Free Sister's Choice by Judith Pella

dither. She has been a little touchy about some things since all the business with the fake minister.”
    “You mean matters of romance?”
    “Yes, that’s it exactly. She seems okay with Zack and Ellie— we all love Zack. But . . . I don’t know. Mama doesn’t talk a lot about it, which is odd for her.”
    “Yes, that is odd. So you are afraid of sharing your romantic notions with her?”
    “I don’t want to upset her. That’s all.”
    “If I thought you were doing yourself harm, I would certainly have to tell your mother,” Grandma said, reasonably enough.
    Maggie thought her grandma’s and mother’s ideas of what was harmful might be different from her own. Still, Maggie knew these quilting lessons were, or could be, for a far greater purpose than simply learning to quilt. Grandma had a bounty of wisdom that even Maggie should not take lightly.
    “This isn’t anything harmful,” Maggie replied confidently. “It is just that I want to win a fellow, and I know I first have to win over his mother because she pretty much rules the roost at his house. He’s a very manly man, don’t get me wrong, but she would probably be able to rule even the president of the United States.”
    “Must be Emma Jean Stoddard’s boy.” When Maggie’s jaw dropped, Grandma added with a chuckle, “Well, she does fit your description. And even I have noticed over the years how moon-eyed you are around Colby.”
    With a disgusted snort, Maggie said, “Everyone seems to know how I feel but Colby himself.”
    “Oh, men are so blind in such matters.”
    “Is it bad to try to win the mother in order to get the son?”
    “I see no reason why. Sooner or later a girl is going to have to win over her future mother-in-law or live to regret it.”
    “Like Mama?”
    “Your mother never had a chance with Agnes Newcomb. That woman was not going to like any woman who married her sons. It is the same with your Uncle Martin’s wife.” Martin was Maggie’s dad’s brother.
    “You get along with Aunt Silvia’s husband.” Silvia was Mama’s older sister who lived in Rainier.
    “It is different with daughters. I had a bit of a problem with Uncle Homer’s wife. But we eventually worked it all out and now get along fine. I think mothers have a harder time letting go of their sons because they resemble their husbands. That is all I can think anyway.” Pausing thoughtfully, Grandma went on, “Your mother does love Kendra, your brother’s intended. No doubt she has learned from the strife with her own mother-in-law.”
    Maybe Grandma saw that Maggie was starting to lose interest now that the conversation had veered from her own problem, because she added after a moment, “So Maggie, I think you are fine trying to impress Mrs. Stoddard. Just keep in mind that it may not be possible.”
    “Should I give up even trying? Maybe Colby would defy his mother’s wishes—”
    “I couldn’t support that idea entirely,” Grandma replied. “Maybe Mrs. Stoddard loves her son enough to bend her will to allow for his happiness. When a mother sees that her son loves a woman strongly enough, she is hard pressed to stand in the way of their bliss.”
    “Doesn’t mean she won’t bring in some stiff competition.” Maggie got a sour look on her face as she thought of Tamara Brennan.
    “At that point, even before, for that matter, the best thing is to leave it in God’s hands. Though it wouldn’t hurt to continue to do your best to help your own cause.” Grandma’s gaze fell on the sewing in Maggie’s hands. “Look at that. While we have been talking, you have been sewing along very nicely. Your stitches are much improved!”
    “Maybe there’s hope for me after all!” Maggie exclaimed.
    “I have no doubt of it,” Grandma said. “And, Maggie, I don’t think your mother would be upset if you shared with her all you have with me.”
    “Maybe so,” Maggie replied noncommittally.
    Maggie was enjoying her lesson and especially her