Sleigh Bells by Miller Judith Mccoy

Author:Miller, Judith Mccoy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2014-01-26T05:00:00+00:00

ten

“What were you thinking, Mother?” Teddi inquired after Phillip had bid them good night, and Clayton had excused himself to go over some paperwork upstairs.

Isabelle didn’t lift her eyes from the piece of embroidery work upon which she was carefully stitching. “I thought that Margaret should probably ask her parents before accepting Jonathan’s invitations,” Isabelle replied.

“No, mother, I’m inquiring about everything. Why did you treat Margaret so rudely, suggesting that one of the soldiers take her home and making it obvious you didn’t want her to accept Jonathan’s invitations? Why, you didn’t have one kind thing to say to her all evening. I’m shocked at your behavior, especially after what I told you in the kitchen,” Teddi angrily replied.

“It’s one thing to forgive her past mistakes, Teddi. But I don’t want your brother keeping company with her. What if he should fall in love with Margaret and want to marry her?” Isabelle asked, putting her sewing aside to give Teddi her full attention. “It could have a lasting impact on his personal life as well as his career. Right or wrong, I want the very best spouses for my children, and I don’t think Margaret falls into that category.”

“You thought Herbert Albright was an excellent choice for me, and look what happened there,” Teddi countered. “And is it truly forgiveness when there are exceptions such as those you’re imposing, Mother? What if Jesus had placed such limitations on His forgiveness?”

“I want to discuss this with Jonathan as well as your father. I’m sure neither of them knows anything about—”

“Knows anything about what?” Jonathan asked as he walked in the front door. Stomping the snow off his feet with great bravado, he pulled off his overcoat and walked into the parlor, immediately making his way to stand in front of the fireplace.

“We were having a private conversation,” Isabelle replied.

“Well, I heard you say that you wanted to discuss something with me. Here I am,” he said, giving her a winsome smile. “So let’s discuss!”

Isabelle looked as though she wanted to flee from the room, but there appeared to be no escape. Jonathan was wide awake after being out in the cold, late-night air, and Teddi had settled back into her chair with her hands folded in her lap, awaiting her mother’s opening remarks.

Isabelle absently picked up her sewing and began making tiny satin stitches, the needle moving in and out of the piece of fabric at breakneck speed. She cleared her throat several times and then, while keeping her gaze focused on the sewing, began to question her son’s earlier decisions.

Teddi watched her brother stiffen as Isabelle began re-counting the events of Margaret’s past, his irritation growing more and more evident as Isabelle continued her speech while never once raising her eyes. Finally, Jonathan took three long steps to where his mother was sitting and stood directly in front of her.

“Why won’t you look at me, Mother? Do you find what you’re saying so embarrassing that you can’t meet my eyes,

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