On Pins and Needles
Page 2
Wyatt glanced at his watch. “Maybe she’s just running late? It’s just a little after seven.”
But Beatrice frowned. “Annabelle did say she was coming?”
“Clear as day!” said Meadow. “So rude.”
Beatrice gave Wyatt an uneasy look. “That’s actually kind of odd.”
“Odd for her to be running late? Or odd for her to say she was definitely coming?” asked Wyatt.
“No, I can see her wanting to come to a local art exhibit and festival. She was quite a collector of Southern art, although she had a good many other interests, as well. But it’s extremely unusual for her to be running late for anything. Annabelle is the kind of person that you can set your clock by. And heaven help you if she’s waiting on you. I’ve heard her rant at museum directors and even very influential people if they were running behind,” said Beatrice slowly.
Meadow said, still simmering, “Well, it would suit me just fine if we sent Ramsay over there to do a welfare check.”
“Why don’t we just keep an eye out for her and then check on her later if we don’t see her,” said Wyatt in a reasonable tone. “After all, she might have gotten held up by Dappled Hills residents. It might just be that she couldn’t walk more than a few feet before people came over to introduce themselves.”
But Beatrice still felt a little leery. “I guess you’re right. It wouldn’t do to overreact,” she said, although she sounded unconvinced.
Meadow said, “By the way, thanks again for bringing Miss Sissy here. I suppose she’ll be going from food truck to food truck all night! Don’t worry about bringing her back home—I’ll do it and I’ll find her and let her know. Hopefully she’ll be in a good mood after all the fair food. Usually she’s less cranky with a full tummy.”
“Perfect. How is everything else going here? Is everything all right at the booth?” asked Beatrice.
Meadow said, “Better than all right! Have you ever seen more beautiful quilts?”
The quilters had done an amazing job. There were quilts of different sizes and shapes. There were quilts with different themes: horses, chickens, and cats. The colors were the best: warm and cool colors, light and dark, and peaceful neutrals.
“They’re gorgeous,” said Beatrice.
Meadow frowned. “Now I’m just waiting for Annabelle to come over and be totally charmed by them.”
Beatrice said, “Do you need someone to relieve you at the booth? Would you like to walk around the festival for a while and have me watch the booth?”
Wyatt, who was looking across the festival, said, “Piper and Ash have just arrived and look as if they’re heading our way. Don’t you want to see them?”
Beatrice smiled. This was one way to put Meadow in a better mood. Piper was already grinning and waving. Piper was wearing a white top with black capri pants that set off her dark pixie-cut hair. Ash was quite a bit taller and stooped frequently to hear what Piper said over the noise of the festival crowd. He wore a pair of long khaki shorts and a golf shirt. He waved when he spotted them.
Meadow beamed. “The best newlyweds ever! Oh, and here comes Edgenora and Savannah, thank heavens. They’re to relieve me at the booth. Yes, I’ll walk around with Piper and Ash for a while and keep an eye out for Annabelle. But it’s still extremely annoying!”
Piper and Ash walked up, hand in hand. They hugged Beatrice and Meadow and then Piper said to Ash, “See this quilt? This is the pattern that I was talking about.”
She pointed to a chain quilt with a pattern that looked like a mirror image of itself and had a symmetric appeal.
Ash frowned at the pattern as if it had some sort of dire message buried within. “This looks very complicated, Piper.”
Which was when Village Quilter member Savannah Potter walked up to them along with her friend and new guild member Edgenora. As usual, she was wearing a floral dress with a high collar. Her plain features sported a proud smile as she saw Piper and Ash studying her quilt. “It was effortless, actually.”
Beatrice hid a grin. She should have known that Savannah made that quilt. Everything she picked to quilt was always highly symmetrical. And everything she crafted was excellent.
Ash raised his eyebrows. “It doesn’t look easy.”
Savannah gave another pleased smile at this. “That’s what I was hoping. I haven’t had much time lately because I’ve had a lot of accounting jobs come my way, but I wanted to make a quilt for the festival. This one only has one style of block.”
