Tea & Trouble E-Book

Race Lucinda

• Herausgeber: MC Two Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Enjoy this clean, small town, paranormal cozy mystery by award winning and bestselling author, Lucinda Race.

Welcome to Pembroke Cove, where witches and murders are multiplying.
A fall festival, reading tea leaves and a few clues propel Lily into a new murder investigation.
Bookstore owner Lily Michaels still doesn’t know which kind of witch she’s going to be. She’s planning to read fortunes at her parents’ tea booth at the Fall Festival in the small town of Pembroke Cove, Maine. Is that her gift? Her snarky familiar, Milo, isn’t a lot of help. Lily’s mother warned her that reading the leaves would change someone’s life. Lily’s ready to make some changes of her own. Her relationship with Detective Gage Erikson—a.k.a. Detective Cutie— seems to be stuck in the perpetual friend zone. Maybe it’s time she went on a real date with someone else, like the new guy in town, Dax Peters.

Gage would like nothing more than to go on a real date with Lily, but romance will have to take the back burner when he’s is called to investigate another murder. Someone cut short the life of successful rose grower, Dean Hartley. Since when does horticulture lead to homicide?

Gage would be thrilled if Lily stuck to reading tea leaves and stayed out of trouble, but that’s just not in her puzzle-loving personality. Why were all the garden club members arguing with Dean at the festival? When Lily teams up with Gage once again in the race to resolve the rose-grower’s murder, can she continue to keep both her feelings and her magic a secret from Gage? Or will roses finally lead to romance for them?

Tea and Trouble is the third novel in A Book Store Cozy Mystery Series, although each book can be read as standalone. A sweet and clean cozy mystery with a guaranteed the culprit is caught. Happy reading!

Leseprobe

Tea & Trouble

A Cozy Witch Mystery

Book Store Cozy Mystery Series

Book 3

Lucinda Race

MC Two Press

Contents

Author’s Note

1. Lily

2. Lily

3. Gage

4. Lily

5. Lily

6. Gage

7. Lily

8. Lily

9. Gage

10. Lily

11. Lily

12. Gage

13. Lily

14. Lily

15. Gage

16. Lily

17. Lily

18. Gage

19. Lily

20. Lily

Chapter One - Lily

A Free Story for You

Love to Read?

Social Media

About the Author

Author’s Note

Hi and welcome to my world of cozy mystery. I hope you love my characters as much as I do. So, turn the page and happy sleuthing .

If you’d like to stay in touch, please join my Newsletter. I release it twice per month with tidbits, recipes and an occasional special gift just for my readers so sign up here: https://lucindarace.com/newsletter/ and there’s a free cozy mystery when you join!

Happy reading…

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2023 Lucinda Race

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Author Lucinda Race.

Editor Trish Long, Blossoming Pages

Cover design by Mariah Sinclair

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition August 2023

Print Edition ISBN 978-1-954520-48-6

E-book ISBN 978-1-954520-47-9

Chapter1

Lily

QUICK NOTE: If you enjoy Tea & Trouble, be sure to check out my offer for a FREE bonus at the end. With that, happy reading!

I tilted my head back, face toward the early morning sun, and drank in the crisp fall air. It was a perfect day for the annual, seaside, Pembroke Cove Fall Festival. Today I was reading fortunes at my parents’ tea booth. I slowly twirled in my long deep-burgundy velvet dress. The hem of the matching cloak brushed the tops of my black ankle boots as Gage Erikson, my best friend and hopefully someday my boyfriend, touched my hand. I wanted to look the part of a witch but I didn’t want to wear all black. Aunt Mimi had found this dress in an old wooden trunk which had been tucked away, unopened, in her attic for years. The bonus, it was a perfect fit, as if it was made for me. I know my aunt thought it was kismet and even with being a witch, it didn’t mean everything in life I touched was magical.

“Lily, you look beautiful.” Gage’s hand warmed mine, and his smile was the real deal.

