Murder with Oolong Tea by Karen Rose Smith

Author:Karen Rose Smith [Smith, Karen Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2020-09-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“Oh, no,” Daisy gasped into her cell phone on Saturday. Then she thought about Ned instead of what was supposed to happen at the tea garden that day. “I’m so sorry you have the flu. That fever sounds wicked. I’m glad you went to the doctor. We’ll be fine.”

She said it, but she wasn’t sure of that at all. Ned was her entertainment for this tea that her patrons had paid money for. Just what was she going to do?

After she finished with Ned, she walked to the sales counter and her expression must have shown her dismay.

Foster, who was nearby, approached her. “What’s wrong? You look . . . upset.”

The thought of her being upset seemed to disturb Foster. Trying to slow her breathing, she calmed her voice. “We have a problem. Ned has the flu. Our customers are going to start arriving in an hour. What are we going to do, Foster? I promised entertainment for all those children.”

Foster looked as if he was going to suggest something, stopped, and studied her again.

“If you have an idea, tell me,” she demanded.

“Let me call my dad and see if he’s free.”

“Your dad?”

“Remember, I told you he played the guitar? He’s pretty good. I don’t know if he can do what you want him to do, but I can find out.”

After Daisy thought through the idea for about two seconds, she asked, “Do you mind calling him? Because if he doesn’t want to do this, I think he’ll be honest with you. He’d fudge with me, and I don’t want to put him in a position he doesn’t want to be in.”

Pushing his glasses up to the bridge of his nose, Foster agreed. “I understand that. I’ll call him right now. Can I use your office?”

“Sure.”

Daisy practically counted the beats of her heart until Foster exited her office. He was wearing a smile. “He said he’ll be here in half an hour. Ben and Emily are coming along. Is that okay?”

“Yes, that’s okay. Does your dad know what he’s taking on?”

Foster laughed. “He knows all about the tea. Vi and I filled him in. This will work out, Daisy, I know it will.”

She could see that Foster had pride in his father. He also exhibited a bit of pride that he’d thought of this idea, as if he’d solved the problem for her. And he had. She knew he felt as if he wasn’t doing enough for himself and Vi and their whole situation, but she admired the way he was handling it.

Right there, in the tearoom, she gave him a big hug. “Thank you, Foster. I’m glad you’re my son-in-law.”

Beaming, his face reddened. He mumbled, “I’ll get back to serving customers and setting up for the tea.”

Daisy filled in everyone that there was going to be a change of plan and Gavin would be taking Ned’s place. Her aunt Iris arched her brow. Tessa smiled and shrugged. Eva, Jada, and Cora Sue didn’t seem to think anything about the change and went toward their customers with their usual smiles.

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