Read Online Knit in Comfort by Isabel Sharpe - Free Book Online

Again.
    â€œHey, Elizabeth.”
    Just the sound of Jeffrey’s voice made her smile. “Yes, Jeffrey?”
    â€œDo you think if you could fly, that painting your house would be fun?”
    Elizabeth grinned and ruffled his short, enviably thick hair. “Has anyone ever told you that you have a very original mind?”
    â€œWeird, more like it.” Deena looked to her golden sister, who nodded confirmation.
    â€œNo kidding.”
    â€œKids…” Megan spoke absently, cutting pie, as if she’d said the word so many times that K-I-D-S had become a meaningless four-letter assortment. “This piece is yours, Elizabeth.”
    â€œOh boy.” Elizabeth accepted the plate. “I love banana-cream pie. Can’t remember the last one I had.”
    â€œVera? Pie?”
    â€œNo, thank you. I’m trying to remember where I put my waist.”
    â€œWhat kind of food did you eat before you married the chef guy?” Lolly held out her hand for a plate, obviously used to being next in line.
    â€œWe’re not married.”
    Megan’s smooth serving motion faltered. Vera’s eyes darted from Elizabeth to her daughter-in-law and back. Lolly and Deena exchanged wide-eyed looks of fascination.
    Uh-oh . “So, um…I grew up with my mother and Polish grandmother in Milwaukee.”
    â€œThat’s in Wisconsin, right?”
    â€œNo, Deena, Florida .” Lolly rolled her eyes.
    â€œMilwaukee, Florida!” Jeffrey burst out laughing. “How about Milwaukee, France ?”
    â€œNo, Milwaukee, Africa. ” Lolly giggled, losing several years along with the sneer.
    â€œMilwaukee, Jupiter! ”
    â€œYes, Deena, Wisconsin. This piece is for you.” Megan transferred a third perfect piece of pie to the center of another white plate.
    â€œMmm, the pie is fabulous, thank you, Megan.”
    â€œWell. You’re welcome.” Compliments seemed to surprise her. Because she never got any or because she didn’t think what she’d done deserved them?
    â€œI had Polish friends before they moved away from Comfort, oh, I guess twenty years ago now.” Vera stuck her fork in Lolly’s pie and snuck away a bite. “Good sausage.”
    â€œA lot of good sausage. And sauerkraut, and cabbage. That’s what my grandma made anyway. My mom was as bad a cook as I am. Overdone meat, watery soups, charred cookies…When I moved to Boston we lived on sandwiches and cheap takeout. That’s why this is so good. Plain food done really well.”
    â€œI guess we’re plain people.” Vera was looking steadily at Megan now.
    Elizabeth sighed. She’d done it again. “I didn’t mean—”
    â€œWhen did you leave home?” Lolly asked.
    â€œSeventeen.”
    â€œReally?” Deena’s eyes widened. “You didn’t finish high school?”
    â€œI left the day after graduation. I have an August birthday.”
    â€œYou must’ve totally wanted out of there.” Lolly looked wistful.
    â€œMy then-boyfriend Alan was leaving town for Boston. I went with him. We lived in a horrid basement in a great neighbor—”
    â€œAnother piece anyone? Vera? Deena?”
    Elizabeth glanced at Megan in surprise.
    â€œYou were living in sin.” Vera spoke quietly. “Around here that’s not done.”
    Elizabeth let out a blast of laughter, then realized that was probably not the best reaction, though she couldn’t tell if Vera was condemning her or explaining Megan’s interruption. “Um, wow. Yes. I guess we were. I didn’t think about it that way, I’m sorry if I offended anyone.”
    â€œIt’s okay, Elizabeth. Jeffrey, you look ready for more.” Megan held out a hand toward Jeffrey, who passed his plate.
    â€œYes please, Mom, thank you, Mom.”
    â€œFine by me, I wasn’t born yesterday.” Vera raided Jeffrey’s plate with her thieving