The Cherished Quilt

by Amy Clipston

  “Was iss letz?”

  “I’m not leaving until you drink your warm milk.” Emily pointed toward the mug on the worktable.

  Chris raised his eyebrows, and she scowled. “You’re serious.”

  She crossed her arms over her enormous coat. “I made that milk for you because I was worried about you and wanted to help you. The least you could do is drink it.”

  Chris sighed. “You’re right, and I’m sorry. I’ve been thoughtless again.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” Emily’s face softened. “I don’t want you to be sorry. I only want you to sleep. You need your rest just as much as I do.”

  The empathy in her eyes calmed something deep inside of him. “Danki for caring about me,” he said as he lifted the mug.

  “That’s what freinden do, Chris. They care about each other.” She pushed her thick braid behind her shoulder, and he again yearned to touch it.

  He sipped the milk instead.

  “Is it still warm?” she asked with a little laugh.

  “Ya, a little.” Chris gulped the milk and then handed the mug to her. “Danki.”

  “I hope it helps you sleep.” She yawned once again, and he took her hand.

  He relished her soft skin as he gently tugged her toward the door. “You need to get back to bed.”

  When they reached the door, Chris peered out at the pouring rain. “I didn’t even realize it was raining. Do you know if there’s an umbrella in the shop?”

  “No, I don’t think so, but it’s okay. I won’t melt.” She pushed on the door.

  “Wait.” He rested his hand on her arm.

  “What?” She looked up at him, and he was speechless. But he didn’t want her to leave just yet.

  “I, uh,” he stammered, rubbing the stubble on his chin. “Well, I just . . .” He chuckled. “I have no idea what I was going to say.”

  Emily laughed. “Is the warm milk working already?”

  “Ya, maybe it is.” Chris touched her arm again. “Danki for everything, Em.”

  “I didn’t do much.”

  “You actually did more than you know.”

  “Gern gschehne,” she said. “Gut nacht. Go get some sleep. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow.”

  “Gut nacht,” he echoed.

  Emily wrenched the door open and hurried up the path.

  She hustled through the rain with her father’s coat billowing around her legs. Emily Fisher was a very special friend, and he was thankful he’d met her.

  CHAPTER 9

  “I THINK THE MATERIAL WE PICKED OUT IS PERFECT,” Rachel said as she sat across from Emily in the booth at the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant the following afternoon. “I love the shade of purple we picked, don’t you?”

  “Ya,” Mamm said, sitting next to Emily. “What do you think, Emily?”

  “Ya, I do.” A yawn suddenly overtook Emily.

  “Are you all right?” Rachel leaned forward in the seat. “You look wiped out.”

  Emily yawned again. “Ya, I’m fine.”

  “Didn’t you sleep well last night?” Mamm asked.

  Alarm surged through Emily. She didn’t want to lie to her mother, but how could she admit she’d been up in the middle of the night talking with Chris? She couldn’t imagine also admitting she had stayed awake for nearly two hours after their conversation as she replayed what Chris had shared with her.

  And then there was the other issue—the way Emily’s body had reacted to Chris. She’d actually wanted him to kiss her! She could never admit those feelings to her mother. Mamm certainly wouldn’t approve, especially since Emily had been alone with Chris in the harness shop and they had plenty of opportunity to kiss.

  “May I take your order?” A young waitress with auburn hair appeared at the table, and Emily swallowed a sigh of relief.

  Emily quickly perused the menu while Rachel and Mamm gave their order. She’d been so consumed with Chris that she hadn’t decided what she wanted for lunch.

  “And you, ma’am?” the server asked Emily.

  “Um, I’ll have the Bird-in-Hand club sandwich on wheat.”

  “Are fries okay?” the girl asked.

  “Yes,” Emily said. “Thanks.”

  The girl retrieved the menus and left.

  Emily took a sip from her glass of water and once again turned her thoughts to Chris. How could his father treat him so badly and blame him for Gabriel’s death? Her father had always been loving, understanding, and patient with Emily and her sisters. Emily couldn’t comprehend the kind of emotional turmoil Chris had been dealing with.

