Teaberry Blossom Time

  Teaberry Blossom Time

  A Teaberry Farm Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery

  R. A. Wallace

  2019

  Author’s Note

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, dialogue, places, and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Material in this book is not intended as a substitute for legal or medical advice from qualified professionals. The author has no connection to any software or website mentioned.

  © 2019 R. A. Wallace. All rights reserved.

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Megan’s Recipe

  Books by R. A. Wallace

  Chapter One

  He stood with his hand poised above the towering structure. In it he held the all-critical component. With this final block, his masterpiece would be complete. This single accomplishment would ensure his place among the best builders of all time. He was going to be famous.

  Six-year-old Evan Brewster screwed his face up as he concentrated on lowering the piece into position without toppling the massive structure. He had to place the block on top of the others without accidentally compromising the precarious stability of the building already in place. He lowered it carefully and rested it on top of the two pieces below it that formed the bridge for this last block. Just as he began to release his fingers, disaster struck.

  “I do!” Jasmine grabbed the top block with her stubby fingers.

  Evan watched as the tower trembled momentarily before crashing to the floor.

  “All gone!” Jasmine said proudly as she clapped her hands and smiled gleefully.

  “Mom!” Evan yelled.

  “Sorry, we’re still working on playing well with others.” Trina handed the pot she had just washed to Jessilyn.

  Jessilyn laughed as she rinsed the pot. “It takes time.” She dried the pot as she walked toward the cupboard to put it away. “Evan, she wants to play with the blocks too. Remember what we talked about with sharing?”

  “She still needs to practice how to share,” Trina told Evan. “She’s just learning. Maybe you can teach her.”

  Evan looked at Trina with uncertainty in his eyes. “Why doesn’t she know how?”

  “She’s just a baby,” Jessilyn said.

  “She needs more practice with other kids like you. She doesn’t have anyone at home to play with,” Trina explained.

  Evan eyed the tiny ball of energy with a mass of dark curls on her head. She held up a block toward him. As he reached out to take it, she snatched it back and laughed.

  “How is school going?” Jessilyn asked.

  Trina rinsed some serving spoons and set them in the sink.

  “I’ll be glad when it is over. This is my final semester. I cannot wait. Between juggling work and classes and her.” Trina turned to check on Jasmine. Evan had created a second pile of blocks for her to play with. She was taking the rest of his blocks and adding them to her pile. “It’s been a tough year so far.”

  “I can imagine.” Jessilyn carried the serving spoons over to the drawer.

  She watched as Evan handed the rest of his blocks to Jasmine one at a time. Jasmine clapped her hands when her pile was complete. Evan tried to begin building another tower from the pile of blocks. Jasmine was having none of it.

  “Mine!” She slapped at his hands. After turning her back on him, she crouched down and began toppling the blocks.

  Evan was about to complain when he heard Seth and Jax laughing.

  “Why don’t you go check in the living room and see what they’re up to?” Jessilyn suggested.

  Evan took one glance at Jasmine’s back and shrugged before heading down the hall. He found Seth on the couch. Jax was sitting in a chair. There were papers spread out on the coffee table.

  “Hey, Buddy. How are things in the kitchen?” Seth asked.

  Evan slid onto the couch next to him. “Trina said that Jasmine needs more kids to practice sharing.”

  Jax laughed. “Yeah, I’m hoping to start working on that.”

  “Seriously?” Seth asked.

  Jax waved at the paperwork. “Once we get this established, yeah.”

  Seth looked down at Evan. “What would you think of having a little sister like Jasmine?”

  Evan made a face. “She’s alright. I’d rather have someone bigger like Logan. He can play catch.”

  Jax dropped the pile of papers he had in his hand to the coffee table.

  “Well, what do you think?” Jax narrowed his eyes at Seth.

  Seth gestured at the paperwork with both hands. “We did our best. It’s up to Sal Hobson to make the decision now.”

  Jax leaned back in his seat. “I can’t believe we’re even this far with it.”

  Seth rubbed Evan’s head. “We wouldn’t be if it weren’t for Ross. Having him as a silent partner is the only way we had any chance of affording this.”

  “Agreed.” Jax stared at the business proposal he had just tossed on the table. “It has a nice ring to it. Anderson & Cramer Nursery & Landscaping.”

  Evan ducked his head under Seth’s hand. “What does that mean?”

  Seth stopped rubbing. “It means Jax and I are trying to buy a nursery.”

  Evan made another face. “For babies?”

  Seth laughed. “Yes, except this kind of nursery is for baby plants and trees.”

  Evan sat up straighter. “Really?”

  “Yep. The man that owns it now is selling it,” Seth explained.

  “Why?” Evan asked.

  “He said he wants to do some traveling,” Jax said as he began gathering the papers up.

  “When do I get to see it?” Evan asked.

  “We still don’t know if we’re buying it.” Seth looked down at Evan. Although they both had blue eyes, while Seth’s short hair was black, Evan’s hair was so blond it was nearly white.

