Angel's Rest(79)

Celeste laughed. “Ah, acting like old married folk already, I see.”

“Nothing old about it,” Gabe drawled. “Since she’s been acting like a five-year-old, it’s more realistic to say she’s my child bride.”

Nic decided to ignore that and changed the subject by asking Ali Timberlake, “Has Celeste told you about the journals we found that were written by Elizabeth Blaine Cavanaugh, who would be your great-great-grandmother?”

“Yes, she did.” Ali slipped leather gloves into the pocket of her cashmere coat and handed it to Gabe. “I’ve glanced through a few of them, and I’m anxious to read them. From what I understand, my branch of the Cavanaugh family descends from Elizabeth’s younger son, Lawrence, who married and left Eternity Springs. Her older son, Harry junior, remained in Eternity Springs.”

“The journals make fascinating reading. You’ll enjoy them.” Nic wondered if Celeste had mentioned Angel and the silver bars to the newcomer yet, and if Ali had any new information to offer about the mystery of Angel’s death. Knowing Celeste would share any news at an appropriate time, she addressed another curiosity. “What’s in the bags?”

“Supplies.” The older woman tugged off emerald-green knit gloves and a matching brimmed stocking cap, then allowed Gabe to help her out of her ski jacket. “LaNelle loaded me up. I hope we have enough for everyone, but tonight’s meeting is more organizational than anything. I don’t expect we’ll get down to work until next time.”

“What are we organizing?”

“A quilting bee. I’ve brought rotary cutters, cutting mats, cutting rulers, needles and threads, thimbles, scissors—lots of fun stuff.”

“Quilting?” Nic smirked with doubt. “I can’t even sew a hem.”

“No, you simply sew stitches in animals who are hurting,” Gabe pointed out.

Celeste crossed the room to Nic, placed a hand on her cheek, and looked deeply into her eyes. “How are you feeling, dear?”

“I’m fine.” At the older woman’s chastising look, she conceded, “I still have a bit of a headache. I’m achy and sore.”

“And grumpy,” Gabe called from the hallway, where he was hanging up coats.

Celeste clucked her tongue, then took a seat on the sofa and patted the cushion beside her for Ali to join her. “I hear that you received joyous news yesterday, Nic. You’re a mother to twins. How exciting. God’s blessings are indeed bountiful.”

Nic’s hand drifted to her stomach as her gaze cut toward Gabe. They hadn’t discussed the babies since leaving the hospital. He was doing a masterly job of avoiding the subject, and Nic saw no reason to force a discussion. After all, no immediate decisions regarding the babies needed to be made. He had months to grow accustomed to the fact that he’d soon be the father to two instead of one. “The news was certainly a surprise, but I think I’m up for the challenge.”

Ali Timberlake spoke up. “Two of my children are only eleven months apart in age. I often wished they’d been born twins. They were just far enough apart to always be on different schedules when they were little guys.”

“How many children do you have?” Nic asked.

“Three. Two boys and a girl.” Ali’s smile grew wistful. “My youngest, my girl, will be a senior in high school this fall, so the emptying of my nest is looming. I miss my babies. Enjoy your time with yours, Nic. It goes so fast. Too fast.”

Ali’s comments surprised Nic. She had guessed Ali to be no more than a year or two older than herself. Either the newcomer was quite a bit older than she looked or she’d started her family at a young age. “My friend Sarah’s only child is the same age as your daughter. She’s starting to go a little crazy thinking about Lori going off to college.”

The doorbell rang, and Gabe tended to the new arrivals. Sage plunked a hip on the arm of Nic’s chair and asked a few quiet questions about the babies and her pregnancy. Before long, eight women and Tiger were crowded into the living room. Gabe picked up the tray of sweets Sarah had brought and took them to the kitchen, then retreated to the library and his drawing board. After a few minutes for people to say hello and be introduced to Ali Timberlake, who bonded almost immediately with Sarah, Nic said, “Okay, Celeste, the floor is yours.”

“Thank you, Nic.” Celeste smiled around the room and continued, “Thank you all for coming tonight. I know you’re all curious why I called you all together, and I apologize for being cryptic with my invitation, but I wanted to present this idea face-to-face. You see, I’d like to invite you all to join me in establishing a quilting bee.”