I did a mini curtsy. “Thank you, sir.” My heart skipped a beat as I took in his long, lean frame, well-trimmed, light-brown hair, and hazel eyes which were enhanced by the green flannel shirt he was wearing. Was that part of his costume? All the people working the festival agreed to stick with the theme of their booths. “I thought you were on duty today. What made you come up with dressing like a farmer in overalls and flannel?”

“I’m helping Marshall Stone with his stand.” He pointed just across the town square. “I’ll be right over there, and we can make funny faces at each other all day just like we did when we were in school.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the way his eyebrows wiggled when he talked. “We’re not twelve anymore.” Sadly, that was twenty-five years ago. He twirled me again and this time he pulled me closer to his chest. He looked into my eyes with an intensity I hadn’t seen before.

“After the last six weeks, I think we should go back to when we were kids and didn’t have anything more to worry about than fishing and going to a movie at the Lights Out Theatre. Two murders and me getting crushed under that sign at the Clam Shack has been a lot to handle.” Concern clouded his eyes. “And you did most of the heavy lifting.”

I flashed him a cautious grin. I wasn’t sure if he was referring to me levitating the sign off his body—which he still didn’t know I actually did—or the fact that I was directly involved in solving the murders of Flora Gray and Teddy Roberts. With a nonchalant shrug, I said, “It was no big deal. I like puzzles and both of those incidents were a way to exercise my brain.”

He leaned in and kissed my cheek like he always did while he said, for my ears alone, “My best friend is brilliant.”

And there it was, the perpetual friend zone. Would Gage ever look at me as more than his friend? Probably not. This had been going on for years. Maybe it was time I started dating someone else. Possibly Dax Peters, the investigator who had come to town around the time Flora was killed. He seemed to be showing more than a passing interest in me lately.

Before I could respond to his compliment, I noticed my parents headed in our direction. Dad was carrying a cardboard box which presumably held paper teacups and other supplies for brewing various teas and my mother had a tote bag slung over her shoulder with what I guessed would be her special blend. My aunt had told me Dad was a witch, but my mom wasn’t. However, her tea blends were amazing, and today I would be reading tea leaves from a special blend she had created just for the festival. In addition, she had bags of other teas to sell in our booth.

I tugged my hand from his. “I need to help my parents. They brought more supplies for the booth.”

“I’ll come too.” He fell in step beside me, and it was just one of the reasons he was a good guy, always ready to lend a hand. “Did Mindy make her special blend again this year?”

I gave him a quick side-glance. “You never miss a trick, do you?”

He puffed up his chest and strutted a bit. “It’s my job, ma’am, to notice the little details as a detective on Pembroke Cove’s police force.”

I laughed so hard a snort escaped. “Easy, Detective. You might strain the buttons on your flannel shirt.”

My parents met us halfway, and Gage took the bag from over my mother’s shoulder and the box Dad was carrying. “Hello, Reed.” He gave my mom a one-armed hug. “Mindy.” He looked at me. “Doesn’t Lily look great in her witch costume?”

Dad’s brow quirked at the word costume. Mom placed a gentle hand on his arm and said, “She looks amazing.”

Mom reached out and straightened my modified witch hat. “I like how you decorated the traditional black hat with burgundy lace and cutouts of teacups.”

“A touch of whimsy, Mom.” I linked arms with hers and we crunched over a colorful blanket of red, yellow and orange leaves to our booth space. Parked behind the tables was a tiny silver camper from the 1970s. It was one my parents used every time they went to fairs in the northeast. Inside, we could heat water, get warm if the day was chilly, and if the day turned hot, cool off. And the best part was the fridge was always stocked with snacks.

Mom scanned the table setup. “I see you have everything ready to go.”

“There wasn’t much to do. You had it organized inside. All that was needed was to flick out the tablecloth, put cushions on the seats, and set out the bags of tea that you want to sell.” I held up one hand and announced. “Voila.”

Gage said, “Just like magic.”

I leaned closer to Mom, and she wrapped her arm around my body. I whispered, “He doesn’t know.”

