Free Peace by Shelley Shepard Gray Page A

worried that he was going to make you leave.”
    Before he could reply, she sat down next to him and treated him to a perfectly beautiful smile of triumph. “Everything is going to be just fine now. I know it.”
    She would stay safe. He would do anything it took to make sure of that.
    But as he counted the hours until he left her forever, nothing felt “just fine.” Of course, what did it matter if his heart was breaking?
    Needing some time to collect himself, he said, “Beth, why don’t you go see your mother for a little bit? Mose was right. You should probably reassure her. We don’t want her sending anyone else over here to check up on you.”
    â€œI don’t want to leave you alone. Your fever could get worse.”
    â€œI appreciate your concern, but I took some ibuprofen. And all I’m going to do is take a nap. I really do think a visit to your mom is a good idea. When you get back, I’ll make us a fire and we can sit here on the couch. How about that?”
    â€œI think that sounds gut . But don’t you start thinking you got anything over on me, Chris. I’m still intent on looking out for you.”
    â€œI’m planning on it,” he murmured. When she hopped up, he followed, only much more slowly. His body was exhausted and his brain felt like mush. He wasn’t going to be able to do another single thing until he got some sleep.
    â€œSee you in a bit,” he said as he headed toward the stairs. And, he hoped, sweet oblivion.

Chapter 8
    Every Christmas, I get my mamm a new set of cozy flannel pajamas. She used to get them for me, you see. Now it’s my turn to treat her.
    B ETH B YLER
    A surprise greeted Beth when she stopped by her house to check up on her mother. Two of her aunts were in her mother’s sewing room, sitting on either side of her mother’s wheelchair. From the looks of it, all three seemed to be in deep conversation over a pile of fabrics.
    Her mother and aunts had spent many hours designing, piecing, and stitching quilts for the annual Amish Country Quilt Show. Four years ago, they’d even earned an honorable mention. From their intent expressions, Beth was sure they were getting ready to enter again.
    â€œUh-oh,” Beth teased. “Are you three planning a new prize-winner?”
    Practically in unison, all three jumped, then looked at her with pleased expressions.
    Aunt Josephine was the first to recover. “Beth!” she said as she got to her feet and trotted over to give her a hug. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes!”
    â€œI could say the same about you. I didn’t know you were going to pay Mamm a visit today,” she said after she hugged Jo, Aunt Evelyn, and finally her mother. “Seeing the three of you together is a wonderful-gut surprise.”
    â€œWere your ears ringing?” Aunt Jo asked with a sly wink. “We were just talking about you.”
    â€œOh?” Carefully, she kept her face expressionless. “I can’t think of a reason why.”
    â€œOh, Beth,” her mother chided. “You are always so standoffish.”
    â€œI’m not.” She was simply private. Taking a seat across from her mother, Beth attempted to look carefree, though her insides were churning. She’d come over to check up on her mother, grab a few personal things, then hurry back to Chris’s side.
    With her aunts here—especially given the way they were looking at her as if she were the new project instead of the quilt—getting in and out of the house in a timely manner might be harder than anticipated.
    â€œDon’t look so worried, daughter. I was simply telling Jo and Evelyn here that you’ve been working too hard. And on Christmas, too.”
    â€œImagine our surprise to hear that you were helping out at the Yellow Bird Inn,” Aunt Jo said. “We didn’t even think you could cook.”
    Although she might be a rather private