Tea & Comfort (Madrona Island Series Book 2), page 12
“Luke, is that really you?” His mother sounded almost giddy.
“It is, Mom. Merry Christmas.”
“It is now,” she said.
Luke imagined his mother hurrying around, directing the staff and decorating their massive house for the holidays. He didn’t miss the endless parties and empty conversations. But he was glad to hear her voice.
“Tell me how you’re doing,” she said. “How’s the winery?”
Guilt tugged at his heart, and Luke made a quick note to overnight them a case of his wine for a gift. “The winery is everything I hoped for and more.”
“What good news. I’m so happy for you, Luke. I saw an article in Wine Review about you taking over the vineyard, about the changes you’re planning, and how you are turning it into a real destination.”
“Well, I haven’t won any awards yet,” he said with a laugh. “My new chocolate truffles with loganberry liqueur might, though. I’ll send you a box.”
“Sounds divine. And what can I send you? Do you need anything?”
Luke knew his mother was asking if he needed money. She was sweet to worry, but his inheritance from his grandmother and the profits from the winery kept him very comfortable.
“I’m absolutely fine, Mom. Thank you.”
“I’d love to send a housewarming gift at least,” she said.
“How about you come visit in the spring when the buds break in the vineyards? Seeing you would be wonderful.”
He heard the catch in his mother’s voice and knew she was pleased.
“I’ll be there. Just let me know when.”
“Well,” Luke said, drawing it out, “I do have some other news.” He hesitated. His mother tried to be supportive, but she, too, had worried about Luke marrying a model. Her main concern had been how fast it had all happened and she didn’t want to see him hurt.
“I’m in love,” he said.
His mother was quiet. “Is it someone on the island?”
“As a matter a fact, it’s someone I knew in New York who lives on the island now. Someone I have never stopped loving.”
“I can’t think who…Darcy? Did you find her?”
“Yes, Mom. I did. She’s been here all along. It’s a long story. She’s not been well. Before I tell you everything, I want you to know we are more in love than ever and I am going to ask her to marry me. If she says yes, the wedding will probably be here at the winery in June.”
“I’ll put it on my calendar,” she said. “As long as you’re happy, I wouldn’t miss it. And if you need help with anything, I’m here and pretty good with event planning, as you know.”
“I’m sure it will be small,” Luke said. Her support meant everything to him.
Luke told her the whole story, and to his mother’s credit, she stayed quiet and listened.
“A happy ending,” she said simply. “I’m so glad.”
Luke took a deep breath. “How is Dad? Stefan?” It was hard to ask about his half-brother, but he knew it would make his mother happy. Stefan was from his father’s first marriage. They’d never been close as kids, even though Luke had tried. And from what Luke could tell, his brother had turned into an arrogant and ambitious man. His mother had always hoped they’d get along. Luke had given up.
“You know your dad. He’s always busy and working too hard. But he’s fine. There is some news about Stefan. I was going to email you.” His mother hesitated. “Stefan has been dating. I didn’t mention it because Stefan never sticks with one woman for long. But it looks like there may be two weddings in the family next year. Stefan is engaged to Lizbeth.”
The room spun. It was just like Stefan, going after the richest, prettiest girl in New York. The fact that their dad had really wanted Luke to marry Lizbeth and bring her into the family made it worse. Luke had disappointed his dad’s wishes and proposed to Kyla instead. Stefan finally had their father’s approval and must feel triumphant. Luke reigned in his temper and tried to sound civil. He hoped his brother at least loved Lizbeth. She deserved that.
“Why don’t you send me his address? I’ll send them a case of wine to congratulate them.” The thought of sending sour wine raced through Luke’s mind, but he did not need to fuel the sibling rivalry by being a jerk himself.
“That would be nice,” she said. “I’ll email it to you. Let me know when to book my airline reservations.”
The door opened and three customers raced into the tasting room, shaking rain out of their hair and laughing.