She nodded and conveyed her understanding with a concerned smile. Mom had known for years I was in love with Gage, even if he didn’t. But I had come to terms with our relationship, and for the most part accepted we would always be best friends even if it wouldn’t lead to anything more.

“Looks like it’s going to be a great day for a festival,” Dad said. “Gage, are you joining us in our booth this year?”

“No, sir. I volunteered to work at Marshall’s booth. His helper got food poisoning, and Marshall needs an extra set of hands.” He set the box and bag on the corner of the display table. “Is there more in the truck?”

Dad nodded. “Ladies, we’ll be back.”

They started off in the direction of vendor parking, and Mom began to unpack the bagged tea. “Are you ever going to tell Gage that you care for him as more than a friend?”

I picked up a sleeve of paper teacups and began to set them up next to the bag of loose-leaf tea I would use for the readings. Longing to say yes, instead I looked away and said, “No. He doesn’t think of me in that way.”

Mom quirked a brow. “Are you sure about that?”

I looked at him walking next to Dad. “He’s had so many opportunities and never said anything.”

“Neither have you.” It was a gentle rebuke, but I was a bit old-fashioned and thought the man should state his feelings first. Like Gage asking me on a real date. Not like the casual, hey, let’s have dinner tonight, kind of comment.

“We’re better off as friends. If we started dating, it might not work out, and then I’d lose what we have.”

“That’s not like you, Lily, leaning in to the fear of the unknown. You’ve always been an eternal optimist.” She smoothed my hair back from my face and searched my eyes. “Do you want to talk about what is really going on?”

Maintaining eye contact, I said, “I’ve made a decision to start dating. I might even ask Dax Peters if he’d like to have coffee with me.” That went against my idea of dating, but those rules only applied to Gage.

Mom’s hand cupped my cheek and she kissed the other one. “I think that is a fine idea. Get out there and have some fun.”

I saw the sparkle that came into her deep-brown eyes as she spoke. “Mom, do you sense something that I should know?”

Her smile quirked as she laughed. “My intuition is not sparking today, at least not yet, but give it time. With all the witches who will be wandering around the town green today, it might.”

“We haven’t really talked about me finally discovering I’m a witch. But I don’t understand—why doesn’t Dad practice his craft like Aunt Mimi?”

Mom didn’t answer right away as she finished setting out the items we would sell today. Once she was assured everything was to her satisfaction, she spoke softly. “We always thought I would grow into my powers, but I didn’t. I’ve learned to accept that I have a strong intuition and a talent for blending tea. Your father, being a kind and wonderful husband, put aside the use of his powers for me. Reed knew I felt bad we didn’t share that special gift. And for the longest time we believed you were like me. Rather than have you feel like you had missed out on something wonderful, we remained silent. It might not have been the best idea since you may have gained your powers sooner. But we can’t change the past.”

“Mom. Dad adores you, and whatever decision he made, he did with an open heart. I’m not sorry I didn’t find out sooner since we have no way of knowing what kind of mischief I could have gotten into being a witch at a much younger age. I don’t have much control now based on how I struggle with even the basic spells.”

“You and Nikki would have had more to talk about.” She looked over my shoulder and a smile graced her lips. The one she reserved for my father.

“Don’t you worry; we’ve never lacked for conversation.” I gave her a quick hug. “Now, let’s finish getting ready. Customers will soon be flocking to our booth to buy your tea, and with any luck, I’ll get a few people who want their leaves read.”

Mom tipped her head to the side and held my hands. Her gaze burned into my soul. “Trust your instincts. They won’t let you down. Above all, tell the truth on what you see. Lives will be changed today.”

At a loss for words, all I could do was nod. She dropped my hands and turned to smile at Gage and Dad. The moment passed as a shiver raced down my arms. I ran my hands over them, determined to chase away the chill that had settled over me.

“I’m going to check on Milo. I’ll be right back.”

Gage set down the box. “Do you want company?”

I needed to spend a few minutes alone with my familiar. “I’ll just be a minute, but we’ll touch base later.”

