by R A Wallace
Teaberry Tea & Thyme
A Teaberry Farm Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery
R. A. Wallace
2018
Author’s Note
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, dialogue, places, and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Material in this book is not intended as a substitute for legal or medical advice from qualified professionals. The author has no connection to any software or website mentioned.
© 2018 R. A. Wallace. All rights reserved.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Megan’s Recipes
Books by R. A. Wallace
Chapter One
Janice Swindell stood in front of the large picture window looking out toward Main Street from inside Teaberry Tea & Thyme. She had just unlocked the front door and turned the open sign around indicating that they were ready for another day of business. Behind her, she could hear her twin sister, Jill, getting the cash register ready. It was a familiar routine. One they had practiced for the past twenty-five years. Janice wondered how much longer it might last.
They’d first set up shop together as young women. Now in their early fifties, Janice marveled at where the time had gone. The view from the front window hadn’t changed much. The buildings on Main Street had stood in Teaberry long before Jill and Janice were born. The people that walked along Main Street had changed little. Their first names were different, but many of the last names had been in Teaberry for generations.
Still, there was change. The building she stood in had a new owner, Ross McMann. He’d swept into town following Jax Anderson and had made a beeline for Susan Anderson. Janice wished them well even as she contemplated her own lonely future. Ross seemed like a nice enough man. She held proof of that in her hand. She wished the shark that had swept her twin off her feet were half the man of Susan’s new admirer. Glancing down at the letter she’d just opened, she turned to her twin.
“There’s a letter here from Jennifer Parker. She’s representing Ross McMann as his lawyer.” Janice looked across the room at her mirror image. Jill had moved from the cash register and was now checking the stock on the shelves. They sold herbs, spices, teas, energy drinks, and other items including pastries and other goodies baked fresh daily by Lauren Dempsey.
Jill lifted her head abruptly. Her strawberry blonde hair was worn short. She was the oldest twin by a few minutes. Both women had blue eyes, pale skin that freckled with abandon, and the same short haircut. They were identical twins. Even their five foot seven inch frames were a match. As adults, they no longer dressed the same but that would not be enough of a clue to help anyone determine which twin they were addressing. To make identifying them easier on the community of Teaberry, they parted their hair on different sides. Jill parted hers on the left. Janice parted hers on the right.
“A letter? What does it say?” The tone of Jill’s voice was sharp.
They’d argued again on the drive from their family farm to the shop this morning. It was the same argument they’d been having ever since Jill had begun dating Blake Vargo. Now that Jill and Blake were engaged, the arguments had increased tenfold. It was tearing the twins apart and making her sick inside, but she had no idea what to do about it.
Janice realized that she should have been thrilled with the contents of the letter. It had been something they had dreamed about for years. Instead, she was sad. With Blake in the picture, she no longer saw a future for herself with her twin. He had blown into town with tornadic-like winds threatening everything on a destructive path to Jill. Of course, Jill had a completely different view of the experience. To Jill, it was a sweet romance that had swept her off her feet.
“The new owner is making some changes,” Janice said. “Ross has offered us an extension on our contract at the same rate should we wish it.”
Jill narrowed her eyes at her twin. She knew there was more to the letter, she could tell by the sadness on her sister’s face. “And?”
“Ross has offered to renovate the side of the building to add an indoor-outdoor space for us to serve our drinks and pastries.” Janice looked down at the letter then tossed it on the counter next to the register.
Tea & Thyme was on one end of the building now owned by Ross McMann. Anderson Florist was on the other end. In between, there were also four other shops including Olde Tomes, Teaberry Togs, and Vintage Teaberry. Ross McMann had kept the last shop area, previously a photographer’s studio, for his new business incubator.
Jill’s face lit up with surprise. “An area to serve our customers where they can sit and enjoy themselves. And indoor-outdoor so it’s all seasons. We’ve always wanted that!”
Janice felt the pull of her sister’s enthusiasm and nearly managed a smile until the bells on the door rang and she turned to find her sister’s fiancé. A dark scowl on her face greeted him instead, but he ignored it and focused all of his attention on Jill.
“What’s this I hear? What do you have besides me that you’ve always wanted?” Blake asked. He stood just inside the doorway, smiling at Jill.
Janice watched her nemesis at work. He was younger than the twins by about five years. His thick dark hair had a tendency to curl, something Blake appeared to encourage. When Jill had first met Blake, she’d confessed to her twin that his five foot eleven height and amazing blue eyes were the first things that had attracted her to him. Janice was convinced that the blue intensity of his eyes was enhanced by tinted contacts.
Blake sauntered across the room and kissed his fiancé. He then went over to the juice bar and poured himself an energy drink. It was a special concoction designed by Jill. He often insisted to anyone that would listen that he needed one to start each day properly. Janice had her own recipes for the popular drinks, but Blake favored the drinks made by his fiancé.