“Does it use pre-cut strips, too?” asked Piper.
Savannah gave a bob of her head.
Piper put her hand on Ash’s arm. “See? It’s not hard, but it looks hard.”
Meadow gasped and clasped her hands together. “Is it possible? Piper, have you somehow made Ash interested in quilting? After all these years?”
Savannah said in a considering fashion, “He must be good at it. At least, talent is in his genes.”
Ash raised a hand. “Don’t get too excited, Mom. I still don’t have a lot of time. But I was watching Piper quilt and I sort of felt like I was getting the hang of how she was doing it.”
Meadow beamed at both of them. “Piper, I don’t know how you did it. You brilliant girl!”
Ash said in a cautioning voice, “Now, I’m not joining any guilds or anything, so before you get too wound up, just keep that in mind. But I might start a small, easy project with Piper.”
Piper said, “We thought it would be fun to share a hobby. Something besides teaching.”
Ash said quickly before his mother started getting ideas, “I don’t know about doing any of that hand-piecing or appliqueing stuff, but I like the idea of helping to come up with designs and running the sewing machine. Putting it all together.”
Meadow grinned. “You make it sound like a piece of dissembled furniture or an unassembled toy or something. Will you be bringing out a screwdriver? Never mind, I’m delighted. Let me show you a few other quilts since Savannah and Edgenora will take charge of the booth.”
Piper and Beatrice watched as Meadow led Ash off, chatting excitedly and pointing out the attributes of various quilts.
Piper said in a carefully careless voice that made Beatrice instantly alert, “By the way, Ash and I are looking to move back a little closer to Dappled Hills. Or maybe, exactly in Dappled Hills.”
“Meadow and I were just talking this morning at breakfast about wishing you were closer,” Beatrice said slowly. “But you just got settled in with Ash near Harrington college. And you just got the place exactly how you wanted it, you’d told me.”
Piper nodded. “That’s kind of the way it is, though, isn’t it, in the early years of marriage? Now that I know how to decorate, I can apply that knowledge to the next place. I think we’re going to get a house. There isn’t a lot of room where we are now, and Ash could use a study. Actually, I could use a study, too, considering all the grading I’ve been doing lately. Maybe we could even use a craft room if both of us are quilting.” She grinned at her mother.
Beatrice said, “I’m just still surprised to hear you say this. Won’t it be more of a commute for Ash to drive over to the college every day?”
“Yes, but he said he’d rather make the drive than have me make the drive. You know how Ash is. I’ve had to work late at the school grading and soon it will be fall and I might be driving back in the dark. He thinks we should just move back to town. Besides, there are other reasons.” Piper flushed. “You know, we just want to be near y’all,” she said, finishing her sentence in a rush.
Beatrice could tell that there was something she’d left unsaid. What if Meadow had been right this morning when she mentioned Beatrice’s tumble down the stairs and that period when Beatrice could have used a helping hand. She could tell that Piper wasn’t wanting to talk about the reasons behind their move anymore though. So Beatrice asked instead, “Who is your real estate agent?”
“We wanted to use someone locally, so we’re with Devlin,” said Piper.
Beatrice saw that Piper was looking as if she’d like a change of subject and so Beatrice obliged. “How is Ash doing, aside from everything else? Is he really going to start working on a quilt?”
Piper laughed. She glanced around to make sure that Meadow wasn’t around and then said, “He’s not starting it, he’s halfway through it! We didn’t want to tell Meadow because she might hound him to see it before it’s finished. And I wanted to show him some other easy options of quilts once he’d done with this one.”
Beatrice said, “What did he think? Did he enjoy it?”
“He was a little frustrated at first by making some mistakes with his measuring, but once he got that figured out, he did a fantastic job. At this rate, I’ll be pulling him along to guild meetings with us!” said Piper.
“If you won’t, then Meadow surely will.” Beatrice snorted. “I’m surprised she hasn’t already set that up. She would absolutely love it if Ash showed up with a completed quilt to show off. She’d be bursting with pride. Actually, so would I.”
