“Thank you. Anything else? Good, have at it. Drinks are up here along with Addy’s cookies. She said to tell you the orders she received at the last meeting are here and boxed. Raise your hand, Addy, so they can see you.”

Addy stood up shyly.

“You taking more orders?” someone asked.

“Yes, just come talk to me.” Addy sat back down.

MJ picked up her finished crewelwork. “Was hoping to get this framed before tonight, but Daryl is working on the frame.”

“Another UFO?” Roxie asked with a grin.

“Nope, he promised for tomorrow. Had to go buy glass and some kind of tool first.”

Roxie snorted. “Interesting how men always need one more tool to do something and they go and buy it, while women make do.”

“They are smarter that way. Wish I would do the same sometimes, especially with new gadgets for the kitchen. Saw an ad on TV for a salad cutter that looks really good. I never did like to chop a lot of things. Seems simple things are coming out, not like a food processor and those fancy kinds of machines.”

Loren looked up when Nate pulled over a chair beside her. “Hi. Thought perhaps you decided not to come.”

“My closer had an urgent errand, so I’m running a bit late.”

“What are you working on?” Roxie asked.

Nate laid his sketchbook on the table. “I started a series of pen-and-ink drawings years, er, some time ago and almost tossed them when I moved. But I kept the book and I’m still working on the beginning design sketches. I finished one pen-and-ink years ago, and Dad was so pleased with it, I figured to try again.”

“How many?”

“Doing a triptych.” He held out his hands to show the size. “Each needs to fit a frame. Or maybe my dad”—he gave Rich a teasing look—“would like to create the frames.”

Rich grimaced. “Or perhaps he would teach you how to use the tools so you can make them.”

“I need a frame for my stitchery. Hint hint,” Roxie said with a grin. She held up a counted cross-stitch eight-by-ten of hummingbirds and fuchsias.

Nate groaned. “I can be bribed with ice cream after our meeting.”

MJ laughed. “Who couldn’t?”

Addy sighed heavily. “I don’t think I’m cut out to be a knitter or crocheter.” She held up the piece that was supposed to be a square and looked more like a trapezoid. “I started to knit a scarf but none of the edges ever matched. Then this silly potholder and it isn’t working. And I tried to crochet that one you showed me, Grandma, and it’s a mess too. I’d rather bake cookies any day.”

“Did you bring the crocheted one?” Loren laid down her knitting. Addy shook her head. “I didn’t think I’d ever be able to knit either but I finally got it.” Loren held up a soft fluffy scarf of various blue tones that flowed into each other. “I love this and it is finally working.”