The Quilting House by Elizabeth Bromke

Author:Elizabeth Bromke [Bromke, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Elizabeth Bromke

Chapter 10—Liesel

Luke had said it best. What’s Christmas without family?

And here she was, like a desperate fool, searching out other family. Elsewhere. Beneath a blustery winter sky on Christmas Eve, for goodness’ sake.

It was the answer she needed. But something was still bothering Liesel.

Something about Gretchen and the boy, Theo. Something simmering. Something that perhaps the other people in Gretchen’s life had missed.

But Liesel saw.

“You need help with sewing, then?” Liesel said to Gretchen as they finished cleaning up after breakfast. Theo had left. Greta and Luke were upstairs getting Tabby ready for the big day. Liesel and Gretchen were about to part ways, too. The snowplows had come through, and the streets were drivable, if still icy.

Gretchen nodded urgently. “I got a late start, and I have nothing else to give my family. I mean—I was going to go to the market or one of the little shops on Main, but I’m worried they’ll be closed today.” She frowned miserably. “I’m the worst daughter ever. Sister, too.”

“You’re not,” Liesel admonished her. “And I’d love to help. It’ll keep me preoccupied enough to pass the day.”

Gretchen looked at her in confusion.

Liesel explained. “Typically, I’m at the church all day on Christmas Eve. Setting up for a charitable dinner. Finishing the Foundlings giftwrapping. We sponsor families for Christmas. It’s a big undertaking.” Liesel frowned. “I gave up all of that this year to go to Michigan.” Then, she smiled and chuckled. “I guess I feel a little… useless now. Out of sorts. Maybe I should find a flight after all. How awkward to show up at mass without having helped.”

“Well Miss Becky and Miss Fern are helping this year, though. Right? At least, that’s what I heard.”

“And your mama, too, I’d imagine. Those three have become a close-knit group.”

Gretchen raised her eyebrows. “I feel more and more disconnected from my own mama every day. I had no idea she’d planned for us to go to the lighting and then to mass. She spends all her time on hair or on the kids or on Rhett. I’m a little… out of touch.”

“That happens,” Liesel assured her. “Moms and daughters, they go through phases. She still loves you.”

“I know she does. It’s just—she’s busy. I guess. And, well, I’m busy, too.”

“And Theo?” Liesel asked delicately.

“What about him?” Gretchen shot back as she tugged her coat on at the front door.

Liesel knew this was prickly territory. If she was going to spend the day with the girl, then she’d better tread lightly so as not to make for awkwardness.

But then, it just fell out of her mouth. She couldn’t hold it back. She was desperate for something, Liesel was. Human discourse. Gossip. Sisterhood. Something.

“What’s the story?”

Gretchen whipped her head to Liesel and they left through the door together, pausing in the cold gray Christmassy morning—Gretchen to go back up to the parking lot and Liesel to go down to the street, where she’d have to dig herself out of the plowed-in snow, no doubt.

“Do you know how to get to the farm?” Gretchen asked by way of answering the question.

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