PEONIES IN THE MORNING

Picking up her pace, Audrey found the warm early September breeze making her hungrier, but knowing her friend Ingrid, there was no need to hurry. Even on foot, Audrey would probably make it to the Cottage Cove Café faster than her friend who always drove around town looking for any 'on the way' garage or yard sales. Coming up on the al fresco dining area, Audrey saw there were several parties. Each seemingly talking and laughing easily. Audrey recognized several of the diners, as they enjoyed their meals at wrought iron table sets. Bunches of wildflowers grew at the Cafe's patio where Monarch butterflies danced from one delicate bloom to the next. She smiled as guests enjoyed side salads, and fresh blueberry lemonades for starters. The day’s air seemed to be sweeter as a late blooming honeysuckle vine wafted in from a nearby garden. “Dawn how are you today?” Audrey asked one of the owners over a cacophony of happy chatter and clinking glasses. “Busy as ever. But not too busy to ask you the same. How are things going?” she asked grabbing two menus while walking Audrey over to her favorite table. “I’m well,” she said as she took off her shawl and placed it on one of the empty hooks nearby. “Ingrid’s supposed to be meeting me here, eventually. But I guess you knew that,” she said over a band playing near the open French doors of the patio. “Ah, here you are Audrey! I hoped I wasn’t too late! Dawn, my dear, be a dear and put my jacket away. Guess what I found Audrey? You won’t believe it! I knew that you’d look great in this color,” she said holding up a colorful shawl for Audrey’s inspection. “It looks great, but not on me. It’s more your style.” “But I got one for me Audrey, see?” she said holding up the colorful and chic Parisian knock off. “I know you’ve not been into colors since, well, forever” she said pursing her lips, “promise me you’ll wear it a couple times before sending it along to your daughter?” Looking at the vibrant garment, she nodded. “Why in heaven’s name are we sitting all the way in the back?” Ingrid asked. You know I hate being near the kitchen. What about another table? Perhaps near the band?" "Ingrid, you know I hate sitting where what you and your husband call the best seat in the house. You know my ears hurt when I’m too close to the band. Besides, the view’s good here. Don’t you think?” Looking around, Ingrid snapped her cloth napkin before placing it in her lap and then smoothing the wrinkles out. “Maybe you’re right, but I tell you, you really need to live a little more Audrey. That’s what I think.” “Anyway. Girl, it looks like it’s going to be another busy evening at the Cafe,” Audrey said. “It does doesn't it?” Ingrid said getting out her compact and dabbing her brown skin. “Dawn, you guys must be having a party and didn’t invite us,” she said to her niece as Dawn brought back a basket of fresh from the oven, buttermilk biscuits and her signature blackberry jam. “Just because I’m co-owner of the Cafe, you think I know everything?” she laughed thanking a customer after giving him his take-out order. “Everything ok for you two otherwise?” “It’s great Dawn. Ingrid wanted to sit closer to the band. You know how she is. And that's probably why she keeps staring at me every time I ask her a simple question. You can't hear me half the time,” Audrey said pointing to her ear then laughing as she raised her voice for emphasis. Grinning at her long-time guests, Dawn said, “Some bus came through town, before you two got in. They’d called ahead. Said they would be coming by for dinner,” she said pouring a round of ice waters. “Sorry, but I think those seats up front are taken anyway.” “No problem. By the way, I love your wildflowers out front. They’re really blossoming, even this late in the season,” Audrey said.