Rad stood and looked at Margo. “Is this yours?”
“No.” She shook her head at once. “I’ve never seen it before.” She frowned. It looked a little familiar, but she was sure none of her staff wore jewelry.
Rad turned slightly toward June. “You wouldn’t have dropped it when you came in here to inspect the place with my dad?”
June’s answer came immediately. “No. It’s not mine.”
Rad nodded once, then pulled a small evidence bag from his jacket and slipped the bracelet inside.
June watched him with unmistakable familiarity. “You’re just like your father. He carries gloves and baggies everywhere, too.”
Rad gave a short laugh. “He taught me to do this.”
“It does look a bit familiar.” Margo stared at the bag in his hand. “I don’t think it belongs to my staff,” she said. “They, like me, don’t wear jewelry.” A faint, humorless laugh escaped her. “There’s always the possibility it could fall off and a customer gets an unwelcome present in their food.”
“We’ll need to ask all of your staff,” Rad said, practical and calm again.
“Of course.” Margo nodded. “I’ll give you a list of everyone.”
“Thank you.” Rad smiled.
His smile made her pulse give another ridiculous little jump. Their eyes held for a fraction too long before June’s movement around the kitchen broke the moment cleanly in two.
Margo drew in a breath and looked around the room again.
The weight of it all settled over her afresh. The damage. The smell. The sheer effort it would take to make this place whole again.
“I guess we should get home,” Margo said quietly.
“Yes,” June agreed.
Margo gave the kitchen one last look before turning away.
Her heart felt heavy enough to sink. She had poured herself into Teacups. Into every cup, cake, flower arrangement, and mismatched plate. Into making it feel warm, welcoming, and safe. Seeing it wounded like this felt unbearably close to seeing part of herself laid open.
They locked up behind them and headed back to the car.
As Rad drove toward the Sandpiper Inn, Margo sat in the back seat with her eyes closed and promised herself one thing.
She would rebuild Teacups.
No matter how long it took, no matter how much work, money, or grit it demanded, she would rebuild Teacups.
When they reached the inn, June stayed in the car while Rad got out and walked Margo to the door of her cottage attached to the side of the property. The night had grown quieter again, and the warm air carried the distant sound of water moving against the shore.
At her door, Margo turned to face him.
The porch light caught the tiredness in his face and the concern he hadn’t bothered to hide.
“Are you okay?” Rad asked.
Margo opened her mouth with the automatic answer on her tongue, then let it die.
“Physically, yes,” she said. “Emotionally…” She swallowed against the sting of tears. “I’m heartsore over Teacups.”
Something in Rad’s expression softened even more.
He reached for her hands.
