The Friendship Star Quilt Read Free Page A

another’s problems. They listened to each other, offered advice when asked, or just acted as a sounding board for one another.
    Anne sat among them, content to simply listen as she sewed. She never shared much about herself, but she enjoyed hearing their news. On nights like this, it was easy to pretend these were her friends, and that her life was filled with as much love as theirs were.

Chapter Two

    Brad gave his daughter another hug then buckled her into her booster seat. His heart still thudded furiously when he thought about the danger she could have been in if the clerk at the quilt shop hadn’t taken her in and called him at work. How could he have been so irresponsible? He’d known what time the party was over, but he’d been way too engrossed trying to find chaperones for the high school band’s trip to play in the Holiday Magic parade in Royal Oak. The time had slipped away before he’d realized it.
    He frowned. What had happened to all those moms who’d offered to “help in any way they could”? Suddenly, they all had things to do, from doctor appointments to ailing parents. While he sympathized with them, it certainly left him with a mess.
    Even the group of parents known as the Rivertown Band Boosters seemed more preoccupied with fund raising than offering him any sort of real assistance. While he appreciated the supplies their efforts provided for the kids, he needed more than money this time. He needed chaperones for trips, people to make or repair the flags for the color guard, even someone to help organize the music library.
    It seemed to Brad he spent every waking moment putting out fires and tending to minutia. The last time Aunt Bonnie had visited, she’d told him he needed to let go, learn to delegate. He’d love to delegate more. But to whom? He shook his head. How on earth do other single dads cope?
    He sighed. Time to take off the band director hat. He had a precious little daughter who needed him to be a daddy. He glanced in the rear view mirror at the little girl, who was a miniature of her mother. She sat contentedly in the back seat, staring out the window. Jennie never caused him any trouble and seemed to accept him with all his flaws. She was his pride and joy, but somehow, he kept letting her down.
    â€œHow was the party, Princess?”
    Jennie turned and met his gaze in the mirror. Her grin showed an endearing gap between her teeth, and he felt his spirits lift at the sight.
    â€œIt was fun, Daddy. We played games and stuff. And we had ice cream and cake.”
    â€œSounds good. Were all your friends there?”
    â€œUh huh. Sherry, and Callie and Bethanie…”
    Brad let the child chatter while he navigated the car toward their home in one of Grandville’s older subdivisions. He and Sarah had talked about buying a newer, bigger home, but now he was glad they hadn’t moved from their cozy ranch. Upkeep on a larger place would have been more expense and time than he could presently afford. He already felt stretched to the limit. Sarah’s funeral expenses had exceeded the modest insurance policy they’d carried, so he’d pulled money from savings to pay off the last of those debts. Having sole responsibility for his daughter, while enjoyable, took a lot of time, too. He’d never realized all the little things his wife must have seen to each day. Sarah had constantly complained about never having any time for herself, and now he understood why. He’d made an effort to get home from work early most days so she could have evenings free to go out with friends, even though he’d often wished they could have spent those hours together as a family.
    â€œDaddy?”
    â€œWhat, Princess?”
    â€œWhere are we going?”
    â€œWe’re going home to have supper. Why?”
    â€œBecause we already passed our street.”
    Rats! Daydreaming again. If his daughter hadn’t been on the ball, there