  “Emily?” Rachel’s voice broke through Emily’s mental meanderings.

  “Ya?” Emily looked up at her sister watching her.

  “Did you hear a word I said?” Rachel asked with a suspicious expression. When Emily didn’t respond, Rachel just shook her head. “I said it’s a shame Veronica couldn’t meet us today, but I’m glad she can join us Friday for sisters’ day. She said she’ll help us get started on the dresses.”

  “Great.” Emily yawned again. She needed some caffeine or maybe even a nap to perk up.

  Mamm turned in the booth, angling her body toward Emily. “What’s going on?”

  Emily was caught. She couldn’t count on the waitress to save her again. Instead, she had to tell the truth. “I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  “Why not?” Rachel asked.

  “Are you ill?” Mamm inquired.

  “I’m not ill.” Emily swirled the straw in her glass of water and stared at the small ripples the motion created to avoid their worried eyes. “I woke up in the middle of the night, and when I looked out the window, I saw a light on in the harness shop.”

  “Did someone break in?” Rachel asked with a gasp.

  “Why didn’t you wake your dat?” Mamm demanded.

  “No one broke in. In fact, I knew who was in there.” Emily paused while contemplating how much to share.

  “I don’t understand,” Mamm said.

  Without looking up, Emily told them she assumed Chris was working because of his insomnia and she’d gone out to take him some warm milk. Then she had stayed for a while because he needed to talk to someone. When she raised her eyes, both her mother and sister were staring at her. She braced herself for their questions, and they began talking at the same time.

  “You were out in the harness shop with Chris in the middle of the night alone?” Mamm asked.

  “Why does he have insomnia?” Rachel asked.

  Emily blew out a deep sigh, and her shoulders clenched. She couldn’t bear disappointing Mamm. “Mamm, I knew you wouldn’t be froh when you found out I was alone with him, but please trust me when I tell you nothing bad happened. He just needed someone to talk to, and I listened. He’s been through a really rough time.”

  “What did he tell you?” Rachel asked.

  Emily summarized what Chris had told her about his father and brother, leaving out his most vulnerable details. Rachel and Mamm listened, their eyes wide.

  “I had no idea,” Mamm said. “Tillie didn’t tell me anything about Chris’s dat.”

  “I can’t believe his dat actually blames him for Gabriel’s death.” Rachel wiped her eyes. “That’s so bedauerlich. I’m sure Chris feels guilty enough without having his dat constantly criticize him.”

  “He does. And I just want to help him. He was so desperate for someone to listen. I have a feeling no one has ever given him a chance to explain how he felt after losing Gabriel. Or at least he hasn’t felt comfortable talking to anyone.”

  “You care about him.” A grin tugged at the corner of Rachel’s mouth.

  “No.” Emily blew out a puff of air. Who was she kidding? “Well, ya, I do, but it’s more than that. I’m worried about him. I want to show him he’s worthy of someone’s friendship.”

  Mamm patted Emily’s shoulder. “Just be careful with your heart.”

  “I will.” Emily needed to take the focus off herself. “So, Rachel, what els
e do we need to shop for today?”

  “I’ve been thinking about the table decorations.” Rachel pulled a notepad out of her purse. “What if we did something with vases and silk flowers?”

  CHRIS EXAMINED THE DOORKNOB HANGER ON THE WORKTABLE in front of him. It had to be the twentieth one he’d created today. After sleeping for nearly five hours, Chris had come in early this morning and started working before Onkel Hank and Leroy even arrived. He worked straight through the morning, only taking fifteen minutes to eat a quick sandwich before getting back to work.

  Although his hands had been working methodically, he kept remembering how emotional Emily had been, crying along with him when he told her about Gabriel and becoming angry when he shared how Dat had treated him.

  Last night Chris was certain Emily cared for him, but as the day wore on and she didn’t come to work at the harness shop, doubt crept into his mind and displaced his security. Had he scared her away by sharing too much? Perhaps he should’ve lied when she asked if he needed to talk and told her he was fine. He could’ve blamed his insomnia on having too much caffeine in his diet.

