The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club by Wanda E. Brunstetter

minutes to ten, so she figured one of her quilting students had arrived a little early.
     
    When Emma answered the door, she was surprised to see Lamar Miller on her porch, holding his straw hat in one hand.
     
    “Guder mariye
, Emma,” he said with a friendly grin.
     
    “Good morning,” Emma replied without returning his smile. She didn’t want to appear rude, but at the same time, she didn’t want to encourage Lamar in any way.
     
    “I heard about the fire at Brian and Mary’s and wanted to make sure everything was okay,” Lamar explained.
     
    “Except for some frazzled nerves, everyone’s fine. It could have been so much worse. Brian will have to replace their shed, of course, but other than that, nothing was damaged.”
     
    “That’s good to hear,” Lamar said with a look of relief. He shifted his weight slightly and cleared his throat. “The other reason I came by is I’m heading to the bakery to get some doughnuts and wondered if you’d like to go along.”
     
    She shook her head. “My quilt class begins at ten o’clock, and my students should be arriving soon, so I’ll be busy all morning. But
danki
for asking,” she quickly added.
     
    Lamar placed his straw hat on his head and pushed it down, as though worried it might fall off. “Guess we could wait till this afternoon, but by then there may not be any doughnuts left.”
     
    “That’s okay; you go ahead. I’ll be busy with other things this afternoon, too.”
     
    “Oh, I see.” Lamar’s shoulders drooped.
     
    “Maybe another time,” Emma said, although she didn’t know why. She really had no intention of going anywhere with this persistent man. “Oh, and danki for your concern about the fire next door.”
     
    “I’m glad it was only minor damage.” Lamar’s face brightened a bit. “Maybe I’ll stop by the next time I’m heading to the bakery.”
     
    Oh, great, Emma thought as she watched Lamar amble across the yard toward his horse and buggy. I hope I have a good excuse not to go with him the next time he drops by
.
     
    Lamar had just pulled out of Emma’s yard when the Johnstons’ SUV pulled in, followed by Ruby Lee’s car. A short time later, Star’s dilapidated-looking vehicle came up the driveway, and then Jan pedaled in on his bicycle. Everyone was there but Paul.
     
    “Let’s all go inside and take a seat,” Emma suggested. “As soon as Paul gets here, we’ll begin today’s lesson.”
     
    Everyone agreeably pulled up a chair at the table.
     
    “How long do we have to sit here waiting for the school teacher?” Stuart asked, glancing at his watch with a look of agitation. “I don’t have time to twiddle my thumbs all day, and I’m sure not going to stay past noon because we’ve gotten a late start.”
     
    Pam’s eyebrows squeezed together as she shot him a disgruntled look. “Oh, stop your complaining. I’m sure Paul will be here soon.”
     
    Stuart folded his arms. “Well, he’d better be.”
     
    Pam looked at Ruby Lee and scrunched up her nose. “All he ever does is complain.”
     
    Ruby Lee quickly changed the topic of conversation to the weather they’d been having this spring. That seemed to help the atmosphere some.
     
    Emma was about to suggest that each person show what they’d done on their quilt project this week when a knock sounded on the door. She was relieved when she opened it and found Paul on the porch.
     
    “Where’s your baby girl?” Jan asked when Paul entered the room with Emma and took his seat. “I was kinda hopin’ she’d be with you again.”
     
    “My sister, Maria, is taking care of Sophia today,” Paul replied. “Maria and her family were out of town last week, so that’s why I brought Sophia along.”
     
    “Oh, I see.”
     
    Emma couldn’t help but notice Jan’s disappointment. He was obviously hoping Paul would bring the baby with him. Emma would have enjoyed seeing little Sophia again, too, but she knew it would be easier for Paul to