Barbara Graham - Quilted 03 - Murder by Music by Barbara Graham Page B

staring up with her sad, golden retriever eyes. Obligingly, Theo began scratching her ears. Jane was a sweetheart, but sometimes she made Theo nuts. What Theo really wanted to tell Jane was she could come early and carry her own package. Jane's driving was a frequent topic of conversation. She had become so paranoid about hitting animals on the road that when the reintroduction of elk into the Smokies was discussed, she fussed around, convinced that they would attack her car. At least she would be arriving at The Lodge with Martha. “When are you two coming up?”
    “About five I think. Anything special going on at your house this weekend?” Jane used her inquisition voice. It took Theo a minute to understand what she was asking. As Tony wandered back into the room, a towel wrapped around his waist, she covered the receiver with her hand and mouthed, “Your mother” and grinned when he backed away.
    “It should be pretty quiet around here. The boys will entertain themselves for the most part. Tony and Chris have a special scout thing to go to this evening, and Jamie can either go with them or stay with Edith.” Daisy rolled onto her back so Theo could scratch her stomach. The dog's lips fell back, exposing a fierce looking set of teeth.
    Tony lifted a questioning eyebrow. Theo was able to answer both their questions. “It's at the church at seven o'clock. Other than that, it's the same old thing around here.”
    As she was hanging up the telephone, Tony asked, “What's this special scout thing?”
    “You remember. They asked if you would do it since you were in the Navy and they figured you would know all about knots.”
    “I forgot all about it. It's a good thing you reminded me.” He was pulling on his shirt. “Do they know I was just a cook?”
    “I don't think they care, and you did agree to do it.” Planting her hands on her hips, she glared at him. “Chris is all excited to have you there, so I guess you'd better practice during the day.”
    “I will, I will.” He grinned at her. “I will be the best knot teacher they've ever had. Who all is going today?”
    Abandoning Daisy, Theo scooted back against the headboard. As she gave each name, she ticked off a finger. “There's Martha and Jane, Melissa and Susan, Lucinda, Freddie, Ruth and Holly.” She looked at her fingers and shook her head. “There's more than that.”
    “Doesn't Nina usually go?”
    “Yes, she was planning to be there, but she's in Paris until Sunday.”
    “Paris, France?”
    “Yes, that Paris. It's some special one week trip for language teachers she won.” Theo sighed, only a little envious. “I don't know how she can think it's going to be more fun than retreat.”
    “Don't forget Eleanor,” said Tony. “Didn't you tell me she's going?”
    “I'm trying very hard to forget her.” Theo went through the names and fingers again. “Oh, of course. Dottie and Betty.”
    “Betty?”
    Theo could tell Tony was amazed and with good reason. Betty was almost blind, and osteoporosis was shrinking her at an alarming rate. She resembled a gnome more and more each day.
    “How can she quilt?”
    “She never goes anywhere without Dottie. Dottie's eyes are okay so she threads the needles for both of them. As long as the light is good and you don't care how even the stitches turn out, she can quilt up a storm.”
    “Good for Betty.” He bent over and gave Theo a kiss. “I'll take you up at noon, and for heaven's sake take your cell phone with you. Last time, I called your phone six times, only to find out you left it in your workshop.”
    “Okay, okay.”
    By mid-morning Theo was ready to leave the house. She checked her to-do list. There were plenty of clean clothes for Tony and the boys. Plenty of food. Today was a beautiful day, and she always enjoyed the fall retreat. It was a time for her to concentrate on her own projects and not on teaching. She stacked her retreat bound bags by the front door. Her bag of clothes weighed