Tide and Tempest (Edge of Freedom Book #3) by Elizabeth Ludwig Read Free Book Online

waiting to be made into gravy. Aye, theyneeded the help, which was exactly why she made the effort to come day after day. Guilt nudged her heart. Well, perhaps that wasn’t the only reason.
    Finished with the biscuits, she set them aside and began carving a ham into thin, even slices. “How is Father Ed coming with the plans for the parsonage? Has he found anyone to do the work?”
    No doubt, the wily nun wasn’t fooled by the change of topic, but today at least, Sister Agnes was inclined to play along. While she spooned the carrots into a large bowl, she clucked her tongue and gave a sad shake of her head.
    “There’s another thing what could use a bit of prayer. We sure do miss Eoghan and his skill with a hammer.”
    The door from the washroom flew open, and the much younger—though still advanced in years—Sister Mary barged through, balancing a basket stuffed with linens. Lye assaulted Tillie’s nose.
    “What’s this?” Sister Mary demanded. “Who misses Eoghan? What are we talking about?”
    Tillie winced. While the nuns were privy to the truth behind his disappearance along with Ana and Cara, Sister Mary did sometimes forget herself and say more than she ought—even in the relative safety of the church.
    Sister Agnes shot Sister Mary a withering glare. “Hush now. Mind your tongue.”
    Tillie rounded the table and patted Sister Agnes’s arm. “We were just saying ’twould be nice for Father Ed to have someone he could depend on helping him with the plans for the new parsonage.”
    Sister Agnes’s scowl lessened slightly. She raised the spoon and waved it at Sister Mary, paying no heed to the carrots that plopped on the table and floor. “Whatever made that man think he could take on such a task is beyond me. In fact”—shedropped the spoon and crossed herself—“the man’s stubbornness is enough to drive me to confession.”
    Sister Mary snorted. Shuffling to the closet, she deposited the linens, then went to stand next to Sister Agnes. “And I’d have to join ya there.”
    With their heads together and both of them cackling, the two resembled a pair of giant blackbirds. Tillie dipped her head to hide a smile.
    Sister Mary ambled to the pantry and took down a jar of pickled beets to add to the supper. Seeing them reminded Tillie of Amelia’s predicament and her promise of help. She grabbed a bowl and carried it to Sister Mary. “Will this hold them?”
    “Aye, that’ll do the trick.” Sister Mary opened the jar, releasing a fragrant cloud of pickling and spices. Closing her eyes, she took a deep whiff. “Ach, but the smell of these beets fairly makes me mouth water. They’ll go well with our ham.”
    “We were running low, last time I checked,” Tillie said.
    “We’ll have fresh soon enough,” Sister Agnes said. “The harvest will be here before we know it.”
    Tillie nodded. “True, but in the meantime, if you’re needing anything for the pantry, would you mind letting me know? Amelia has a few things she’d like to sell.”
    Sister Mary’s eyebrows disappeared into her wimple. “From Laverne’s kitchen? Aye, we’ll let you know. No offense, Agnes.”
    Sister Agnes scowled in her direction. “Right. I’ll remind you of that the next time you’re stuffing yourself with me biscuits.” She turned to Tillie. “What’s Amelia doing selling canned goods? Everything all right at the boardinghouse?”
    Tillie shrugged, her thoughts troubled. “Aye, far as I can tell. I know she could use a couple of boarders. It’s not good for a boardinghouse to have empty rooms.”
    “True enough.” She motioned toward Sister Mary. “We’ll ask around the church.”
    “Thank you, Sisters.” Tillie went back to the table, picked up the knife, and resumed carving the ham.
    The nuns’ banter continued for some time, but with her thoughts preoccupied elsewhere, Tillie paid them little heed. Gradually, however, the conversation quieted and a floorboard creaked behind her.
    Sister Mary