“How did you know?”

“You have the cat-with-a-canary look. Any good buys?”

Loren shrugged. “Not really. You ever get to go anymore?”

“Not since we opened this. Lattes hot or iced?”

“One of each, make mine iced and mocha.” Loren looked for a table.

“There’s one over there.” Anne nodded to the left. “Breakfast? Need menus?”

“Yes and yes.” Roxie took the menus Anne handed her. “Recommendations?”

“Got fresh basil for the omelets, another batch of cinnamon rolls about out of the oven, and Gary is trying a new recipe for the corned beef hash.”

“Cinnamon rolls for sure; can we get them without frosting?”

“Sure can.” She handed them their drinks. “I’ll be over to get your order when you’re ready.”

On the way to their table, they passed two ladies knitting away while they talked.

“Hey, trying to get your UFOs done early?” Roxie asked with a wide smile.

Paula, the woman with a bluish streak in her graying hair, raised her project out of her lap. “Wherever I go, this goes. I used to do this but got out of the habit. Actually I finished the one I started the first night.”

“I bagged some of mine and numbered them,” the other woman, Edith, said. “Getting this group going sure has been a good incentive. Thanks.”

“What are you making?” Roxie asked.

“A poncho for my daughter. We bought the yarn a year ago and I got busy. She is really excited.” She laid it on her lap and smoothed it out. “Pretty, isn’t it? She has good taste when it comes to clothes. By the way, can I bring a friend to the next meeting? She’s visiting from Iowa and is thinking of starting one there.”

“Of course. How about that? Someone also called because of the column that has started in the paper. See you at the meeting.” Roxie joined Loren at the table. “Did you order?”

“Not yet.”

After they’d turned in their orders, Roxie propped her elbows on the table and sipped from her rapidly cooling latte. “What are you doing this afternoon?”

“Going over to the rescue place to help bathe dogs for their event tomorrow. I was going to help with that but instead I’m going sailing. Should I feel guilty?”

“Guilt is highly overrated. A quote I heard somewhere. Had you promised for Sunday?”

“No, nor for this afternoon, but I know they need help.”

Roxie patted her daughter’s hand. “Thinking of picking up pizza and taking it out to Ginny’s. Want to go?”

“Sure, beats cooking.”

Roxie picked up her phone and clicked on Ginny’s number. “Hey, you want company who will bring pizza for supper tonight? Oh good. Any favorite kind? Addy too. I’ll get a super-size with everything but anchovies. Good, they don’t appeal to me either. Loren might come. Okay, see you sixish? You need anything else from town? Welcome.” She clicked off, nodding. “She sounds more like herself again.”

“Addy is how old now?” Loren asked.