An Elm Creek Quilts Sampler by Jennifer Chiaverini Read Free Book Online

almost hear that familiar chorus of shrill “I told you so”s already. If she took this job, she’d prove that her mother had been right all along when she’d insisted that leaving State College for Matt’s sake would send Sarah’s career into an inevitable spiral of downward mobility.
    Then suspicion crept into her thoughts. “Matt, what’s going on?”
    “Nothing’s going on. What do you mean?”
    “First you brought me out here after my interview. Then, without checking with me first, you promised her that I’d come see her. You didn’t look at all surprised when I told you she offered me a job, and now you’re pushing me to take it. You knew she was going to offer me this job, didn’t you?”
    “I didn’t know for sure. I mean, she hinted, but she didn’t come right out and say it.” He looked at the ground. “I guess I like the idea better than you do.”
    Exasperated, Sarah struggled for something to say. “Why?”
    “It would be nice if we worked at the same place. We’d get to see more of each other.”
    “That might be part of it, but what else?”
    Matt sighed, took off his cap, and ran his fingers through his curly hair until it looked even more unruly than usual. “You’re going to think I’m being silly.”
    Silly was more benign than the adjectives Sarah considered using. “Maybe, but tell me anyway.”
    “Okay, but don’t laugh.” He tried to smile, but his eyes were sad. “Mrs. Compson, well, she reminds me of my mom. Same mannerisms, same way of dressing; she even looks kind of the same. Except her age, of course. I mean, I know she’s probably old enough to be our grandmother … ”
    “Oh, Matt.”
    “It’s just that, well, my mom’s probably out there all alone somewhere, and I’d like to think that if some young couple had a chance to look out for her they’d take it.”
    If your mother’s out there alone, it’s her own fault for running out on you and your dad , Sarah thought, pressing her lips together to hold back the automatic response. She went to him and hugged him tightly. How could Matt remember his mother’s mannerisms? Mrs. McClure had left when he was only five years old, and although Sarah would never say so, she suspected Matt knew his mother only from photographs.
    Matt stroked her hair. “I’m sorry if I was being pushy. I didn’t mean it. I should’ve come right out and told you what I was thinking.”
    “Yes, you should have.”
    “I’m sorry. Really. I won’t do it again.”
    Sarah almost retorted that she wouldn’t give him the chance, that she’d be on her guard for the rest of their marriage, but he looked so remorseful that she changed her mind. “Okay,” she said instead. “Let’s just forget it. Besides, you’re right. It would be nice if we worked at the same place.”
    “We might not run into each other much during the day, but at least we can have lunch together.”
    Sarah nodded, thinking. She’d wanted the chance to do something different with her career, and this job was certainly different. Besides, it would only be for a few months at most. It would help fill up the days and take her mind off her unsuccessful job search.
    Then she remembered the quilt she’d seen on her first visit to the manor, and found another reason to take the job.
    “So what do you say?” Matt asked.
    “The house is gorgeous, and it’s so much cooler out here, too, like you said.” Sarah took Matt’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m going to go back there right now and tell her I’ll take the job, okay?” She turned and started back for the manor.
    “Okay,” Matt called after her. “See you at noon.”
    As she walked, Sarah decided that the situation had enough advantages to outweigh Mrs. Compson’s eccentricities. She could always quit if things didn’t work out. Besides, she knew the perfect way Mrs. Compson could pay her. She hurried up the back steps and knocked on the door.
    Immediately, Mrs. Compson opened it. “Have you