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puttin’ up with the likes of you,” Matthew shot back.
    Abraham held up his hand. “Don’t start scrappin’ again. I’ve already had enough of it today, and I’m sure the womenfolk aren’t in the mood to hear it, either.”
    “Maybe I’ll pay Edna a visit this afternoon,” Fannie said, taking their conversation in another direction.
    “I thought you were going to take a nap.”
    “I’ll go after I’ve rested awhile.”
    “Why do you want to travel all the way over to Edna’s place in Strasburg?” Matthew asked.
    “Cousin Edna’s always full of good advice. Maybe she can come up with some idea to solve my dilemma.”
    Abraham grunted. “The only thing that fun-lovin’ woman can come up with is a good joke or two.”
    Fannie shrugged. “That might be exactly what I need today.”

A bby smiled as she watched Deborah wait on the English customer near the front of the store. She had been working at the quilt shop a few weeks now and was doing a fine job. The pleasant expression on the woman’s face and the exuberance with which she went about her tasks let Abby know that Lester’s mamm thoroughly enjoyed her work. It was almost time to close for the day, yet she was still pleasant and energetic. She responds well to the customers, too. She also enjoys quilting and is good at it. I’m sure Deborah will be a wonderful mother-in-law. Abby knew not everyone was blessed with a sweet mamm like hers and an easy-going schwiegermammi , like Deborah Mast would be.
    Shortly after the last customer left the store, Lester showed up, informing his mother that he’d come by to give her a ride home.
    “I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” she said. “Just need to put a couple things away.”
    “That’s all right, Deborah,” Abby was quick to say. “You’ve worked hard today, and if you want to head home, I can take care of anything else that needs to be done.”
    Lester moved in front of the treadle sewing machine where Abby sat. “Such a thoughtful daughter-in-law my mamm will be gettin’.”
    Abby smiled. “And how about you, Lester Mast? What kind of wife do you think I’ll be?”
    He chucked her under the chin and winked. “A mighty fine one, I’d have to say.”
    “I’ll surely try, but you know I’m not perfect,” she replied,taking pleasure in the feel of his calloused fingers against her skin.
    “You’re even-tempered, kind, considerate, and pretty. What else could a man ask for in a wife?”
    Before Abby could reply, Lester leaned closer. “Say, how about you and me goin’ out to lunch tomorrow? Maybe we can eat at the Farmstead restaurant this time.”
    Abby pursed her lips. “I’d like that, but things have been busy here all week. It’s only May, yet every day we’ve had lots of customers. I wouldn’t feel right about leaving your mamm alone when things are so hectic.”
    “I can manage,” Deborah called from across the room. “You two have yourselves some fun. You deserve it.”
    Abby deliberated a few seconds. “I’ll tell you what. How about I bring a lunch basket for us to share out back at the picnic table? That way I’ll be close, in case your mamm needs help.”
    “Sounds fine to me.” Lester grinned. “And I’ll bring the dessert.”

    “Hey, Boss, where’d ya put that box of mudding tape?” Ed Munson called to Jim, who had just descended a six-foot ladder. Part of his crew had been painting the outside of a new apartment complex, while the rest of the men mudded and taped the new Sheetrock walls.
    “The tape’s in the back of my van.” Jim wiped his hands on the paint rag protruding from his back pocket and glanced at the gray paint splattered all over the front of his white overalls. “If my wife could see me now, she’d have a fit.”
    Linda didn’t approve of him working side-by-side with his paint crew, but there were times when they got busy and needed his help. At other times, Jim had to pick up supplies, bid jobs, or do paperwork, so the painting