"
Oliver returned from outside carrying Suzanne's quilt. "I couldn't
resist," he said. He unfolded it and held it up. "It was on display for
a month at the hospital, one of the items for their benefit auction.
It's handmade. I kept seeing Emma sleeping under it, so I made a bid
and got it."
"Oooh," Jennifer said. "Ooooh, Precious, look what Daddy got for you!"
"Do you like it?" Oliver asked.
"It's beautiful," Jennifer said.
"That's what I thought."
"Who made it?"
"Suzanne--you know, the woman I told you about who has been so helpful.
See? Look down here." He pointed out a tangle of stems in one corner
where "SUZANNE" had been stitched in a way that made the letters look
like part of the growth. "See there?"
"Oh, I see it. How clever!"
"It's a field," Oliver said.
"How much did you bid?"
"You don't want to know."
"That much? Oh well, I suppose it's for a good cause."
"Right," Oliver said. "Emma." He scratched his head and drank more
Chianti. "Money. What was that guy's name? The bank guy?"
"Tom. I'll call Mary tomorrow and check it out."
Oliver felt his insides contract. "Guess it can't hurt," he said. He
folded the quilt.
Pages:
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289