“Ross is planning to add an indoor-outdoor area where our customers can sit and enjoy their drinks and food.” Jill’s face flushed with excitement. “We’ve dreamed about that for years.”
“Well, that is awesome news. We should celebrate.” Blake walked back to Jill, his energy drink in hand. He set it down on the counter next to her and enveloped her in a hug. Looking over her head, he reached an arm out toward Janice. “C’mon over here, Janice. Group hug.”
Janice ignored his outstretched arm. “I should get the new deliveries in the back unboxed and out on the shelves.”
“And that is why Tea & Thyme is such a great business. You two are always working so hard,” Blake said amiably. He gently held Jill’s face with both hands and leaned forward to give her a kiss. “Seriously, this is something to celebrate.”
“I agree,” Jill said, still flushed with happiness. “We should have a party. An engagement party, don’t you think? We can celebrate our new life together and our business expansion.”
Blake took a step back, still holding J
ill with his hands. “Are you serious? That’s a great idea.” Blake looked over at Janice, beaming a big smile. “What do you think, Janice? Are you up for a party?”
Janice looked over at her twin and smiled as she walked toward the door to the back area of the shop. It wasn’t a warm smile, but it was the best that she could do. “Of course. I’ll go work on the new deliveries now.”
Megan entered Tea & Thyme just as Janice went into the back. That left one twin standing close to a man she assumed was Blake Vargo. Checking for which side the twin’s hair was parted before speaking, just to be sure, Megan smiled a greeting. “Good morning, Jill. I’m here to pick up that powdered ascorbic acid.”
Jill moved behind the counter, picked up a box, and scanned it into the cash register. “Here it is. Are you having a good year with your produce?”
Megan moved over to the counter and took a plastic card from her purse. “Yes, it’s an especially good pear year. That’s why I need this. I add it to my pear cider when I make it so that it doesn’t turn brown. I’m almost out of my supply from everything else I processed this past summer.” Megan knew that she could buy the powdered ascorbic acid from many other stores in the canning section, but Tea & Thyme had always stocked it for her and given her a small percentage off for buying it in bulk.
“It’s hard to believe the kids are back in school already,” Jill said as she handed Megan’s card back to her. Glancing over at Blake, Jill motioned with her hand. “Have you met my fiancé?”
Megan murmured her greetings after Jill handled the introductions.
Blake smiled a warm hello. “Megan. That name rings a bell. Aren’t you the one that handles the town web site?”
“Yes, I do.” Megan picked up her box and held it in front of her.
“Well, Jill has some good information that you might want to pass along to everyone in Teaberry. Her business is going to expand,” Blake said as he stepped behind the counter with Jill. “Maybe you should take a picture of Tea & Thyme and post the news.”
“Oh, that’s a wonderful idea.” Jill turned to Blake flashed a warm a smile. “Yes, we got a letter from Ross. He’s going to renovate the side of the building and put in an area for our customers.”
“Sure, I can do that,” Megan said as she set down her box and pulled out her phone. It had a decent camera on it. If the picture didn’t come out well enough, she’d come back with her digital camera. Megan stepped back and quickly took a picture. Blake was stepping away from Jill when she snapped it though.
“Oh, you don’t need me in the picture. This is all about Jill and Janice. I’ll go get her,” Blake said with an easy smile as he walked to the door in the rear. Janice returned with him a moment later, looking a little flustered.
Jill explained the reason for the pictures and both women posed together as Megan took a few to be safe. One should turn out well enough. Megan asked for a few details to add to the web page, then took her box and headed for the door. It was still early in the morning and she had quite a bit of work to do.
Rhys Cunningham held the door for her as she left the shop. He was not in uniform, so Megan assumed his shift was later in the day. She said a quick hello and goodbye as she passed through the door.
“Rhys,” Jill said happily. “Are you here for your energy drink?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Rhys said politely. He gave a brief nod to the man standing near the counter. He recognized the man as someone who’d been spending a lot of time with one of the twins. Rhys never could keep them straight. He just knew they both tried to hook him up with every eligible female in town. He took his energy drink and left the store quickly before this one could come up with suggestions.
Continuing down the street, he passed the other shops in the building before entering the florist shop. He found both Caitlyn and the woman he assumed was Caitlyn’s mother. They looked almost identical.
“I see you stopped at Tea & Thyme first,” Caitlyn said as he entered.
Rhys lifted his energy drink as proof. “Yes, ma’am. I love these things.”
“Seriously?” Susan asked. She stared at the colorful, thick concoction in his plastic cup.
Caitlyn turned to her mother. “Haven’t you ever tried one? They are good.”
Susan turned unbelieving eyes toward her daughter then looked back at Rhys. “What can we do for you today?”
“I need to send flowers to my mom for her birthday.” Rhys gave a price and then let the women pick out the flowers. They made it a painless and quick process for him and he thanked them profusely as he left.