“I’ve got to go, Mom. I’ll call you soon,” Luke said.
He put his cell phone under the bar and gave the guests his full attention.
“Would you like to try today’s tastings?” Luke asked the couples. He went through his speech about the wines, the special cheese, and the chocolate, but all the while his mind lingered on the conversation with his mother. It was good to talk to her. But how would he tell Kyla about Stefan and Lizbeth? His stomach dropped at the thought of upsetting her. He sighed and poured more wine.
He’d tried to live without his family, but at his core, he loved them. It was just so hard to be around them. He wanted to create a new family with Kyla and hoped there was a way to put both of their past issues behind them. His mother had reached out and Luke would reach back. He did not have to react in the old ways, and he no longer had to run or justify who he was and what he wanted.
“Dad, let’s buy a case of this one for our family holiday,” a pretty young woman said, smiling at her father.
“A great idea,” the man answered. “And what would your mom like?” he asked, putting his arm around the beautiful, obviously happy woman next to him.
“The truffles, boxes of them,” she said.
The man laughed, turned to Luke, and winked. “You heard the lady. How many boxes do you have?”
“I have a dozen in stock,” Luke said. “They’re custom made. If you want to order more, I could ship them to you.”
“We’ll take all you have and a case of the Pinot Noir as well.” The man pulled out his credit card. “Gotta keep the ladies happy.”
Luke rang up the purchases and watched the family teasing and laughing with each other. That was what a happy family looked like. That was the kind of husband and father Luke was determined to be.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Kyla pulled her pine-green cashmere sweater over her head and smoothed down her plaid wool skirt over her warm tights. The round neckline would set off her silver necklace with the large garnet and moonstone perfectly. She brushed her hair out and applied a berry-colored lip-gloss.
“Good enough” she said. She did not have time to waste this morning. She had spicy scones to make, gifts to wrap, and so much to get done before Luke arrived for the Christmas parade in town. Jude had called at dawn and asked if she could come over for a quick chat before the shop opened at ten. Kyla wished her request had come on another day when crowds wouldn’t be flooding the streets and swarming her shop, but Jude was a friend, and friends came first.
She was glad she’d started up the wood burner in her living room the minute she’d slipped out of bed this morning. Merlin curled up right in front of it, as close as he could get without singeing his whiskers, and stretched his long, black body in contentment. Oz was still burrowed in her bed. It was a nippy day and would probably not even get up to 40 degrees. Her heavy skirt and wool tights would help keep her warm. And a sip of Jude’s holiday cider would assure it. Luke would arrive at 3:00 sharp to watch the parade with her.
Kyla poured hot water into a mug and steeped some green tea. A smile spread across her face. She’d finally figured out a holiday gift for Luke. She had commissioned Ian to paint a picture of Luke’s vineyard and barn, radiant with sunlight from a photo taken in the summer. It would fit next to the tasting menu on the wall behind the counter. Ian had delivered it yesterday, discreetly wrapped, as promised. She would give it to him Christmas Day.
Everything was going so well, it was almost scary. Her call to her agent, Arlene, had gone perfectly. Not a word of complaint about the sparse communication for the last two years. When Kyla told her the whole story, Arlene assured her that she was there for Kyla for the long haul. In sickness and in health. But, she’d said, don’t tell my husband that. Arlene always made her laugh. She’d even come up with the idea of Kyla possibly being a spokesperson for the Lupus Association. The idea of helping others through her own experience excited Kyla.
She reached down and scratched under Merlin’s chin. “We’ll see what happens.” The cat’s purr radiated throughout the room.
“Knock, knock.” Jude stepped in the front door of Kyla’s cottage. “Hope I’m not too early.”
Kyla held up her mug. “Want some tea?”
“Well, actually,” Jude said, “I would, but not that kind.”
Kyla frowned. “I have black tea and peppermint and…”
“To be honest, I was hoping for tea and comfort today. You know, a tea reading.”