  Evan frowned up at him. “Why not?”

  “Several people put in bids. The owner has to pick which of us he’s going to sell it to.”

  “When is he going to do that?” Evan started scratching at a scab on his elbow.

  Seth reached down and captured his hand. “We’ll know early next week sometime.”

  “Will you still get to plow snow in the winter?” Evan squirmed his hand free from Seth’s grasp.

  Seth laughed. “You like driving in the truck with me, don’t you?”

  Evan nodded.

  “Yeah, we’ll still get to plow snow,” Seth assured him.

  “And mow grass,” Jax said as Trina and Jessilyn entered the room.

  Seth’s eyes shot to Jessilyn. She was carrying Jasmine.

  “I can’t wait to find out who has the winning bid,” Trina said as she took a seat near Jax.

  “Have you thought any more about working at the nursery if we get it?” Jax asked her.

  Jasmine held her arms out to Trina. Jessilyn passed the child over to her mother
before taking a seat next to Evan on the couch.

  “I have. I think it’s perfect, actually.” Trina settled Jasmine in her lap.

  “We were just talking about that in the kitchen,” Jessilyn said. “She’ll be able to keep Jasmine with her sometimes.”

  “That’s what I was thinking too.” Jax pulled a tissue from the box next to him and wiped at Jasmine’s nose.

  “Mr. Hobson had a nice setup there with the small house attached to the storefront,” Trina agreed. “My mom said she could help out too.”

  “Everyone cross their fingers.” Seth reached down and helped Evan contort his fingers. “With any luck, we’ll be expanding our business next week.”

  ***

  Megan bent over and picked up another dead branch. She stood and tossed it in the back bed of the four wheeler.

  “Looks like we lost a pear tree too.” She looked over at Dan. He was inspecting the other trees in the orchard.

  “I think this one is good.” Dan walked over to Megan to help her pick up the rest of the dead branches from the pear tree.

  “I’ll have to call Mr. Hobson and tell him that I need to pick up a pear tree when we get the peach tree,” Megan said.

  “Are you telling me that you aren’t going to go over there and pick it out yourself?” He was only half joking.

  “Don’t make fun of me. I’m very attached to my fruit trees,” she said with a grin.

  “I know that,” Dan agreed as he bent to retrieve more twigs. “Anyone who personally picks out their fruit trees in the middle of winter so they have exactly the one they want in the spring would have to be.”

  “Okay, you’re right. I’m actually going to ask him if I can drive over and pick out the pear tree too,” she confessed. “But that way I’ll know for sure that I have the best one.”

  Dan laughed as he picked up more branches. “There is a method to your madness.”

  “You won’t laugh when you eat your dessert in a few minutes.”

  Dan raised his hands. “I’m not arguing that. I love your fruit pies.”

  Megan smiled as she looked around the orchard. She loved seeing the growth on the trees emerging when spring arrived.

  “Was that your parents I heard you talking to a few minutes ago?” he asked.

  “It was. They were telling me about the spring training games they’ve been going to.” Megan tossed the last of the branches into the four wheeler.

  “That must be nice, but I can’t complain. We had an unusually nice day here today.” Dan surveyed the rest of the orchard.

  “Feels like spring,” Megan agreed. “I can’t wait for the warm weather to stay.”

  “You’re excited about the addition we’re going to put on.” He was pretty excited about it too.

  Megan turned to look at the house. “I am.” Her hand dropped to her stomach.

  Dan closed the distance between them and stood next to her. His hand covered hers. Megan leaned back against him and stared at the house.

  “It’s a good thing the warm weather is here,” he murmured into her ear.

  She snuggled back against him. “Why?”

  “This jacket isn’t going to fit you for much longer.”

  She laughed. He was right. “I figured I’d just borrow one of yours if I had to.”

  He grinned as she turned around to look at him. He pointed toward the four wheeler.

  “I’ll go dump this,” he said.

  “I’ll go in and call Mr. Hobson about the trees.”

  “Speaking of pie…” he said.

  “It’ll be waiting for you in the house when you come in.” Megan pulled her phone from her pocket as she walked toward the house. She found Mr. Hobson in her contacts and called him. The phone rang several times and then went to message. She explained why she was calling and asked him to return her call. She wanted to set up a time when she could stop out to see him.

  Chapter Two

  He thin sliced the cucumber and slid them into the salad bowl before taking a sip of his wine. He turned his head to smile at his wife when she entered the room.

  “It is officially the weekend now that you are home,” Matthias said.

  Barbara joined him at the counter and picked up her own glass of wine.

  “Thanks for this,” she said before taking a sip. She watched as he expertly diced the tomato.

  “What smells so good?” She knew it involved tomato sauce.

  “I put a lasagna in earlier.” He slid the tomato cubes into the bowl before rinsing his hand.

  “Sounds wonderful.” She reached over and stole a black olive from the salad bowl.

