“A baby bird. Looper found it. Can I have a napkin to wrap it in? At least we can keep it warm.”

“Hey, Paula,” Anne called to a woman seated at a table in the corner, “your daughter takes in orphan animals, doesn’t she? Think she’d take on a not-even-near-fledgling bird?”

“What day is it?”

“Wednesday.”

Paula came over and looked at the nestling. “I hate to tell you but I seriously doubt that baby bird can be saved. She’s in class. I’ll leave her a message.”

“Do you have a box we can nest it in?” MJ asked.

“Do we have boxes? We always have boxes. I’ll get you one.” Anne returned with a small box and a couple of napkins.

MJ took it. “We can put it near the oven to keep it warm.”

Anne rolled her eyes. “The health department does an inspection and we’re toast.”

Paula assured her, “I’m sure Lacey will stop on her way home and pick it up. I’ll bribe her with a latte.”

“The things we do for our friends.” Anne handed Roxie her latte. “Any rolls or…?”

“Cinnamon buns are tomorrow, right?”

“And orange glory on Friday. I could make you cinnamon toast on bread Gary baked last night.”

MJ blew out a puff. “And here I thought I was going to get by with just a latte.” They took their coffee to their usual table under the big painting of a woman wearing a red dress. “So, when you informed people that the morning group is meeting tomorrow, did any say they were coming?”

Roxie nodded. “A few. I didn’t keep track, but enough, I think. Perhaps we should try to at least get it started.”

Anne delivered the cinnamon toast, a serving for each of them. They both inhaled deeply, letting the wonderful aroma caress them.

MJ took a bite and paused, savoring. “I was planning on it. You heard from Amalia?”

“Ginny wants to sleep all the time or at least hide out in bed.”

MJ shrugged. “Can’t say as I blame her, but not healthy after a while.”

“I guess Sam and family come home tomorrow, and he told Amalia that now that school is out, they’ll take over. I think she’d rather go to the daytime group.”

“Mm-hmm.” MJ sipped her latte. “If we both go…”

“I think the little bird is gone.” Anne handed back the box.

“Well, we tried.” Roxie shook her head. “I remember Loren crying for hours when some creature she tried to save would die. Each one had a funeral service and burial in the backyard. She has always been so tenderhearted.”

“Takes after her mother.” MJ said it in a kindly way.

“Hey, did you find yourself working on your project or at least wanting to this week?” Anne finished with another customer and came over to the table. “I see the toast did not last long.”

“How could it? Like eating a memory. My mother used to make cinnamon toast for us,” MJ replied. “Regarding the project I brought—yes, and I put the latch hook rug up on the coffee table in the family room. Anyone who sits on the sofa has to latch hook a few stitches. I have been doing a row every morning while Daryl has the news on.” She half shrugged, her head tipping slightly. “Strange, isn’t it? You, Roxie?”