Free The Beach Quilt by Holly Chamberlin Page B

with a good sports bar. You guys can shop while I watch baseball. And sorry, Cordelia, but I don’t think there’s a lake on this planet without its share of bugs.”
    â€œOr there’s Montreal,” her mother said. “I’ve always wanted to go there.”
    â€œI might be able to use my French,” Cordelia added. “But maybe not. Canadian French isn’t the same as what we learn in school, is it?”
    â€œNo. But you’ll still know more than I will, with only my half forgotten high school Spanish.”
    â€œAnd, of course,” Jack said, “we’ll have to be sure Cindy agrees to our little scheme.”
    â€œI’m sure she’d appreciate the extra money. Because, of course, I’d pay her for the extra duties.”
    â€œAnd she’ll have Sarah to help her,” Cordelia pointed out. “She’s the most responsible person I know. Next to you guys, of course.”
    â€œNice save, kiddo.”
    â€œThanks, Dad. But really, this is going to be so much fun. When was the last time we all went away somewhere? I can’t even remember!”
    â€œWell, we did have that weekend in Boston last spring,” her mother pointed out.
    â€œOh, right! The aquarium, the MFA, that seafood place. And the shopping!”
    â€œDoes having fun necessarily involve shopping?” Her father shrugged. “I’m just asking.”
    â€œYes,” Cordelia said firmly. “It most certainly does!”

Chapter 18
    Sarah knocked on the open door to her sister’s bedroom. Stevie, seated at her sewing machine, turned her head.
    â€œCan we talk?” Sarah asked.
    Stevie nodded and turned fully around. Sarah went in and sat on the edge of her sister’s bed.
    â€œMom told me,” Stevie blurted.
    â€œOkay.” Sarah felt relieved. Breaking the news to Stevie was not something she had been looking forward to. Still, it would have been nice if her mother had let her know that she had already talked to Stevie. Was the pregnancy her mother’s news to tell? Maybe it was. Sarah wasn’t at all sure how much say she had in this situation. By being so careless, she might in effect have relinquished all control over her own life. It was a disturbing thought.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Stevie said now. She patted her leg, and Clarissa, who had been sitting at her feet, jumped onto her lap.
    â€œThanks. I mean, don’t be sorry for me.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    Sarah struggled to find an answer that made some sense. “It’s not all bad,” she said finally. “I’ll have a baby. I mean, I always knew I was going to have kids someday. Just not so soon.”
    Sarah became very aware of Clarissa staring at her, round green eyes steady and boring into her own eyes.
    â€œIs he going to be around?” Stevie asked.
    â€œJustin?” Sarah looked away from the unnerving gaze of her sister’s cat. “No. I don’t think so, anyway. Why?”
    Stevie shrugged. “Just curious.”
    Sarah wasn’t really sure what to say next. “You’re going to be an aunt,” she said finally.
    â€œYeah.”
    Stevie’s tone was neutral. At least, Sarah couldn’t tell if the idea of being an aunt appealed to her sister or not. Did being an aunt—a quasi figure of authority—mean anything to a thirteen-year-old? Should it?
    The silence dragged on. Sarah realized that she felt embarrassed. Clarissa was still staring fixedly at her and that didn’t help.
    â€œI like your bracelet,” she blurted. “Is it new?”
    Stevie glanced down at her wrist. “Sort of. I made it a few weeks ago. They’re amethyst beads. Mrs. Kane got them for me wholesale.”
    â€œThat was nice of her. I wish I were creative like you.”
    â€œIt’s no big deal. Anyway, I guess a lot of stuff around here is going to change.”
    â€œI guess,” Sarah admitted.