The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Tears of joy seeped through Star’s lashes, but she didn’t utter a word. Just waited to see what Jan would say.

  “Sorry for bein’ late,” he said to Emma. “Stupid chain on my bicycle broke, and then I spun out in some gravel and fell off the bike. Fooled around with the chain awhile, but with no tools, it was pretty much hopeless. Since I was determined to get here, I just left the dumb bike there and started walkin’. Then some mangy mutt, who shoulda been home in his pen, chased after me for a time. But when a horse and buggy happened along, the dog gave up on me and started buggin’ the horse. Things went from bad to worse after that. The horse was so spooked, it ended up pullin’ the buggy into a ditch.” Jan stopped and drew in a quick breath. “Well, I couldn’t leave the poor Amish woman who was drivin’ the buggy alone to deal with all that, so after I’d shooed the dog away, I led the horse outa the ditch and got the woman’s buggy back on the road. By that time, I knew I’d missed most of the class, but I had to come anyways, ‘cause I needed to see Star, even if it was for the very last time.”

  “It’s okay. You’re here now; that’s all that matters,” Emma said.

  Everyone smiled and murmured words of agreement. They, too, seemed happy that Jan had made it before the class ended. But none was happier than Star. She was so glad to see Jan that she almost gave him a hug. Catching herself in time, she just smiled and said, “I’m glad you’re here. I was worried you might not come.”

  Jan shook his head. “I’d actually thought about not comin’, but no, I decided I just couldn’t do that.”

  “I need to tell you something,” Star said, moving slowly toward him, hands clasped behind her back. Her heart thumped so hard she feared her chest might explode.

  “What’s that?” he asked with a hopeful expression.

  “I spoke with Mom last night, and she admitted that she was the one who took off.”

  Jan’s face broke into a broad smile. “Really?”

  Star nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, but I didn’t want to think Mom would lie to me about something as important as this. Can we start over—maybe spend some time together and get to know each other better?” she asked, looking down.

  “Yeah, I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.” Jan raised Star’s chin so she was looking into his eyes. “I’ll be getting my driver’s license back soon. Think maybe you’d like to go for a ride on my Harley then?”

  “Sure, that’d be great. I’d also like the chance to meet your dog. I’ve never had a pet, so it would be fun to see what that’s like, too.” Star went on to tell Jan that when the time was right, her mom would like the chance to make amends with him.

  Jan, looking more than a little surprised, nodded and said, “No problem. I’d be glad to talk to Bunny again and try to make things right between us. I know we can never get back what we once had, but if we could be friends, that would mean a lot to me.”

  “It would mean a lot to me, too,” Star said sincerely.

  Star and Jan started talking about some other things they’d like to do together until Paul cleared his throat real loud. “Should we take our class picture now so we can have our refreshments?”

  “I sure can’t be in no picture,” Jan said, looking down at the dirt and sweat on his clothes and arms.

  “How come? Is it against your religion, too?” Stuart asked.

  “Nope, it’s nothin’ like that, but just look at me, man—I’m a mess!”

  “The bathroom’s just down the hall,” Emma said. “You can go there and get cleaned up, and I’ll even let you borrow one of my husband’s shirts.”

  Jan grinned at her. “I’d be much obliged.”

  “While you’re changing and cleaning up, I’ll bring out the pie and something for us to drink. Then I’ll take a picture of the six of you, and after that we can enjoy the pie while we visit,” Emma said.

  “Sounds good to me.” Jan looked down at Star, and tears welled in his eyes. “Never thought I’d hear myself say this, but somethin’ good came from me losin’ my driver’s license.”

  “What’s that?” she asked.

  “Because I lost it and had to serve some time in jail, I was forced to see a probation officer, who said I should find my creative self. And if I hadn’t seen Emma’s ad and signed up for this class, I never would have met my daughter.” Jan smiled at Star in such a special way that she really did feel like his daughter.

  “Well, guess I’d better get cleaned up,” Jan said, before heading down the hall. When he was halfway there, he turned and called to Star, “Don’t go anywhere now, you hear?”

  “I wouldn’t think of it!” she hollered. Star didn’t know what the future might hold for her musical career, but she knew she was grateful for the chance to get to know her dad and was happy that her future would include him.

  After Emma found one of Ivan’s shirts for Jan to wear, she hurried to the kitchen and was pleased when both Pam and Ruby Lee followed.

  “What can we do to help?” Pam asked.

  “Let’s see now…. The pie’s on the counter, so if one of you would like to cut it, I’ll get out the plates, silverware, and napkins.”

  “I’ll cut the pie,” Ruby Lee offered.

  Emma looked at Pam. “There’s some iced tea in the refrigerator, and glasses are in the cupboard. So if you don’t mind, you can take those out to the dining room where we’ll sit and eat our refreshments.”

  Pam smiled. “I don’t mind at all.”

  “You can put them on here.” Emma handed Pam a large serving tray.

  “I’m going to miss coming here every week,” Ruby Lee said as she began slicing the pie.