  “I’m looking forward to when I can get out with the grill again,” he confessed as he dried his hands. “I like the flexibility it adds to our menu.”

  “Speaking of which, I can’t wait for the seafood on our trip.” Barbara set her wine glass down and reached into a cupboard to take out the dinner plates.

  “I can’t wait to catch the seafood on our trip.” Matthias placed the salad bowl in the middle of the table. “I believe we have most of the schedule set for our trip during spring break.”

  “Not too set, I hope. The fun of vacation is having some wiggle room to enjoy yourself.” She put out three settings for dinner.

  “I agree completely and I think you’ll approve when you see the schedule. It’s a list to choose from.” Matthias leaned back against the counter.

  “I can’t believe we’re actually going to get everyone together in Florida for a whole week.” Barbara pulled one of the chairs out from the table and sat with her wine glass.

  “It was a wonderful idea, even if I do say so myself.” Matthias grinned.

  “What do we have to choose from?” Barbara asked curiously.

  “Well, we took a poll. Some wanted to try a little snorkeling. There’s the boat trip that includes fishing for those who are interested. That’s definitely me.” Matthias looked up at the ceiling as he mentally went down the list. “We have the spa treatments.”

  “The hot pebble message is calling me,” Barbara murmured before taking another sip.

  “I can understand and that’s exactly why we came up with a list. Everyone should find something that sounds interesting and be able to enjoy it with someone else in both of our families.” Matthias picked up the hot pads and turned toward the oven.

  “An excellent plan. You’re correct, I do approve.”

  “There are even shopping excursions on some of the days. I believe there’s also an airboat ride planned.” Matthias lifted the lasagna from the oven and set it on the trivet on the table. “And you could even go swimming with the dolphins, if you want.”

  Her hand froze half way to her mouth with the wine glass. “Really? I might have to sign up for that one.”

  “I just wish Kaylee could make the trip with us,” Matthias said as he reached for his wine glass.

  Barbara nodded her agreement.

  “I told you that I don’t mind,” Kaylee said as she entered the kitchen. She went to the fridge and took out a pitcher of tea. “Besides, I’ll be there at the end of the week so I’m not missing the whole thing.”

  “There is that,” Matthias agreed.

  “We’ll just have to plan something for summer to get everyone here again,” Kaylee suggested as she took a seat at the table.

  Barbara perked up. “That does sound like a good idea.”

  “We don’t have any dolphins here to swim with though,” Matthias said jokingly as he transferred salad to his plate.

  “We were just talking about adding some new form of entertainment to the area this week.” Barbara took the salad bowl from Matthias.

  “What kind of entertainment?” Kaylee picked up the knife and began cutting the lasagna.

  “A new trail, except this one would be for all terrain vehicles instead of hiking.” Barbara pushed her plate over so Kaylee could add some lasagna to it.

  “That does sound like fun.” Kaylee transferred a large h
unk of lasagna to Matthias’s plate.

  “Where will it be located?” Matthias asked.

  “Right now we’re looking at a large tract of land outside of town,” Barbara said.

  “Sounds like fun. I can see how it would pull in visitors.” Matthias liberally sprinkled dressing on his salad then set the bottle on the table close to Kaylee.

  “How was your day?” he asked Kaylee.

  “Not bad. The babies might be starting to teeth. They’re a little fussy.”

  “Do you have to babysit this weekend?” Barbara asked.

  “Erica has the weekend off. She and Brad are hoping for a quiet weekend home with the babies which works for me. I have a lot of homework to do this weekend. It’s due before spring break.”

  “I can understand that. Best to get it out of the way so you can enjoy the week off,” Matthias said.

  “Hopefully, it will be a relatively quiet week,” Kaylee agreed.

  ***

  Brad held Mason with one arm and reached for a handful of French fries from the takeout bag with the other.

  “I now understand how people get addicted to eating takeout,” Brad said. “It’s because they don’t have time to do anything else when they’re juggling kids and work.”

  Erica swayed back and forth while holding Maddie as she stood next to the kitchen table.

  “Yeah, I’m hoping we’ll eventually get back to eating things like vegetables some time in the future.” She held Maddie in front of her face. “Maybe when you’re eating vegetables with us.”

  Maddie smiled at the faces Erica made at her when she spoke.

  “I’m hoping that you’ll still be smiling when you have to eat the vegetables,” Erica said to her daughter.

  “Seriously, maybe it’s a time management thing.” Brad felt Mason begin to squirm. He gave up trying to eat and began rubbing Mason’s back.

  “What do you mean?” Erica reached over and picked up a shredded pork sandwich. She took a large bite before setting it back down to continue her swaying.

  “Maybe we just have to figure out how to do it.” He glanced over at his phone. “Maybe Lauren has ideas. I doubt they’re eating takeout right now.”

  Erica considered it. “Good idea. We should ask.”

  “I’ll text her the next time the kids are sleeping.” Brad looked over at Erica. He couldn’t remember the last time they had a conversation that didn’t center around the twins.