Read Online The Body in the Kelp by Katherine Hall Page - Free Book Online Page B

run or the crowd attended. You never knew what was going to happen. The Warhol cookie jars turned out to be wooden lobster pots that had been in the barn. Few lobstermen used them anymore, and as the tourists and dealers bid them up, all the locals resolved to go clean out their sheds.
    Pix and Faith were determined to wait until the bitter end for all the real bargains, and at about four o’clock the box lots started. Faith quickly snared one with tools she had noted for three dollars and Pix bought two mystery boxes of china for four
dollars each, which upon inspection proved to contain a lovely Wedgewood ironstone teapot, lots of saucers without cups, something that could possibly be a piece of Imari, some Tupperware, and other treasures. Faith grabbed another box, one filled with board games of varying vintages, which she had seen at the viewing. Tom’s family was addicted to board games, and she knew they would be happy to have more, especially for a dollar fifty. She bought two more boxes of china on speculation for two dollars each and figured she was done. After the cradle she had successfully bid on an odd lot of plate serving pieces for thirty-five dollars, elegant Victoriana with elaborate scrolls etched on the knife blades and ladles and repoussé flowers on the handles. It had been a productive day.
    Just as she and Pix were packing up and getting ready to settle their accounts, the runners brought out another quilt, or actually a quilt top. It had been pieced, but not quilted to the batting and underside. Faith paused to watch as they unfolded it. It was a sampler quilt. Every square was different, connected with lattice stripping. The colors were repeated in each design, strong blues, greens, and touches of the same pink as the granite rocks by the shore.
    It was a Maine quilt. Maine colors. And Faith had to have it. She sat down and pulled Pix into her chair.
    â€œA beautiful quilt top here. All it needs is a back, and I’m sure a lot of you ladies out there could put this together in no time. What am I bid? Do I heayre ten dollahs?” Faith raised her card. She was so excited she felt slightly light-headed. There was something about this quilt. It was ridiculous, really. She hadn’t the slightest idea how to quilt; it was not one of her accomplishments. In fact any sewing more complicated than buttons or a running stitch went to the tailor and always had. But she’d solve that problem once she had it. And she got it. Apparently there weren’t any quilters in the audience and it was hers for forty dollars.
    â€œFaith, it’s gorgeous, and I can show you how to quilt. It’s not difficult at all,” Pix said.
    â€œI think it would be easier if you quilted it, Pix, but as you
have seen with the clamming, I’m willing to try anything.” And with that they went home to gloat over their finds and bemoan all the ones that got away.
    They passed Eric and Jill on the way out. Eric was tightlipped and Jill was talking to him in a low voice. They stopped and Pix asked if they wanted to come to the cottage for a drink, but Jill said they were going to the mainland to get some dinner and distance. Eric smiled wryly. “Can you believe they actually think the mythical gold is in that weather vane? And how is it supposed to have gotten there? Did Darnell climb up one night and ballast it with doubloons, in which case it would have toppled off the barn long ago? Or maybe he took it down and replaced it with one cast of solid gold and no one ever heard anything about how he got it made? Well, at least we got the wicker porch furniture and some of the bedroom sets. I’m just glad it’s over and we can move in.”
    Pix patted his arm. “Situations like this are always horrible. You should hear some of the stories Sam tells about settling estates.”
    â€œDid you get some nice things?” Jill asked as they turned to leave.
    â€œOh yes, nothing