Free Sisters of the Quilt Trilogy by Cindy Woodsmall Page B

She whispered the words as if Daed wouldn’t figure out how poorly Hannah was doing if Mamm didn’t tell him.
    “I had a small leather book in my apron—”
    “Today?” Mamm’s brows furrowed.
    “No. When …” Hannah searched for the right words.
    Her mother lifted an armful of dirty clothes and tossed them into one of the smaller galvanized tubs. “You mean the last day you worked for Mrs. Waddell?”
    Blinking back her resentment, Hannah realized how comfortable her mother had become with that awful night. “Yes. I had a small book in the hidden pocket. Have you seen it?”
    Studying her daughter, Mamm pushed the tub of dirty clothes into the corner. “I never saw it. But the clothes you had on were burned the next day.”
    Burned?
    Hannah dashed out the side door and across the back field. Clawing through cold ashes and soot in the barrel where they burned trash, she found no shreds of clothing.
    It was Esther’s job to burn trash. Maybe she had found the book and put it away somewhere. Looking across the yards and gardens, Hannah soon spotted her sister picking lettuce in the garden.
    “Esther, can you come here, please?”
    Leaving the small basket, Esther strolled toward Hannah, wiping the dirt from her hands on her black apron. “Feeling better?”
    Hannah shook her head. “My clothes you were told to burn, you know the ones?”
    Esther nodded.
    “There was a small leather book in the hidden pocket of my apron. Tell me you have it.”
    Esther shrugged. “I can’t tell ya that. I would have brought it to ya had I found something.” Still rubbing dirt off her hands, Esther huffed. “I can tell ya that I’m tired of doing my chores and yours. So is Sarah, and now she’s having to work for Mrs. Waddell too. You ought not do us this way.”
    Ignoring her sister’s irritation, Hannah got down on her hands and knees, searching the grassy grounds near the barrel. “Is there any way the book might have fallen out of the pocket?”
    “Don’t see how. Daed had your clothes all bundled up when he gave them to me. I unfolded them over the barrel so they’d burn more thoroughly. I know how to do my jobs, Hannah.” Esther put her hands on her hips. “And yours too, now.”
    Unwilling to give up hope, Hannah continued hunting for the missing item until the newly healed skin from the gashes turned raw. It was no use. The book was nowhere to be found. Why had she stayed in bed like a fool and let the gift Paul had given her come to ruin?
    Her bitter disappointment jolted to a halt when she heard hoof steps. Standing, she saw Levi and Sarah riding bareback together. The horse ambled toward the barn. Hannah sprinted in that direction.
    Levi paused while his sister slid off the back of the chestnut horse. Sarah thrust an envelope toward Hannah. “I don’t see how you put up with working for Mrs. Waddell. She’s the crankiest woman I’ve ever dealt with. According to her, I didn’t do one thing right all day.”
    Hannah took the envelope and pressed it to her chest. “Thank you, Sarah. Thank you.” Feeling waves of joy, Hannah beelined to the side yard, ripping open the letter. But it wasn’t a letter. It was a card with a scene of a white-steepled church sitting among autumn trees with leaves of gold, red, and yellow. That was odd. Since the People rotated homes for their services rather than use church buildings, it didn’t seem likely Paul would send her a note like this. She flipped open the card.
Dear Hannah,
I’m sorry to hear you aren’t well. I find it even more distressing that you won’t be returning to work for me. We have an arrangement. I will be in especially deep need when the holidays come. You must speak to your father about this, or I will.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Waddell
    Hannah ran inside, searching for Sarah. She found her in the laundry room with Mamm . “This is it?” She waved the card in her sister’s face. “This is all you came back with?”
    “It is.” Sarah lifted a