A Cuppa Trouble

by Angela Ruth Strong

“With this skirt? Never.” Marissa stepped behind the cash register to ring up orders as Tandy scooped. “It’s not the shoes anyway. My feet went numb from abuse a long time ago. I’ve got a bunch of other stuff bothering me.”

  “Like what?” Tandy asked as nonchalantly as possible.

  Her partner had no idea how her day would soon turn around with Connor’s proposal. He was currently finishing up the loft for The Dating Game, though the couple would soon be well past dating.

  Marissa huffed, answering between orders. “I was hoping to find time to track down Mr. Cross and ask him about the possibility of shipping things to Canada from here. I know he has riverboats, but as entrepreneurial as he is, I bet he has other boats too.”

  Tandy sprinkled a cinnamon heart through a stencil onto the top of a drink and handed it to a mom with three children who’d already finished half their bags of popcorn. “You really think someone is shipping Randon’s Corvette across the border the way Vic suggested?”

  “Vic knows his cars.”

  “Yes, he does.” Vic’s deep voice boomed from the other side of the counter.

  Tandy looked up to see her ex, and amazingly enough, her stomach didn’t churn at the sight. “Sweet tea?” she asked.

  “Nah.” Vic waved a hand. “I’m headed back to Toledo, and I don’t want to risk y’all dumping tea on me again. I’d have to unpack my suitcase to change, and that’s a lot of work with only one arm. I’m here to say goodbye.” A glow of fondness gave his dark eyes a golden light and turned his grin from charming to endearing.

  Tandy smiled. “Goodbye, Vic. Thanks for being real with me yesterday.”

  “You’re welcome.” He nodded. “Take care. And, you know, make sure you’ve got an EpiPen handy for the next time your new boyfriend tries to kill you.”

  “Sage advice.”

  Marissa pointed at Vic’s chest. “Speaking of murder…”

  Vic held his good arm wide as he stepped backwards. “If you track down any more evidence against me, Tandy knows where I live.”

  Tandy waved him away. She’d never really suspected him. “Goodbye, Vic.”

  A cute woman with tousled hair and a turned-up nose stepped toward the counter. “Y’all have sweet tea?” she asked in a southern drawl.

  Vic stepped forward again. “Make that two sweet teas.” He held out his hand to introduce himself to the cute stranger. “Hi, I’m Vic. Are you having a good Valentine’s Day?”

  Tandy rolled her eyes as she served drinks to her ex and the new woman in his love life. She wished him the best, she just didn’t want to have to watch.

  Marissa didn’t take it as well. She pouted for some reason. “Connor’s acting weird. I think that maybe he never planned to propose, and all his secretive stuff was about being afraid to tell me that he kissed you.” Ah, that was the reason.

  Tandy had thought the same thing at first, but now she knew his plan. Once business slowed down, Connor would invite Marissa to join him for one of the carriage rides his mom always offered downtown on Valentine’s. That’s when Pastor Meade would come in with his worship band to start playing love songs. Billie had even convinced Joseph Cross to get his new “publicity professional” to dress up like Cupid for the occasion.

  Connor had gone all out, and Tandy hoped Marissa didn’t let the news of their kiss ruin her day. “You know it didn’t mean anything, right?”

  Marissa handed her paper cups to make their next order for Officer Griffin and Agent McNeil. “Two black coffees. One with a shot of hazelnut.”

  The one with hazelnut had to be for Griffin. Tandy poured their drinks without comment, as she would rather avoid the possibility of her recent trip to the ER being made public news.

  Marissa sent a grimace the direction of the loft, so her thoughts obviously weren’t on the case either. “It’s not about the kiss so much as it is about Connor not telling me. I’m trying to be understanding like Billie said, but he should also be more open.”

  Tandy pumped the squirt of hazelnut, popped lids on the cups, and handed them to the oddest couple in the shop before following Marissa’s gaze up to where Connor worked. She couldn’t explain that he had a good reason to keep his secret, but she could point Marissa in the direction of someone who was better with advice. “You should talk to Billie. She’s here too.”

