Page 27 of Must Love Lavender and Little Lies
Tansy grinned. “No wonder you and Granik found one another. Introverts, both of you. If there is anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“I hate lying to them, to everyone.”
“I’m sorry to tell you that it’s all anyone is talking about.”
“Ugh. Root rot.”
Tansy smiled softly. “It will be over soon. The Greening will distract them. The tents have already started going up at the festival grounds, and I saw Elder Theodonna and the others putting up the maypole. All you need to do is keep the fake future in-laws busy with the festival, and it will be over in no time.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“We’re here for you,” Tansy said with a soft smile. “Whatever you need.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“Okay, back to work. I’m just upstairs if you need to vent, and I might have a bottle of cherry brandy in my workbench. You know, if you get thirsty.”
I chuckled. “I’ll remember that.”
Tansy gave me a wave, then headed upstairs while I went to the back and set a pot of water on. I had about a million onions to slice to make my honey and onion throat syrup. But for once, I was glad. Busy hands would distract a busy mind, and my mind had never been louder.
By late afternoon,the whole building smelled of the oddly sweet scent of simmering onions, garlic, and honey. I’d found I was glad I’d made the concoction. So many well-wishers had come by to congratulate me, but the sharp smell prevented them from lingering. Luckily, I even sold a few pots of the medicinal concoction. After all, it was good for sore throats and colds. So, double win.
When it was finally time to close up for the day, I was glad.
I made my way to the door to turn over the open/closed sign, only to see Granik coming down the walkway with a box in his hands.
Opening the door, I gave him a warm smile. “Merry met.”
“Merry met,” he replied.
“And what do you have there?”
“You’re in luck. Rosalyn had more of the cake you missed at book club.”
I grinned. “And how much did you eat between here and there?”
Granik grinned sheepishly.
“As I thought,” I replied with a wry smile.
“I saw Portia at The Sconery. She said to come by.”
“All right. I’ll put the cake away, and we can go,” I said, containing a smile.
“But the cake,” Granik replied, looking heartbroken.
“You’re right. We can’t let down the cake. But I have to warn you, it smells of onions in here,” I said, turning back into the apothecary.
“Gods, you weren’t kidding. Smells like a chives harvest.”
“So, tea and cake in the garden out back?” I asked with a laugh.
Granik nodded.
Working quickly, I prepared us a pot of tea, grabbed a cardigan, and then we took a tray and headed outside. In the back garden, I had a small table where Polly, Tansy, and I would sometimes take our lunch. Surrounded by the greens and flowers, it was a nice spot.
As Granik and I ate, I pointed out all the new garden beds I was planning to put in.