He said, “Okay.”

It was easy to see he didn’t think anything was amiss. I hurried across the grass in the direction of the crosswalk when shouting from the direction of Dean Hartley’s booth drew my attention, causing me to slow my steps. He was shouting, his arms gesturing wildly at a man I didn’t recognize at first. Dean took a step back, and when he did, I saw it was Mike Shaw. He owned the garden center on the south side of town and was a founding member of the Pembroke Cove Garden Club. Dean’s face was bright red, and he was shaking a fist at Mike’s face. When Mike said something else, there was another angry eruption before Dean turned his back on Mike. He threw up his hands and stalked away. It was good that one of the men had the sense to stop the argument. People in the town square were starting to look in their direction. I crossed the street and stepped on the brick sidewalk and withdrew the large brass key from my pocket to unlock the door. My bookshop, it wasn’t just my business, but also my sanctuary where my cat and familiar, Milo, hung out during the day with me and where I read my book of spells, Practical Beginnings.

“Milo?” I called out and checked the window seat, which was one of his favorite places to snooze. When he wasn’t there, I went in the direction of the children’s corner to another one of his hidey-holes. There was my gray bundle of fur. I scooped him up, rousing him from a deep sleep.

“Hey, fur ball. Wake up. I need to ask you a question.” I cradled him in my arms as I hurried to the front counter. He squirmed as I placed him down, and once seated, he began to lick his front paw, doing his best to ignore me.

“I need your advice.”

“What else is new?” he grumbled as he glanced at me before going back to his grooming.

“I get the feeling something bad is going to happen today.”

Finally, he stopped and gave me his best bored look. In his deep kitty growl, he asked, “What’s the problem?”

“Mom told me when I read the leaves today, to be honest about what I see. That it will change lives.”

“And you decided to jump to a conclusion that it had to be bad. What has gotten into you, my dear witch?”

I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped the toe of my black pointy ankle boot. Milo could be exasperating, and why did he pick now to do so? “It wasn’t what she said, but how she said it. All serious.”

“Maybe someone is going to win money today or find their life partner.” He rose to all four paws and did a long and lazy stretch. “This is the first year you’ve read tea leaves as a witch, and you read the book, right?”

I nodded.

“It doesn’t mean you have the gift to do that too. So far, we can’t pin down where you fit in the overall witch category. Do your best, and we’ll talk about it all tonight. And since you woke me from a very nice fish dream, we should have cod for dinner. And maybe ask Detective Cutie to join us.”

Not bothering to keep the exasperation from my voice, I said, “Stop calling Gage that, and I’ll think about swinging by the dock to purchase fish.” I dropped a quick kiss on his soft gray head and hurried to the door. So much for my familiar guiding me.

Business was brisk at our booth as shoppers purchased tea, and a steady stream of customers wanted to sit with me as well. I had been reading tea leaves all day, and so far, nothing out of the ordinary happened. I gave everyone happy things to look forward to. As the crowd was starting to thin, I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes. I hated to admit it, but I was on the edge of exhaustion. One more hour and we could shut it down for another year. I was curious why this year had been particularly draining. Did it have anything to do with me knowing I was a witch?

A raucous commotion disturbed my break. I opened my eyes and looked around before I locked my attention on Dean Hartley’s flower booth. He was having another shouting match with Tucker Gleason, the owner of the hardware store. I watched as Tucker grabbed a pair of hedge shears from Dean and shook his head in obvious disgust. Red-faced, Dean stopped yelling and handed over what looked like money to Tucker, who walked away, leaving the tool behind.

As if that altercation hadn’t happened, Mike Shaw approached the flower display. I braced myself for a repeat performance from Mike, but then he shook Dean’s hand and clasped his other hand on top of Dean’s, giving it a hearty shake as if the skirmish from earlier never happened. As he pumped Dean’s hand, he was beaming and then gestured to the blue ribbons that adorned pots of roses on display. Dean jerked his hand away and took a step back. Then he pointed in the direction of the parking area, and Mike shook his head.

