Page 44 of The Magical Tea Shop

“So you’ve noticed it? Hazard was never this breezy until recently.”

“Well, climate change,” said Malory.

It felt like more than that to Ivy. Like she was somehow to blame, but that was hardly a thought she could share with a woman she’d just met. Once away from Oleander House the wind quit gusting, and Ivy had no trouble controlling the car.

At Kaylee’s there was only a light breeze. They settled themselves at a Kelly-green picnic table on the outskirts. Malory was clearly aghast to discover the picnic seating, but Ivy didn’t hold that against her. Malory was dressed in an ankle-length full-skirted dress and kitten heels. Probably not the best attire for an outdoor burger stand. But Malory made it work, and Kaylee’s was an experience not to be missed. Ivy grabbed a paper menu, and Malory puzzled over it. With downturned lips, she said, “I’m not really a burger person.”

“Oh, they have lots of other choices. You don’t have to get a burger. But you do have to get a milkshake.”

That brow raised again, and Ivy resisted squirming. Really, Malory could have been a school principal or, no, wait, a librarian. Ivy could definitely picture Malory as an old-fashioned librarian, shushing wayward talkers in the stacks. After perusing the menu, she chose a simple green salad—no wonder she was so thin—while Ivy chose a burger with everything, fries, and her favorite raspberry cheesecake milkshake.

“I’m not at all sure I want a milkshake.”

“You do. You really, really do. You have to.”

At Malory’s clear disapproval that could rival even that of the looks the historical society gave her, Ivy added, “It’s required.”

“Fine, I’ll go with chocolate.”

That pleased Ivy. She wanted to like Malory, and you couldn’tnotlike someone who went with a chocolate milkshake.

“They do it the right way? With vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup?”

“Oh, yes, they do. Since you asked that, I know we’ll be friends for sure.”

Malory blinked in surprise.

Once situated with food, Ivy got Malory to share about her work. The woman adored her job, but the tours were the least of it. Malory was all about the acquisitions: following up leads on items suitable for the mansions, negotiating prices, arranging the shipping, paying to have items restored when they arrived in less than pristine condition. She thrived on overseeing the entire process. It was fascinating.

“Why are they searching for a new docent? Is it so you’ll have more time to work on what you love?”

Malory scowled. “I think it’s to replace me. Once the mansions are furnished, there’ll be less to do.”

“But won’t there be more visitors? A single person can’t do all the tours for all the mansions. That’s crazy. The historical society will need at least one docent per mansion and a staff to clean. They’ll need landscapers for the grounds. Someone will need to manage all that. The pillars have their own businesses, except for Hazel. They can’t manage it all by meeting once a week, let alone once a month.”

“Ha, tell them that. They think they can do it all. They have no idea of the amount of work required for their goals.” Malory shook her head.

“Well, I understand.”

“You’re not on the board. We need someone like you.”

“Like me?”

“Someone who listens. You would be great at managing a staff.”

“Oh, I don’t have a single employee. I’m not sure how to direct someone else’s work.”

“Listening is where it starts. You can’t be a good manager if you don’t listen.”

This was a different perspective than Holly’s, Ivy felt sure. “I suppose.”

“And, you could manage the board.”

“Do they need a manager?”

From Malory’s tight lips, it was clear she thought so. She took a long sip of chocolate shake through her straw, closed her eyes, and moaned. “This is amazing. I understand now why you brought me here. These are to die for.”

Ivy laughed. “My weakness.”

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