Page 60 of The Magical Tea Shop

But Holly wasn’t having it. “What’s really going on? Spill, little sis.”

“Nothing to spill. I made those for”—Ivy decided she might as well be honest—“Jaxon.”

“Tell me you’re not still stalking our intrepid landlord.”

“Not stalking, really, Holly!”

“You know he’s not right for you. Oh, he looks good and all that, but he doesn’t have any staying power.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Holly tightened her lips and turned away.

But this time, Ivy was having none of it. She grabbed Holly’s arm and tugged until her sister spun back to face her. “You spill.”

“Doesn’t matter,” mumbled Holly, not meeting her eyes.

The four pillars arrived together then, in their way, requiring everyone’s immediate notice. Seymour loped into the courtyard from the back, voice raised in disagreement with Aunt Lydia, who rushed in her brusque, take-charge way while Marjorie fluttered about trying to mediate. Hazel was teetering, and Ivy rushed to lend a hand to the president of the Hazard Historical Society. She knew Holly was hiding something, but Holly knowing secrets about Jaxon made zero sense and would have to be unraveled later.

Somehow, in the midst of getting everything situated, Holly wound up serving at the punch table with Ivy clear across the courtyard at the champagne table filling glasses and setting them out for the arriving guests. She’d need to pump Holly for information about Jaxon later.

Ivy passed out champagne flutes to members of the community, making small talk. She was pleased to see so many of the merchants on the square. Cece, her hair bleached a dark orange today and styled in cornrows, arrived with her looming husband Dart, bringing along Kate Mayfield, the new owner of the Hazard Inn. Ivy greeted Toby and Mackenna, who showed up with her rival from the chocolate shop Celestina’s across the square. Celeste had a competitive gleam in her eye as she scrutinized the baked goods in the sleeves advertising their businesses.

A musical quartet played fife and drums in lively historical tunes, and the guests applauded. The downstairs was opened for guests to wander through the rooms and see what they were supporting.

Ivy had just relaxed into her role when she glanced up to find Jaxon across from her.

“May I?” he asked.

Her heart pounded. He was here and looking so—Jaxon. Her mind flitted to the cookies stashed in the kitchen, but she shook her head slightly. This was not the time. Too many variables. Knowing Jaxon, he’d offer them around to everyone.

“No?” He gave her a wry smile. “I can’t have any champagne.”

“What, oh, of course you can.” She handed him a glass and their fingers touched, sending a little thrill through her. Jaxon was all dressed up today, very debonair in a suit coat with a tie and jeans. Well, not too dressed up, more casual formal.

He shrugged. “I never know what to wear to these events. Will you join me?” Jaxon motioned over one of the servers circling with trays of empties. “Can you take over for a moment here, so Ivy can enjoy the event?” He took her hand in his, drawing her away. He tucked her hand into his arm. They fell into step easily, enjoying the garden around them, stopping to chat with other guests, a few of them visitors to the area, several from neighboring Newport. The wind began to kick up, churning the bushes around them. She and Jaxon moved into the shade. At a strong gust shaking the shrubbery, a piece of oleander twig fell into his champagne glass. As he raised his glass to his lips, Ivy dashed it from his hand, the glass shattering on the bark-lined path.

At his shocked expression, Ivy hastened to explain. “The oleander, it fell…” Malory was there immediately with a server to clean it up along with reproachful frowns for Ivy.

“It was the oleander. I couldn’t let him drink it.”

Malory was all business, but Ivy could tell she was irked at the broken glassware.

Jaxon drew her away from Malory’s ire to whisk her inside. “Thank you for saving me.”

He was amused, but really, it could have been deadly. Ivy understood now how easily her ancestor had died from oleander-contaminated tea. Perhaps she should send Rob to talk to the historical society about increasing their general liability coverage.

But Jaxon was drawing her away and her heart was racing now at his proximity and attention. Together, they wandered the downstairs. She knew Jaxon had consulted with Malory on the restoration of the house, and she asked him questions as they walked. He pointed out various architectural details she might otherwise have missed, and she shared with him the history of her ancestor’s journey from France to settle in the new world.

“Well, I for one am glad he survived his travails and married, even though he lost his first love. If he hadn’t, you wouldn’t be here, with me, today.” They stepped around the dining table to a shadowed alcove near the buffet.

He turned her to face him and took both her hands in his. As she gazed up at him, he gave a gentle smile and leaned in. Their lips met in a soft, sweet kiss that made Ivy’s heart pound even as she caught her breath, here in the home of her ancestors, with the history of Hazard all around. Making new memories, with new hope, her heart soared. She belonged in Jaxon’s arms.

“Oh, there you are.”

Ivy jumped and turned to see Aunt Lydia enter the drawing room before realizing her aunt’s comment wasn’t directed at them when she started chatting with Cece. Neither Lydia nor Cece had seen them, but Jaxon distanced himself, and Ivy regretted the loss of their closeness. When they were still unnoticed, he placed his hand on Ivy’s back as if to guide her from the room.

Cece was nodding, saying, “I wish I could move my salon to a beautiful location like this. I wonder if any of these historical old buildings will ever open up for businesses and not just tours. That would be something.”

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