On Pins and Needles

Chapter Two-2

Piper put her hand on Ash’s arm. “See? It’s not hard, but it looks hard.”

Meadow gasped and clasped her hands together. “Is it possible? Piper, have you somehow made Ash interested in quilting? After all these years? It’s a miracle! When I think about all those years when I tried to talk to you about my projects and point out little details and you couldn’t have cared less!”

Savannah said in a considering fashion, “He must be good at it. At least, talent is in his genes.”

Ash raised a hand, grinning at her. “Don’t get too excited, Mom. I still don’t have a lot of time what with teaching at Harrington. But I was watching Piper quilt and I sort of felt like I was getting the hang of how she was doing it.”

Meadow beamed at both of them. “Piper, I don’t know how you did it. You brilliant girl!”

Ash said in a cautioning voice, “Now, I’m not joining any guilds or anything, so before you get too wound up, just keep that in mind.”

Piper said, “We thought it would be fun to share a hobby. Something besides teaching.”

Ash said quickly before his mother started getting ideas, “I don’t know about doing any of that hand-piecing or appliqueing stuff, but I like the idea of helping to come up with designs and running the sewing machine. Putting it all together.”

Meadow grinned. “You make it sound like a piece of dissembled furniture or an unassembled toy or something. Will you be bringing out a screwdriver? Never mind, I’m delighted. Let me show you a few other quilts.”

Piper and Beatrice watched as Meadow led Ash off, chatting excitedly and pointing out the finer attributes of various quilts.

Piper said, “Hey, Ash and I picked up a variety of food from the food trucks on the way in. Do you think you and Wyatt and Meadow and Ramsay could join us for an impromptu picnic? It’s just that we haven’t seen y’all for a while and we wanted a chance to visit.”

Beatrice said, “Sure, we’d love that. Meadow had made plans that fell through, so I know she’s free. And Ramsay is walking around the festival keeping an eye on things, but I bet he could take a break for a bite to eat.”

Meadow walked back up with Ash just as Wyatt joined up with them. “Ash told me and I just texted Ramsay. He’s hoping there’s a corndog in the bag for him, although I told him that was gross and unhealthy.”

Ash grinned. “I remembered his preference and picked up a gross and unhealthy corndog at one of the food trucks.”

Beatrice said, “I can see an empty picnic table from here.”

They settled down at the table as Ramsay walked up to join them. Beatrice helped Piper hand out napkins and plastic cutlery as Ash distributed an array of food.

“I’m thinking I should avoid the unhealthy options this time,” said Wyatt with a sigh and a pat of his stomach. “The fried corndogs did me in last time. No offense, Ramsay.”

Beatrice said teasingly, “The corn dogs? I remember it being fried Coke! I didn’t even know they could fry a soft drink.”

“Oh, I think they can fry anything,” said Piper with a laugh.

Wyatt said woefully, “And sadly, I usually think that I can eat anything that’s fried. But I distinctly remember eating something that later chased me around all night when I was trying to sleep.”

Ash said, “Then you sound like the perfect candidate for the açaí bowl that I picked up at the vegetarian truck.”

Wyatt winced. “Am I that far gone? I was going to opt for mid-range healthy. Maybe vegetarian pizza. Do açaí bowls really qualify as fair food?”

“No, really! They’re supposed to be wonderful, I promise,” said Ash. “As a matter of fact, I picked up a couple of them—that’s how confident I was.”

“I tell you what—how about if I take one and then you can have some and decide if you like it?” said Beatrice.

Once Wyatt had had a bite of Beatrice’s ‘rainbow bowl’ full of açaí puree and granola, kiwi, banana and strawberries, he changed his mind and ate one himself.

Meadow said, “Now that we’ve sorted the food out, let’s get to the best part of the whole meal—finding out how you kids are.”

The ‘kids’ grinned at each other.

Ash said, “This is why I love hanging out with you, Mom. You’re the only one who still refers to me as a kid.” He looked at Piper. “What have we got going on, Piper?”

Piper said with a smile, “A ton. We’re both buried at work, as y’all know.”

