The Guestbook by Andrea Hurst

about. You look like you’re holding back a storm.”
    Lily began to sob, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I just don’t know what to do. First I get anonymous threats in the mail, then there’s Brad’s constant pressure.”
    Jude frowned. “What do you mean threats?”
    Lily shook her head. “It’s probably nothing, some prank.”
    “What did it say?”
    “Well,” Lily said, “something about the house not belonging to me and not to get comfortable.”
    Jude’s face turned pale. “No name?”
    “Nothing,” Lily said. “I hardly thought about it until now because I was too preoccupied with Brad cancelling the credit cards and freezing our joint checking account. I had to fly down to L.A. and meet with an attorney.”
    Jude reached across the table and took Lily’s hands. “You should have told me sooner. As for that no-good, soon-to-be-ex-husband of yours, just let me get my hands on him.”
    Lily laughed out loud. “I’d like to see that!”
    “Believe me, I’ll be right there at your side helping you. He will not win. Now, let’s see those other recipe ideas you were talking about and get to work making you a bakeress extraordinaire!”
     
    ✦✦✦✦
     
    The afternoon meeting at the café was coming along very nicely. Jude had ordered enough baked goods to keep Lily in the kitchen for many hours, not to mention help her pay some bills.
    Lily sipped the last of her very tasty mocha. “I had the McPhersons over for dinner a few weeks ago.”
    Jude’s eyes twinkled. “How did that go?”
    “They’re a wonderful family.” Lily thought about the warm meal and even warmer company.
    Jude winked at her. “That Ian’s pretty nice himself.”
    “I’m not interested in dating right now.”
    “Wow, Lily, who said anything about dating? Not me.”
    The front door chimed and Lily looked up. For a moment, she thought the tall redheaded woman had a glow around her.  She blinked and looked again. It was gone now. Must have been the sunlight hitting that radiant hair, only there was no sunlight today.
    The lithe woman wandered over to the bar. Jude rose to greet her. Was there anyone Jude did not know?
    The woman’s presence was startling. The model-thin body sculpted into old jeans and wrapped with a colorful coat looked like she belonged in a magazine. A deep purple scarf was wrapped around her elegant neck and glowed as if it were specked with moonlight.
    Caught staring, Lily lowered her eyes and studied her coffee cup. The two women were heading in her direction.
    “Lily,” Jude said, “I’d like you to meet a fellow entrepreneur here in town, Kyla.”
    Kyla took Lily’s outreached hand and stared into her eyes. “You’re Lily.”
    Lily wasn’t sure if it was a question or a statement.
    Jude went on, “Kyla owns Tea & Comfort in the cottage shop down the block. You must get over there and try some of her homemade brews and scented candles.”
    Tea and herbal products sounded intriguing, but Lily wondered where the comfort part of the name came in. No sooner had that thought crossed her mind than Kyla spoke the answer to her unvoiced question.
    “My homegrown remedies, teas, and scents bring well-being to many of my customers.”
    “Not to mention the ambiance and those delicious licorice tea cakes,” Jude piped in.
    “I would love to come by sometime,” Lily said.
    Kyla’s emerald eyes twinkled, “Do come. I can brew up some transition tea for you.” With that, Kyla turned and headed for a table alone in the corner.
    For a moment, Lily felt disoriented, and her appetite seemed to have vanished. Maybe she would pay this woman a visit sometime soon…or maybe not.
    Jude rose to clear off the dishes and headed toward the kitchen. “I gotta get back to work before the dinner crowd comes in. Have a good day.”
    And with that, Lily’s first successful sale was concluded.

Chapter Twelve
     
     
     
     
     
    Jude watched Lily walk out the café door. She was a bit worried about that