“Mm-hmm. For every specialty tea blend you subject me to, I’ll introduce you to a proper coffee.” His eyes held a challenge. “Cultural exchange. Very diplomatic.”
Daphne found herself almost smiling despite everything. “I look forward to being thoroughly disappointed by your motor oil.”
“Challenge accepted.” His eyes lit with something dangerous—something that felt like the beginning of a game she hadn’t agreed to or had any interest in playing. Yet something in her rose to meet that challenge.
Daphne closed the door behind her and slipped into Tea Thyme, its familiar facade extra comforting. Inside, she set the tray on the counter and drew in a deep breath as she dropped to the stool. The shop was still empty, not yet open for the day’s customers, and the silence broken only by the gentle tick of the antique clock Granny had insisted created “proper tea ambience.”
“Well, Granny,” she said to the empty room. “I tried being neighborly.”
But some people weren’t the sort to win over.
Selfish, shallow, and probably unreliable.
Just like her dad.
And as much as she loved history, she had no intention of repeating that pattern.
Chapter 4
New Tea Alert!Introducing Embarrassment Flush—the exfoliating heat treatment you never asked for!
Perfect for those moments when your face jumps into sauna territory after an unexpected wink (or, you know, when you spill your tea literally and figuratively). Made with the finest hibiscus, ginger, and a touch of mortification.??
Stop by Tea Thyme and try it—because blushing should at least come with good flavor! #ChooseWisely #TeaThyme #EmbarrassmentFlush #WisteriaLife #BlushingAndBrewing
OPENING SOON: The Green Dragon Pub!
Wisteria, you’ve been far too long without a proper English pub, and I’m here to fix that. The Green Dragon opens one week from today. Classic British comfort food, a stellar pint selection, and just enough charm to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a cozy pub across the pond.
And because I’m trying to be a good sport about this whole living in the South thing... sigh... I suppose I’ll be serving sweet tea. But only because I hear it helps make friends.
So come grab a drink, a bite, or even a ridiculously sugary tea, and let’s make The Green Dragon your new favorite spot.Opening in 1 week! Cheers! #TheGreenDragonWisteria #BritishPubMeetsSouthernCharm #PubGrub
Finn couldn’t shake the gnawing discomfort from his morning meeting with Daphne Austen.
He’d expected some hurdles in getting his restaurant up and running—permits, inspections, the occasional misplaced shipment. Most things Harry had already put into motion so Finn could open the restaurant with all due speed and lose as little money as possible.
What Finn hadn’t expected washer.
The woman had shown up at the break of dawn like some kind of benevolent breakfast fairy, all sunshine and scones, wielding a tray like it was her personal mission to ensure he didn’t starve.
And Finn wasn’t prepared for her charm.
First impressions truly didn’t give a full picture.
Of course the first time he’d seen her, she’d been wearing a bright pink suit with her face pressed against his car window, which had been more alarming than endearing. This morning she’d swapped that for a crisp white blouse and pale blue slacks that hugged more than hung. And it turned out that when she wasn’t glaring at him, she was actually quite... pretty.
Not the sort of woman who turned every head in the room, but definitely the sort that could hold a man’s attention longer than was good for him.
But the real problem wasn’t the way she looked.
It was something else—something intangible but potent enough to tighten his chest with a warning.
Dangerous didn’t always come in dark alleys or in the form of scarred villains. Sometimes it came wrapped in warmth and goodintentions, in the sort of temptation that could make a man think about things he’d sworn off.
He had a sneaky suspicion that Daphne Austen was the sort to tempt thoughts of “till death do us part.” She had that small-town, inviting spark about her.
He shook his head. But he knew her type. He scoffed. In fact, he’d married her type. Positive, funny, willing to take on the adventures life posed for a couple, but when life grew harder than what she signed up for, she’d leave. When hardship forced a choice between herself and her family, she’d choose herself.
