Carla Kelly by Enduring Light

where they vow to strike you dead if you do anything—a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g—to disrupt their sister in any way.”
    “I've already done that enough,” Paul said. “It's too late.”
    “Don't tell them!”
    Everyone laughed, and it was easy then for Mama and Papa to sit down with Spencer and chat about the dairy farm and how his life was going. Julia pulled Paul into the kitchen with her, closed the door, and kissed him as hard as she could.
    “When was the last time I told you that you are magnificent?” she whispered, her lips close to his ear because he had grabbed her up in his arms.
    “Can't recall. Maybe when I bought you that ring that we don't have to hock now, because I found my cattle,” he teased.
    “Well, you are magnificent. Set me down now so I can dish up some pie.”
    “Kiss me again and then I'll set you down.”
    She did, he didn't, so she had to kiss him twice more. She knew her face was still red when she and Paul took dessert into the parlor, dropping off some pie for James in the dining room, who looked up, smiled, and went back to his drawbridge. “It's going to have a pulley to raise the bridge,” he said.
    In the parlor, they ate in companionable silence. When Spencer finished, he leaned back and looked at Julia. “You're still some cook.”
    “Isn't she just?” Paul said. He winked at Julia. “Sport, how about we gather up the plates and you can tell me in the kitchen how wonderful I am?”
    “Just a minute,” Spencer said. He looked at Julia's parents. “I was visiting my parents in Sandy most of the day, and it took me most of that time to get up the courage to visit you.”
    “You know you're always welcome here, Spencer,” Mama told him.
    “I know. It's just hard,” he replied. He took a deep breath to calm himself and pulled a packet out of his suit coat. “Julia, this is for you.”
    Julia took the packet, feeling cloth inside.
    “Open it.”
    Curious, she put the packet in her lap and untied the twine around the brown paper. She pulled out eight quilt squares and held them up so Mama could see. “You and Iris were the quilters, Mama. What's the pattern?”
    Mama took one, running a trembling finger over the colorful design. “My dear, it's the double wedding ring.” She caressed the fabric. “I'd know Iris's little stitches anywhere.”
    “They're hers, all right,” Spencer said, taking one of the squares. His eyes were bright with unshed tears when he looked at her. “Julia, she started making this for you last fall.”
    Julia stared at him, open-mouthed. “Are you certain?” She stopped, amazed. “Last fall, Paul was trying to eat my warm liver salad and probably toying with firing me!”
    Spencer looked at Paul and smiled. “We laughed over that letter.” He returned his attention to Julia and took her hand, after a glance at Paul, who nodded. “You may not have been aware how many times you mentioned Mr. Otto in your letters, but Iris was. She told me right after Thanksgiving that she knew you were going to marry him.” He paused for a long moment, the quilt block tight in his hand. “She even said she'd better hurry up, but she only had eight blocks done when… Well, she only had eight blocks done.” He handed her the note.
    Julia could barely read it because the familiar handwriting swam before her eyes. All it said was “For Jules. Surprise!”
    “I found these last week when I decided to box up some of her things. I know there's not enough for a quilt yet, but Mother Darling, maybe you could get it done. My mother said she would help.”
    He bowed his head over the single quilt block in his hand. Julia took him in her arms and kissed his head, holding him close. “Spencer, you're the best,” she whispered.
    He dried his eyes and held out the block. Julia shook her head and pressed it back in his hand. “That's yours, dearest,” she said. “We'll make a wonderful quilt for Iris. I promise.”

 
    Spencer left a few minutes later, shaking