Page 32 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope
It was definitely lack of oxygen that made her lightheaded and not the realization that Grammy was right about something else, too.
Andrew was great with her.
Chapter Six
Andrew held his breath as Greyson guided the ten-inch square’s side through the machine, maintaining the proper seam allowance at all times. As the boy came to the end of the material, Andrew lifted his foot, stopping the needle.
“Fantastic,” he declared. “Now, let’s backstitch just a bit so the stitches don’t easily pull out.”
Greyson looked to him for instructions on what to do. Andrew gestured to the backstitch button. “Press that, keep the material positioned correctly, and let the machine move the material back.”
Greyson did as asked, and they added a couple of backstitches to the connected squares.
“You remember when I showed you how to cut the thread?” he asked, knowing the kid probably did. He’d been all ears, soaking up every word said.
Greyson nodded and pointed to a button with a scissors emblem on it.
“Do it.”
Greyson pushed the button, and the machine clipped the thread.
“Nice job.” He held out his hand for a fist bump.
Returning the gesture, Greyson then asked, “Now what?”
“Now we work on another one while someone irons the seam you just created flat. Then we can connect the two pieces of fabric.”
“I’ll do it,” Morgan spoke up from near them. “I should be helping, anyway, but couldn’t resist witnessing what a great job Greyson did. I knew he would. He’s very good at learning new things.”
Greyson sat up a little taller in his chair, obviously pleased at his mother’s compliment.
“Sounds good.” Andrew handed over the material and noted that her hand trembled as she took it. His gaze met hers in question, but her only response was to shake her head and turn to go to the ironing board she’d been working at earlier.
Andrew wanted to go after her, to ask if she was okay, but knew it would be best if he stayed with Greyson to make sure he used the machine properly. So, he stayed and helped the boy to sew another two squares together.
“For once, Ben’s right. You’re a natural, kid,” he said, then turned to Ben. “Isn’t this quarter-inch seam my kindergartner friend here just sewed perfect?”
“Great job,” Ben told Greyson, fist bumping him, too, before shooting Andrew a dirty look. “Don’t think I didn’t catch that you just implied I don’t have the skills of a kindergartner.”
“Implied?” Andrew teased.
Ben snorted, picked up a paper with their block pattern printed on it, wadded it up and tossed it at Andrew.
Laughing, Andrew caught the paper and tossed it right back.
“Act your age, boys,” Grandma Ruby told them, but her eyes danced with merriment at their fun.
“Yes, ma’am,” they both said at once, causing Morgan to laugh as she handed over the freshly pressed piece of material. The sound of her laughter warmed his insides and had him grinning.
“Ready for me to iron that one?” she asked, pointing to the square he and Greyson had just finished.
Ben and Andrew exchanged looks, then Ben mouthed, “You owe me,” and took Greyson’s second piece.
“Shown up by a kindergartner,” Ben shook his head. “I can tell where I’m not needed. I’m going to try my luck at something else.” He waggled his brows at Andrew’s grandmother. “Grandma Ruby, you want to show me how to use an iron without burning the building down?”
Andrew doubted that his grandmother had missed the look he and Ben had exchanged. Obviously, she approved of his desire to be Morgan’s friend as she placed her hand on Ben’s shoulder and, laughing, led him over to the ironing boards so they could tackle a fresh set of seams needing pressed.
Andrew patted an empty chair near them. “Have a seat, Morgan, and Greyson and I will teach you how to sew.”
