She raced upstairs and down the hallway to her suite, pulling her cell phone from her pocket and jabbing the key to speed-dial the group as she shut the door behind her. “I’m here,” she said breathlessly as she dropped into the desk chair.
“Nice of you to join us,” Vinnie exclaimed cheerily. “How is quilt camp?”
“Oh, it’s lovely,” Julia replied. “Yet it isn’t the same without all of you.”
“I’m sure you’re having a wonderful time,” said Donna. “I know Lindsay is.”
“Did she tell you that? I’m so glad.”
“So, how’s it going?” asked Megan. “Are your work friends becoming expert quilters—or at least, are they learning enough to pass themselves off as experts on camera, with skillful editing?”
“They’re all making progress. I’m really quite proud of them.”
“What’s Elm Creek Manor like at this time of year?” asked Vinnie.
“Cooler, by far. The grounds aren’t as lush and green as when we visit in summer, and it’s past peak season for fall color, so we missed what was surely a beautiful display.” Julia glanced to the windows. “And I may be mistaken, but I believe I see snow flurries.”
“Hmm. I think I’ll stick to visiting in the summertime, thanks very much,” said Grace.
“A flurry, that’s nothing,” said Donna. “We’ve had at least an inch of snow on the ground since Halloween.”
“Before you let the weather discourage you from attending autumn quilt camp, if the Elm Creek Quilters decide to expand their season,” said Julia, “you should know that Anna’s autumn recipes are just as delicious as her summer menus.”
Her friends moaned wistfully. “What’s the best dessert you’ve had so far?” Vinnie asked eagerly.
“Pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap crust, fresh whipped cream and a caramel drizzle optional.”
“Oh my goodness, how luscious.” Vinnie sighed longingly. “I love you too much to be jealous, but I do wish you could send me a slice in the mail.”
“I wish I could too,” said Julia. “Even though it’s a seasonal recipe, Anna might be willing to make it for you during our next annual visit in August.”
“Oh, I bet she would, for my birthday,” Vinnie exclaimed. “I’ll have to drop a few hints between now and then. Maybe you could drop one for me, since you’re there. Don’t be too subtle or she might not get it. But don’t be too obvious either.”
“I’ll strike the right balance,” Julia promised.
“So, the quilting and the dining are going well, and the manor is lovely even in late autumn,” said Grace. “How about your scheme to keep your cast and crew together?”
Julia hesitated. “It’s difficult to say,” she admitted. “No one who was intending to go has announced that they’ve changed their minds, but several have said that they’ll be sorry to see the series end.”
“That’s promising,” said Donna. “Maybe they’re coming around.”
“I hope so. I’m running out of time to persuade them.”
“Are you going to make a dramatic, heartrending, last-minute speech to win them over?” asked Vinnie eagerly. “Maybe at the Farewell Breakfast, or as you’re boarding the plane home? That would be so exciting.”
“Well, no, I wasn’t planning to,” said Julia.
“Sadie would do something like that on your show.”
“Yes, but sadly, real life doesn’t follow a script.”
“I suppose not,” Vinnie conceded, “but it’s more exciting that way. If you change your mind anddomake a dramatic speech, would you call me on your cell phone so I can listen in?”
“Sure,” said Julia, quite sure that she wouldn’t have to fulfill that promise.
The conversation turned to their progress on their Cross and Chains blocks. Grace, Donna, and Vinnie had finished theirs, but Megan had been preoccupied by a very complicated engineering project at work and hadn’t even begun, although she intended to first thing Saturday morning. “I imagine you haven’t had time to work on your block either, Julia,” she said. “You must be busy with your Nine-Patch quilt and all your scheming.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” said Julia. “I actually managed to get a lot done on Monday. I’ll be home by Saturday evening, so I’ll have all day Sunday to finish the last few seams. That reminds me—Maggie Flynn is working on the manuscript for a pattern book for the Loyal Union Sampler.”
