Tea & Comfort (Madrona Island Series Book 2), page 19
Kyla looked to her grandma to see if she could guess.
Mona winked back at her. “I’d say there is chamomile, hibiscus, and a pinch of rosebuds.”
“Exactly right,” Kyla said. She warmed her hands on the porcelain china cup before her. Three generations of her family circled the table, as well as her new mother-in-law-to-be. As different as they all were, afternoon tea brought them together.
“How do you like my new purchase?” her mother asked. She held out the fringed ends of a sparkly purple scarf. “Feel how soft it is.”
“Like velvet,” Kyla said.
Grace pulled back her luxurious hair to reveal silver earrings inlaid with a blue heron in flight. “We did a little shopping in town today before we arrived. These earrings are handmade.”
“I recognize them,” Kyla said. “They’re by the same artist that made Lily’s necklace that Ian gave her for Christmas. And what did you get, Grandma?”
Her grandma looked striking in a black turtleneck with her long white hair pulled back in a knot at her neck. Mona pulled red and black embroidered gloves out of her purse.
“Toasty warm for my chilly hands. And look at this.” She slipped her slim hands through the gloves and her fingertips popped out of the tops. “I can keep my old hands warm and still pick herbs on a chilly day.”
“Shopping is so easy here after New York,” her mother said. “Friendly sales people, no rush, no lines. What heaven. I even found socks made of bamboo.” She held up a half-eaten scone. “And your baked goods are to die for.”
“Quite delicious,” Grace echoed. “The lavender lingers on the tongue.”
Grandma Mona stared out the window.
“Jude calls this light rain and mist mixture ‘mizzle,’” Kyla said.
Her grandma sighed. “This lush green island reminds me of Ireland some. The hills, fog, curving inlets of water…there’s something magical about it.”
“You’re all welcome here anytime,” Kyla said and realized she truly meant it. She and Luke were joining families by getting married. Once, she had feared Grace’s disapproval, but not anymore. Grace wanted Luke happy and she’d sincerely extended friendship to Kyla.
“Alana has some news,” Grandma Mona said.
“Yes I do,” her mother said. “You know how I’ve been working on a book forever. Today, I received notice that my book, Herbs, Healing, and Love will be in the bookstores next week.”
“Congratulations,” Grace said. “We’ll have a published author in the family.”
“Great news, Mom,” Kyla said.
Alana patted Grandma Mona on the back. “I couldn’t have done it without your grandmother’s help. Maybe you can all come when I have my first book signing next month.”
Her family’s business was going to be very public now, Kyla thought. Everything was coming to the surface and sometimes she still felt the urge to find a dark cave to hide in. But not today, she told herself.
“Have you checked on Lily lately?” Grandma Mona asked. “She looks so worn-out every day. I told her we can make our own breakfast and Mary is there, eager to help, but Lily insists on cooking for us herself.”
Kyla realized that with the magazine article, wedding planning, and family visiting, she’d barely talked to Lily in the last month. “Not in the last few days,” Kyla said. “She did ask us to hold off planning a baby shower until after the baby is born.”
Grandma Mona’s expression sent a chill down Kyla’s spine. “I’ll call her tomorrow.”
Grace took one last sip of her tea. Her sleeve slipped back to reveal a reddened rash up her arm. Kyla watched her grandmother lightly touch Grace’s hand.
“A rash. Is it bothering you?” Grandma Mona asked.
Grace pulled down her sleeve. “Why yes, it is,” she said. “I’ve been to three doctors and nothing has worked.”
“May I look at it?”
Grace’s eyes flew to Kyla.
“My grandmother is very knowledgeable. Perhaps she can help,” Kyla said.
“It’s certainly been worrisome.” Grace rolled up her sleeve and let Mona have a look at the splotchy red rash.
