Page 53 of Dreaming of Dawson

“Did I say something amusing?” Aunt Bernie asks, and I do my best to look serious again.

“Not at all. I was just thinking how nice these pancakes are.”

She frowns, and I know she doesn’t believe me.

“Sure,” she says, sipping her coffee and raising her eyebrows at me.

I’m not about to reveal my innermost secrets. Aside from anything else, that voice in my head is still screaming at me, so even if Dawson makes me laugh, and cry, and everything in between, I can’t block out the noise.

I’m going to be late for work, but I’m sure Peony won’t mind, and once I’ve finished my pancakes and drunk my coffee, I put on my boots and head off, pulling on a hat and a pair of gloves this time.

“Take care,” Aunt Bernie calls out, and I give her a wave.

Despite the cold, and the slightly icy road surface, it’s lovely outside. There’s very little traffic, and everyone that passes drives slowly, most of the drivers giving me a nod or a wave.There’s a freshness in the air, and although it sounds bizarre, I wish I’d worn my sunglasses. The snow is really bright in the morning sunshine, even if it doesn’t look like melting anytime soon.

The track to the farmhouse has been cleared, which is a relief, and I let myself in, like I usually do, surprised when Peony jumps up from the table.

“You’re here?” she says. “I didn’t think you’d make it.”

“I’d have called if I wasn’t going to.” I take off my hat and gloves, followed by my scarf. “Although I’m relieved the track was clear. I wasn’t looking forward to walking up it, even with my boots on.”

She smiles. “It was Simeon’s first job of the morning. Luckily, he could use the tractor, rather than doing it by hand, or he’d still be out there.”

“Has Ryan gone to work?” I ask, shrugging off my coat and hooking it up.

“Yeah. He left as soon as the track was clear. He wasn’t sure how many people were gonna make it in to the office, and someone has to be there.”

“It’s his company, I guess, so…”

“Exactly,” she says. “Do you want a coffee?”

“I’d love one.”

She nods, going into the kitchen. “Rory woke up at five this morning, which I didn’t need,” she says, rolling her eyes, and I sense her desire for caffeine is probably greater than anything.

“Has he gone back to sleep?” I ask.

“Yeah, but that was a while ago now, so he’ll probably wake up again soon.”

I wander over and settle at the table. “Have Sophia Norris’s candles been shipped yet?” I ask.

“We had an email this morning. They’re on their way at last.”

“That’s good.”

She brings back cups of steaming coffee and resumes her seat beside me. “Cooper and Mallory came back with their final choices for the food they want. And they’ve selected their wines, too. So, we need to confirm it all back to Archer.”

“Okay. I can see to that.”

“And once that’s done, we can organize the menus and get them printed.”

“That’s fine.”

“I’ll need to…” She stops talking as we both hear a cry coming from the back of the house, and she shakes her head, getting to her feet. “I knew it was too good to last,” she says, although I notice she’s smiling.

While she’s gone, I get on with typing out the message to Archer. The menu Cooper and Mallory have chosen sounds delicious, and I can’t help wishing that part of this job involved a free invite to each of the weddings. This isn’t the first menu I’ve typed where I’ve found my mouth watering.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Peony says, coming back into the room. “Could you hold Rory while I fetch his milk?”

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