The past five months had only drawn them closer—through drywall dust and late-night taste testing, through laughter and tears and Lucy’s endless giggle sessions. Finn and Lucy weren’t just part of Daphne’s life now. They’d become her future.
Both in business and in heart. And, somehow, not only had they made their differences in personalities work together, but they’d made their foods meld too.
No, Finn hadn’t converted her to coffee.
And she’d not gotten him to love tea... yet.
But together they’d crafted something new: a hybrid menu full of charm and flavor, which still held true to classic favorites. Some with a Southern flair, like taking Victoria sponge and turning it into blackberry and Earl Grey sponge cake, or bangers and mash... with cheese, or smoked pork belly Scotch eggs. And then, of course, corn bread and honey scones, sweet potato biscuits with maple butter, and crispy hushpuppies with Guinness cheddar dip... and so much more.
The ideas never stopped. But that’s what happened when you loved what you did and who you worked with.
She weaved through the crowd back toward the large booth some local carpenters had built for Tea & Tap to house their food, with a straight shot down Main Street to the restaurant in case they needed something.
Daphne slipped back behind the booth, resuming her role at keeping things organized as Finn charmed everyone waiting in line. Lucy perched proudly on a stepstool beside him, handing out napkins and declaring her dad’s food “very yummy but not as pretty as Daphne’s.”
From the corner of her eye, Daphne caught sight of Jack takingphotos of the whole thing for the shop owners’ social media feed, while Rosemary coordinated the scone tower and Granny D walked around with a tray of strawberry iced tea samples like a small-town sommelier.
Finn appeared beside Daphne, brushing a crumb from her collarbone with far more attention than necessary. “Your lemon tart is about to outsell my mini sliders,” he murmured near her ear, sending delightful tingles down her neck. “You know what that does to my ego.”
She turned toward him. “I’m in your life to keep you humble.”
His grin lit his eyes. “Which takes a feat of great strength and perseverance, I am sure.” And then he looked around. “Where did you go off to anyway?”
“Jodie at the general store told me to pick up a T-shirt she specifically made for me.” Daphne waved toward her shirt.
Tea & Tap was written on the top left corner of the shirt with a teacup and mug poised together beneath, a heart between them.
“Nice,” Finn said, and then with a grin, Daphne turned around so he could read the back: “Contents may be too hot for the chef.”
She looked over her shoulder to catch his slack-jawed expression. “You’re walking around in that shirt on purpose.”
“What do you mean?”
“And you know it.” His eyes narrowed and he leaned in. “With a message that is turning my internal temperature into a possible health code violation.”
“I think you can handle the pressure.”
His gaze dipped to her lips. “I think your increased flirting abilities may cause me to internally combust.” He drew in a deep breath and shook his head. “Mercy!”
“She made you one too.” She reached over behind the counter and tossed it to him. Tea & Tap was on the front, like hers, and on the back it read: “I came for the brisket. Stayed for the baker.”
A laugh shot from him. He wrapped an arm around her waist, tugging her closer. “I only get distracted by the best.”
From the other side of the counter, Lucy piped up, “Are you guys flirting again?”
“Obviously,” Finn said, scooping her up. “The couple that flirts together stays together.” He shot Daphne a wink.
“I finkforeveris a very good word,” Lucy said, kissing Finn’s cheek, then reaching to do the same to Daphne.
“It sure is, sugarplum.” Daphne’s gaze flitted over to Finn, whose quirked grin only broadened.
Just then, the music faded and Mayor Wilson’s voice boomed over the speakers.
“Welcome, everyone. This is our first official town-wide celebration since the flood swept through Wisteria five months ago. We’ve grown stronger—together. The heart of this town hasn’t just survived... I’d argue we’re better than ever.”
Cheers erupted.
So many people. Some from Wisteria. Some from out of town. All for the same reason.
