The Quilter's Legacy Read Free Page A

she'll have my dress picked out soon.”
    Andrew looked dubious. “I think my grandkids are too old to be interested in a playroom unless it has video games, but I'll ask.”
    “I suppose we ought to set a date before Diane does,” said Sylvia. “Did you find out when the grandkids will be out of school for the summer?”
    Andrew shrugged. “I forgot to check.”
    Sylvia gave Sarah and Matt a knowing look. “What he means is that he still hasn't summoned up the courage to tell his children we're engaged.”
    “That's not the kind of news you spring on someone over the phone,” protested Andrew.
    Sarah's eyebrows rose. “You say that as if you don't expect them to be happy for you.”
    “They will be,” said Andrew, “once they get used to the idea.”
    Sylvia patted his arm. “I love you, dear, and I promise I'll marry you with or without your children's blessing, but I think we should tell them soon, before they hear about it from someone else.”
    “I want to tell them in person.”
    “Do you really think that's necessary?”
    Andrew nodded.
    “Very well. Shall we break the news together?”
    “I'd like you to travel with me, but I'll tell them myself, alone. Bob first, and then Amy. Bob knows how to keep a secret, but Amy would be on the phone to her brother within five minutes.”
    Clearly he had given the matter a great deal of thought. “I'm sure we'll have a lovely visit and they'll be delighted for us,” said Sylvia. She smiled encouragingly and squeezed his hand, wishing she felt as certain as she sounded.

    T he next day, Sylvia attended to her household chores and made mental notes about what she should pack for the upcoming trip. Bob lived in Southern California, which at this time of year meant warm, sunny days and cool evenings. If they left tomorrow, as Andrew wished, and took time to see the sights along the way, they would arrive the following Friday.
    After calling his son to arrange their visit, Andrew spent the day working on the motor home, checking the engine and purchasing supplies. He and Sylvia kept so busy that, except at lunch, they barely had time to exchange a word. Sylvia found herself uncomfortably relieved by their separation. She knew she shouldn't take Andrew's concerns personally, but she couldn't help it. If Amy and Bob were going to be unhappy, how would telling them in person change anything? They had no business giving Andrew anything less than their wholehearted support of his decision to remarry.
    Just when she had worked up enough irritation to tell him so, Andrew appeared at the door of the laundry room and said, “Sylvia, may I speak with you a moment?”
    “You certainly may, but I want to speak first.” She closed the lid to the washing machine and was just about to give him a piece of her mind when she saw that Summer Sullivan, Sarah's codirector of Elm Creek Quilts, had followed him into the room. “Oh, hello, dear. I didn't know you were working today.”
    “I'm not,” said Summer, smiling. The youngest of the Elm Creek Quilters, the auburn-haired beauty was also their Internet guru and most popular instructor. “I came over to help you look for your mother's quilts.”
    “Look for them?” Sylvia barked out a laugh and punched the buttons on the washing machine. “Didn't anyone tell you? They aren't here. They've been gone for more than forty years. Nearly fifty. We'll never find them.”
    Andrew placed a hand on her shoulder. “You ought to hear what the young lady has to say.”
    Sylvia frowned at him, but he and Summer looked so hopeful that she gazed heavenward and sighed. “Oh, all right. If you make it quick. I have work to do.”
    “I'll help you with the laundry after,” said Summer, taking Sylvia's hand. With Andrew bringing up the rear, she led Sylvia to the library, where the computer was already connected to the Internet. Summer pulled out the high-backed leather chair and motioned Sylvia into it. “There's this awesome Web