Quilt or Innocence by Elizabeth Craig Read Free Book Online Page B

start looking for a new location for the shop.”
    Daisy, the doctor’s wife, said tightly, “So it’s all about
money
and
greed
, isn’t it, Judith? When it comes down to money, friendship gets tossed aside every time.”
    “I think it’s all about
money
and
greed
for you! Daisy Butler isn’t everything she seems to be,” said Judith with a short laugh. “And what you
are
is soon to change, too.”
    Daisy’s face flushed to match her hair. She looked like she was trying to string words together but could only stutter like an old car engine trying to turn over on a cold morning.
    Georgia jumped in. “Posy’s Patchwork Cottage is a second home to Savannah and me. We
rely
on it. All the quilters do.” Her low voice quavered and she seemed to be steeling herself, fists clenched to handle confrontation.
    “You and Savannah rely on the shop to get supplies?” Judith said, sneering. “Well, maybe you do, Georgia. But I know how
Savannah
gets supplies.” She gave a sly smile.
    Georgia gave a strangled cry, and Savannah stepped protectively in front of her. Her smile was icy, but her fierce expression indicated that she was at a boiling point. Beatrice made a mental note not to ever get on her bad side. “Don’t talk to Georgia like that, Judith. Or you’ll be sorry.”
    Judith snorted. “Shoot, I’m already sorry. Sorry I wasted my time here tonight. And sorry I took Felicity at her word to give me the quilt. She looks like such a sweet little old lady.” The well-preserved Felicity flinched.
    “Pride!” bellowed Miss Sissy from the back of the group. “Wicked pridefulness.” Beatrice wasn’t sure if that non sequitur meant Miss Sissy was on Judith’s side or Felicity’s.
    Meadow’s expression was thunderous and she displayed a temper that seemed quite at odds with her usual peaceful air. “A quilting bee,” she said in a sonorous voice, “promotes harmony of thought and purpose. You’ve destroyed that harmony, Judith—and you need to leave.”
    Judith shrugged. “Sorry you feel that way, Meadow,” she said in a cutting voice. “But you don’t have to kick me out, because I wanted to leave, anyway. I’m going to change into walking clothes, head out to the park, and take a walk—I need some fresh air after all this childishness. Thanks for nothing, Felicity,” she said, her lips twisting. She disappeared into the darkness outside the door.
    There was a moment of silence—and not the reverent kind—after Judith stormed out.
    Daisy’s face was still mottled with anger. “Well, I certainly hope I don’t run into Judith again tonight. I was planning on taking a stroll tonight myself, since Harrison has got ER duty. I guess if I see Judith on a walk, I’ll head off in another direction.”
    Amber trembled with fury. “At least we have the quilt back. She was scheming to cheat you, Mother, I’m sure of it. She knew exactly how much that quilt is worth. Now she’s saying you don’t live up to your word. She’s nasty.”
    “This is really the final straw. It’s past time for Judith to be expelled from our group,” said Meadow, arms crossed. “She managed to insult half the people at the bee—and this is supposed to be a charity event! She’s stirred up trouble once again, and it’s time to put a stop to it. I’m going to talk with her tomorrow.” Meadow rubbed her eyes. “Tonight has positively exhausted me, y’all. It really has. And it makes me feel so dispirited.”
    The quilters murmured in concern. Meadow said, “I’d like to make some big plans for the guild, you know? More shows, different kinds of quilts. But on nights like tonight, I feel like I’m swimming against the current. What does any of it matter if we can’t even get along with each other?”
    Beatrice noticed that Piper was looking at her pointedly. Then she remembered that Piper had wanted her to help Meadow with some of the administrative side of things—and some of the brainstorming. She cleared her