Read Online Elm Creek Quilts [07] The Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini - Free Book Online

something to Lorena, who let out a laugh and murmured something back. “What are you whispering about?” said Dorothea, amused.
    Lorena shrugged. “We were merely agreeing that it is good to see a young man so committed to improving our city’s access to fine literature.”
    “I quite agree,” said Dorothea. “And naturally, as the former schoolteacher, I ought to be involved.”
    “I wonder if the new schoolmaster will want to be involved as well,” said Robert.
    Dorothea frowned. “Surely Cyrus would know better than to invite us both after—” She broke off when she realized her father was teasing her. “I for one would welcome Mr. Nelson’s advice. No doubt he has seen the country’s finest libraries and would be delighted to tell us exactly how and to what degree our plans fall short.”
    Not long after that, the Wright farm came into view. From a distance Dorothea spied Mr. Wright already at work in the fields; closer to the house, a tall woman in a head scarf worked in the kitchen garden. A dog barked, another answered, and suddenly the pair burst from a nearby field and raced down the road to the wagon. The dogs escorted them to the house, tails wagging in a frenzy of welcome.
    Mr. Wright greeted them outside the barn with a courteous nod and handshake for Uncle Jacob and warmer smiles for Dorothea’s parents. Constance Wright hung back, unsmiling, even as Mr. Wright proudly introduced her to the visitors. When he spoke Dorothea’s name, Constance’s gaze fixed on hers in a silent, bold challenge, and Dorothea looked away first. She had not expected Mrs. Wright to be a girl close to her own age, as Mr. Wright was nearly as old as her parents. Nor had she expected such a cold welcome.
    “Congratulations on your marriage,” said Lorena, clasping one of Constance’s hands in hers. “And on your emancipation.”
    Constance allowed a small nod. “Thank you.”
    “We hope you’ll not think us too forward, but we hoped you would indulge us in a belated wedding celebration. We brought a cake, if that will tempt you to say yes.”
    Lorena handed over the covered cake plate, which Constance accepted with some surprise. “We jumped the broom two years ago,” she said, peeking under the cover. “Seems a little late to celebrate.”
    “Does that mean you don’t want the cake?” teased Lorena, reaching for it.
    At this, Constance gave a tentative smile. “I didn’t say that,” she said, holding it out of reach. “I suppose a little party won’t hurt none.”
    “Our daughter has a gift for the bride,” said Robert. “Dorothea?”
    With a start, Dorothea remembered and returned to the wagon for the quilt. Constance wiped her hands carefully on her apron before accepting the bundle, then slowly unwrapped the muslin dust cover. She said not a word as she held it up, arms outstretched, face expressionless.
    “My,” said Mr. Wright. “That sure is a pretty quilt.”
    “It’s a new style fashionable in Baltimore, or so my brother tells me,” said Dorothea as Constance studied the quilt, and, in an echo of her mother, added, “You can quilt it if you like, or leave it as it is for a summer quilt.”
    “Thank you.” Constance carefully folded the quilt top and wrapped the muslin around it. “I’ll quilt it and keep it nice for company.”
    It was soon agreed that Dorothea would assist Constance in the garden while Lorena prepared a meal and the men worked in the fields. “We’ll take these inside first,” said Lorena, indicating the cake and baskets of food, still in the wagon.
    “This should go in, too,” said Constance, handing the quilt to Dorothea as the men left for the fields. Caught off guard, Dorothea almost dropped it. Without another word for her guests, Constance headed for the garden.
    “I rather hoped she would show us where she would like us to put things,” murmured Lorena as they carried the baskets and bundles inside.
    Dorothea had rather hoped she would have shown a