Chapter 32
EMMA COULD HARDLY SIT STILL as she sat between her mother and sister, waiting to see whose name would be announced as the winner in each category of the quilting contest. She had worked so hard to get the quilt done on time, and at her mother’s insistence, she’d spent eight to ten hours per day to finish the quilt.
And the amazing thing was, Emma had submitted her entry in the nick of time.
She watched breathlessly as the three judges walked slowly around the area where each of the contestants’ quilts had been displayed.
There was a tangible sense of suspense in the air as the crowd and other competitors waited to hear the outcome soon to be announced.
Emma couldn’t make out what any of the judges were saying, but she saw their lips move and knew they were talking among themselves.
There were numerous quilts for the judges to view, and Emma was convinced that most of them were more colorful and stitched better than hers.
She felt sure that her Tree of Life quilt didn’t stand a chance of winning in any category—not when it was up against so many lovely quilts that had been made in a variety of patterns and colors.
She especially liked the Lone Star quilt pattern because she could relate to the feeling of being alone.
Of course, she had her family around her, but Dad worked every day, and so did Rachel.
Emma’s mother kept busy as well. What really caused Emma to feel lonely was not being able to see Grandpa and Grandma every day.
Who am I kidding? Emma asked herself while taking in a shaky breath.
The biggest reason I can relate to the Lone Star pattern is because I have no promise of marriage, and probably never will.
She blinked, trying to keep tears from falling.
This was no time to feel sorry for herself.
Emma remembered the guidance that Ida Mae had offered during their quilting lessons.
The kindly woman had once expressed to Emma that she’d come a long way in her quilting journey, and Emma knew it was true. But was it enough to earn a ribbon?
Emma closed her eyes and prayed silently. Heavenly Father, I thank You for the opportunity to be part of this contest where there are so many beautiful, well-made quilts. Whether my Tree of Life quilt wins or not, I’m thankful for the joy of being able to lose myself in quilting.
Emma’s prayer ended when she heard her name called. Her eyes snapped open, and she pinned her focus back on the judges.
“They called your name, Emma,” Mom said with a gentle nudge. “They want you to go up front to receive your award.”
“Award? I won an award?”
“Jah, Emma,” Rachel whispered in Emma’s ear. “The judges are waiting for you.”
Emma gave a small intake of breath and stood.
On shaky legs, she made her way to the front of the room, where the three women judges stood.
One of them handed Emma a blue ribbon along with a twenty-dollar bill.
“This is for you, Emma Bontrager. You’re the top winner in our vintage quilt pattern division.
” She shook Emma’s free hand. “Congratulations on a job well done.”
Emma was so surprised and nervous that she could barely get the words out. “Th–thank you.”
A round of applause went up around the room, and Emma’s cheeks warmed. This was the first time she’d ever won anything, and the fact that she’d received a prize for a quilt she’d worked so hard to finish made every stitch worthwhile.
I need to write Grandma and Grandpa about this. I’m sure they’ll be pleased, Emma thought as she returned to her seat, clutching her well-earned ribbon and cash. I’ll ask Grandma to let Ida Mae know too. After all, it’s her I have to thank for teaching me how to quilt.
Thoughts of Ida Mae caused Emma to think about Ivan.
I hope he’s happy and doing okay. I know it’s not right to think this way, but I wonder if he ever misses me.
A lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed against it.
Try as I may not to, I still miss him. Emma glanced at the blue ribbon and bill in her hand.
As happy as it made her to have won this prize, in no way did it compare to the joy Emma used to feel when Ivan held her hand.
Once again, Emma reminded herself that she needed to stop thinking about Ivan and what they’d once had.
She folded the prize money and tucked it and the ribbon into her handbag.
Today should be a day of celebration, and Emma realized that in order to appreciate her achievement, she needed to move on with her life.
By now, or at least soon, Ivan would be a married man, and his wife would become the recipient of his love.
