulled into a handicapped parking spot. She lifted his placard from the console and hooked it to the rearview mirror.
Walt pulled his door handle.
“Just a sec and I’ll get your walker.” Lil exited the car and rounded the back.
Walt had the door open, turning with his knees together as Lil retrieved, then opened the walker, and locked it into position. She stepped back, allowing Walt the space to get clear of the car door.
“Doesn’t seem right, you opening and closing my car door. I should be doing that for you.” Walt guided his walker to the slanted part of the sidewalk.
Wind seasoned with a hint of moisture blew a littered plastic store bag along with sandy grit through the parking lot, causing Lil’s eyes to water.
“Everyone needs help now and then.” Lil stepped from the parking lot to the sidewalk then waited at the quilt store entrance while Walt made his way to her side. “I think we got lucky with the weather today. No rain.”
“Considering the forecast, I thought we’d be fighting rain-slicked roads today, but no precipitation nor freezing temperatures yet.”
Lil shivered despite her heavy fleece jacket. “But it’s getting there.”
A bell jangled as Lil pulled open the door to allow Walt to pass through.
“Be with you in a minute,” a muffled voice called.
An aromatic mix of lot-dyed cloth fragranced the store. Lil paused and eyeballed Granny Bea’s interior.
“This is quite a place.” Two tiered shelves covered one wall, filled to capacity with bolts of fabric in every hue imaginable. A large NOTIONS sign hung over a far corner that housed peg boards filled with sewing tools, thread cases, and book racks.
Various styles of sewing machines, cabinets, and chairs lined the opposite walls. A cutting counter divided the room. Circular shelves holding bolts of print fabrics were scattered throughout the store. Like wildflowers that popped up in a field, quilts of all shapes, sizes, and patterns dotted displays all over the store.
“I like this.” Lil, having stopped beside a circular shelf not far from the entrance, put her hand on her hip, purse swinging at her wrist.
Walt turned. “Sarah put that display together.”
A freehand wall quilt hung suspended above a circular shelf filled with bolts of fall colors and prints. A tree was appliquéd in the center of the quilt. Various-colored leaves fell around it, the machine stitching giving the appearance of a windswept motion. The material for the back matched the leaves.
“Look at that! The quilter cut the leaves from the fabric and sewed them to the top. How clever.” Lil reached up and smoothed a corner of the quilt between her thumb and fingers.
“Caroline made that one.” Mark popped up from behind a display case of thread.
“I told Lil about Caroline and your mom and you. Well, all the quilters I know. Lil’s a quilter, too.”
Walt’s eyes shined with pride as he looked over at Lil.
A tiny thrill sent a warm shiver through her at Walt’s boasting. Lil thought about including Walt in the quilter category since he helped her, but reconsidered. His pride was bruised enough at not being able to run his business on his own.
Mark and Walt walked toward the cash register counter while Lil continued to peruse the store.
“I didn’t get a good report today.”
“What? Why?”
“Walt!” Lil raised her voice to megaphone decibel as she called across the store. “I told you in the car not to say it that way. You’re causing Mark undue concern.”
“Stop eavesdropping, Lil, and shop.”
The snappy tone turned Lil in her tracks. She started to march to the register counter when she saw a wide smile on Walt’s face.
“I knew that’d get you going.”
Lil screwed her face into her best don’t-mess-with-me-man look as she approached the men. “Your uncle is progressing as the doctor planned; however, he still needs to use his walker.” She turned to Mark with a reassuring smile.<
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Mark put a hand to his chest. “Uncle Walt, you had me worried.”
“I want to use my cane.”
Lil snorted. “He tries to walk around without any aid. I caught him at it four times yesterday.”
“Stop tattling on me.” Walt scrunched his face. “I just really wanted to be able to use my cane. It’s hard to run a business using this.” Walt lifted the walker from the floor and shook it.
“Wait a minute, what do you mean? You closed the hotel for four weeks.” Mark crossed his arms over his chest and rocked back on his heels. “Actually, let’s start at the beginning. What exactly did the doctor say?”
Walt sighed. “That I’m healing normally but I need to use the walker for at least two more weeks.”
“That’s good news.” Mark released his arms. “Do you need a chair?”
“No, thank you. My stamina is back.” Walt peered around Mark. “Where’s Sarah? Is she feeling okay?”
“She’s doing great. Today is her day off. Now, stop changing the subject. What’s this about running your business?”
“A good man went to be with the Lord. He and his wife had just downsized and moved into those new senior-housing apartments. They have four children who need a place to stay. Sioux Falls is too far for a grieving family to drive every day.”
“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Mark looked to Lil for reassurance.
She nodded. “I think so. Sarah had the rooms all cleaned and ready to go. The ladies’ group at Walt’s church are donating breakfast casseroles and helping with the daily cleaning.”
“We figured breakfast hours would be eight to ten, not the normal six to nine. If the folks don’t want to eat at the hotel, they can take the food the ladies donate with them to Jeanie’s. With the eight ladies cleaning rooms, Lil and I will only have to do the laundry.”
Lil caught Mark’s skeptical look. “I won’t let him overdo. And it might be good for him. He’s been pretty bored this past week.”
“So bored”—Walt walked to the counter and leaned on it—“I started helping Lil with a quilt.”
Mark burst out laughing. “I can’t believe that.”
“I am. I’m really good at fusing the pieces to the back. Tell him, Lil.” Walt waved his hand in the air.
Dakota Love Page 36