Lilly woke up bright and early that Saturday morning. She quickly dressed and decided to head downstairs and make a quick breakfast, as she could hear her mother helping Violet get ready. Lilly scrambled some eggs and poured herself a glass of orange juice before sitting down at the dining room table. Violet came bouncing down the stairs moments later, "Morning Lilly!" she said happily.
Lilly smiled, "Good morning, Violet!" she beamed happily.
"Did you make breakfast?" asked Violet, sitting down next to her older sister.
Lilly shook her head, "No, I only made breakfast for myself. I have to get over to Abigail's to help Becky with the breakfast crowd. Mommy should be down in a few minutes to make you breakfast."
"But I was hoping we could spend the day together," Violet pouted.
"I know you did, but I really have to help Becky today since Aunt Abigail and Pastor Frank are at Children's Hospital and Aunt Clara is home taking care of Seth," said Lilly. She looked at the time, "I have to go," she kissed Violet on the cheek, "I love you."
"Love you too," said Violet.
"Mom, Dad! I'm leaving for work!" Lilly called up the stairs.
Rosemary and Lee made their way down the stairs, both fully dressed, "Have a good day at work, Kiddo," Lee kissed her cheek.
"I love you, Lilly Bug," Rosemary kissed her as well.
"Mom, I'm seventeen! I'll be eighteen in October!" scolded Lilly.
"And you're still my little Lilly Bug, no matter how old you are," Rosemary placed her hands on her hips.
"Fine," Lilly huffed. She knew her mother, and she would usually argue until she had her way. She had noticed that the reason her parents' marriage worked so well was because Lee found all of Rosemary's annoying quirks endearing and usually just let her mother be, "I'll see you later tonight. I should be home for dinner because Clara promised to cover the dinner rush after Jesse gets home from Cape Fullerton and can watch the boys. Tell Aaron I said 'good morning'," Lilly went to leave before turning around again, "Mom, Dad?" Lee and Rosemary faced their oldest daughter, "Monday evening, William Thornton wanted to know if I wanted to have dinner at the saloon with him. I know I have to watch Violet in the morning, but Dad and Aaron will be home later that night and you should be back from Buxton by early evening," pleaded Lilly, "Please Mom, Dad! He's been away for twenty-six weeks!"
"Of course you can, Little Flower, as long as you're home by nine," smiled Rosemary.
"Thanks Mom," Lilly bounced in place and happily kissed both of her parents on the cheek, "Have a good day!"
Rosemary smiled and shook her head in amusement. She went to start breakfast for the rest of the family while Lee just stood in place, "Honey, what's wrong?" asked Rosemary.
"I think our little girl is going out on a date," said Lee.
"Oh Lee, that's preposterous! It's just two friends reconnecting," Rosemary waved her hand in the air.
"Really? Two friends, who happen to be the opposite sex, are just reconnecting?" Lee used air quotes to make his point.
"They've known each other since they were in diapers, Lee," reminded Rosemary.
"I know that, Rosie. But you are also thinking about it from the woman's perspective. Coming from the man's point of view, any time I asked you out to dinner, I had much more than just friendship on my mind, believe me," explained Lee.
Rosemary laughed, "I know. But that was your intention: to try to get me to court you. I know William; he is an honorable young man just like his father. If he had the idea of courtship on his mind, he would come to you and ask for your permission to court Lillian."
Lee sighed, knowing his wife was probably right in this case, "Alright," he said, "I'm going to go wake Aaron. You know that boy will sleep until noon if he's given the chance."
Rosemary nodded and then turned to find that Violet had been intently listening to the whole conversation. Rosemary pointed her finger at her daughter and said, "Everything you heard stays in this room and you don't tell your brother, your sister, or anyone else. Understand?"
Violet tilted her head, "On one condition."
Rosemary took a deep breath, "What?"
"I get a larger helping of dessert than Lilly and Aaron for the next week," said Violet.
Rosemary had absolutely no idea whether Violet's bargaining skills came from Lee's business savvy or her stubbornness, but she knew Violet always drove a hard deal most of the time, "Deal," Rosemary agreed, "Now what do you want for breakfast?"
Lilly arrived at the café and the crowds were already fairly intense, "Lilly, thank goodness," said Becky, handing Lilly her apron and the coffee pot, "Could you go around and refill drinks. The tea kettle is in the back. I really have to start getting orders out."
"Sure, no problem," said Lilly. She went around and refilled the customers' drink orders when she came across William sitting by the window, "How are you doing, Constable Thornton?" she smirked.
William jumped a little, but then turned around and smiled, "Hi Lilly."
"So, how's it feel to be back?" asked Lilly, sitting down across from William.
"Well, I've missed Aunt Abigail's home-cooking. Mom's, not so much," he grinned, taking a sip of his coffee and a bite of his chocolate chip pancakes, "How about you? You mentioned yesterday that you're still figuring out your next step in life."
"Yeah," Lilly sighed, "Seems like I'm the only one who doesn't know what I want to do right now. I mean, you followed in Uncle Jack's footsteps, Aaron is more than ready to take over the saw mill after Dad retires, and Violet is going on and on about how she's going to be a Broadway actress just like Mommy," Lilly imitated Violet's tone and William chuckled, "I mean, I don't mind working here, but I don't think waitressing is my passion. Not the way being a Mountie is to you and Uncle Jack, being a teacher is to Aunt Elizabeth, being a pastor is Pastor Frank, owning a business is to Dad, or being an actress is to Mom."
"You'll find it," William grabbed her hand. Lilly almost pulled it away, but something made her stop herself.
Lilly squeezed William's hand and said, "Oh, Mom and Dad said it was okay for me to have dinner at the saloon with you on Monday!"
"Good," William nodded, "What time?"
"Well, Dad normally gets home from work at five and Mom should be back from Buxton by then. I'll have to have time to get ready so 6:00?"
"Better make it 6:30. You'll need a full hour to get ready," William joked.
"William Thornton, what is that supposed to mean?" asked Lilly.
Becky angrily stormed over to the table, "Lillian Coulter!" William and Lilly looked up at her, "There are other customers waiting for their coffee and tea!"
"Yes sorry! Right away!" Lilly quickly stood and grabbed the coffee pot and the tea kettle.
"And then maybe you could wash some dishes," instructed Becky.
"Mmhm," nodded Lilly and Becky walked away from the pair. Lilly rolled her eyes and blew a breath, "Save me!" she mouthed to William before going over to the Cantrell family's table. William couldn't help but laugh.