  “Oh, good.” Marissa motioned their favorite antique store owner toward the counter. “Do you want Tandy’s Mexican mocha or my orange spice tea, Billie? I know you’ve tried both, so now is the moment of truth.”

  Tandy slid sideways to be shoulder to shoulder with Marissa and give Billie a visual of her options. This was like the new Pepsi Challenge. She sweetened the offer. “Either one of our drinks is on the house for you today. You choose.”

  Billie opened her mouth, but hesitated, looking back and forth between them. “Joseph is joining me, so I’ll take one of each.”

  Tandy passed a mug to Marissa then grabbed her own. “You are a very wise woman.”

  “In fact, you are exactly who I need to talk to, Billie.” Marissa scooped tea into an infuser. “I’m trying to do what you said about being understanding, but I feel like Connor isn’t being vulnerable. That got me thinking about how Pastor Meade explained that when George communicated with God, he valued that time. And I don’t feel like Connor has been valuing me lately.”

  “Well.” Billie spoke as slowly and thoughtfully as ever. “It’s a little different in a human relationship than a relationship with God. With God, we get our value from Him, but in a relationship with humans, we are equals. It’s not only about Connor valuing you, but also about you valuing him.”

  Tandy grabbed her cinnamon to sprinkle over the top. Billie made relationships seem so simple. “Communication key number three is to have equal value?” she guessed.

  “Yeah. That’s a good way to put it, and it’s an important one.” Billie nodded. “Because you could make yourself completely vulnerable, and you could be great at understanding the other person, but if they don’t do the same for you, then it’s a one-sided relationship.”

  That’s how Tandy’s relationship with Vic had ended. He’d tried to make Tandy’s decision for her.

  She slid the mocha across the counter as Marissa did the same with her tea. Billie circled a palm around each one as if using them to demonstrate equality. “To have healthy communication, we have to value ourselves enough to set boundaries. Not everybody gets access to our hearts. Only those who are also willing to be vulnerable and understanding.”

  That made sense. Like how both Tandy and Marissa had stepped back from interaction with their parents. “If you don’t sent boundaries, the other person in the relationship could even take advantage of you. It’s the same way Officer Griffin thought someone might not steal a car unless the keys were in it and doors unlocked. It would be a crime of opportunity.”

  Billie nodded and waved to Joseph who had just entered the front door. Oh no. He had a pink haired woman in a Cupid costume with him. Susan must have been hired as his new promotions manager. And she was early.

  Tandy gritted her teeth and looked upstairs to see how Connor would react to this blunder. His eyes bulged, he shook his head, and he pointed from Susan to the front door repeatedly.

  Marissa leaned forward. “Speaking of crime, I need to talk to Mr. Cross about the possibility of cars being smuggled on his boats.” Her gaze found the man. She narrowed her eyes at his employee. “Is that Susan Snodgrass with him? Why is she dressed like an angel with a bow and arrow?”

  Joseph waved back at Billie then lifted his attention toward the loft.

  “Um…” Billie looked back and forth between Joseph and Connor. “She’s working for him now doing marketing to raise money for her dad’s bail. Today she’s promoting a Valentine’s sale on cruise packages.”

  Marissa’s mouth hung open. “She’s working for his shipping company?”

  Susan made eye contact with Marissa. Susan ducked her head and spun. Then she tu
rned to sneak out.

  “Oh no. She’s not getting away!” Marissa kicked off her heels and charged through the crowd, knocking customers and drinks right and left. “Stop her! Sheriff Griffin, stop Susan Snodgrass. She’s involved in the car smuggling ring!”

  Susan glanced over her shoulder, eyes panicked behind her plastic glasses, though neither the sheriff or the FBI agent joined in Marissa’s chase. She turned toward the door.

  Tandy covered her mouth in horror. No matter whether there was a real car smuggling ring or whether Susan was even involved, that wasn’t why she was trying to get away from Marissa. The poor girl had thought she was going to be part of a proposal, and she’d been trying to sneak out to keep from ruining the surprise.

  Marissa had other plans. She closed the space between them and reached to stop Susan from escaping. Her fingers closed around the bow and arrow and she tugged, sending Susan flying toward the center of the shop.