Meadow held up her hands. “Please! No more talk of teaching. What else is going on?”

Piper said, “Well, Ash and I are looking to move back a little closer to Dappled Hills. Or maybe, to Dappled Hills.”

Meadow clapped her hands and looked thankfully at the heavens. “My prayers have been answered!”

Wyatt said, “We were just saying this morning that we wished y’all were closer.”

Beatrice said slowly, “But you just got settled in with Ash near Harrington college. And you just got the place exactly how you wanted it, you’d told me.”

Meadow glared at her. “Hush your mouth, Beatrice! If they want to move closer, let’s not try to talk them out of it.”

Piper said, “And you’re right, Mama. But That’s kind of the way it is, though, isn’t it, in the early years of marriage? Now that I know how to decorate, I can apply that knowledge to the next place.”

“Are you looking for an apartment around here?” asked Beatrice.

Piper said, “I think we’re going to get a house.”

Ramsay asked, “Who is your real estate agent?”

“We wanted to use someone locally, so we’re with Devlin,” said Piper.

Beatrice didn’t really know Devlin Wilson, except for the fact that he was the only real estate agent in Dappled Hills. Sometimes people used Realtors from Lenoir and other surrounding towns, but Devlin was the only local choice.

“There isn’t a ton of room where we are now, and Ash could use a study. Actually, I could use a study, too, considering all the grading I’ve been doing lately. Maybe we could even use a craft room if both of us are quilting.” Piper grinned at her Meadow.

Meadow said, “Which is still the most amazing thing I’ve heard yet.”

Piper said, “We let you think that Ash was just starting out with quilting.”

Ash interjected quickly, “Ash is just starting out with quilting. Let’s lower our expectations.”

“But he’s got a finished quilt already,” said Piper.

Meadow wriggled impatiently. “When do I get to see this masterpiece? And when can I draft you into the Village Quilters?”

Ash grinned at her. “You’re completely irrepressible, did you know that?”

“An excellent choice of adjective,” said Beatrice.

Piper said, “Actually, I made Ash bring the quilt along with us. I had the feeling that you were going to ask about it, Meadow,” she said, eyes twinkling.

“Not in the bag with the fair food!” said Meadow, horrified.

“Calm yourself, Mom. I had a completely separate bag,” said Ash.

“Okay, Ash, let’s see it,” said Ramsay. “Otherwise your mother’s blood pressure will shoot through the roof with anticipation.” He added, “I’m still amazed you’re able to pull this off with everything you have going on, Ash.”

Ash grinned at him as he reached into the bag. “Even more going on than you thought.” He gently reached into the bag and pulled out a small quilt. It had a cheerful yellow backing and had 3x3 grids of charm squares in delicate pastels. But what leapt out at Beatrice was . . . that it was a baby quilt.

“Piper?” asked Beatrice in a voice that trembled a little.

Meadow had already pounced on both of them, giving them a tremendous hug. Wyatt grinned at them all and Ramsay quickly swiped at his eyes before anyone could notice the moisture there.

Piper said to Beatrice, “We didn’t want to say anything until we’d seen the doctor first.”

Wyatt asked, “Is this why you’re moving back to Dappled Hills?”

Ash said, “Exactly. We knew y’all would want to see more of us . . . and the baby . . . and knew that we might need some extra hands sometimes. Plus, our place just isn’t big enough for three.”

Ramsay said, “This is such fantastic news. Congratulations to you both!”

Meadow was exclaiming to Ash over the spectacular nature of his quilt and the need for the best baby shower ever, Piper was telling Wyatt and Ramsay about the prospective house that the new real estate agent had found, and Beatrice just sat back in her chair and smiled at the thought of being a grandmother.

They ate fair food and chatted happily together for a while. From time to time, friends would walk over to say hi and someone (usually Meadow) would give the happy news. Piper and Ash had permanent grins on their faces and the grandparents-to-be couldn’t have looked prouder. Beatrice realized that the news would spread all over town by the end of the evening.

