The Healing Quilt (18 page)

She slapped the side of her head.
What was I thinking? I should have gotten the Millers’ phone number from Dad before he left home. Think I’m gonna try calling his cell number again, ’cause I’m getting tired of waiting around and worrying that something might have happened to him
.

Star grabbed her cell phone and punched in her dad’s number, frowning when she got his voice mail again.

“Dad, this is Star. I’ve been trying to call you, and I don’t know why you haven’t responded. Please call me back as soon as you can.”

Star clicked off and sank into a chair.
This wouldn’t be happening if I’d gone to Florida with Dad. Sure hope everything’s okay. If I don’t hear something from him soon, I’m gonna ditch my job and hop on the next plane to Sarasota
.

Sarasota

“How are things going with you?” Anna Lambright asked as she passed Kim on the way to the kitchen to pick up an order.

“Well, I’ve only dropped one plate and spilled a glass of milk so far, but other than that, things are going great,” Kim replied with a grin. “I’m surprised no one’s complained to the boss about me being such a klutz.”

Anna touched Kim’s arm. “I’m sure the customers know you don’t do it on purpose. Besides, you’re so polite and friendly to everyone, and that goes a long ways.”

“I hope you’re right, because I can’t afford to lose this job.”

“Me neither.” Anna inhaled deeply. “The last thing I want is to feel forced to go home and listen to my folks say, ‘I told you so.’”

“Are they still giving you a hard time about being down here?”

“They’ve let up for now, but I think it’s because Emma called and had a talk with my mom,” Anna said. “It’s sad to say, but Mom and Dad will listen to Emma before they will me. They’ve never given me much credit for doing the right thing or being able to take care of myself.”

“I think a lot of parents are like that when it comes to their young people getting out on their own.”

“Don’t they want us to have our own lives? I mean, shouldn’t I have the right to make decisions and choose where I want to live?”

Kim nodded. “I think everyone deserves that privilege.”

They reached the kitchen, and their conversation ended as they both picked up their orders.

Kim had just served a middle-aged couple their meal, when she turned to her right and saw Emma and Lamar Miller seated at a booth.

She blinked rapidly, unable to believe her eyes. Sitting across from them was the biker she’d met on the beach!
What in the world are they doing with him?
Well, she would know soon enough, because that was one of her tables.

Jan studied the menu they’d been given when they’d first sat down. There were so many choices, but his gaze kept going back to the buffet island to his left. He’d scoped it out on the way in and decided that if he didn’t find something he liked better on the menu he’d go for the buffet. In addition to several kinds of meat, it offered mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, stuffing, a pasta dish, three vegetable choices, and everything one needed to build a hearty salad. Jan had eyeballed a couple of dessert items on the buffet, too, so he knew there was no chance of him leaving here hungry. Unless he used some restraint, he figured he’d be miserable when he walked out the door.

“Emma. Lamar. It’s good to see you.”

Jan jerked his head at the sound of a woman’s voice. He looked away from the menu, and when he recognized the cute little blond he’d met on the beach, his mouth dropped open.

“We were hoping you might be working tonight,” Emma said, smiling at their waitress. She turned to Jan and said, “This is Kim Morris, one of our quilting students. Kim, I’d like you to meet our good friend, Jan Sweet.”

Kim stood several seconds, staring at Jan like he had two heads. “You—you’re that guy I met on the beach.”

He nodded. “Sure never expected to see you again. How’s your dog?”

Kim’s lips compressed. “Maddie is fine. And for your information, I take good care of her.”

Jan shrugged. “Never said you didn’t. I was just pointing out that—”

“Do you two know each other?” Lamar interrupted.

“Sort of,” Jan mumbled. “We met on the beach the first day I got here. I had no idea you and Emma knew her, though.”

“How do you know the Millers?” Kim asked, looking at Jan with a curious expression.

“I took Emma’s quilting classes before she and Lamar were married.”

Kim blinked. “Really? I’m surprised that—”

“That someone like me would want to learn how to quilt?”

Kim’s face reddened. “Well, you don’t exactly seem like the type.”

Jan snickered. “There’s a lot about me that I’m sure would surprise you.”

“Jan is staying at our place while he’s here on vacation,” Emma said. “So I’m sure you two will have a chance to get better acquainted.”

Jan jiggled his eyebrows, feeling kind of playful all of a sudden. Remembering back to last fall when Terry had taken Emma’s quilting class so he could get to know Cheryl and ask her for a date, Jan was beginning to understand his friend’s reasoning. But he could see from Kim’s disgruntled expression that the last thing she wanted was to get to know him better. Well, like it or not, she’d better get used to the idea, because come Saturday, Jan planned to stick around and be part of the quilting class.