  Marissa blocked the door with her body, feet wide, arrow aimed like a weapon despite the pointy end only being the bottom of a heart. Susan regained her balance and looked from Marissa to the crowd around her to Connor up above. He shook his head in disbelief. Or maybe defeat.

  Susan pulled a brochure from her pouch. “Anybody want to buy a dinner cruise as a Valentine’s gift?”

  “Good try.” Marissa stepped forward like a huntress. “I know the real reason you are working for Joseph Cross is so you can have access to his boats for smuggling cars. You’re involved in your father’s smuggling ring, and you’re the one who turned the Porsche around at The Farmstead. Officers, arrest her.”

  The crowd gasped.

  Tandy wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. Hopefully Marissa would be able to laugh about this someday.

  McNeil sipped his coffee. “Cupid’s the villain, Sheriff. Case closed.” He would be a handsome man if not for his sarcasm.

  Griffin scratched his head then motioned for Marissa to lower the bow. “Put your weapon down, Marissa.”

  Marissa held her stance but focused her indignation on Griffin. “Didn’t you hear what I said?”

  The sheriff took a deep breath. “I did. And I also heard what Susan said when we questioned her. She was working for Cross the night of the Porsche incident. At a wedding show in Cleveland.”

  Marissa shot Tandy a beseeching look. Tandy shrugged. She didn’t know what Marissa was thinking. This would be a prime example for a time when they could use more work in their communication.

  Marissa tilted her head at Griffin. “Is that all the proof you have?”

  “No.” Joseph Cross raised his phone screen. “She did live videos from the convention center. I’ve got them here if anybody wants to see. And, Marissa, I was also there, in case you’re planning to accuse me of smuggling next.”

  Marissa lowered the bow and arrow and looked helplessly toward the loft. Connor had been right to worry about something going wrong on the big day.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Done!” Connor clapped his hands together and tromped down the stairs in a valiant attempt to distract Marissa from the display she’d put on earlier.

  Marissa glanced at her watch and blew out a deep breath. Would anybody return to the tea loft for The Dating Game, or would they all be scared of her?

  Well, she was scared too. George’s murder had wreaked havoc in all their lives. And for that same reason, Grace Springs needed this Valentine’s event to bring them all together.

  She and Connor needed something to bring them together, as well. Things had been off since she found out about him kissing Tandy. What a lousy Valentine’s.

  Horse hooves clopped outside the window. Marissa glanced out to see Abigail’s carriage pull to the curb and let off a happy, young couple. That used to be her and Connor.

  Since Connor was done with the loft, and the place had died down after she’d pulled a bow and arrow on Cupid, maybe the two of them could make time for a ride around the park. She’d finished all her dessert preparations, and nobody would arrive for the event for another two hours. She needed this.

  Marissa stepped out from behind the counter, wrapped her arms around Connor’s neck, and inhaled his cedar scent. “Thank you for remodeling the loft. I hope I didn’t frighten all the customers away.”

  He rested his hands on her hips, though his eyes warmed her more. They softened with relief at holding her again. “I’m sure you didn’t. And I’m sorry about not telling you about the thing with Tandy.”

  He wisely did not mention the word kiss. Now that it was out in the open, they could brush it under the rug.

  “Want to take me for a ride in the carriage?”

  The corners of his lips curved up. His eyes flashed. “I’ve been wanting to go on a carriage ride with you all day.”

  He knew how to make her feel better. “Let me check with Tandy.”

  Tandy stuck her head out of the kitchen. “Check with me for what?”

  Marissa pointed toward the empty carriage outside their front window. “I want to go for a ride around the park with Connor. Could you watch the place for a few minutes?”

  “Sure.” She glanced at Connor. “Should I have drinks waiting when you return?”

  Marissa shivered. “Let’s take drinks with us. I’ll take one for your mom too, Connor.”

  Tandy did her little lips twist. “Mrs. Thomas might prefer to come in out of the cold for a bit. Why don’t you ask her?”