The word “worrisome” rang in Kyla’s ears. Often the words people used to describe an ailment were a clue to the emotions contributing to the condition. She stared at Grace. As beautiful and put-together as she appeared, underneath she was just like everyone else: a mom worried about losing her son to a new bride.
“Kyla,” Mona said, “do you have any medicinal honey and lavender oil?”
“I do.” Kyla stood. “Come with me to the back and I’ll get you anything you need.”
Becca leaned over the counter. “Do you need any help?” she asked.
“Just hold down the store,” Kyla answered as she guided her grandmother back to the workroom behind the curtains. “This is where I work.”
Grandma Mona smiled. “Your shop is wonderful, Kyla. So many beautiful things and carefully-thought-out products.”
Kyla hugged her grandma. “Thank you. I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you terribly and I’m very sorry it’s been so long.”
“We knew when you were ready you would come home.” Grandma Mona touched Kyla’s cheek, wiping away a tear. “And we will always be there for you. We love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Her grandmother looked right through her. “And what tonics are you taking?”
Kyla hesitated. “I have done my research and used my own sense of the plants.”
“Tumeric? Red clover? Licorice?”
“Yes, Grandmother. And pine bark extract is quite helpful and reishi mushroom.”
“No nightshades,” Grandma Mona whispered.
“None. But plenty of eggs and fresh garlic.”
Her grandmother nodded. “Good. Now let’s get to work healing Grace’s arm.”
They gathered the supplies they needed and brought it back to the table. Mona explained to Grace how to put the honey on with a dressing before bed and use the lavender oil sparingly during the day.
“Thank you both,” Grace said. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”
Kyla took Grace’s hand. “I want you to know that you are always welcome here with me and Luke, and I hope you will visit often.”
Grace’s smile lit the room much the way Luke’s always did. She opened her Fendi bag and brought out her iPad. “We really do have to make a few more wedding plans before we leave tomorrow. So let’s bring this official meeting to order.”
Everyone snapped to attention as Grace listed the areas where decisions still needed to be made. “First we’ll need the head count and how many people each side of the family will be inviting.”
“We really hope to keep it small if possible,” Kyla said, probably for the hundredth time. “We have a dozen or so friends on the island, and my mother and grandmother, of course.”
“Any other family?” Grace asked.
Kyla froze. It was a perfectly innocent-sounding question, but it was the one she’d dreaded having to answer.
“In this country our family is small. We have a few close friends who might be able to make it out to the island for the ceremony.”
Grace stared at her, waiting to hear more.
“My father passed when I was young,” Kyla said. She turned to her mother for support.
“My girl had a bit of a tough time growing up, but we are very proud of her and the person she’s become,” Alana said.
“And rightly so,” Grace answered. “Luke had a lot of pressure on him when he was young, and I never thought I’d see him so happy.” She turned to Kyla. “I’d love to help make this a dream wedding for you, whatever it is you both choose to do.”
Kyla realized this was Grace’s only son’s wedding and it obviously meant a lot to her, too.
“That is a very generous offer,” Kyla said. “I hope in June we can get a sunny day out on the vineyard. That would be blissful.”
“Just in case,” Grace continued, “how about I arrange for a large open tent outside with a crystal chandelier and tea lights where the tables can be set and perhaps a dance floor.”
Kyla could see the dreamy tent sparkling in her mind. “Lovely idea.”
Her mother could barely contain herself. “Your grandmother and I would be very pleased if you would let us provide the wedding cake,” Alana gushed. “Just tell us what you want and we will arrange it.”
“Just talk to Lily,” Kyla said. “If she’s up to it, she plans to bake one.”
Weddings seemed to bring people together or tear them apart. With her and Luke, Kyla would be sure it brought everyone together.
Her grandmother’s eyes twinkled. “And I would like to buy your wedding dress for you,” she said.
Kyla laughed. “I’m not sure where I’m going to find one out here.”
Grace cleared her throat. “That brings up another idea. The three of us have been conspiring the last few days and have a surprise for you. I hope you’ll like it.”