Ramsay was the first to move. He gave Piper and Ash hugs before saying gruffly, “Sorry, I have to go, but I should make a lap or two around the festival and then make sure there aren’t any fender-benders at the parking lot or any other mishaps.”

“At least the walkie-talkie has been quiet,” said Wyatt, shaking his hand.

“Wasn’t that great? Must be a record. Hopefully it will stay quiet for the rest of the night,” said Ramsay as he walked away toward the food trucks.

Piper and Ash visited for a while longer and then Piper said, “Mama, I’ll call you tomorrow and talk more. We were going to catch up with a couple of friends of ours here for a few minutes.”

Ash said to Meadow, “And I’ll drop by for a visit tomorrow evening, Mom.”

Meadow beamed at him. “Great! I’m making an apple pie tomorrow.”

Ash laughed. “Another excellent reason to visit.”

After Piper and Ash left, Meadow said, “I’m going to check on the quilting booth.”

Beatrice asked dryly, “And make sure that everyone knows the good news?”

“Of course! They’ll be so excited,” said Meadow.

Wyatt looked at Beatrice, “Just the two of us again. What should we do?”

“Take a stroll and look at the art? I don’t want to buy anything, I don’t think, but I’d like to see what’s out here,” said Beatrice. “There’s live music here too.”

The sprawling fairgrounds offered a gorgeous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sun was going down and the sunset was spectacular with hues of oranges, reds, and purples. The mountains, as per their name, appeared light blue in the foreground. Wyatt and Beatrice walked by booths with exquisite homemade candles, delicate and colorful glasswork, jewelry, and quilts.

They came up to one booth that was full of infant and children’s items.

Wyatt said, “I know you said you didn’t want to shop, but some of these things look really cute.”

Beatrice laughed. “I think I’m still just trying to absorb the happy surprise. But . . . oh, look.”

There were; among adorable pillowcase dresses, bibs, baby hats, and knit booties; some homemade stuffed animals.

Wyatt followed her gaze. “The yellow bunny with the long ears?”

“The very one,” agreed Beatrice.

The lady working the booth, who was knitting quietly while they shopped, beamed at them and came over to check them out. She lovingly wrapped the bunny in tissue paper and put it in a bag. “Grandbabies?” she asked.

“Before too long,” said Beatrice.

The lady nodded. “Enjoy them. I’m never happier than when I’m spending time with mine.” She handed them the bag.

Beatrice wound her arm around Wyatt’s as they walked away.

They spent a few minutes at the main stage, which had a bluegrass band with excellent local musicians playing the banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. The singer was a young woman with a beautiful voice who sang an especially haunting rendition of “Bringing Mary Home.” Beatrice and Wyatt applauded at the end and then headed back in the direction of the food again.

“You know what we need to do now that we’ve had those really healthy açaí bowls?” asked Wyatt.

“Have a slice of one of June Bug’s cakes,” said Beatrice immediately. “I’m hoping she’ll have her caramel cake there. It’s one of my favorites.”

Wyatt closed his eyes briefly. “It’s wonderful. Except . . . if she has her carrot cake with the cream cheese icing.” He opened his eyes again and said sadly, “It’s a shame that açaí bowl was so filling. I would eat anything June Bug made. Even pineapple upside-down cake and it’s far from my favorite.”

“Whatever you can’t finish we can take home and have for breakfast,” said Beatrice. “And buy an extra slice of both our favorites.” She paused. “Do you think we should take a slice or two to Annabelle?”

Wyatt said, “You mean as sort of a spur of the moment gesture? I was thinking that you wanted to bring her an official basket of goodies from the farmers’ market.”

“I did. But I rather thought we might run by there tonight on the way home.”

Wyatt said, “But she lives on the other side of town, doesn’t she?”

Beatrice spluttered for a second and then laughed. “You’re right, she’s not exactly on the way home. And you may think I’ve lost my mind for wanting to run by and check on her, especially since she and I were hardly the best of friends in Atlanta. But it’s just really odd that she’s not here after promising Meadow that she would be.”