  Marissa grabbed two cups from the stack. “She could still come in but go ahead and make her a coffee while I make tea for Connor and me.”

  Tandy shrugged and ground beans for two cups, obviously needing one for herself. “You’re missing out.”

  Marissa relaxed into their old pattern of rivalry. “I’m missing out because I don’t drink coffee?” she challenged. “How so?”

  “Coffee is like Sherlock Holmes. It solves everything.”

  Marissa tried to come up with an argument against coffee, but it was hard when she was wishing to reenergize with a sip of Tandy’s bitter brew. She filled an infuser with tea leaves and steamed her milk. “Sherlock drank tea.”

  “No man is perfect.”

  Marissa smiled at the retort. She’d let the comment go. Her man drank tea, and that’s what mattered. She combined the two liquids in her paper cups and snapped on the lids before handing one to Connor. “For you, my dear Watson.”

  Connor took her cup and smiled past her at Tandy. “The game is afoot.”

  If this was a game, they were two against one. “Let me grab my coat.” Marissa spun to jog over to the hooks on the wall.

  What her coat lacked in function, it made up for in cuteness. Maybe Tandy could take her picture with Connor as they rode together, holding their drinks. It could be used in advertising or promotion.

  “Hey, Tandy.” She glanced over her shoulder to find Tandy and Connor switching drinks.

  Marissa paused and frowned. Were they doing a taste test like The Pepsi Challenge? Or was Tandy handing Connor the espresso she’d made for his mom?

  Connor lifted the cup to sip, and as he tilted his head back, she came into his line of sight. His gaze snagged, and he jerked upright, choking on his drink. He wiped a sleeve across his mouth as if to destroy the evidence.

  Marissa took a deep breath. She didn’t want to overreact, but it appeared he was sneaking coffee. And perhaps this wasn’t the first time.

  Her mind rewound to the morning when she’d first tasted Tandy’s coffee. She’d thought she’d been sipping his drink then after tasting it, determined it to be Billie’s beverage. What if she’d been right the first time?

  That meant Connor had been in cahoots with Tandy all along.

  Her cheeks burned.

  Because kissing Tandy was one thing, but drinking her coffee?

  “Did you guys trade cups?”

  Tandy turned her head to meet Marissa’s gaze, and guilt widened Tandy’s eyes to Zooey Deschanel size. That look told Marissa more than she wanted to k
now.

  “We were only…” Connor motioned between the two cups, his voice trailing off because there was no excuse.

  “How long have you been drinking coffee, Connor?”

  He set the cup down on a nearby table. “Since you opened shop.”

  Marissa pasted on a smile, trying to keep her emotions at a low simmer. But they were about to boil over. She pinched her lips together and blinked rapidly to hold back the explosion.

  Yeah, she was supposed to listen and understand, but there had to be situations where anger was justified. Like when her boyfriend didn’t even try the special tea she’d made him. And he kept secrets with the other woman that he’d kissed. Not to mention how he lied to her about it.

  In situations like that, one should be allowed to blow up without it being considered an overreaction. She imagined herself splashing his drink on him the way she’d done to Vic.

  He held out a hand as if he could read her mind. He wanted to stop her before her thought turned into reality. “I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

  “Oh. How considerate.” She let her sarcasm splash all over him in place of his drink.

  He stepped forward, reaching out. “Marissa…”

  She stood her ground, giving him a look that halted his progress. “What?”

  “It’s not a big deal.”

  Did he not know her at all?

  Marissa shot her business partner an incredulous look. Tandy was aware that it was a big deal, and she let him keep it a secret. Though, as far as Marissa knew, this could have all been Tandy’s idea.

  Tandy squirmed. “If it makes you feel better, I’ve been drinking the tea you make him. It’s really good.”

  That did help a little. Though Marissa would never admit it, because this wasn’t only about beverage preference. This was about vulnerability and understanding.

  Connor motioned with a nod for Tandy to head into the kitchen. “That doesn’t help me, Tandy.”

  Tandy took the hint and disappeared.

  Marissa huffed and shook her head. “You only want Tandy’s help when it comes to lying to me?”