Page 24 of The Magical Tea Shop

“Oh, Seymour.” Ivy tossed her ponytail. “You really believe in fate?”

“You believe in magic. How is that different?” He blinked owlishly through his spectacles. “You never know what hand fate may deal. Look at me. My lady love was from a rival high school, and we had forty-four extraordinary years together, along with three children and now six grandkids. I couldn’t be happier with the turn of my luck. Well, except”—Seymour got a faraway look in his eyes that hinted at cherished memories of lingering walks and laughter—“I could have enjoyed more years with my Margot.”

“That’s lovely.”

He gave a soft sigh. “Margot helped me start these stores. Her ideas and my dedication built our dreams.”

What would that be like? A lifetime of comradery and visions realized?Ivy pinched her lips together in thought. “So, you really don’t think I should bake another batch?”

Seymour shook his head. “You could disturb the balance of the cosmos.” He waved both hands in the air around his head to signify the universe. “And then what might happen?”

I might succeed, thought Ivy.This time, I might get it right.

“But don’t take my opinion,” Seymour added. “Check with your aunt. She knows the history of the cookie press best.”

Ivy pursed her lips. “I think I’ll do that.” Because if anyone was likely to agree she should make a second attempt, it was Lydia LaFleur.

*

“Definitely not!”

Ivy jumped at her aunt’s bellow. To her surprise, her aunt was echoing exactly what Seymour had said.

She struggled to keep her cajoling tone in check. “It’ll be fun. You love fun.”

Lydia gave a vehement headshake. She spun abruptly and stepped into the refrigerated section of her flower shop. She glanced over her shoulder, motioned to Ivy, and pointed to an impressive container of blue hydrangeas, then at an overflowing container of pink peonies. “Choose.”

Ivy pursed her lips in thought. “What’s the occasion?”

“Baby shower.”

“Not a gender reveal?”

“They want to be surprised.”

“Oh, well, both.”

Lydia grinned. “I like the way your mind works.”

“So, youdothink I should make another batch of cookies.”

Lydia leaned around the tall flowers to frown at her. She waggled a free finger and almost dropped the bucket of peonies. Water splashed. Ivy dashed forward just in time to catch the peony bucket, and used her other hand to steady the hydrangeas.

“Trust in fate. Hazard knows best,” said her aunt.

Ivy eased down the plastic, green bucket she was now gripping onto the counter. “Poppycock.”

Lydia blinked and grabbed a paring knife. Hiding a smile, she pointed the knife at Ivy. “Stop trying to sound like me. It will not sway my opinion.” She began slashing at the flower stems in a practiced motion to give them a fresh cut. “The cookies worked. Your business is on the rise. Jaxon gave your cookies away, child. Clearly, he’s not interested. It must be acknowledged. The man’s still in love with his dead wife.”

“That’s an awful thing to say.” Ivy moved the waste can to catch the flying bits of slashed stems.

“Yes, it is, and I would not say it tohim. But Icansay it to you. Consider all your brilliant possibilities.” Lydia motioned at the flowers. “You have an entire garden of men to choose from.”

Ivy began to collect up items she knew her aunt would need to create the one-of-a-kind floral arrangements she was celebrated for. Ivy chose a bucket of ostrich fern and another of baby’s breath, because of course you need baby’s breath for a baby shower. “Is the couple married?”

Lydia shook her head.

Ivy added bachelor’s button, and, for that unexpected touch, cosmos, no doubt inspired by her conversation with Seymour.

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