The Lopsided Christmas Cake Read Online Free Page B

mind. Grandma always made fluffy pancakes when the family came to visit. Pancakes were one of Elma’s favorite breakfast foods. When she was younger, she often ate as many as six for breakfast. “I’ll have to see if I can find Grandma’s recipe,” she murmured.
    Her thoughts turned to how things had turned out after she and Thelma had found customers waiting at the store yesterday afternoon. It was nice to get acquainted with some of the women from their area, and even nicer to know that they lived in such a caring community. Elma was pleased to have met such kind ladies. How glad she was that they hadn’t made an issue of Tiger chasing that mouse.
Maybe I shouldn’t have worried about it, either. I know I can be a bit fussy sometimes.
    When Elma first realized that some of the women wanted to shop, she wasn’t too happy about it. She and Thelma still hadn’t cleaned or organized much, not to mention taking inventory. But after reminding herself that they needed some money coming in, she’d gratefully accepted their cash and checks. Since the news was out that the twins had inherited their grandparents’ store, she figured the best thing to do was keep the store open during the weekdays. They could reorder supplies and do their cleaning and organizing in the evenings. Of course Thelma, who was taking a shower right now, had other thoughts about that. She’d made it clear that she wanted her evenings free to knit or do other things. Thelma even said she didn’t think the store was as bad as Elma thought. She couldn’t see any need to organize, since their customers probably knew where things were already. Elma didn’t agree.
    Knowing she needed to get busy, Elma checked the firebox on the stove. It had heated up nicely, and the kitchen was getting warmer. Now if Thelma would get here, they could eat breakfast and get on with their day. They’d decided to put the C LOSED sign in the store window today, and she was anxious to leave for Shipshe. Then later, if there was time, she hoped to sort through some things in their store to see what may have expired and need to be thrown away.
    A bloodcurdling scream reached the kitchen. Dropping the silverware on the table, Elma raced from the room and dashed down the hall. “Thelma, what’s wrong?” she hollered, pounding on the bathroom door.
    “Except for the cold water that was running down on me, I’m okay.” Thelma’s voice boomed through the closed door. “It went from lukewarm to ice cold. Let me tell you: it’s the coldest and quickest shower I’ve ever had to take.”
    “Sorry. When you screamed, I was worried that you’d been hurt.”
    “No, I’m fine—just feel like I’m gonna freeze to death.”
    Elma sighed with relief. She was glad Thelma wasn’t in serious danger, but they did need to address their inadequate hot water supply. “I have breakfast ready,” Elma said through the door. “So unless you need something, I’ll see you in the kitchen.”
    “Go ahead. I’ll be there shortly.”

    When Thelma entered the kitchen a short time later, she was still shivering. “Did the water turn cold like that when you took your shower?” she asked.
    Elma shook her head. “No, but it wasn’t hot, either. I wonder if the water tank may be going out.”
    “One more thing we’ll have to fix.” Thelma rubbed her hands over her arms. “Look at me. My arms are full of goose bumps.”
    “Put this on.” Elma grabbed a sweater and handed it to Thelma. “You may want to stand by the stove. It’s warming up nicely in here.”
    “Is that frost I see out the window?” Thelma asked before slipping into the sweater and moving closer to the stove.
    “Seems to be. I think we’ll be seeing fewer warm, summery days now that fall is approaching.”
    “At least this old stove is good for something.” Thelma scooted closer to the source of heat.
    “Jah, but if we get more money coming in soon, I’d really like to replace it.” Elma took a seat at