Boxed In(4)

“Has a nor’easter blown into harbor?” she asked.

Annie pushed her scarf off her head, her eyes scanning the booths. “We’re having a little race with the mayor. And it looks like we’ve won!”

“I knew it was a sure thing.” Alice’s eyes twinkled as her words came out in quick little bursts. “A Mustang will beat any car driven by a mayor with a reputation to protect.”

Annie glanced out the window. “He’s coming down the street. Quick! There’s a booth.” Peggy laughed as she took the food she was holding to a table of hungry sightseers. Annie and Alice slid into the left seat of the booth just as Ian entered the diner. The women simultaneously waved, waggling their fingers playfully.

Ian strode over to the booth. He stopped about a foot from the table and dropped down into a deep bow. “M’ladies, you have vanquished this humble public servant.”

“Have no fear, Sir Butler,” said Alice. “You will live to race, and lose, another day.”

“Be careful you don’t underestimate the mayor’s competitive spirit,” replied Annie, “or gumption, as we call it in Texas.”

Ian remained in his bow.

“It’s going to be difficult to drink coffee in that position,” Alice teased. “And Peggy’s coming.” Ian straightened and took his seat opposite the two women. Peggy filled the space he had vacated, setting a mug in front of each of them and pouring coffee.

“Annie, out with it now. How did John like the lobster boat?” Her blue eyes stared into Annie’s green ones as she tapped out a rhythm on the table with her free hand. Tiny lobsters had replaced the tiny flags that had decorated her nails in July. Peggy’s beautician sister, Mitzy, had outdone herself this month.

Annie resisted the urge to nudge Alice with her elbow. “LeeAnn could hardly drag John and his friends away from the boat—even for his very favorite birthday cake and cookies and cream ice cream! I was worried for a minute he would try to float it in the punch bowl and lay out the traps.”

“I told Wally that boat was a beauty, but he kept worrying about whether he had made it right or not.” Pride radiated from Peggy’s blue eyes. “Now, do you three want your usuals or are you going to change things up?”

“Apparently, I’m the only one who actually ate breakfast this morning. Coffee’s all I need,” answered Alice.

Annie reached over to check the menu sheet. Peggy nodded at Ian. “Mayor?”

“I got creative last week so I’ll have the usual.”

“If by creative you mean having rye toast instead of wheat, I guess that’s true.” Peggy winked at the two women and turned to Annie.

“Well, I’m going to need lots of energy today. I’ll have oatmeal with walnuts and raisins.” Annie raised her coffee mug to her lips. “What?” she asked as three pairs of expectant eyes settled on her.

“Energy for … another mystery?” Ian guessed.

“Definitely not! I have much too much to do without that. Uh, Peggy, I think Jeff is trying to get your attention.” Annie pointed her spoon toward the counter, where the owner was waving a spatula.

“Oh, blast! Fill me in when your food is ready.” Peggy bustled across the room to hang the two orders on the wheel and then refill coffee mugs at the tables.

Alice nudged Annie. “Go on.”

“Spending the week with LeeAnn and the twins was such a joy. As I told Peggy, John was so excited about his lobster boat and Joanna loved her doll and the matching sweaters, but most of all, we all enjoyed each other so much that—”

“You’re not moving back to Texas, are you?” Alice interrupted. “I know it sounds selfish, but I found my best friend after so long. It would be hard to see you go again.” Ian stayed silent, his intense gaze focused on the sugar dispenser.

Annie smiled. “What I was going to say is that I talked to LeeAnn again about the family coming to Stony Point for a visit. I think she’s warming to the idea.”

“Awesome! I’m so relieved,” Alice stirred her coffee a little too enthusiastically. Thin brown rivulets trickled down the side of the mug. “Of course, I’ve been wanting to meet your daughter and the twins. I feel like I already know them.”

“I’m thinking if I can put together some ideas of day trips and fun things to do, LeeAnn’s ‘maybe’ will grow up to a ‘definite.’ And of course, I want to have Grey Gables ready for their visit. There’s still much to be done to make it safe for the twins to explore.”

“I’ll help with Grey Gables,” Alice volunteered, “if Boots will let me in.”