One of the men sighed. “Means no Monday night football.”

“Tell your TV to save it for you. Hey, fall is months away.”

The snorts around the room obviously came from women who could not care less about football.

“Good reason to have it on Monday night. How about first and third? Any dissenters?” Roxie paused. No one spoke up. “Then that will be our night. One good thing is that this is our group—if something isn’t working, we’ll change it.”

MJ studied the calendar Roxie handed her. “So we meet at the knitting store a block down the street from six to nine next Monday for our first working meeting.”

“If some of you want to come early, the door will be open and the coffee on,” Maureen amended.

Addy raised her hand. “Can I bring cookies? Grandma is going to teach me to knit.”

“Sweetie, you can bring cookies to my shop anytime.”

Amalia reached over and patted the girl’s shoulder. “I just had an idea. You and I need to talk.”

Ginny looked between her granddaughter and her friend. “Uh-oh. Be careful what you agree to, Ads.”

Jeff’s voice from the back asked, “How can I bring my peapod to Maureen’s?”

Maureen grinned at him. “Out in the parking lot under the roof where I park my car. Be cold in the winter but perhaps you’ll have it done by then. You give us a challenge, we will work it out.”

“All right, are there any more questions, discussions?” MJ nodded. “Good, then, the beverages are on the first table out the door along with the cookies and bars. Anne, anything you would like to say?”

Anne stood. “Just thanks for coming and hope to see you again soon. By the way, lattes are on special for the next two mornings, until noon. Prices at the cash register. Omelets are the breakfast special for tomorrow. Now come help yourself; I put Addy’s name on the tray of cookies she baked. Addy, stand so they see who the whistler is.”

* * *

A half hour later, MJ closed the door behind the last attendee. “Well, our project is on the way.”

“I’d say; what a turnout!” Anne picked up the coffeepot. “Even if half these people show up…”

“For sure.” Ginny handed her trays to Addy and picked up the iced tea and lemonade pitchers. “I better get this kid home before her dad scolds me for keeping his daughter out late on a school night.”

“So Jeff wants help with his peapod. That will be good.” Fred joined several others in setting the room back to rights. “This won’t take but a minute. Hey, Amalia, you want a ride home? I can throw your bike in the back of the truck.”

“Thanks, but it is still light enough out.”

“Thank you all for your help cleaning up.” A few minutes later, Anne jangled her keys by the door. “See some of you in the morning.”

“And you start baking muffins at…?”