I sat up straighter. This was curious. At first, it seemed they had set aside their differences. Even good friends could have a minor argument. A woman approached my table requesting a reading. Distracted, I began the process of making the tea. She drank some and then swirled the cup and turned it upside down. Another good one. I smiled as I gave her an optimistic reading—when I really longed to watch the excitement across the park.

After I had finished with my customer, commotion from Dean’s booth once again broke out. This time a group of people were clustered around the roses and I could hear raised voices but not specifically what was being said. A woman, whom I recognized as Edie Jenkins, was poking him in the chest, pushing Dean back with each jab. She was a regular in my bookstore for gardening books, but I had never seen her temper before. I got up from my chair and strolled in the general direction of the group gathering in front of the flower display. I was attempting to get close without appearing as if I was eavesdropping once I got within hearing distance of the booth. Whatever was happening over there wasn’t good. Before I got close enough to hear, I saw Ava Springs, a good friend of Edie’s, shouting at Dean. Alvin, Ava’s brother, was lingering in the back. They were all members of the same garden club so why on earth was everyone so riled up?

“Dean,” I called out. “We’re going to close up soon, and you mentioned you wanted to purchase some tea.” Everyone stopped grumbling as I drew closer.

He gave me a confused look, and then he seemed to understand I was trying to help him get off the hot seat he was on. “Yes, thank you, Lily, for the reminder.” He pushed his way through the group and escorted me back to the tea booth.

“How about a cup of tea too. Looks like you could use a pick-me-up.”

He gave me a funny grin. “Maybe you should read the leaves. Everyone is talking about the great fortunes that you’ve bestowed on them after a cup.” His grin turned into a scowl as he glanced over his shoulder. “I could use some good news right about now.”

Chapter2

Lily

Dean settled into the chair across from me as I filled the teacup with hot water to steep the loose-leaf tea. “Tell me what you’d like to know.” I studied him intently, wondering if he was looking for love or money.

Without hesitation, he said, “Peace and quiet. Solitude.”

I looked in the direction of his flower booth. “Things seemed to get heated over there a few times today.” I swung my attention back to him, more curious than concerned about what had happened.

“Yeah. A few people are mad about a hybrid rose I grew. Said I stole it, which I didn’t.”

That was an odd statement. I could hear my voice perk up as I asked, “Like, stole a bush?”

His shoulders drooped as he shook his head and leaned back in the folding chair. Crossing his arms over his chest, he lifted his chin and asked, “How much do you know about rose propagation?”

“Very little.” I leaned forward, glanced at the steeping tea, and looked back to Dean.

“Here’s the thing. You can’t just take a cutting from any rose you like and grow it. Some are protected by patents.” He must have seen the confused look on my face before he said, “Think of it this way. Someone put a lot of effort, time, and money into developing a new hybrid rose and they want to protect it so they can get the return on their investment before hacks start selling replicas. Cuttings shouldn’t be taken and propagated for personal gain. It’s stealing. A few people in this town think that’s how I got my new hybrid rose.” He snorted and a look of annoyance settled into the lines on his face. “Can you imagine, me stealing.”

The last sentence he said more to himself than to me. It wasn’t my place to come right out and ask him if that is what he did. However, by the sounds of everyone today, it was certainly the working theory.

He jabbed his finger in the direction of the teacup. “Is that ready? I need to get back to my booth to clean up. I’m going to cut out early.”

I gave him a small smile as I handed the paper cup to him, instructing him to drink the tea, being careful to leave bits of the leaves in the bottom. Dean did as I asked and handed the cup back to me. I took it in my left hand, swirled what was left of the brew, and turned it upside down on a paper towel. “Dean. Please place your hands on the cup and with clear thoughts, concentrate on what you would like to know.”

I waited for a long minute while he thought. Finally, he looked up. “Can I remove my hands now?”

