Secrets And Tea

Chapter 9

Rionna walked down the shaded Elm Street. In her hands, she carried a box of Isabelle's famous brownies and her tea. 

Approaching the house that Damien had bought she stopped to admire the work that had been done already on the overgrown lot. The vegetation looked pristine. Weeds were gone and the yard looked like someone was now living there.

She stared in awe at the transformation. 

Damien stepped around the house talking to Ben Hepner, the local plumber. 

"Okay, I'll be over in a week to fix the pipes to that fountain and get the repairs done to the ones in the house," Ben stated. 

"Thanks, I appreciate it. I'm surprised those pipes lasted as long as they had," Damien stated, as he stopped to shake the man's hand, "Thanks for coming."

"You're welcome. Oh! Hey Rionna," greeted Ben when he spotted Rionna standing at the fence, "What have you got there?"

"Tea and some of Isabelle's brownies," stated Rionna as she opened the box to reveal the delicious brown goodness inside. 

Ben snagged one of the squares and bit into it. Rolling his eyes back on a moan.

"Heaven, okay. I'm leaving now. Take care you two," stated the man as he walked to his small truck hauling a trailer.

Rionna turned her attention to Damien who approached with his hands in his pockets. He slowly took the tea and the box of brownies.

"Come on inside. I'll show you what's been done so far," he said, setting the box on the swing by the front of the house.

RIonna walked into the yard, "It's a complete transformation. If the previous owner was alive she'd be happy to see her yard brought back to life." she said, as she scanned the neatly trimmed yard.

"There is still lots to do. The fountain's piping needs fixing as well as some in the house. Ben is going to swing by and get the work done. I still have to get the rest of the backyard cleaned out and trimmed up. I had the windows that were broken repaired and a new door knob installed." rattled Damien, as he took her around back to show where piles of leaves and wood were set.

"Wow. I didn't realize it was that bad in here. Her son completely abandoned the place after she died and hasn't returned. I'm glad you are restoring it back to its old beauty," Rionna commented as she looked around the large yard. 

"It's a beautiful place the house is in okay condition. Solid foundation only some minor adjustments and repairs to the roof, and the back verandah need to be made. Other than that she is a gem."

Rionna couldn't agree more, she could see that the back deck that stretched along the back of the house was sagging and the wood had rotted away. In her later years, the woman that had lived here had been too old to keep up with repairs, and with the island being subject to climate changes all year long you had to maintain the houses often. Residents would help her when they could do minor things but nothing like a permanent homeowner could do.

"Are you going to name the house?" Rionna asked, and grinned when Damien gave her a confused look, "It's a tradition on the island to name the house. It is a form of respect for the buildings that provide us with shelter from the elements. Mine is called Peak. Mostly because I live on Eagle Peak. Every year a pair of bald eagles build their nest in my trees." 

"Huh, never thought of naming a house before. I'll think about it," he stated, "So what brought you by?"

"Just decided to come and see what Abigail is causing such a stir about. She comes in every morning gushing about this place and how you are making it look better than before," stated Rionna, "And to see how you are doing since we laid Thomas to rest?"

"Coping. Still angry, and upset, but the house is soothing. The island is soothing. I don't know why but sometimes it's like it whispers to me. Almost like it is telling me that it will be okay and that I don't have to worry anymore," he said, "Sounds crazy I know but honestly there is no way I can describe why I decided to stay here."

Rionna blinked as she listened to him talk. It was rare that the island spoke. Mostly witches who were born here or of magic could hear the island talking. 

Something about Damien had told the island that he was part of it. Yet, she didn't sense any magic in him.

"Well, the island works its own type of magic. It's why it is so popular with the mainlanders," Rionna said, brushing off her thoughts to reply, "I hope you find the peace you are looking for here. I have to head back to the shop. It's getting late.

Rionna returned to the front with Damien beside her and she left while he sat down to drink the tea and brownies she had brought.

Returning to the shop Rionna was surprised at how full it was. Abigail and Jessica, her part-timer were bustling around with people's orders. 

"What happened?" Rionna asked, as she quickly got behind the counter to help the two women.

"Don't know, just suddenly two minutes after you left this place became a hive," Abigail stated, as she rang up another order.

"Two minutes? You're joking right?" asked Rionna.

"No, she is correct," Isabelle stated as she came out with freshly baked goods, "I don't think I've seen this place so busy since we opened."

"It's weird," Jessica piped in, "I mean. Seriously, I just came on shift and suddenly we were lined up all the way to the door, and the tables filled fast. I'm glad we had no big parties or groups reserved or this would be worse."

Rionna couldn't have agreed more. Her little shop was not equipped for a full house.

She quickly started to help fill out orders and interacted with many of the patrons. Her favorite part of owning a small tea house and bakery.p