Page 3 of The Magical Tea Shop
Ivy chose a pink-flowered teapot in a sage-green cozy. She organized it all on a gleaming silver tea tray with a matching sugar and creamer, and arranged the cookies, cupcakes, tarts, cinnamon rolls, and scones on white paper doilies. She gave a nod of approval at the presentation, quickly gathered up the tray, and carried it out to the corner.
“You always arrange everything so prettily,” said Marjorie. She gave Ivy a sweet smile. “What’s on your mind?”
Ivy blinked. Was Marjorie a mind reader?
“Yes, share with us.” Hazel’s eyes followed Jaxon Langford through the plate glass window as he made a second lap, walking his dog round the town green. She tapped her lips with a forefinger, as they curved up in a little smile.
Were they all mind readers? Or was she just that obvious? Might as well spill it.
“I made another bet with Holly.”
Lydia scowled. “Ivette darling, I hate that you always lose those bets.” She gave an exasperated sigh. “What is it this time?”
Ivy took a big breath, “That I’ll improve my business by 30%andbe in a committed relationship.”
“That doesn’t sound so hard,” said Seymour. “I could fix you up with my grandson, Rory.”
Ivy barely refrained from rolling her eyes at the thought of trying to schedule a date with a rock-band keyboardist, let alone one who was forever on tour.
“It’s not Rory she wants,” hissed Hazel. “He’s never here.” She turned her attention to Ivy and said cannily, “That handsome landlord of yours should be renewing your lease soon.”
“Yes,” said Ivy. This group was way too intuitive. “I plan to keep the tea shop going.”
“What’s the timeline on your bet?”
“End of the month.”
“Definitely doable,” said Marjorie.
Ivy loved Marjorie Hopewell. She was the embodiment of her surname.
“What’s your plan?” asked Aunt Lydia, ever practical.
Ivy’s eyes wandered over to the cookie press on the wall.
“Oh,” they said in unison, followed by a reverent moment of silence.
“Is it true what they say about Hazard? Is our town really magic?” asked Ivy.
“Well, I don’t know about magic. It’s the blessing that makes Hazard special,” said Hazel.
“Speaking the blessing over an object imbues it with power,” added Marjorie, as she stirred a third spoonful of sugar into her tea.
“That cookie press brought love to your parents and has kept them happily together for decades. They share a batch of those cookies each year on their anniversary. They’re still like honeymooners while they cruise round the world performing their little magic shows.” Lydia smiled at the memory.
“Tell me the promise,” Ivy said to her aunt.
“You must know it by heart.”
“Please.”
Lydia’s eyes took on a faraway cast. “The antique cookie press, handed down through generations of our family, when combined with the proper recipe, infuses so much love into the cookies, you’ll win the devotion of the recipient.”
“Who’s the recipient? Your customers? Is that how you plan to improve your business? Good idea,” Seymour nodded in approval. “I’ll keep coming back.” He took a big bite of his scone.
Marjorie’s eyes sparkled. “Yes, that must be it.” She took a delicate sip of her over-sweetened tea before adding another generous dollop from the shiny sugar bowl Ivy moved closer to her. “It couldn’t have anything to do with…”
Ivy cut her off. “What do you think? Would it be fun?”