The Potter's Daughter - A chapter each week - Complete Novel Available on Amazon

Chapter 7

The buckwheat batter sizzled into perfect round circles upon the hot skillet.  Caroline always made perfectly round pancakes.  As a child her parents took the family to the Lakeside Diner every Sunday after church.  The cook used the skillet to flip the cakes way up in the air astonishing all of the wide-eyed children in for Sunday breakfast.  She had to use a spatula to flip them, which frustrated her just a little.  Every time Caroline had tried to flip pancakes with the skillet they ended up hanging off the edge of the pan or landed on the stove.

The twins were singing along with a man in an animal suit on the television when Caroline called to them to get ready for breakfast.  Their song switched from the sing along to an assailing yell as they ran toward the kitchen to reap the strawberry jam and maple syrup that would be covering the silver dollar pancakes their mother had made for them.

Andrew and Lily climbed onto the stools at the island counter and, paying no attention to their small forks, began eating the little stacks on their plates.

“Pancakes, how yummy!” said Mitch as he walked into the kitchen with Brian.

“Have some.  There’s plenty,” said Caroline.  She handed Mitch a small plate and gestured toward the platter stacked with the silver dollars.

“Thanks Mom.  Don’t mind if I do,” Mitch took the plate and sat down on the end stool next to the twins.

“You threw a great party last night,” said Mitch to Caroline as she handed Brian a plate.

“We were so glad you came,” said Caroline.  She put the mixing bowl into the dishwasher.  “What did you think?”

“About the plans for the Walker house?  Well Brian just showed them to me and I think they are amazing as always, but the material costs are going to go way up.”

Caroline cut him off, “-- No, not about that.”

“What do I think about what?”

“Oh never mind.”  Caroline frowned.  “Hey are you going up to the Johansson house this morning?”

“Sure am, why?”

“Would you mind dropping something off for me?” asked Caroline.

“No not at all.”

Brian’s eyes met with Caroline as she walked into the other room.  She scrunched her nose at him and grinned.

A moment later Caroline came back holding a paper bag, “Could you please drop these at the Bellen house?  It would be a big favor.  Abby forgot these and I want to get them to her along with some food for her and her Dad.”

“For Abby eh?  Well I guess.”

“Thanks Mitch, I would really appreciate it.  I have to get the twins ready for school and need to express mail those papers to the Walkers and--,”

“-- Ok, ok no worries.  I have to run to the garage first but I can drop the bag off after that.”

* * * * *

Abby heard the whistle of the teakettle.  She pulled her sweater over her head and walked into the kitchen.  She was startled to see someone standing on the porch.  The shadow could not be Will because she had just seen him out by the lake.  A soft knock came on the door and Abby peered through the light lace curtain.  Mitch was standing on the porch in a dark brown Carhart jacket and bibs.  He held a ruffled brown paper bag under his arm and was gently knocking with two coffees stacked in his hand.  Abby opened the door with her usual ‘always happy to see you’ smile.

“Hi there,” said Abby.  She sincerely was happy to see him.

“Hey there,” said Mitch.  “I’m sorry to bother you.”  He offered her the paper bag adding, “Caroline asked to me drop this off.”

“Thanks.”

“No bother at all.”

Mitch peered past her to the whistling kitchen.

“Oh,” Abby glanced over her shoulder, “I was just about to have a cup of tea.  Would you like one?”

Mitch smiled and gestured toward the two coffees that he held in his hand.  “Right,” said Abby.  “Well come on in then.”

“It’s no problem?” asked Mitch.

“Don’t be silly.”

  Abby opened the door farther and waved her arm back into the kitchen.

“Well here is the kitchen.  Let me take your jacket and have seat at the table,” said Abby.  She hung Mitch's jacket on one of the hooks by the door then took the kettle from the stove.

Mitch raised a coffee cup toward the painting above the table, “That painting really captures the morning view of the lake.”

Abby paused and gazed at the painting, “The lake is lovely with the sun shining down on the surface.”  She then returned to the counter to prepare the tea.

“That's pretty much the way the lake is right now.  It's a beautiful day out there,” said Mitch.

“That is something I do miss about being out here.”

Abby stood at the counter for a moment then removed the steeped bags.  She brought two cups of Earl Grey tea to the table and set one in front of Mitch.

“You have to try this.  I am sure the coffee is getting cold by now.”

“It is,” said Mitch.  He actually had just bought the coffee at Lakeside Diner before coming over.

Mitch tasted the tea, “Its delicious.”

“It’s because of the honey.  I mixed it in with the milk.”

“Is this honey from Mr. Wilkin’s hives?”

Abby nodded, “A local treasure.”

“It is indeed local treasure,” said Mitch.  He pushed the bag forward, “So Caroline sent these.”

“Alas, the package.  What’s in there?”

“Your skates, some food from the party.  Caroline said to drop it by, so…”

 “Mission accomplished.  My skates.  Nice.  Thank you so much.”

Abby took the bag from Mitch.  She put the food containers on the table and placed the skates on the floor.  Abby had not needed the skates at all still she truly appreciated Mitch dropping them off and was truly enjoying his company.

Mitch asked Abby about working at the museum.  She told him about her job and the chance of the promotion.  Mitch in turn told her about working with Caroline and Brian.  Like old friends their conversation flowed easy and time flew quickly.  The teacups emptied and neither minded.

* * * * *