Chapter 34      

Shelby stayed with Sadie that first night after Riley broke off their engagement, holding her as she cried pretty much non-stop. Texts and phone calls poured in from family, offering love, support, and prayers, and their support helped keep her occupied when she called in sick the next day. Of course, Susannah had insisted on taking the day off to be with her, and then her mama had come over to hold her tight, pray with her, and tuck her in for the night like she would a little child before going off to sleep in the spare bedroom.

Paige had come over the next night with a handmade thank-you card from Jess, drawn in bright markers. Riley had sent a card too, and the spare words had only drummed up more hurt. Thank you for the quilt. I’ll treasure it always. R. 

R. Not his full name, Riley. It was like he’d donned the dark mask after all, the one she’d added to the quilt at the last minute. She’d feared this side of him, the one trying to shut her out. She hadn’t known how to fight it except by reminding him of his true nature.

And yet she was torn… He was only trying to protect Jess, which made his actions heroic but didn’t lessen the pain he’d caused her. And himself. He thought they were doomed somehow with Mandy being around, and she understood that in her head. Her heart was still trying to find a way to accept what had happened. It just didn’t seem fair…

Her ring finger felt bare, and she missed the solidness of the promise the quilt ring had represented. That night her brother had come over with Tammy and the kids, who’d done their best to cheer her up by drawing her sweet pictures. She’d added them next to Jess’ thank-you, which now hung in the center of her refrigerator.

The other men in the family supported her in their own way. Vander had offered to kidnap Riley and bring him to a log cabin in the woods if she wanted to try and beat some sense in him, only his mention of the cabin had reminded her of their time in Paducah. She’d had to hang up because she couldn’t speak over the tide of grief rising up inside her. Rye grew outraged on her behalf at Sunday dinner, and she’d left early, not needing to make up the excuse of a headache, for she had a real one. 

She did her best not to ask Paige about Riley and Jess, and she didn’t go over to their house. She told herself she was glad Paige was looking after them since she no longer could. And she sure as shooting didn’t ask what Riley had told Jess about the breakup. She only hoped the little girl still knew how much she loved her. It helped to think of Jess wrapped up in the quilt, soaking in the love and strength Sadie had poured into it. 

When her quilting class rolled around on Monday night, she braced herself for another onslaught of compassion. She dreaded the necessity of telling yet more people about the broken engagement. Her boss had been shocked, but she’d clucked and clucked about how Sadie would heal one day and God would bring her another good man.

But she didn’t want another man. She wanted Riley Thomson and his beautiful daughter for her own.

Before anyone noticed her missing ring, Sadie told the women in her class about the cancelled engagement.

“But you can’t be serious,” Imogene said. “I know assholes, and your man isn’t an asshole.”

“Plus, he asked Mae here to make you a wedding quilt so he could propose,” Ada added. “Only a man who truly loved you would go to that effort. Paige, you know him. How could he do this?”

Her sister gave a great sigh. “I honestly don’t know.” 

Sadie gave her a watery smile. She knew Paige had blasted Riley for his decision—heck, she’d admitted that both she and Mark still hoped to change his mind.

“Men are such idiots,” Leanne said, throwing out her hand. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry for you, but you’ll find someone better when the time comes.”

“All right, enough of that talk,” Mae said. “Sadie is heartbroken. What can we do for you, honey? You tell us what you need.”

“Yes,” Whitney said, her face knitted with worry, “you’ve always done so much for us. What can we do for you?”

“Can we just quilt tonight? In quiet? My head has been aching all day—”

“Why don’t you go on home if you’d like?” Mae said. “I’ll look after anyone who has questions tonight.”

“Yes, go on, honey,” Leanne said.

The offer was tempting, but then she thought of her responsibility to the class and the quiet townhouse that awaited her. She supposed she could call one of her sisters to come over, but… 

“No, this is my job.” She surveyed the women sitting in the quilting circle. “Thank you for your kindness, though. I mean it.”

“You’re most welcome,” Ada said, reaching for her hand. “Let’s just quilt then. It always helps me when I’m grieving.”

“Yes,” Mae said, “it keeps the mind busy…and the heart—”

“Seems to settle,” Ada finished for her.

They quilted on their current projects, showing their silent support. No one asked her questions, and at one point she heard Mae whispering a prayer under her breath and knew it was for her. She prayed too while her hands worked, asking for solace, praying for peace.

After they all hugged her and she locked up and walked to her car, she looked up at the sky as she waited for the others to drive off. Paige lingered in her car, so she finally waved her off. When her sister left, she let out a deep cleansing breath.

The Big Dipper was bright tonight, and the darkness seemed to be friendly, becoming. It made her think of one of Riley’s favorite songs he’d shared with her, “Under The Milky Way.” Then she thought of the stars she’d included in his quilt. The star he’d given to her and she’d returned to him. Instead of making her sad, the comparison heartened her. It felt like they were winking at her, sending encouragement.

She’d always believed there was something bigger guiding everything, and in this moment, she decided to trust in it once again.

With all those stars shining all above her, she asked for a miracle.