Page 70 of The Magical Tea Shop

“That’s right.”

“Hmm.”

“But it didn’t work.”

“No?”

“Because you never ate them, not one single cookie, not one single crumb.”

“Let me be honest, now. I was upset by that.”

“By me trying to trick you?”

He shook his head. “I wanted to eat your cookies. They smelled amazing, but when I didn’t get any, it wasn’t important. The cookies aren’t important.”

“They are.”

“Oh, Ivy, don’t you realize? I may not believe in magic cookies, but even if you do, I didn’t need to eat a cookie to fall in love with you. I love it here in Hazard now because you’re here, and the community bands together to take care of its own. But I didn’t need the magic of Hazard to fall in love with you.”

Ivy blinked and stared at Jaxon in amazement. He had called it exactly right. “We didn’t need the magic of Hazard to fall in love.” Ivy breathed the words with a kind of wonder.

Jaxon shook his head. “I was completely charmed by you the very first time we met. The day you signed the lease for your tea shop, and shared your dreams for the space, I was enchanted by everything about you. And, later, when I stepped into your cozy tea shop, I was home because you were there. You make my world complete. I didn’t need magic to fall in love with you. Not the magic of baked goods, not the magic of cookie presses, not even the magic of Hazard.”

“Hazard is pretty great.”

“But that’s because of you. It’s you, Ivy, just you. I am charmed by you.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ivy caught herbreath. Sunlight cascaded in the windows, brightening her shop and her heart as Jaxon turned and walked backwards to wave as he passed on his way to take Montgomery out on their morning jaunt. She knew he would stop in for a blueberry scone and his favorite Earl Grey, hot, before he headed to Langford Architectural Enterprise to work on his new project for the Hazard Inn.

She let out a little sigh, wishing she could put her arms around him like she had earlier and…

“Focus,” said a voice behind her.

Ivy jumped and blinked twice to bring herself back to reality.

“You have work to do. Remember, you have a long day ahead of you. You need to clean up for me today.”

Ivy spun around to confront her sister. “I do not. In case you didn’t notice, I am in a committed relationship.” She waved toward her man and his dog circling the town green. The statue of Edwin Hazard, founder, rose up amidst the surrounding maple trees swaying in what was now a constant breeze. Ivy loved that it was never still, that magic swirled all around the community endlessly. It was her own secret contribution to a community that couldn’t get enough of her scones, cookies, and special tea blends.

Holly rolled her eyes and bobbed her head from side to side. “Yes, everyone knows Ivette Wayland is in a committed relationship with Jaxon Langford.”

“Which means you can clean up for me.” Ivy gave a pleased little jump, ponytail bouncing, as she set about preparing a tea tray for the four pillars gathering at their usual table. She had started putting a reserved sign on their table so that it would be available just for them.

Holly shook her head. “I ran all the tea shop’s receipts from April and May, and the Ivy Way Tea Shop only improved its business 29.9%.” Holly handed over a stack of spreadsheets she had printed out as proof, along with a broom. “You should start practicing.”

Ivy stopped arranging pastries and put her hands on her hips. “You should round up.”

“You should own up to your obligations.”

Ivy opened her mouth to retort and closed it. She picked up the silver tea tray to carry out to her favorite customers. “You know what, you’re right. I’ll clean up your bakery mess all through June.”

“You will?” Holly blinked at her sister.

Ivy nodded. She could be magnanimous. She had Jaxon. And Jaxon had her. Life was wondrous and astounding. But first: “Holly, I do have a favor to ask you before you head back to the bakery.”

“Ha, here it comes. I knew you would try to get out of it.”

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