Boxed In(5)

The whirlwind that was Peggy set food in front of Annie and Ian. “So what did I miss?”

“Plans for a visit from Annie’s daughter and grandkids,” answered Alice.

“That sounds like so much fun. Do you think your granddaughter would like to meet Emily?” Peggy spoke at top speed before her boss could notice her lingering.

“I think they could be great friends.” Annie smiled. “Though I hope they don’t get into as much mischief as Alice and I did on my visits!”

“What’s life without a little mischief?” Peggy asked before she whirled on to another booth.

“Annie, I’d be glad to help you with ideas for ways your family can enjoy our town and state.” No longer contemplating the sugar, Ian’s smile had returned. “How about a whale-watch tour on a real lobster boat? Do you know when they are most likely to visit?”

“John would flip, Ian! The twins are starting school this fall. That would make Thanksgiving break the most likely time for a visit.” Annie sprinkled a little cinnamon onto her oatmeal and took a bite.

“Hmmmm, whale-watch season goes until the end of October. By Thanksgiving, it’s pretty miserable out there.” Ian paused for a moment. “But I bet the Maine Maritime Museum would capture his imagination.”

“Oh, that sounds perfect. Where is it?” Annie set down her spoon to pull a small notebook and a pen out of her purse.

“In Bath, just one county over. It would be an easy day trip with plenty of time to enjoy the town,” Ian answered. “I’m surprised you and Alice haven’t been there yet.”

“Hey, I do have to work occasionally,” Alice defended herself.

“Yes, you do,” said Ian. “Your Princessa and Divine Décor businesses help keep our town a charming place to live and visit.”

“I’ll have to make sure it’s open Thanksgiving week,” Annie said as she wrote down the name and location of the museum.

“It’s only closed on Thanksgiving Day, and all of you will be in town that day for the Stony Point Community Thanksgiving Dessert, won’t you?” asked Ian.

“Your grandkids will go nuts over all the dessert choices,” said Alice. “Most families feast in early afternoon to make sure they can sample several by seven p.m.” She picked up her coffee mug and took a sip.

“I have some brochures from the Maritime Museum at the office. Come by and pick one up before you and Alice leave town.” Ian took the final bite of his toast. “I’d better get to the office, as pleasant as this start to my day has been.”

Alice winked at Annie. “Mr. Mayor, don’t forget to give Peggy a nice tip.”

“I always pay my debts,” Ian grinned as he slid out of the booth. “Ladies.” He gave another bow, shorter this time, and went to the register to pay his bill. As he walked past them on his way to the door, Alice and Annie gave him the same wave they had when he had first walked in.

“That was fun,” Annie said before taking another spoonful of her oatmeal.

“You know, Ian seemed a little out of sorts while you were in Texas.” Alice moved over to the empty side of the booth.

“You have an overactive imagination, Alice,” Annie said. “I’m sure he wasn’t any different at all.”

“Actually, Alice is telling the truth,” Peggy announced as she topped off the remaining coffee mugs and picked up Ian’s mostly empty plate. “I didn’t think he’d ever get over Arianna when she died. But now …”

“You two are starting to scare me.” Annie pushed the last dollops of oatmeal around the bowl. “I spent the past week in the home I shared with Wayne for more than two decades. The thought of giving my heart to any man again makes me numb—terror-numb.”

For once Peggy only nodded. Alice reached across the table to pat Annie’s hand.

“I appreciate Ian’s friendship, and I know I can rely on him if I need help. But that’s as far as my feelings go, and I plan to keep it that way.” Annie slid her bowl toward Peggy. “We better start on our errands, Alice. Peggy, what do we owe?”

“Nothing. Your friend paid the whole bill.” Peggy grinned.

“If he’s trying to soften me up for our next race, it won’t work.” Alice tossed her auburn hair behind her shoulders. “But I might just vote to re-elect him. See you at the meeting tomorrow, Peggy.”

“If I can get away, you know you will.” Peggy, a quilter, tried to take her morning break at the diner so that it coincided with Hook and Needle Club meetings each Tuesday at A Stitch In Time, the local needlecraft shop.