  “I’ll miss all of you, too,” Emma admitted. “But you’re welcome to stop by anytime you like—either for a visit or for help with another quilting project. I’d love to see all of you again.”

  “You’ve been a good teacher,” Pam said. “And I, for one, have learned a lot coming here—and not just about quilting.”

  “Me, too,” Ruby Lee agreed. “Getting to know everyone and sharing our problems has been good for all of us, I do believe.”

  “Well, throughout these last six weeks, I’ve learned quite a bit myself,” Emma said. Pam’s eyebrows lifted high. “About quilting?”

  Emma shook her head. “About people, and how each of us is special in God’s eyes. I’ve also learned to accept help from others whenever I have a need.”

  “You mean like that nice man who filled in for you when you were sick?” Ruby Lee asked.

  “Yes. Lamar’s been a big help in many ways, and last night he stopped by with something he made for me.”

  “What was it?” Pam asked.

  “He made a very special table. I’ll show it to you after we’ve had our snack.”

  “This is ready now.” Ruby Lee motioned to the pie she’d cut into equal pieces.

  “Then let’s get back to the others.” Emma led the way to her sewing room, where Stuart, Paul, Jan, and Star sat visiting around the table.

  “Can we take the class picture now, before we eat?” Star asked.

  Emma nodded. “Let’s go outside on the porch.”

  Pam and Ruby Lee put the pie and iced tea on the dining room table, and everyone filed out the door.

  Paul showed Emma again which button to push and reminded her that the camera could focus itself. Then Emma’s six students gathered together on the porch while Emma stood in the yard with the camera.

  “We may be just a bunch of half-stitched quilters,” Jan said as he stood next to Star and smiled, “but we’ve sure learned some lessons here while gettin’ to know and understand each other, and I think we’ve also learned quite a bit about love.”

  Star looked over at him and grinned. “I’m really feelin’ it right now. How about you? Are you feelin’ it, too?”

  Jan gave her a high five. “Yep. Sure am, and I never wanna lose you again.” Hesitating a moment, he reached up and put his arm around Star’s shoulder. He looked happy w
hen Star moved a bit closer.

  Emma held the camera steady and snapped the picture. She planned to place an ad for another quilting class soon and couldn’t wait to meet the next set of students God sent her way.

  “All right now,” she said, smiling as she stepped onto the porch. “Who wants a piece of my angel cream pie?”

  Epilogue

  One year later

  It’s a nice evening, jah?” Lamar said to Emma as they sat on the front porch eating a bowl of homemade strawberry ice cream.

  She smiled. “You’re right about that, but what makes it even nicer is having someone to share it with.”

  Lamar’s eyes twinkled as he gave her a nod. “Does that mean you’re not sorry you married me this spring?”

  “Of course not, silly.” She reached over and patted his arm affectionately. “The only way I’d ever be disappointed is if you stopped loving me.”

  He shook his head. “No worries there, ‘cause that’s never gonna happen.”

  Emma pushed her feet against the wooden boards on the porch and got the hickory rocker Lamar had given her as a wedding present moving back and forth.

  A year ago, she’d been determined never to marry again. But that was before Lamar had won her heart with his kind and gentle ways. She was grateful to have found love a second time and felt that Ivan would be happy for her, too.

  “Is there anything you need me to do to help with your quilting class tomorrow?” Lamar asked.

  “I was hoping you would show my new students the quilt design you came up with the other day,” she replied.

  “Jah, sure, I’d be happy to show ‘em.”

  They sat quietly, watching the fireflies rise from the grass and put on their nightly summer show, until a noisy Vr … oom! Vr … oom! shattered their quiet.

  When Emma saw two motorcycles coming up the driveway, she knew immediately that it must be Jan Sweet and Star Stephens. They dropped by frequently to visit, as did the others who had come to her first quilting class. Star and Jan may have been cheated out of knowing each other during Star’s childhood, but Emma was glad to see how happy they both were now, as they spent a good deal of their free time together. They’d made a trip on their motorcycles to Disney World, and through the help of one of Ruby Lee’s friends, Star had gotten two of her songs published. Star’s mother, Nancy, now living in Fort Wayne with her husband, Mike, had contacted Jan, and they’d finally made peace. Emma thought the best news of all was that Jan and Star had attended Ruby Lee’s church a few times together.

  Pam and Stuart Johnston seemed happier, too. According to Pam, since Stuart had purchased an RV, they were spending more time together as a family, which in turn had helped their marriage. They, too, had gone to church several times this past year, which Emma felt certain had also strengthened their marriage.

  Paul Ramirez had finished the baby quilt his wife had started before she’d died, and he’d brought little Sophia by on several occasions to see Emma’s goats and play with the kittens that had been born earlier this spring. He, too, seemed happy and content and kept in touch with his late wife’s family in California. The best news he’d shared was that his sister-in-law had finally come to terms with Lorinda’s death and no longer blamed Paul for the accident. Carmen was even planning a trip to Elkhart to see Paul and Sophia sometime this summer.

