The Quilter's Legacy by Jennifer Chiaverini Page A

his seat and reached for his lemonade, but did not drink. “This wasn't how I planned to tell you.”
    A slow smile of delight spread over Angela's face. “Grandpa, are you getting married?”
    Andrew took Sylvia's hand, glanced at his son, and said, “Yes, sweetheart, we are.”
    Angela and Kayla burst into cheers. They bolted from their chairs and showered Andrew with hugs and kisses. “Can I be a bridesmaid?” asked Kayla. “Please? My best friend was one in her mother's wedding, and she got to wear the prettiest dress.”
    “Don't ask me. I'm not in charge of the bridesmaids. Ask the bride here.”
    Kayla turned to Sylvia, hopeful. “Can I? Please? I'll do a good job.”
    “I'm sure you would,” said Sylvia, wanting to add that she wasn't certain she was any more in charge of the bridesmaids than Andrew. Likely that role now belonged to Diane or one of the other Elm Creek Quilters. She wanted to assure the girls that they would play an important role in the ceremony, but at the moment she was more concerned about Bob and Cathy, who sat silent and immobile in their chairs.
    “I suppose this comes as a bit of a surprise,” said Sylvia.
    “Maybe a little,” Cathy managed to say.
    Andrew's expression grew serious. “Thank you for your good wishes, girls,” he said to his granddaughters. “Sylvia and I know this is unexpected, but we also know you care about us and our happiness, and so even if this is unsettling, you're going to be happy for us.”
    “It's not unsettling,” said Kayla.
    Bob patted Cathy lightly on the shoulders until she also rose. “Congratulations, Dad,” said Bob, rounding the table to hug his father. As Cathy embraced Andrew in turn, Bob hugged Sylvia and lightly kissed her cheek. She thanked him, but as he drew back to allow Cathy to hug her, Sylvia thought she saw tears shining in his eyes. When Bob abruptly announced he was going inside for the steaks, Cathy stammered an excuse and hastened after him.
    Sylvia smiled brightly at Andrew. “That went well.”
    Andrew managed a rueful smile. “Now you know why I wanted to tell them in person.”
    “Oh, my, yes. The look on your son's face when he heard the news is sure to become one of our fondest memories of our engagement.”
    “I like the part where they ran into the house better,” said Angela. When Andrew and Sylvia looked at her, she added, “What? It's not like I don't know why they're freaking out.”
    “They're not freaking out,” said Kayla, a trifle too forcefully, then asked, “Is everything going to be okay?”
    “It will be,” said Sylvia, when Andrew said nothing. “Once everyone has a chance to get used to the idea.”
    They all turned at the sound of the screen door sliding open. Cathy and Bob returned to the patio, their expressions somber, and the steaks nowhere to be seen. “Girls, will you please go to the kitchen and fix the salad?” asked Cathy. The girls nodded and hurried inside.
    “Dad.” Bob sat down beside Andrew. “I'm sorry for my reaction. Really. I'm very happy for you. For both of you.”
    “We should have known you two would have other plans,” added Cathy, with an apologetic smile for Sylvia. “You've grown so close over the years.”
    “We also should have known you wouldn't want to move in with us,” said Bob. He forced a laugh. “In a way I'm glad. We won't have to give up the computer room.”
    “But—” Cathy hesitated.
    Andrew's eyebrows rose. “But?”
    Cathy steeled herself with a deep breath. “This isn't easy to say—”
    “Then maybe you should keep it to yourself.”
    “Dad, have you really thought this thing through?” said Bob. “I mean, you and Sylvia are both in good health now, but what if she—if either of you—well, what if your circumstances change? Have you thought about what that will mean?”
    Andrew looked from Bob to Cathy and back, his expression darkening. “Are you trying to say we're too old to get married?”
    “No,” said Cathy. She