“You’re right about that. At this rate, he’ll have one done before I will,” said Piper.
Beatrice couldn’t see Meadow, but she could hear her. “You might want to go rescue Ash,” she said. “It sounds like he might have been kidnapped.” She watched as Piper walked off to join Meadow and Ash.
Edgenora had been chatting with Wyatt while Piper and Beatrice talked. Edgenora was another new resident in Dappled Hills, but it occurred to Beatrice that she’d had a much better time getting integrated into the town than Annabelle. For one thing, she joined the Village Quilters, quickly becoming good friends with Savannah, who needed one after her sister married. For another, she was the church secretary at Wyatt’s church. Very quickly and despite a rather foreboding presence, she’d gotten to know many people in the town in a short period of time.
The reason Beatrice liked her so much was because she was organized and was technical enough to work the church website. Edgenora was able to update the church calendar online and by doing so, prevent the tons of phone calls that Beatrice had been fielding before Edgenora starting working there. Beatrice was, for that reason alone, deeply grateful to Edgenora.
And Wyatt was, too. He appreciated not having a stressed Beatrice at home. He said, “I was just telling Edgenora what a great job she’s doing at the church office.”
Beatrice said fervently, “Indeed you are, Edgenora. I don’t know how to thank you. I now don’t have to deal with ten calls a day on my cell phone asking if the church soccer league practice is canceled for poor weather or not.”
Edgenora looked pleased. “It’s my pleasure. And now that everything is online, the system practically runs itself.”
“You’re being exceedingly modest,” said Beatrice. “I don’t know what we’d do without you.” She turned to Savannah as Wyatt and Edgenora started chatting about church-related business. “How are you doing? How are things with little Smoke?”
Smoke was Savannah’s gray cat and her pride and joy. Her eyes lit up. “He’s adorable, of course. Let me show you some pictures.” She pulled out an old phone and swiped a few times, frowning at the device before handing it over to Beatrice. She saw several pictures with Smoke in a variety of cute poses, sometimes wearing colorful bow ties that Savannah’s sister, Georgia, had made for him.
“I love that bowtie with the chickens on it,” said Beatrice with a smile. “And how is everything else with you?”
Savannah hesitated. “Georgia always tells me that I should look on the bright side. She’s excellent at doing that and I’m not quite as good at it.”
Beatrice shrugged. “I guess Georgia has a point, but you’re among friends. If you have troubles, you should talk about it because it might make you feel better. Believe me, I was the person who never shared my problems, but I’ve completely turned around now. Things are so much better after talking it over.”
Savannah considered this, frowning. “What made you change your mind?”
Beatrice said, “I found out that two heads are better than one. What do they call it now? Hivemind? Sometimes my problems could be solved when other people took a shot at it.”
Savannah nodded and then said, “Okay. To be honest, it hasn’t been too easy lately. Georgia has been super-busy and hasn’t been able to spend much time with me. And you know how I was used to doing almost everything with Georgia.”
Beatrice said, “I know. And I haven’t seen much of her, either. She must be buried in work.”
“And I haven’t been buried in work. The firm where I do my accounting has really cut back on my hours,” said Savannah.
Beatrice made a face. “Sorry about that. Do you need to find another job?”
“Maybe. The problem really isn’t the reduced income since Georgia’s and my parents left enough to keep us comfortable. It’s more a problem of me just not having anything to do,” said Savannah.
“Weren’t you going to the movies or out for breakfast with Edgenora for a while?” asked Beatrice.
Savannah looked even unhappier. “I was. But now Edgenora is working so many hours at the church that we haven’t been able to do as much.”
Beatrice bit her lip to keep from smiling. Savannah did sound a little like a bored kid. “Maybe you could find somewhere to volunteer. I know the church is always needing somebody to help out with the food pantry drives, tutoring at the elementary school, or helping with vacation Bible school or youth group. If you wanted to, I’m sure either Edgenora or Wyatt could point you in the right direction.”
