Tea Cups and Carnage (5 page)

On the first day of the Summer Beach Blast Party, I’d arrived at the shop early, but I wasn’t the first one there. Kathi Corbin sat at one of our outside tables, looking at her phone. Her blond hair shimmered in the morning sunlight and I wondered if she had been born with that color or had she gotten it under the hand of an excellent hairdresser. She glanced up as I approached and slipped her phone into her Coach bag. If the purse was a knock-off, it was a great imitation.

“Good morning, darling,” she crooned in her Texas twang.

“Officially, we don’t open for another ten minutes, but come on in.” I unlocked the door and held it open for her. “I have a feeling today’s going to be crazy, I might as well get a jump on it.”

“Your group is so creative with all the little festivals to bring in customers. Back home, we only had the fall homecoming party and the spring shindig. By the time we got done planning for those, we were D-O-N-E, done.”

“Did you manage a business before?” I turned on lights and the coffee machines as I walked by the different areas. “I thought Tea Hee was your first venture into the land of retail?”

“Oh no, I worked at my uncle’s general store for a few years and then summers during college. I learned a lot about people working the counter there.” She stared up at the menu, then looked around. Satisfied they were alone; she reached into her purse and brought out a pair of glasses. She pointed them at me. “You are sworn to secrecy. If you say anything, I’ll call you a jealous bitch.”

I held my hands up in surrender. “I won’t tell anyone, but seriously, why not wear contacts?”

“I’ve tried them. They make my eyes water. My last eye doctor suggested I use less mascara. And that’s not going to happen.” She put on the glasses and scanned the menu. She pointed to an item and put her glasses away. “I’ll have a skinny mocha double shot.”

“Add a piece of cheesecake with that?” I started making her coffee.

Kathi took a deep breath like she could actually smell the items in the sealed dessert case. “I haven’t had sugar in years. I can’t even think about eating a cookie without gaining a pound or two on my thighs. You have no idea how hard it is to keep a body in this kind of shape.”

“The women on the Titanic regretted skipping dessert.” I handed her the coffee. “Four-fifty, unless I can make you break your no sugar vow.”

“You’re evil, has anyone ever told you that?” Kathi looked around the shop. “This place is really nice. How long have you owned the shop?”

“Going on six years now. It was a coffee only place until I bought the store. I thought South Cove needed a bookstore. And luckily, so did South Cove.” I poured myself a hazelnut-flavored coffee that had just finished brewing. “I think you’ll love running a business here.”

“I hope so. I’ve sunk all my savings into the shop. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll be going on Cage Match with Miss America next, just to put food on my table.” Kathi handed me cash for her drink and waved away her change. “See you tomorrow.”

“Oh, hey, I forgot. Your sister came into the shop yesterday. I didn’t realize she moved here with you.” I dropped the change into the tip jar and shut the cash register.

Kathi turned back to me and the ashen look on her face didn’t match the news I’d just delivered. “My sister?” She shook her head. “You must be mistaken. I only have one sister and she is in Texas caring for Daddy.”

“I didn’t meet her, Aunt Jackie did. But she said her name was Ivy Corbin. That’s your sister, right?” Kathi’s face twisted as she processed the news. Apparently, the two women weren’t close, which supported Aunt Jackie’s argument that there must be bad blood between them.

Instead of responding, Kathi decided to ignore my question. “Look, I’ve got to get back to the contractors. If you don’t keep an eye on them, they tend to disappear for hours. I’m on a deadline here.”

And then she walked out of the store, leaving me to question everything I knew about South Cove’s newest resident.

Toby held the door open as Kathi walked out. I saw his nod and friendly grin, but the greeting that most women found irresistible, Kathi didn’t even seem to notice. He walked up to the coffee bar and filled his travel mug. “She’s in a hurry this morning. What did you do?”

“Why do you think I did something?” I swatted him with a bar towel.

He looked around the empty shop. “No one else is here. It had to be you. So spill, what did you girls talk about? Did you tell her the mayor has the hots for her? That would send anyone screaming into the night.”

“No, I didn’t tell her that.” A giggle burst out of me. “Now, I kind of wish I had though.”

“See, true evil.” He reached around me for the staff schedule and looked at it. “You have me working late Saturday. I can’t work the truck that long, I’m on patrol for a double shift.”