  Ruby Lee Williams, whose husband still ministered to their congregation in Goshen, had stopped by recently and told Emma that their church had grown and its finances had improved so much that the board was now talking about adding on to the building. Emma was glad Ruby Lee and her husband had stuck it out and trusted God to meet the needs of their church. Ruby Lee was glad, too, for she’d admitted to Emma that her faith had been strengthened because of the ordeal.

  Emma waved as Jan and Star parked their cycles and headed for the house. Even though she’d taught several more quilt classes over the course of a year, she knew there would always be a special place in her heart for the students from that first quilting class.

  She looked over at Lamar and smiled. “Isn’t it nice to know that love looks beyond what people are to what they can become?”

  He reached for Emma’s hand and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “That’s right, and I’m so glad that the Lord can use us at any age if we’re willing.”

  RECIPE FOR EMMA YODER’S ANGEL CREAM PIE

  Ingredients:

  1 cup half-and-half

  1 cup heavy whipping cream

  ½ cup sugar

  ? teaspoon salt

  2 tablespoons (slightly rounded) flour

  1 teaspoon vanilla

  2 egg whites, stiffly beaten

  1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan, combine half-and-half and whipping cream. Warm only slightly. Turn off heat and add, beating with a whisk, sugar, salt, and flour. Add vanilla and fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake for 45 minutes or until filling is a little shaky.

  OTHER BOOKS BY WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER:

  KENTUCKY BROTHERS SERIES

  The Journey

  INDIANA COUSINS SERIES

  A Cousin’s Promise

  A Cousin’s Prayer

  A Cousin’s Challenge

  BRIDES OF LEHIGH CANAL SERIES

  Kelly’s Chance

  Betsy’s Return

  Sarah’s Choice

  DAUGHTERS OF LANCASTER COUNTY SERIES

  The Storekeeper’s Daughter

  The Quilter’s Daughter

  The Bishop’s Daughter

  BRIDES OF LANCASTER COUNTY SERIES

  A Merry Heart

  Looking for a Miracle

  Plain and Fancy

  The Hope Chest

  SISTERS OF HOLMES COUNTY SERIES

  A Sister’s Secret

  A Sister’s Test

  A Sister’s Hope

  BRIDES OF WEBSTER COUNTY SERIES

  Going Home

  On Her Own

  Dear to Me

  Allison’s Journey

  White Christmas Pie

  Lydia’s Charm

  NONFICTION

  The Simple Life A Celebration of the Simple Life

  Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook

  Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook, Vol. 2

  CHILDREN’S BOOKS

  Rachel Yoder—Always Trouble Somewhere Series (8 books)

  The Wisdom of Solomon

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Wanda E. Brunstetter is a bestselling author who enjoys writing Amish-themed, as well as historical novels. Descended from Anabaptists herself, Wanda became deeply interested in the Plain People when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Wanda and her husband live in Washington State but take every opportunity to visit their Amish friends in various communities across the country, gathering further information about the Amish way of life.

  Wanda and her husband have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, reading, stamping, and having fun with her family.

  In addition to her novels, Wanda has written two Amish cookbooks, two Amish devotionals, several Amish children’s books, as well as numerous novellas, stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts.

  Visit Wanda’s website at www.wandabrunstetter.com and feel free to e-mail her at wanda@wandabrunstetter.com.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  Although Emma appreciated help from her family, she didn’t want to be a burden and looked for ways to be more independent. What are some things we can do to help family members or friends who have lost a loved one without making them feel as if they’re a burden?

  Sometimes after a person loses a spouse, they shut themselves off to the idea of another marriage, thinking no one could take the place of their deceased loved one. Was Emma too closed to the idea of having a friendship with Lamar? How long do you think a person shou
ld wait after the death of a spouse to remarry?

  Due to the problems they were having at their church, Ruby Lee wanted her husband to get out of the ministry. Is leaving always the best answer when a pastor feels that the congregation is displeased with him? What are some other choices a minister might make instead of leaving a church he has felt called to shepherd?

  Did Ruby Lee support her husband enough, or was she feeling so much at the end of her rope that she saw no possibility of a positive outcome? What are some ways we can keep our faith strong when going through trying times?

  Jan, having been deeply hurt when his girlfriend left him, chose not to make any commitments to a woman after that. How can a person deal with rejection and not let it affect future relationships?

  Pam hid her childhood disappointments from Stuart. Is there ever a time when a person should keep information about their past from their spouse? How did Pam’s childhood affect her as an adult? How can a person deal with a scarred childhood and not let it affect their marriage?

  Communication is important in marriage. Did Stuart and Pam have an honest relationship, or were there too many unspoken feelings? How important is honesty in marriage? What are some ways a married couple can learn to be more honest with each other?

  In the beginning, Stuart had no understanding of Pam’s dislike for camping and fishing. What might he have done to make her more comfortable with the idea? Should he have been willing to stay home more and do other things with the family?

  Star, having grown up without a father, had abandonment issues and low self-esteem. She also felt that her mother cared more about her own needs than she did Star’s. What are some ways a single parent can make sure their children feel loved and secure? How can an adult who grew up with only one parent help themselves to feel more secure?