Page 36 of The Magical Tea Shop

“Really?” No one had made her that offer before.

“Sure, I’d love to hear whatever you have to say.” He leaned in just as the darkened streetlight popped into life, spotlighting them on the green. “Although…”

Something about the half smile that flitted over his face made her ask. “What?”

“Thank you for a memorable evening?”

It took her a moment to realize he was quoting back to her what she’d said to Kyle and Pedro. She snorted and covered her mouth with her hand, and then they were both laughing hard, bending at the waist, hands on knees, as they released the tension of the past few minutes.

“You’re pretty funny,” he said when their laughter died down. He stepped in close and she tilted her head up.

“Oh.” Ivy looked up into Darjeeling-brown eyes and lost herself a little.

Jaxon leaned in and she held her breath, anticipation rippling through her. Was this the moment? The moment of their first kiss? Time seemed to catch its breath as well. And then, Jaxon blinked, stepped back, and gave her a wry half smile. He took the leash and she let it go, his hand brushing hers, her skin tingling from his touch.

With a brisk nod he strode away, his little dog trotting at his side.

Had he been about to kiss her? What would a kiss from Jaxon have been like?

She stared after him as he turned the corner, Montgomery scampering to keep up.

Her heart still tripping at what almost had been, Ivy waved at Dina, now locking the diner door. Ivy crossed to her own shop. She needed a moment to process the evening’s events.

She flicked on the lights and set her clutch in the back. She wasn’t in the mood to go back to her stark apartment. With the exception of her little windowsill garden and clothes closet, nothing in her small apartment felt like her. When she started the tea shop, she poured everything she could into it. She had brought all her special dishes and table linens to the shop. All her little decoration doodads and bits of self were here.Thiswas home for her. Ivy pulled a chair down and flipped it upright. She sat. Elbows on the table and head in hands, she rubbed her eyes and took a minute to review her life.

She couldn’t help mentally rehashing her disastrous date. She had always considered Pedro a friend, yet he had clearly been annoyed she was on a date with Kyle. What was up with that? All the food he’d prepared was delicious, but if they hadn’t been sharing, she had a sneaking suspicion Kyle’s dinner would’ve been burnt to a crisp. The complimentary dessert for their table had been the epitome of mean. She hadn’t realized Pedro could be that mean. But maybe it was a guy thing. Kyle and Pedro had been friends all through school. Of course, he knew about the nut allergy. They’d all known about Kyle’s nut allergy. In elementary school, no one had been allowed to bring nut items to class parties. Ivy was just glad the fiasco was over, and Kyle was ok.

She needed a distraction from crazy dates. None of them cared who she really was. She was a symbol for what they craved, a vapid woman existing merely to fawn over their every word. Sure, she was a good listener, but she had ideas too. Only Jaxon valued her opinion.

Had she made a mistake baking the cookies? Jaxon had eaten none of them. She was now adored by half the male population of business owners and a teen. And, while her recent dates hadn’t made her curl her toes with anticipation, she had improved her business. Had the magic of Hazard done her a favor, or was it playing a cruel joke?

Why couldn’t she try again?

All the pillars had admonished her, declaring that baking more cookies was a horrendous idea, but was it, really? Another batch could provide a reset. Ithadbeen fun. Shedidlove to bake.

Maybe she could get it right this time.

Without giving herself a chance to second-guess, Ivy rose, walked straight to the cookie press, and lifted it from the wall. “I need you,” she said to it, knowing that talking to an inanimate object was irrational.

What she really needed was a reprieve from reality.

Her parents made their own reality, and they were happy. What she needed tonight was the belief that her situation would get better, that she would find true love. Just because none of her dates had been the right guy for her didn’t mean they weren’t ideal for someone. Roman would be great for a woman who flipped houses. Joel would be a hoot for a thespian. Kyle was perfect for a car enthusiast. Rob was perfect for—her mind went blank—a woman living in a flood zone?

Ivy took a breath to center herself and set about lovingly gathering ingredients. As calm replaced turmoil, she began to hum. She loved baking cookies. She thrived on baking these cookies.

Ivy filled her bowl with the dry ingredients and stirred, humming all the while. The tune from the last time came back to her, and she began to sing the blessing. As she warmed the butter and folded in the sugar, she pictured all the men from her dates one by one, and wished that each one would find his ideal match. Wind began to rise, buffeting the glass. A light smattering of rain joined in as an accompaniment. While she cracked the eggs, she imagined Jaxon as he’d gazed at her on the green. What would it have been like if he’d kissed her?

The raindrops grew bigger, plopping against the window as the wind blew them sideways. She loved hearing it; she found the sound comforting. Spring rains had always been a favorite. They brought new life and hope, and the ground flourished under them into green.

Vibrant green was her favorite color. Spring her favorite season. And rain on the eave above her door, her favorite sound.

Calm now, she set a kettle on to boil while she hummed. A pot of tea on a rainy night would be just the thing. Her sister preferred coffee. But that was too bitter, kind of like Holly.

She and her sister were different, yet not. They both started similar businesses. Their relationship, ever rocky, didn’t diminish their solid sibling bond. She loved her sister and was certain she was loved back, despite Holly’s competitive nature.

Ivy had never been a challenge to Holly before. Ivy wished they would be more congenial with each other, that Holly would take her side for once, have her back like she always had Holly’s. The wind kicked up, and a blast against the windowpane made her jump and catch her breath. The sideways rain and blasting wind created a percussive, rhythmic complement. Ivy raised her voice in song.Thou who loveth.This storm was messier than just wind, with its big splashy raindrops, messy like her relationship with Holly.Be blessed amongst us.If only they could be amiable with each other. The thought expanded into a wish she’d longed for all her life. She ached for a congenial relationship with her sister. And wouldn’t that be new and different? The words of the blessing tripped off her tongue.With breath bestoweth.Loving, blessed, not always at odds.Thy heart.

Ivy combined the wet and dry ingredients. She reached for the nutmeg, this time with certainty. Once the dough was in the refrigerated walk-in, Ivy studied her shop, the shared kitchen. What could she do to bless her sister?

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