Kyla laughed. “Why didn’t you just say so? Let’s go into the shop and I’ll brew some China tea that I just got in.”
Jude followed Kyla through the back door of the shop into the parlor area, sat down at the small round table, and watched Kyla brew the tea. “Thanks for doing this.”
“I’m happy to. Just make yourself comfortable while I get ready.”
Kyla brought the side-rimmed teacups to the table then lit the bayberry-scented candle in the middle. “Sorry the room is so cold. I turned up the heat.”
“It’s fine,” Jude said as she ran her fingers through the fringe of the tablecloth.
Kyla handed Jude a cup of steaming water with loose tea leaves floating on the surface. “Just wait until they float to the bottom,” she said, “then take a few sips and think about your questions.”
Jude’s hand shook slightly as she lifted the pure-white bone china cup to her lips for a sip.
“Now,” Kyla said, “put the cup in your left hand and swirl the tea leaves around three times in a clockwise direction.” Kyla watched closely, noticing Jude’s movements and expression. “Please hand it to me.”
“I love the ritual of this,” Jude said. “So mysterious.”
Kyla tipped the cup sideways and drained any remaining tea into the saucer. She placed the cup on the table in front of Jude and leaned over it to see the patterns.
The cup showed many issues, but the most prominent one was a love relationship. Not a smooth path and many obstacles were clear, but she was not sure Jude was ready to hear that. “Small worries are scattered around like little pebbles,” she said, “but the main issue is the large heart right in the center of the cup.”
“You got it. My heart flutters every time Ryan comes near, but sometimes he is so distant.”
Kyla closed her eyes and let the images in the cup sink deep into her mind. Danger danced at the edge of her feelings. She looked back at Jude. “Love is the central question, but many images surround it.” She pointed to the first quarter of the cup. “Roses dance along the edges here, symbolizing love returned.”
“Really?” Jude asked hopefully.
After a moment, Kyla continued. “But here, directly across from the handle, is a clear image of a dragon.”
Jude looked closely at the cup. “I think I see it. Here’s the head and the tail trails along the bottom. What does it mean?”
“Halfway through a year, so six months from now, it signifies a sudden change.”
Jude frowned. “A bad one? I’m due for some good luck in love for once.”
Kyla’s eyes circled the cup as she listened to her inner knowing for guidance. “The need for caution is there, but in a few months’ time, there is a broken sword pointing toward the handle. Triumph over an enemy. The sign of Venus sits at the end of the journey. Love.”
Jude sat in silence, staring at the cup. She looked up at Kyla. “How long?”
“The full transit through the cup from handle to handle signifies about a year, but I think it will be sooner.”
Jude shook her head. “He’s worth the wait, whatever it takes.” She cast off her troubles and gave Kyla a bright smile. “Dinner is on me anytime at the café.”
Kyla rose and started cleaning off the table. “I better go open the shop and get ready for the parade. See you around three in front of the café to watch?”
Jude hurried toward the door. “See you then.”
Kyla wished she could spare her friend the trouble she’d seen coming ahead. She recognized a fellow runner in Ryan. But from what she could not see.
***
Kyla mixed up a batch of mull spiced apple cider and began warming it on the stove. She stirred the mixture and inhaled its invigorating scent then placed thermoses of hot water in the back room of the shop. Love. She wondered what the tea leaves would show for her and Luke. But she’d made a promise to herself long ago not do to readings on herself. It was too hard to stay objective.
On the way out front, she flipped on her acoustic music track of harp and piano. The holly berry reefs on the tables supported thick, white candles that needed to be lit. They looked perfect with the white tablecloths and ruby-red napkins rolled up in crystal holders. She flipped on the twinkling lights she’d placed in the window and turned the sign to “open” in the window.
Becca arrived in a flurry. “Sorry to be late,” she said. “Traffic and parking were impossible.”
