Tea Cups and Carnage by Lynn Cahoon Read Free Book Online

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