The Lopsided Christmas Cake by Wanda E. Brunstetter Read Free Book Online

Grandma’s favorite recipe book.”
    “That’s a nice thought, but with all we have to do here and at the store, we don’t have the time for something like that.”
    Thelma motioned to the flyer. “The cooking show doesn’t take place until the first Saturday of October, so we’d have almost a month to figure out what we want to make and get it done. We could take an evening, and instead of working on the puzzle, or me knitting, we could bake something. It wouldn’t hurt for us to close the store that day, either, so we could attend the event.” Thelma paused to catch her breath then kept going with enthusiasm, her voice growing louder. “It would be a nice way for us to contribute to a good cause. I’m sure others in our community here in Topeka will be attending the show that day.”
    “You sound pretty excited about this. I’ll give it some thought. Right now, though, we need to finish our breakfast so we can be on our way to church.” Elma drank the rest of her juice. “It wouldn’t be good for us to be late on our first Sunday attending services here.” Thelma glanced at the battery-operated clock on the wall behind them, noting that it was only seven o’clock. “I’m sure we’ll get there in plenty of time. By the way, did you find the shoes you were hunting for at the store in Shipshe?”
    Elma stuck out her foot. “Jah. I’m wearing them. I also found some material for a new dress in the color I wanted.”
    “That’s good to hear. At least one of us got what we went after.”
    Elma looked at the table and frowned. “I wish the Millers’ place was close enough for us to walk.” She picked up her readers and put them in her eyeglass case. “I can’t say that I’m looking forward to going anywhere again with that unpredictable horse.”
    Thelma reached over and patted her sister’s hand. “Not to worry. I’ll be in the driver’s seat the whole way.” She leaned back in her chair, enjoying the warmth of the stove. The sun’s light poured into the kitchen, adding a warm, golden glow. “I’ll take charge of driving Rusty until you feel ready to sit in the driver’s seat again.”
    Elma sighed. “That’s a relief. After what happened with Rusty the other day, I’m in no hurry to drive again.”
    Thelma tipped her head. “Did you hear that noise?”
    “What? I didn’t hear anything.”
    “It sounded like a cat shrieking, and I think it was coming from the basement.” Thelma stood. “Maybe we should go check.”
    “Why don’t you go while I do the dishes? It’s almost time to leave for church, and if we both go to the basement, we’ll have to leave the dishes till we get home this afternoon.” Elma glanced at her new shoes. “Sure hope I chose the right size shoes. These are pinching my toes a bit.”
    “Sorry about that. Maybe you ought to take them back.”
    “No, I think they’ll be okay once I break them in.”
    “Okay, whatever you think best. I’m gonna run down to the basement and check on that noise.”
    Thelma grabbed a flashlight, clicked it on, and started down the basement steps. When she reached the bottom, she turned on one of the gas lamps. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It was quiet.
That’s sure strange. I was almost sure I heard a cat.
    “Tiger, are you down here?” She clapped her hands. “Here, kitty, kitty.”
    No response.
    Holding the flashlight in front of her and swatting a few cobwebs out of the way, Thelma began searching, while calling for the cat.
I guess one of these days we’ll have to clean this basement, or the spiders are going to take over.
    Behind the stairs, she still saw nothing then ducked, but it was too late. “Eww…” She’d walked headlong into a dirty web. Quickly, she pulled away the silken strands gummed to her cap and forehead. “Come on, kitty. Where are you?” she called again. “You don’t have to hide from me. If it was Tiger, the friendliest of all the cats, she was sure he would have