“Yes.” I flipped the cup over with the paper handle facing left. Pulling the towel off the top, the wet leaves dropped back into the cup, then I discarded the paper. Peering inside on the upper half were some leaves but the bulk were in the bottom and shaped like a broken sword. I searched my memory for what I had read in the tea leaf reading book that Milo had insisted I peruse before today, but all I could remember was swords were a bad omen.

“What’s wrong? I can see you’re frowning.” Dean peered into the cup. “Is there something I should know about?”

I exhaled slowly. I certainly wasn’t about to tell him that a broken sword was one of the worst things I had seen today so I tempered it. “I’m seeing that people have been upset with you today.”

I lifted my head as he narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t need tea to tell me that.”

I pointed to the upper left half of the cup. “These represent from today through the next three months. And see how the leaves look like a sword? That means you’ll have more disagreements. However, you need to take care that whoever you disagree with doesn’t get the upper hand. It could indicate a bad outcome for you.”

“Like it might hurt my business?” He took the cup from me. “How come most of the leaves seem to be in the one section?”

“I’m not sure specifically but try to work with people, not against them.” A stiff ocean breeze raced over me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that this had to be my last customer for today. Reading tea leaves started out as a lark, but this—I took another look at Dean’s cup—this was borderline sinister.

“Why couldn’t you have told me I was about to come into money? Instead of a sword.” He pushed back his chair and got up and looked at my mother. “Mindy, any chance I can swing back after I pack up my booth and get two bags of the sunshine blend?”

Mom seemed surprised with the order, but she quickly composed her friendly saleswoman smile. “I’ll put two of today’s special aside for you.”

“Great, thanks.” He handed her a twenty-dollar bill and me a ten. “Will that cover my reading and the tea?”

I nodded and gave Dean my best upbeat smile. “Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

He grunted and moved away as I sank into my chair, wanting to disappear. “Mom. I’m done for today. Out of everyone I did, Dean’s was the only one that I messed up. I must be tired.”

Mom slipped into the chair where Dean had sat. She looked at his cup without touching it. “What is it?”

I closed my eyes and tipped my head back, hoping the sun would replace the chill that had settled over me. “To me it looks like he’s in for a heap of trouble in the coming months. I suggested he try to get along with others, but I don’t think he heard me.”

“Lily. Do you really think you saw something bad? You’ve been working this festival for years, but until this year you’ve always had fun.”

“That was before I found out I was a witch and could cast spells.” My eyes felt like sandpaper as I rubbed them with the back of my hands. “Do you think now that I’ve been learning spells, this could have taken on a different meaning?”

She took my hands and warmth radiated from her directly to my heart, lifting my spirit. “Your aunt Mimi would be better equipped to answer that question. Why don’t you see if you can find her?”

I gave Mom a grin. “I can do better than that; I’ve learned a summoning spell.” I closed my eyes and murmured under my breath, Aunt Mimi, I need your help. Come to me, and so it shall be. When I opened my eyes, Mom was scanning the people milling about the park, and a smile slid from one side of her face to the other.

“If I hadn’t watched your concentration, I might not have known for sure.” She nodded behind me, but I didn’t need to look. I could feel my aunt’s positive energy radiating in my direction. When she reached us, Aunt Mimi placed a warm, comforting hand on my shoulder. It wasn’t until we connected that I understood how drained I had become. Her presence boosted my mood even higher when combined with Mom’s hand on my arm.

She kept her eyes on my mother. “Hi, Mindy. Have sales been brisk today?”

“Mimi, it’s so good to see you as always, and I put some tea aside for you.” She got up from the chair and gestured for my aunt to sit down. “I’ll leave you and Lily to talk, and Reed will pack a bag for you.”

Aunt Mimi smiled, and I could see a reflection of myself sitting in the chair across from me. We had the same brown eyes, both petite and a smattering of freckles and before her hair turned silver it had been chestnut brown. “Lily?”

Without any preamble, I launched into my question. “Do you think I’m really able to read tea leaves or is it more of a kitchen witch thing, like should Nikki be doing this and not me?”