  “Christopher?” Onkel Hank called from his seat at the cash register. “Are you going home today?”

  Chris glanced up from his current project. “What do you mean?”

  “It’s almost five thirty.” Onkel Hank pointed to the clock on the wall. “Leroy left thirty minutes ago.”

  “He did?” Chris scanned the shop in search of Leroy.

  Onkel Hank chuckled. “He said gut nacht to you before he left.”

  “I never heard him.”

  Onkel Hank grinned and chuckled again. “You’ve been in your own little world just working away today. I think it’s time you quit for the night. I put the Closed sign out, and I’m sure supper is on the table waiting for us.”

  “May I just finish this one last doorknob hanger?”

  “Ya, you may, but don’t take too long.” Onkel Hank jammed his straw hat on his head. “Will you lock up for me?”

  “Sure.” Chris pointed toward the cashier counter. “Just leave the key on the cash register.”

  “See you in a bit,” Onkel Hank said before exiting the shop.

  Chris finished the last doorknob hanger and then stood and stretched. His shoulders and neck were stiff after hunching over the workbench all day long. He switched off the lanterns and grabbed his hat from the peg on the wall by the front door. After stepping outside, he locked the door.

  Wondering where Emily was, Chris looked toward the Fisher house. He had missed her today. Had she thought about him too? He doubted it. Unless it was to plan how she could get out of being his friend after what she’d learned about him. With a glower, he started walking toward his uncle’s house.

  “Chris!”

  He spun to find Emily waving as she hurried toward him. His heart tripped before catching itself. He met her halfway down the path.

  “Chris,” she said again, smiling up at him. “I’m so glad I caught you. How was your day?”

  “It was gut.” He shrugged. “Busy. How was yours?” He braced himself for a lame excuse as to why she’d avoided him.

  “I spent all day shopping with mei mamm and Rachel.” She gestured toward the house behind her. “Rachel bought the material for the dresses for the wedding, and then we went to about a hundred places looking for decorations and favors.” She frowned. “I was hoping to come and see you, but Rachel wanted to make sure we visited all her favorite stores before we came home.”

  “Oh, I understand.” She isn’t avoiding me! Relief flooded him. “It takes a lot of time to put a wedding together.”

  “Ya, that’s the truth.” She searched his eyes for a moment. “You look better today. Did you get some sleep last night?”

  “Ya, I did. How about you?”

  “It took me awhile to fall asleep, but I made it through the day.” She paused. “I’ve been worried about you. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m okay.” He hooked his thumbs in his suspenders. “I’m sorry for keeping you up last night. You shouldn’t worry about me.” But it warmed his soul to know she cared.

  “Emily!” Rachel called from the porch. “Supper is ready.” She waved. “Hi, Chris!”

  Chris waved back at Rachel and then turned to Emily. “You should go.”

  “I know. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “I look forward to it.” As Emily made her way back up the path, Chris started toward his uncle’s house. He was grateful Emily was his friend, but he wondered what it would be like if Emily was his girlfriend. He couldn’t deny the attraction he’d felt the night before.

  If only the circumstances were different and he could offer her a solid future.

  “HOW’S CHRIS DOING?” RACHEL ASKED WITH A GRIN AS SHE placed the dinner plates on the table.

  “He’s fine.” Emily ignored the teasing in her sister’s tone. She took utensils from the drawer and set them next to the plates. Emily was grateful she had prepared a casserole before she left with Mamm and Rachel to go shopping this morning. As soon as they arrived home, Mamm had preheated the oven and put the casserole in. Now the aroma of the hamburger pie filled the kitchen, causing her mouth to water with anticipation.

  “Did he sleep better last night after talking to you?”

  Emily looked at her sister. Was Rachel ever going to stop teasing her?

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” Rachel bristled. “I was wondering if your conversation with him helped.”

  “I thought you were making fun of me again,” Emily admitted before placing a fork and knife by her father’s plate. “He said he slept, and he actually looked better today. His eyes were brighter.”

