“friends” crawling across the floor and raised her foot to step on him.
“No, Mama! No!” Levi dove for the spindle-legged creature and scooped him up. “There, I saved you from the wicked witch.”
“Levi!” She stomped her foot. “I am not a wicked witch. Now, take that thing outside.”
“But what about his family?”
“You can come back in and find them as well.”
“You promise not to squish ’em while I’m outside?”
“I promise.”
Levi scampered outside, and Lilly glanced around the room for any signs of the daddy longlegs—or Mr. Wiggles. Seeing nothing, she hurried back to the kitchen to stir the stew simmering on the stove. The men would be in for supper soon, but with Mr. Thorton already gone for the day, at least she wouldn’t have to apologize to Mr. Perrin.
Lilly opened the oven door, and a gust of hot air blasted her face. She grabbed the hem of her apron and used it to pull the pan of golden cornbread from the oven. The sweet aroma set her stomach growling, but she cut only one square to set aside for Levi’s supper. If there was enough left after the men ate, she’d enjoy a piece as well. If not, well, it wouldn’t be the first time she’d gone without.
“Lilly? You in there?” Marguerite Andrews called from the dining room. “Lilly?”
Lilly met her at the counter. “And it’s a good thing it’s only me, the way you’re shouting like a banshee. What if Mr. Thorton was here?”
“Oh, he wouldn’t care. He loves you.” She pulled off her lacy gloves and set them down on the counter. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“Is it hairy with eight legs?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Never mind. What’s the surprise?”
Marguerite rounded the counter and took hold of Lilly’s arm. “Close your eyes.”
“Marguerite, I don’t have time for this nonsense.” Lilly stood firm. Why did her best friend always see life as a game?
“Don’t be so stubborn. Do as I ask and let me lead you to the door.”
“Why can’t I close my eyes after I get there?”
“Oh, all right.” Marguerite nudged her closer in the desired direction.
Once Lilly complied, the bell above the door jingled, and a cool breeze kissed her oven-warmed cheeks. She heard Levi along with Marguerite’s two children, Tate and Faith, fighting over some toy outside the diner. But it didn’t cover the sound of someone stepping onto the lunch counter’s stoop.
“Okay.” Marguerite laid her hands on Lilly’s shoulders. “You can open your eyes now.”
Lilly peeled her hands away and squealed, throwing her arms around Emily Stockton. “When did you get in?”
“This morning. I came to the lake as soon as I could get away from my aunts and my grandmother.”
Glancing at Marguerite, Lilly frowned. “And you knew she was coming all along?”
“Truthfully, no. I saw her on my way over here.”
Lilly captured her friend’s hands in her own and drew her inside the diner. “I heard your aunt Ethel was doing poorly. Is that why you’ve come home?”
“Partly.” Emily jostled the bundle in her arms. “And Carter didn’t think baby Kate and I should be traipsing around the country in a railcar all summer—even if it is a Pullman Palace car.”
“He’s right.” Lilly pulled the blanket away and smiled at the cherub-faced infant. “Now, let me get you some lemonade, and then Aunt Lilly wants to hold this little angel.”
“After Aunt Marguerite.” Marguerite slipped the baby from Emily’s arms and smiled.
Lilly wagged a finger at her friend. “Marguerite Andrews, you’d better be ready to give me that baby the instant I get back.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll share her. Eventually.”
After Lilly returned with a pitcher of lemonade and three glasses, Marguerite passed Kate to her. “Is she three months old already?”
“Turned it yesterday.” Emily yawned. “Sorry. She doesn’t sleep through the night very well.”
“I remember poor Benjamin having to take