J
an knew the quilt class would be starting soon, so he decided to check his voice mail before the students arrived. “Stupid phone! How did all these messages get on here without me knowing it?” Jan muttered to himself. He was surprised to find that most of them were from Star. Feeling guilty when he heard how upset she was, he gave her a call. When he got her voice mail, he figured she was probably at work, so he left a message. “Hi, Star, it’s me. Sorry I missed all your calls. I just discovered that my phone was muted, so I never heard it ring. Haven’t checked my messages for a few days, either. I’ve been staying with Emma and Lamar. They have a spare room and said they were glad to have me here with them. We’ve been having a great time catching up on things.”

Jan was tempted to mention that he’d met Kim, but decided against it. He didn’t even know Kim that well, and if he told Star that he planned to hang around during the quilting class in order to get to know Kim, she’d probably tease him.
If my buddy Terry knew, he’d give me a hard time about it, that’s for sure
. There’d be no end to Terry’s ribbing.

Slipping his cell phone into his jeans pocket, Jan stepped out of the guest room and joined Emma and Lamar in the dining room. “All ready for the quilting class?” he asked, looking at the colorful quilt Lamar had draped over a wooden rack.

“Yes, we sure are,” Emma replied. “So what are your plans for the day?”

Jan pulled his fingers through the ends of his beard. “If you don’t mind, think I’d like to stick around during the class.”

Emma’s fingers touched her parted lips. “Really, Jan? I thought you didn’t want to sit in on the class.”

Yeah, but that was before I knew the pretty blond I met on the beach was one of your quilting students
, Jan mused. Of course, he didn’t voice his thoughts.

“Well, I thought it over and changed my mind. Decided it might be kind of fun to meet your new quilting students.” Jan wasn’t about to admit that the only reason he’d decided to hang around for the class was so he could get to know Kim better. He could barely admit that to himself.

One by one, the students arrived, and Emma watched with curiosity at Jan’s eager expression when Kim showed up. Was it possible that he had more than a passing interest in the young woman?

Now, wouldn’t that be something?
Emma thought.
Jan’s friend Terry has a special woman in his life now, and it would be nice if Jan found someone, too. Well, I’d best not meddle. If it’s the Lord’s will for Jan and Kim to be together, He will put it all in place
.

After everyone had gathered around the table, Emma introduced Jan and explained that he had been one of her first quilting students. She didn’t mention, however, that the reason he had come to her class was because his probation officer had suggested it as a creative outlet. If Jan wanted to share that information, it was up to him.

“How do you like it here in sunny Florida?” Mike asked, looking at Jan.

“It’s great! I’m likin’ the warmth, not to mention the company.” Jan winked at Emma and grinned at Lamar. Then he cast a quick look in Kim’s direction and smiled at her, too. “So far, I’ve met some real nice people.”

“How long are you planning to stay?” Noreen questioned.

“My daughter, Star, is planning to join me when her vacation starts in two weeks, and we’ll probably hang around another week or two after that.”

“What about your wife? Will she be coming to Sarasota, too?” Kim questioned.

Jan shook his head. “Don’t have a wife. Star’s mom and me split up over twenty years ago, when Star was less than a year old.”

“Oh, I see.” Kim turned to Emma. “What are we going to do on our quilting projects today?”

“You’ll continue to sew your pieces of fabric together, and then I’ll show you how to cut out the batting,” Emma replied. “While you’re waiting your turn to use a sewing machine, you can either talk with Lamar about some of the other quilt patterns he’s designed or visit among yourselves.”

“I’ve come up with several new ideas for patterns recently,” Lamar said, rubbing his hands together. “I think my trips to the beach are giving me inspiration to create some new designs.”

“I feel that way, too,” B.J. interjected. “Only my designs are on canvas.”

“So you’re an artist?” Jan questioned.

B.J. nodded. “When I was a boy, my dad used to brag about my artistic abilities, and my mother said I was born with a paintbrush in my hand.”

Jan chuckled. “My folks always said I was born to ride a motorcycle ’cause I liked my first bike with training wheels so much.”

Kim perked right up. “Is that your Harley I saw parked in the driveway?”

“You bet it is.”

“Kim has a motorcycle, too,” Emma said, even though she’d already mentioned that fact to Jan.

Jan blinked his eyes rapidly, then a slow smile spread across his face. “That’s cool! Do you mind if I go out and take a look at it right now?”

Kim hesitated at first, but then she said, “Guess that’d be okay. Since Noreen, B.J., and Erika are using the sewing machines right now, I’ll go check out your bike, too.” Kim looked at Emma. “Is that okay with you?”

“I have no objections at all,” Emma said.

Jan jumped up, and Kim did the same, then they both rushed out the door.

Emma couldn’t help feeling pleased. Maybe there was some hope for Jan and Kim to become a couple. They had their bikes in common, at least.