Kyla shrugged. “Christmas is always busy here. Glad you made it. And I love the outfit.”
“Thanks,” Becca said. She twirled around in her red and white velvet Mrs. Santa dress and adjusted her wire glasses. “And what would you like for Christmas, Kyla?” she said with a smile.
Kyla laughed. “It’s been a long time since anyone asked me that.”
“Well, I have a feeling this year you’ll get everything you want. But only if you’ve been a good girl,” Becca said.
Kyla thought about her year. She’d certainly done more this year to turn her life around in a positive way. Did that count? Was there really anyone keeping score?
The sleigh bells over the front door announced their first customer. Becca hurried to the counter.
Shirley and Ron walked in wearing bundled-up wool coats, matching knit hats courtesy of Shirley, and fuzzy mittens.
“Merry Christmas,” Shirley belted out.
Kyla hugged them both. “Are you here for morning tea or shopping?”
“Both,” Ron said. “Shirley’s been counting the minutes until you open.”
Kyla seated them by the window and wrote down their order. “Where’s Betty today?”
“She’s getting ready to be in the parade. Can you believe she’s going to ride on the float for MIA Animal Shelter holding Zinger? She even got Zinger a special holiday coat to wear.”
“Can’t wait to see that,” Kyla said.
The sleigh bells over the door rang out as customers poured into the shop. Kyla and Becca ran around taking orders and ringing up purchases.
“Can we get this gift-wrapped?” a customer asked at the front counter. She held up a delicate teapot with glittering gold stars across a midnight-blue background.
Kyla centered herself. The holidays were great for business but the stress could get overwhelming if she let it.
“Of course. Do you have a color preference for the paper?” Kyla pointed to the back wall where three gift-wrap samples hung. One had burgundy satin paper with a green velvet bow, another had shiny silver paper with a blue ribbon, and the final option was gold tissue paper with a dried lavender ornament.
The customer stared at the wrapping samples. “They’re all so beautiful,” she gushed. “It’s for my mother. She’s always loved stars. She’s so sick, I think this will be our last Christmas together.”
The holidays brought out the best and worst in people, Kyla thought. Most people were more generous and caring, but some were sad and lonely. “How about I make up a special wrapping just for your mother?”
The woman teared up. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Kyla chose the gold paper for its uplifting color. She wrapped the pine-green ribbon around it and decorated it with a sprig of holly.
“Thank you, she’ll love this.” The woman held the gift to her chest.
The line at the cash register was so long it almost reached the front door. Kyla looked at the black cat clock on the wall. It was already 2:00 and she was closing in an hour. She hoped. All these last-minute holiday shoppers were cleaning out her shelves. It would help get her through the lean winter months.
Becca rushed by with a tray of teacups in her hand. She rolled her eyes at Kyla.
“Almost done,” Kyla said. What would she do without Becca? Perhaps she would take a few days off after Christmas and close the shop. Give Becca a few paid days off. She imagined sitting by a fire with Luke. As if on cue, he walked through the door. His slate-colored jacket with its high collar set off his carved face and pale eyes. His smile made her stomach flip.
He walked up to the counter and pulled off his gloves. “How can I help?” he said.
She still had so much to do. “Do you mind bussing tables?”
“No problem,” he said. “I even have experience from when I bussed at the country club at sixteen years old. My first real job.”
“A man of many talents,” she said. “There’s hot apple cider if you want some.”
She watched as he hung his coat on the rack, picked up a tray, and headed over to the now, thankfully, almost all empty tables. Finally, after ringing up a few more items, the last customer walked out the door. Becca hurried over to lock it and turn the closed sign. She leaned against the door, her red hair falling in her face. “No more customers today.”
Even after a busy day, Kyla was amazed how high her energy still was. “Let’s turn off the lights and get out of here so we can see the parade.” She put on her warmest down jacket and knit hat then pulled on her mittens.