Take a deep breath, Kyla reminded herself. These are people who love you. “And what is it?”
“We want to throw you a bridal shower,” her mother exclaimed.
“In New York,” Grace said, “at the elegant Parisian Tea Room in Manhattan. That way we can spend a little time with the bride before the wedding.”
“And do all the ‘girl’ stuff,” her mother said.
New York. Kyla had not been there in two years, and the thought of going there sent a chill through her body.
“Would it be too much for you?” Grandma Mona asked.
Kyla saw the longing in all of their eyes. She had to go back sometime, and this was the best possible reason to. She could meet with her agent, Arlene, while she was there.
“I see you’re all in on this,” she said. “Let’s do it. Give me the date and I’ll book a ticket.”
“We’ll take care of everything. All you have to do is show up. One little thing: The only date we could get is April eighteenth,” Grace said.
“Three weeks away,” Kyla said. “I can do it.”
They would be gone tomorrow. Kyla had been both relieved and sad at the thought of their parting. But with this new development she would see them all very soon.
A line was forming at the counter, and Becca looked like she could use some help. “I guess I better get back to work now,” Kyla said. “Luke and I will bring dinner over later.”
“We’ll be there,” her mother said.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Kyla tightened the wool scarf around her neck to ward off the chilly March evening. A storm had blown in with high wind warnings. Luke had suggested picking up pizza for dinner so everyone would not have to bundle up and go out on a night like this. The scent of garlic and pesto from the back seat tantalized Kyla’s taste buds. The wind off the sound howled through the swaying trees, causing branches to whip around ominously. The drive to the B&B only took ten minutes and she would be happy to be safely parked and inside.
When her cell phone lit up with a new text message, Kyla’s heart skipped a beat. It was from Ian. Won’t make dinner. Lily fainted. The doctor is with her now at our house. Others waiting at inn for you. Will call with update soon.
Kyla hesitated. She didn’t want to bother them while the doctor was there, but worry curled up into her chest and made it hard to breathe. What if Lily lost the baby? She did not want to let her mind go there. It would devastate them all.
“What is it?” Luke asked.
“It was Ian. The doctor is with Lily at their house.”
Luke glanced at her as he pulled the car into Sunshine Lane. “Is she all right?”
“I don’t know. Ian said he’d call.”
She clutched the phone in her hand and let her mind reach out and drift toward Lily. Kyla counted on her fingers. The baby was not due until late May. If Lily went into labor this early, the outcome could be… She forced her thoughts away from that darkness. She had to do something.
“Luke, you go to the inn and bring dinner with you. Let them know Lily is not doing well and I went over to see if I can help.”
Luke turned the car down the driveway of Grandpa John’s ranch-style house and drove around to the back where Ian had added on a master suite and sitting room. A golden light shone through the French glass doors.
As she stepped out of the car, the wind ripped through Kyla’s hair and made it hard to traverse the stone path to their door. Rain bounced off her like small pebbles. Ian met her at the door. His face was drained of color.
“Come in,” he said.
Gretel greeted her, wagging her tail ferociously. Ian reached out a shaky hand to help Kyla in.
His worried eyes met hers. “Thanks for coming.”
Kyla gave Gretel a quick pet on the head and then peeled off her soaking wet coat. She could hear the doctor speaking softly to Lily in the next room.
“What happened?” she asked.
Ian motioned for Kyla to follow him through the door into the main kitchen. Jason, wearing a Seahawks jersey, sat in the corner desk working on his computer. He turned to wave.
“How’s Mom?” he asked. Worry etched his face.
Ian forced a smile. “She’s resting, but you can go see her after the doctor leaves.”
Jason frowned. “Do I still have to finish my homework tonight?”
“Yes, you do, buddy,” Ian said. He went over and gave Jason a hug. “Everything’s going to be fine. Let’s let the doctor do his work.”
Grandpa John was making coffee and stopped to greet her.