Savannah said, “That sounds good. Otherwise, I’m just going to quilt all day. That’s what I’ve been doing. But now I’m starting to feel a little burned out on quilting, too.”
“Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing,” said Beatrice. “By the way, how is Georgia doing? I know you said that she was swamped.”
Savannah grew serious and glanced around them quickly to make sure they had a private conversation. Meadow, Ash, and Piper were perusing the quilts and Wyatt was still talking with Edgenora. She said, “Honestly, Beatrice, I think Georgia is having a tough time.”
Beatrice frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that. What’s going on? Is Tony still taking classes at night?”
Savannah shook her head. “He’s finished with the classes and is looking for a programming job in Lenoir. There’s nothing here in town. The good news is that he did sell his house so they don’t have two payments each month. I’ve been helping them chart their expenses and budget.” Savannah paused, looking pleased again at being able to help. Then she knit her brows together worriedly. “It’s just hard. Georgia is thinking about taking on an extra job.”
Beatrice raised her eyebrows. “But being a teacher is like three jobs at once! I hope things start looking up for them soon.”
Then several couples walked up to look at the quilts and Edgenora and Savannah segued into docent mode. Meadow wandered off with Piper and Ash, still talking animatedly about the wonderful world of quilting. Wyatt and Beatrice set off in search of festival food.
“I’m thinking I should avoid the unhealthy options this time,” said Wyatt with a sigh and a pat of his stomach. “The fried corn dogs did me in last time.”
Beatrice said teasingly, “The corn dogs? I remember it being fried Coke! I didn’t even know they could fry a soft drink.”
“Oh, I think they can fry anything,” said Wyatt. “And sadly, I usually think that I can eat anything that’s fried.”
Beatrice gestured up ahead of them. “I see that there’s that vegetarian food truck here this time. I’ve heard they make great acai bowls.”
Wyatt winced. “Am I that far gone? I was going to opt for mid-range healthy. Maybe vegetarian pizza.”
“No, really! They’re supposed to be wonderful. I tell you what—how about if I order one and then you can have so
me and decide if you like it,” said Beatrice.
Once Wyatt had had a bite of Beatrice’s ‘rainbow bowl’ full of acai puree and granola, kiwi, banana and strawberries, he’d changed his mind and ordered himself one, too. They took a seat on a bench near the glassworks display, looking at all the different vases, paperweights, and glasses as they ate.
“You know what we need to do now that we’ve had something really healthy what we need to do?” asked Wyatt.
“Have a slice of one of June Bug’s cakes,” said Beatrice immediately. “I’m hoping she’ll have her caramel cake there. It’s one of my favorites.”
Wyatt closed his eyes briefly. “It’s wonderful. Except . . . if she has her carrot cake with the cream cheese icing.” He opened his eyes again and said sadly, “It’s a shame that acai bowl was so filling. I would eat anything June Bug made. Even pineapple upside-down cake and it’s far from my favorite.”
“Whatever you can’t finish we can take home and have for breakfast,” said Beatrice. “And buy an extra slice of both our favorites.” She paused. “Do you think we should bring a slice or two to Annabelle?”
Wyatt said, “You mean as sort of a spur of the moment gesture? I was thinking that you wanted to bring her an official basket of goodies from the farmers’ market.”
“I did. But I rather thought we might run by there tonight on the way home.”
Wyatt said, “But she lives on the other side of town, doesn’t she?”
Beatrice spluttered for a second and then gave an abashed laugh. “You’re right, she’s not exactly on the way home. And you may think I’ve lost my mind for wanting to run by and check on her, especially since she and I were hardly the best of friends in Atlanta. But it’s just really odd that she’s not here after promising Meadow that she would be.”
He gave her a light kiss on the lips. “I think a slice or two of cake is a wonderful idea and sure to cure whatever ails her. Checking up to make sure folks are all right is something in my job description, I think. At any rate, I’m pretty good at it.”
Beatrice gave his hand a quick squeeze. “Thanks. She’ll likely answer the door and be completely annoyed with us for dropping by. But at least I’ll sleep well tonight.”