“Gee, that’s what we have for snacks.” Ginny put a sad look on her face.

“Graaan’maaaa.”

“She’s teasing,” Addy picked up the stick and threw it as far as she could down the driveway. “Go, Spook.”

Thank you, Lord, for these two. Ginny followed them into the house, where they took the stairs two at a time. Such boundless energy. What would they do without them?

Chapter Four

What if no one shows up?” Roxie bit her lip nervously. She was wearing her plain gray tennis shoes today; she always wore them when she was nervous.

MJ grinned. “We are going to have SRO, you wait and see.”

“SRO?”

“Standing room only. We better ask Anne if she has any more chairs.”

“Ever the optimist.” Roxie straightened the tablecloth on the table waiting for goodies. She opened the container and took out a lemon bar. “I never should have made these.”

“Stress eating?”

“What else? I’ll go ask Anne.”

Anne was just putting the final touches on one of the trays they used in the diner to carry plates to the tables, now covered in cookies. She held both hands, flat out, in a quieting motion. “Easy, my friend.” A knock at the diner door grabbed her attention. “See, people are starting to come. Would you please unlock the door and point them in the right direction.”

“Of course. MJ wanted to know if you have extra chairs stashed anywhere else.”

“I’ll take care of that. You go to the door. Oh, and leave it unlocked.”

Roxie turned the lock with one hand and pulled the door open with the other. “Welcome if you are here for the UFO meeting, and the diner is closed if you are wanting supper.”

“The UFO meeting, of course.” Three women filed in.

“The meeting room is straight through there.” Roxie pointed the way. She thought that due to her years as a real estate agent, she knew everyone in town, but she didn’t recognize any of them. She turned to greet two ladies from her church. “Welcome, meeting room is in the back, but you already know that.”

“Were we supposed to bring our projects?”

“You could if you wished, but this is basically an informational meeting. Glad you could come. And here is Jeff! Good evening, Jeff.”

A wizened old man grinned as he entered. Roxie happened to know he was a widower whose only son had recently married. She knew nothing more about him. “Good to see you, Roxie. The poster didn’t say what kind of unfinished projects.”

“All kinds. No restrictions.”

“Good. Wait’ll you see what I have.” He walked on through to the back.

Amalia entered with a big smile. She was wearing a crocheted-and-starched floppy hat tonight with a long blue grosgrain ribbon. “Hi, Roxie. Would you believe I have three other hats that are not completed yet?”

Roxie laughed. “I sure would.”

Ginny and Fred came through the door.

Roxie said, “So good to see you both! Fred, I can’t believe you have any unfinished projects.”