“Good to see you,” he said. “Coffee?”
“No thanks.” She couldn’t stomach anything right now.
Ian poured himself a cup. “I knew she wasn’t feeling that well, but why didn’t she tell me?”
Kyla watched him warm his hands on the mug and stare out to space. She walked over and patted his shoulder gently. “Tell you what?”
“She’s been going to her appointments and said she was fine. But now the doctor told me her spotting had been progressively worse and a few hours ago she had painful contractions.”
“Contractions,” Kyla whispered. “Is she still having them?”
“I think they finally stopped. Before she fainted, Lily was doubled over, screaming in pain. The doctor finally arrived and gave her a shot. She’s resting now.”
Kyla forced herself to take deep breaths. She’d seen other women recover and have full-term babies even with this happening. The key was rest. Kyla felt a pang of guilt. Her family and Luke’s had been staying at the inn, and even with Mary there as the live-in caretaker, Lily had been doing a lot of extra work.
“Did the doctor say anything else?” she asked.
“He said she’s anemic and she was supposed to go home yesterday after her appointment, go to bed, and not get out.”
“I didn’t know,” Kyla said. “I would have made her go to bed.”
Grandpa John put one arm around her and the other around Ian. “Stop blaming yourselves. It won’t do Lily any good. Now let’s go back in there and cheer that lady up.”
“Can I help?” Jason asked, joining them in the kitchen.
“Let me check on her first, son,” Ian said. “I’ll come right back and get you.”
Kyla followed Luke back to the bedroom. The doctor was seated by a window writing up a prescription. Lily tilted her head and smiled, and then patted the bed beside her. “Looks like I’ll be spending the next few months right here,” Lily said.
Ian hurried to her side. “That’s for sure. Don’t you dare move.”
“We can take turns keeping you company,” Grandpa John said.
Lily giggled. “You mean keeping guard?”
“If we have to,” Ian answered.
Kyla leaned over and kissed Lily on the forehead. It was clammy and cool. “I’ll be here whenever you need me,” she said.
“She’s going to need complete rest,” the doctor said. “And regular meals. But she’s a tough one, and with everyone helping out, she’ll be just fine.”
Hopefully, Kyla thought. Her mind spun considering what types of teas might be calming and healing and gentle for mother and baby.
“Everyone in town will want to help,” Grandpa John said. “The casseroles will probably be on the porch by morning.”
The doctor chuckled. “I’ll be going now, but you have my number if you need anything.”
Ian walked the doctor to his car, closing the door tight behind them.
Grandpa John pulled a chair to the bedside and patted Lily’s hand in his. “We’re going to have some good times together. I’ll rent some movies and even make popcorn.”
Kyla knew Grandpa John would be Lily’s rock. And after all, love and kindness was the best medicine of all.
Lily waved Kyla over. “Sorry about leaving your families over there without me.”
“Don’t be,” Kyla said. “I’m sorry they were extra work for you. Lily, I wish you would have told me how bad you felt.”
“Friends help friends,” Lily said. “And I’ve grown to enjoy your mother and grandmother very much. And Grace.”
“They’ll probably want to come running over to help as soon as I tell them,” Kyla said.
“Not today,” Lily said with a yawn.
“You sleep now. I’ll let them know they can come by tomorrow before they leave, but only if you are up to it.”
Ian blew back in through the door and shook off the rain. Icy winds howled outside and crept between the windowsills and under the door, hissing along the wood floor.
“Any chance of giving me a ride over to the inn?” Kyla asked. “From the look of you, I don’t think walking is an option.”
“Of course,” Ian said.
Kyla knew she would be back tomorrow with her family before she drove them to the airport shuttle. Lily’s worry lines were deep, but her color was already coming back. With all the healers, friends, and prayers that would be coming Lily’s way, she would be healthy and happy again in no time. And Kyla would do whatever was needed to be there for her friend and the new little one waiting to be born.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