  “That’s gut. I think you’re really helping him. You’ve always been so helpful to Veronica and me, so I know you can help him too.”

  Stunned, Emily stared at her sister.

  “What?” Rachel released a dramatic sigh. “Can’t I compliment you without getting a defensive look?”

  Emily closed the distance between them and hugged her sister. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  Rachel laughed. “You’ve been so unpredictable lately, Em. I never know if you’re going to take my head off or hug me.”

  “I’m sorry.” Emily leaned her hip against a kitchen chair. “I’ve just been so worried about Chris. I promise I won’t be so moody.”

  “It’s okay. I know I’ve been wrapped up in my wedding plans.”

  “You’re allowed to be, Rach. This is going to be one of the happiest days of your life.” She gnawed her lower lip. “I need your help with something.”

  “What is it?” Rachel placed the last plate on the table and then faced her.

  “I want to do something nice for Chris besides making him the quilt. Do you have any ideas?”

  Rachel shrugged. “Make him lunch. You mentioned the other night that he loved the breakfast you made for him. Mike liked the meals I brought him, and that’s how I won his heart.”

  Emily snapped her fingers. “I love the idea. I’ll make a nice lunch tomorrow and have Dat invite him to join us. Would you help me plan the menu?”

  Rachel smirked. “I’d love to.”

  EMILY STARED DOWN AT HER QUILT DESIGN AS SHE SAT ON her sewing chair later that evening. The material she’d chosen for the quilt was arranged in piles by color on the floor, and she was ready to get started. She ran her fingers over the quilt her mother had made. She wondered how Dat had reacted when he’d received it as a gift. Mamm said the quilt was special to him, and he must have thought of her every time he used it. Would the quilt she made for Chris be special to him as well?

  “Emily?”

  She looked up at her mother, standing in the doorway. “Mamm. I thought you’d gone to bed.”

  “I was just getting ready to, but I wanted to talk to you first.”

  “Come in.” Emily pointed to the chair across from her sewing table.

  Mamm looked down
at the material on the floor. “You’re going to use blue and green shades for the quilt?”

  “Ya. Do you think it will look okay?” She couldn’t admit the colors reminded her of Chris’s eyes.

  “I think it will be beautiful.”

  “Danki.” Emily ran her finger over her mother’s quilt again. “I just hope he likes it.”

  “I’m certain he’ll love it.” An uneasy frown melted Mamm’s smile as she rested her hands on the arms of the chair. “I didn’t want to say anything to you in front of Rachel earlier. I thought it would be better if we talked in private.”

  Emily sat up straight as her spine tensed with apprehension. “Was iss letz?”

  Mamm folded her hands and was silent for a moment. “I’m concerned you went to meet Chris alone in the harness shop in the middle of the night.”

  “Mamm.” Emily held up her hands. “All we did was talk. I’m telling you the truth when I say nothing inappropriate happened between us. Chris just needed someone to listen, and that’s what I did. Nothing else is going on between us.”

  “I believe you, Emily, but you’re mei dochder, and it’s my job to look out for you and keep you safe.”

  “I’m almost twenty-one,” Emily said. “I know what’s appropriate and what’s not appropriate. You’ve already had that talk with me, and I’ve never gone against the rules of the community.”

  “I know that too.” Mamm heaved a deep sigh. “Christopher is older than you.”

  “Only by three years,” Emily cut in. “He’s younger than Veronica.”

  “He’s still older than you, and he’s very handsome.”

  Emily’s face flamed. Can Mamm sense my attraction to Chris?

  “Sometimes older men have a way of talking maed into, well . . .”

  Emily’s eyes widened as Mamm’s words clicked into place in her mind. “You can trust me. I’m not going to go against my beliefs. You’ve raised mei schweschdere and me with solid values. You don’t need to worry about us, okay?”

  Mamm’s frown softened. “I’ll always worry about my kinner. It’s my job as your mamm. Just promise me you won’t meet him in the shop in the middle of the night ever again.”

  “I promise.”