Secrets And Tea

Chapter 1

"Whew, I never thought we would be this busy, and it's only the beginning of the tourist season," Abigail Thatcher said as she sank down on an empty chair in the small kitchen of Magical Tea Boutique. 

Isabelle Font smiled from her position at the stove, she was the small tea shop's baker. 

"Rionna will be happy to when she returns from her trip from seeing the twins at Misty Grove Gardens," Isabelle commented. 

She put on an oven glove when a timer dinged on the oven and pulled out the freshly baked blueberry scones which would be taken out front.

Abigail breathed in the aroma of fresh blueberries and warm dough. 

"Isabelle, you are amazing. How do you make such great treats every day? They sell like wild here at the shop."

Isabelle grinned cheekily, "Practice, practice, and a bit of magic," she said with a wink. Her usual answer to the question when asked about her outstanding baking skills.

Abigail reached out to pluck one of the scones from the hot pan and bounced it around to keep it from burning her fingers until she could rip a small chunk off and pop it in her mouth.

"Heavenly," Abigail commented. 

"Stop eating the goods or there won't be any left for the customers," Isabelle scolded, "Take these to the front will you, and put them out in the display case."

Abigail saluted her before stuffing the last of the scone into her mouth and grabbing the tray filled with fresh scones.

Out front, the small tea shop door chime was tingling a friendly greeting to its customers Abigail went to the front display case and took a pair of tongs, and placed the scones inside the glass enclosure.

"Those look delicious," a male voice commented.

Abigail looked up at the man standing in front of the counter, her eyes widened as she looked behind him to see a ghostly figure of a man in military uniform standing there.

"Thomas?" she breathed, her eyes tearing up as the ghostly specter behind the man gave a grim nod.

"No, my name is Damien Montgomery," the man in front of the counter said. 

Abigail's gaze landed on the man standing in front of the display, he had long brown hair down to his shoulders. His cold green gaze sent shivers down her back. He was in jeans and a shirt that stretched across his shoulders almost like it was a size too small.

"I'm sorry Damien," apologized Abigail, as she quickly placed the scones into the display, "Are you interested in buying some blueberry scones?"

"Actually, I'm here to find Rionna Woods. I have something that I need to give her and tell her," Damien said, "I heard this that she works here."

"She owns this tea shop actually, and she isn't in at the moment. She went to Misty Grove to talk about the next order. She may be gone a while." Abigail announced, "You may have to come back later or tomorrow."

The man looked around the small tea shop then his green gaze came back to her.

"I'll wait then. Bring whatever you recommend to that table over there," Damien stated, pointing to an empty table near the back of the room.

Abigail nodded and watched as he walked away. Her gaze returned to the ghost that was looking at her sadly.

"Thomas,  you are home now. We will be sure you get the best funeral," she promised the ghostly specter. 

The ghost just gave her a thumbs-up and then floated around the small tea shop. Abigail felt heartache as she watched Thomas float from table to table. Those who could see him would greet him easily while others continued to chat happily like nothing was wrong.