“I didn’t put you late on Saturday.” I grabbed the chart and studied the schedule. Well, it looked like I had. Crap. “I’ll fix it. I’ll work the truck with Nick and Aunt Jackie and Sasha can handle the shop.” I corrected the page and handed it back to him. “Any other changes you need?”

“Sarcasm doesn’t work on you.” Toby scanned the revised schedule. “Nope, everything else is great. Although Sasha’s going to be tired of seeing me this week, so it’s just as well we cancelled our Monday night date. She claimed she had laundry to do--or maybe she had to wash her hair.”

“You guys are seeing a lot of each other. Do I need to write up some workplace policies? What happens if you break up? Will I lose one of you?” I tried to keep the conversation light, but in truth, I was concerned about half our staff dating. Of course, with four, now five people including me, the percentages were a little skewed.

“You know both of us. We’re taking it slow and seeing if there’s anything there. Besides, she’ll probably get fed up with my work schedule and dump me sooner than later. I’m never home.” He grinned. “Of course, you know that since I live in your shed.”

“Speaking of that, I thought you were getting back into your apartment?” I rubbed a spot of water off the counter, not looking at him. Maybe this was the avenue I could use to ask him about the check.

“You ready to kick me out and build that home gym? That’s harsh.” He sipped his coffee.

Backtracking now, I leaned under the counter and brought out more cups to stock the front counter. “No, I like having you nearby and I like the extra money. I just thought you’d said your sub-leaser would be out by now.”

“He was supposed to be, but he came up with a sob story and I extended his lease. And he upped the rent so I’m getting a bit of money from him each month which goes into my savings.” He looked at the dessert case. “Grab me one of those Apple Caramel cheesecake things. I didn’t get time for breakfast before I left home.”

I dished up a piece and slid it over to him. He pointed to the paper stuck between the cash register and the coffee machine. “Don’t forget to write it down. Jackie doesn’t like us eating for free.”

I shook my head. “My treat today.” I dished a second slice for me and walked around to sit next to Toby at the counter. “So why are you working so many hours? When did you become all about the money?”

“I’m trying to save up to buy a house. You can’t imagine how expensive everything is around here. All I want is a little three-bedroom house, but the down payment is holding me back.” He wolfed down several bites of cheesecake.

Looking at the almost empty plate, I grinned. Toby could eat an entire pizza by himself. I guess all the hours working kept him active enough to burn off the calories.

“This is one of Sadie’s best creations, next to the Triple Chocolate layer one she baked last month. All the girls loved it.” Toby held a bite on his fork and waved it at me.

“Don’t change the subject. You’re buying a house?”

He paused in between bites. “I
want
to buy a house. Right now, Claire says I could swing the mortgage, if I could come up with the down. So that’s what I’ve been working on. Of course, with low interest rates for the mortgage, that also means low interest rates on my savings account.” He finished the last bite of cheesecake and took the plates to the sink to rinse. “I guess I need a rich uncle to leave me an unexpected inheritance.”

I considered the idea. “Do you have a rich uncle?”

“Not that I know of. Uncle Walter died last year and according to Mom, he was her only brother. I guess I’m just going to have to work for what I want.” He picked up the keys to the food truck. “Which means, I need to go get the annex set up. People should be showing up around ten.”

“I’ll check in on you after I leave here. Nick’s starting at noon which should give you all the help you need until the beach activities close up at eight.” I glanced at the now adjusted schedule. “I hope we have enough staffing to get through this week.”

“If we have that many visitors, I’ll be shocked. Besides, I’m looking for more hours, remember?” He glanced at the office door. “Do you need me to make the deposit as I leave?”

The bank envelope from yesterday sat in my desk drawer. I’d told Aunt Jackie that either she or I would be the only ones making the deposits until we figured out the mystery of the missing money. I hated suspecting Toby and Sasha, but that much missing money was a big deal. When did my life turn into a Nancy Drew book? “I’ll take it once Jackie takes over here. I need to talk to Claire about something anyway.”

I needed to transfer money so the check I’d wrote Aunt Jackie for the event site wouldn’t bounce and cause all kinds of issues. I’d planned on doing the exchange last night, but once we’d finished with dinner, I’d forgotten. Well, I’d forgotten with a little help from Greg. The memory made me smile.