“I can’t believe you’ve never tried an energy drink from Tea & Thyme,” Caitlyn said to her mother.
“I can’t believe you actually like them,” Susan said as she folded her arms across her stomach.
“I’m going to go get you one. If you don’t drink it, I will.” Caitlyn bolted from the florist shop before her mother could come up with an excuse to leave. She found Jill and Blake in Tea & Thyme and ordered the same energy drink that Rhys had carried. It was one of her favorite flavors of the many the shop offered.
“Caitlyn, did you hear the news?” Jill asked as she handed Caitlyn the drink. She explained the expansion Ross’s letter had promised.
“He also offered us an extended contract at the same rate, if we want it,” Jill added.
“He did?” Caitlyn wondered why Ross hadn’t told them. Or, at least her mother. Maybe Susan just hadn’t said anything to her.
“We’re also having an engagement party,” Jill continued. “You and Susan are invited, of course, along with all of the other shop owners.”
Caitlyn congratulated them and left with vague promises of checking her calendar. If she could make it, she would. She was fairly certain Doug wouldn’t be free but maybe her mom would go with her to put in an appearance. Caitlyn asked her when she returned to the florist shop.
“Also, did you know about Ross sending letters to the other shop owners?” Caitlyn watched her mother stare at the energy drink in front of her.
Susan looked up and frowned. “No, I didn’t."
Caitlyn mentally debated what that might mean. “Giselle at Togs said that all the shop owners were supposed to get letters.”
“He didn’t say anything to me at dinner last night.” Absently, Susan reached for the drink in front of her and took a sip, then looked down at it in surprise.
“What do you think?” Caitlyn asked.
Susan raised shocked eyes to Caitlyn. “It’s actually pretty good.”
Chapter Two
Caro Delacroix stood in front of her mirror and held up first one outfit and then another, wondering the whole time at what age in life a woman gets dressed for a date without stressing over what she should wear. Surely, now in her early sixties, she was nearing that age? Caro smiled ruefully at the image in the mirror. She was looking forward to her evening out with friends. She doubted that any of them would remember by tomorrow what she’d worn to dinner tonight.
A widow, she had sold her house on the west coast and taken the plunge of moving to Teaberry after spending some time in the town sponsoring a theater group. She had sponsored the play in Teaberry specifically because she had friends here. She met Barbara and Matthias Reynolds separately at various events over the years and had fast become friends with them. After reaching a point in her life when promoting the arts no longer filled her empty evenings to her satisfaction, she moved to Teaberry to be nearer to Tom Jenkins, a man that had captured her interest during the run of the play.
Her evenings were now filled with friendship and laughter. Or at least, this evening might be if only she could settle on something to wear. Mentally flipping a coin, she put one outfit back into her closet and dressed quickly. Tom would be by soon to pick her up and she didn’t want to keep him or their friends waiting. They had plans for dinner at the Station Pub & Grill.
***
Susan Anderson stood at the door of her closet and tried to remember the last time sh
e’d been on a shopping spree. Some of the clothes in her closet surely had to be as old as her children. Shaking her head, she knew that couldn’t be the case. Could it? She had plenty of outfits appropriate for business. It was something nice to wear on a date that she was completely lacking.
Of course, that was no surprise. She hadn’t dated since she and her husband had first gotten together and they were married over thirty-five years ago. Now in her fifties and a widow for over a decade, dating Ross McMann was something that was still a learning experience. Susan let out a breath and closed her eyes. She was going to stick out her hand. Whatever she grabbed first would be what she would wear. Her hand touched something silky.
Opening her eyes, she contemplated the blue silk shell in her hand. It was the right weight and the cut of the top was good given the weather. She hoped it would work paired with a slim skirt. She dressed quickly with her eye on the clock. Ross was due any minute to pick her up for dinner. Susan promised herself she’d pop into Teaberry Togs soon to find something new for the next time.
***
Jennifer Parker stripped on her way to the shower. It had been a long day of legal meetings in Pittsburgh. She didn’t normally mind the trip into the city, she had many clients there and made the trip often. But today had dragged on and Jennifer found herself watching the time creep by as she envisioned herself working with Jim this evening at the Station Pub & Grill.
Although she should be tired at the end of a day full of meetings, she was instead invigorated at the thought of spending her Friday night behind the bar helping Jim. They were a great team and Jennifer had been spending a lot of her evenings there. They had also been out on official dates on the rare occasions when Jim could get away from his work. With the restaurant that was rare indeed. And now Jim and Doug were taking on catering jobs.
Jim had apologized many times for not being able to take her out more often. She tried to explain that she was happy with the routine they now had. And she was. In fact, lately, she’d begun to think that she enjoyed working at the Station Pub & Grill way more than her trips to Pittsburgh to sit in meetings. Maybe it was time to re-think where her career was taking her.