Page 59 of The Magical Tea Shop

Ivy’s head was spinning by the time Malory hastened out to greet them and direct them where to set up. Ivy trailed behind the two of them through the mansion, taking in the lovely décor. Holly didn’t spare it a glance, but Ivy paused to soak it in.

She stopped in front of the china cabinet as she passed and noted that some of the larger serving platters had been removed. Had Malory set them out to use? Ivy clapped her hands a little in an imitation of her aunt Lydia. She hurried to catch up and was delighted by her first glimpse of the courtyard. It wasn’t fully enclosed, but the coach house and towering oleanders in the back made it feel protected, cozy, and a world apart. The coach house was open, displaying an antique carriage. Really, where did Malory find all these items? With the coach house to the east, it sheltered them from most of the wind coming off the coast.

The landscaping was flawless, but with Malory in charge the gardeners had likely been doubly inspired to perfection. The oleanders in the courtyard concerned Ivy. Green lawns edged by blue hydrangeas in full bloom beside an abundance of pink and yellow long-stemmed rosebushes, though, were lovely. Long tables were covered in white linen tablecloths with the china platters set out.

“Oh, I’ll set the baked goods on the platters,” Ivy volunteered. She gave a little pleased jump at the thought. First, she set out her souvenir tea packets with her Georgian Colonial blend. Next, she chose the two prettiest platters to display her sweet and savory items and arranged the pastries in their sleeves to the side for guests to take. Seeing Ivy’s approach, Holly did the same.

Ivy was almost afraid to turn and see Holly’s cookies pressed with the floral design she had become so familiar with, but she had to know. Bravely, she primed herself to look. She blinked. “What’s this?” She waved a hand at Holly’s oversized cookies.

“Aren’t they splendid?” The four-inch diameter cookies were pressed with the words Hollister’s Bakery in swirling calligraphic script. “I had my own cookie press designed. It’s better since it advertises while also being pretty, and it’s easy to read. See, you can learn from me. You don’t have to always use some old antique. You can modernize and market your business. Make a note.”

“Yes, it’s very clever. You’re so clever, Holly. What a great idea.” Ivy let out a relieved breath. Her stomach untwisted, knowing the antique cookie press was safe, that magic cookies were not being indiscriminately passed out to the Hazard community.

Again.

Ivy had never intended for that to happen. That had been all Jaxon. This time, she was being careful. Her magic cookies were safely locked up in her shop, waiting for a perfectly controlled opportunity to share them with Jaxon.

No more mistakes.

Ivy crossed her fingers and smiled. She reached into the bottom of the large plastic bin with her items and caught her breath.

No, no, no, it couldn’t be.

She knew what she was seeing.

The magic cookies in their plain white box tied with her signature green ribbon stared back up at her.

Holly had brought them along, or one of her employees had. It absolutely didn’t matter how they got here. Ivy knew she couldn’t serve them at this event. They needed to go back to her shop—now. Maybe she could slip away and drive them back.

Except she didn’t have her own car. And she couldn’t explain it to Holly.

“Hand those to me. I’ll put them out.” Holly took hold of the white bakery box. Ivy gripped it tight. A tug of war ensued.

“What is wrong with you?” said Holly.

“These aren’t for today,” Ivy hissed.

“They’re cookies, right? I can see through the clear part. They won’t keep. I know you didn’t bake them last night. The box is cool, and cookies are only good for a few days.”

“Well, maybe they’re too old, then.”

“If they’re not fit to serve, I’ll toss them.”

Ivy couldn’t bear the thought. “It isn’t that. Please, Holly, these cookies shouldn’t have come. Don’t be difficult.”

“Fine, put them in the van.” Holly sniffed, pulled her keys from her pocket, and dangled them in Ivy’s face.

Ivy hesitated. She could lock the cookies in the van, but Holly would want her keys back, leaving the cookies out of Ivy’s direct control. “I’ll just tuck them away—somewhere. She glanced about wildly. Where could she store them that was safe?

She couldn’t put them under the tables on the grass. They might get ruined. She didn’t dare set them on a table. They might get eaten. The coach house, maybe. She could hide them.

Malory plucked the box away from both of them. “If they aren’t for the event, I’ll place them in the kitchen hutch. How’s that? No one would presume to remove them. Guests won’t be in the kitchen. Honestly.” With an eye roll, Malory took the cookies. Ivy could hardly go running after her without looking ridiculous. Holly was already staring.

She tried nonchalance. “Okeydokey.”

“Is it?” Holly’s eyes narrowed in speculation.

“Of course.”

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