Arthur
Since there were fewer customers at this time of day, Ida Mae decided it would be a good idea to leave the front counter of the fabric store and browse through her inventory.
As she halted her steps near a shelf lined with bolts of fabric, Ida Mae’s hand hovered over them.
Somehow, it reminded her of Emma in her sewing room, learning how to piece together a quilt.
She wondered if Emma had continued to work on the quilt she had begun while she was in Arthur.
Ida Mae hoped so, and perhaps someday, Emma would show her the finished quilt with the Tree of Life pattern.
Emma had initially known very little about quilting, but this wasn’t due to a lack of interest in the craft, and Ida Mae had sensed that the young woman lacked confidence in her ability to quilt.
Ida Mae had made sure to teach Emma everything she needed to know to branch off on her own someday.
Emma was almost like another daughter to Ida Mae, and although Emma was reserved, she’d opened up and shown what a truly sweet person she was.
Maggie, on the other hand, didn’t seem to show much interest in the quilts Ida Mae had made.
She’d turned down Ida Mae’s repeated attempts to establish a relationship with her future daughter-in-law, including invitations to lunch and sipping iced tea on the porch.
Ida Mae figured it was because Maggie needed to concentrate on caring for her son.
Hopefully with time, Maggie will feel more comfortable around our family. Regardless, I’m worried about Ivan, Ida Mae thought as she walked along the aisles of fabric. He’s so quiet most of the time—not the fun-loving young man he used to be.
Everything was in order after sorting the fabrics and filling empty shelves with stock from the back of the store, so Ida Mae made her way back to the counter and settled on the stool, craning her neck toward the window.
The afternoon sunlight seeped in, revealing a layer of dust on the windowsill.
Despite her desire to get up and wipe it away, Ida Mae remained seated, allowing herself to think about her son and his relationship with a young woman he hardly connected with at all.
Ida Mae was certain that Ivan had no love for Maggie and was only marrying her to do the right thing and provide for the baby.
But what kind of life would this couple have together when there was no love?
Would it be a marriage of convenience only, or might Ivan eventually develop strong feelings for his wife?
Oh, she hoped that would be the case, because a loveless marriage would be difficult for both her son and his wife.
Even their child could be affected by the lack of love between the parents.
She wished there was something she could do to make things better, but at this point, she could think of nothing except continuing to be supportive, help with the baby, and pray for the young couple.
“Ivan, are you coming or not?” Papa shouted from the front entrance of the harness shop. “John Lapp’s here waiting for the harness he brought in for repairs two weeks ago.”
“I’ll be right out with it,” Ivan hollered in return.
He scrambled to locate the harness in question, not sure which shelf it had been placed upon.
If Ivan didn’t locate John’s harness soon, his father would probably come back here and get the item himself.
Of course, once John left the shop, Ivan would no doubt receive a lecture from Papa.
Ivan kept looking, while thinking how bored he was with this job.
He was eager to get off work for the day so he could go home and relax a few minutes before supper was served.
Oh, how Ivan wished he had more customers bringing him clocks to repair so he could quit working for his dad here in the harness shop.
If he could strike out on his own, he wouldn’t have a boss looking over his shoulder all the time, telling him what to do, the way Papa often did.
Ivan would also be doing work that he enjoyed.
“Ivan, we’re still waiting!”
“And I’m still looking,” Ivan muttered under his breath.
After getting down on his knees, he finally stumbled on John’s harness, which had been on the bottom shelf.
Ivan grabbed the finished harness and stood, just as Papa opened the door separating the workshop from the front part of the shop.
“Did ya find it or not?” he questioned, poking his head in past the open door.
“Jah.” Ivan held up the refurbished harness. “Do you want me to bring it out?”
“Of course,” Papa responded. “That’s what I’d asked you to do, right?”
Ivan gave a nod and quickly carried the harness into the other room, placing it on the front counter.
“Danki.” John Lapp looked over at Ivan’s father when he spoke. “It looks real good—like brand new, in fact. You did a fine job.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re satisfied with it,” Papa said.