“What?” Toby paused at the office door.

“Go open CBM annex.” I waved him on.

He leaned against the doorway, juggling the keys from hand to hand. “Fine, keep your secrets. I’ll find out sooner or later anyway. You know guys talk.”

“Just go.” Now my face heated and I glanced in the mirror that lined the back of the coffee bar. Yep. Red as a Maine lobster.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Atomic Power was living up to its name. We’d been able to hear the band for the last block as we walked toward the winery. The good news is the band played a mix of covers from several decades, appealing to the wide generational span that frequented the South Cove Winery. Greg held the door open and we wandered into the almost packed tasting room.

The first day of the festival had been busy. Several business owners nodded as we passed by their tables. I slipped into the first unoccupied table and tilted my head toward Greg. “Looks like I wasn’t the only one who needed a drink after today’s events.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Beer or wine?”

“Get me that new blueberry draft Darla’s been talking about.” I put my feet up on his chair. “I’ll hold down the fort. But don’t be too long, I’m too weak to fight for the table.”

“I don’t know, with the muscles you’re building in the training class you should be able to fight off a horde of frat boys with no problem.” His lips curled into that lopsided grin that tended to melt my resolve.

“Keep saying stuff like that, buddy. You might just win boyfriend of the year.” Leaning back into the chair, I surveyed the room. Although I knew a few of the people, most of the crowd must be tourists staying at the local bed and breakfasts for the festival. A blond-haired woman sat by herself in the corner of the room, watching Blake, the lead singer.

“Who are you giving the evil eye now?” Greg handed me a large beer glass. I took a sip. Surprisingly, it tasted amazing. Not deep and rich like the dark ales I typically enjoyed, but a refreshing change.

I pointed over to the table where the woman sat. “I think that’s our new shop owner, Kathi Corbin. She’s opening Tea Hee across the street.”

“Competition?” Greg took a pull off his beer.

“What?” Turning to look at him, I shook my head. “No. She’s not opening a teashop, it’s a tea store. She wants Coffee, Books, and More to serve Tea Hee’s special tea blend.”

“And you’re thinking about it?” Greg leaned back into his chair, watching the band, but listening to me.

“I am. I think a joint promotion is a smart idea. Working together is why I supply coffee beans to Diamond Lille’s. Just one more place potential customers get to learn about our business.” I nodded to the table. “Kathi looks like she’s really into Blake. Tell me he’s not married.”

Greg turned his head toward me. “And I would know that how?”

“Boys talk. Toby told me that today.” My face heated a bit at the memory of what I hadn’t told my barista.

He shrugged. “Fine, I do know he’s single. Do you want to introduce them?”

I sipped my beer. “Maybe after the set.”

We relaxed for a while, just listening to the music. Finally, Blake went up to the microphone and announced, “We’re taking a short break. Be right back.”

Matt met Blake at the edge of the stage and slapped him on the back. Greg waved the two over to our table and the men went through the greeting ritual. “Hey Jill.” Matt smiled at me. “Busy day for you too?”

“Crazy busy.” I’d stayed at the shop up until Greg stopped by to get me. We’d ate dinner at Lille’s, then decided to take the walk up to the winery as this was his last night off until after the festival. The walk-in traffic had died down and they’d closed the beach off at six, so the only one working at the shop was Aunt Jackie. Harrold had brought her a dinner basket from Lille’s and as soon as she closed, they’d go up to her apartment to eat. I looked from Matt to Blake as they were both watching me.

“What?” I looked at Greg.

He laughed and pulled me into a hug. “I told you she didn’t hear you.”

“I asked what you did.” Blake blushed. “No big deal, I was just wondering what shop you ran. I’m still trying to get to know people around here. Playing here’s a sweet gig. I’d love to come back. You should see some of the dives where we’ve been booked.”

I caught Kathi’s eye and waved her over. “You should meet our newest shop owner.”

Kathi’s pace was so slow, I wondered if she’d hurt herself working with the contractors at her shop that day. Finally she arrived to the table and I heard her sharp intake of breath. Then as if I’d imagined the weirdness, she put on an award-winning smile and gave me air kisses. “Jill, I didn’t see you. When did you get here?”