Tea & Comfort (Madrona Island Series Book 2), page 1
Cover design: Lidia Vilamajo
Copy Editors/Proofreaders: Audrey Mackaman & Marie DeHaan
Developmental Editor: Cate Perry
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© 2015 Andrea Hurst
All rights reserved.
First edition printed April 2015
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No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the author, except in the context of reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are a product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.
Tea & Comfort
Andrea Hurst
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful
than the risk it took to blossom.
~ Anais Nin
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
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
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
RECIPES
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
AUTHOR BIO
PROLOGUE
The Hamptons, New York
Two Years Ago
The day glistened in a way only white sand, turquoise waters, and golden sun could reflect. Thousands of tourists had besieged the peninsula for the Labor Day weekend. Luke’s parents were in Europe and his brother was off jet-setting somewhere glamorous. Even though Darcy and Luke had the whole estate in East Hampton to themselves, they chose to stay in the guesthouse, which was a mini-mansion in itself and only steps from the beach. They hadn’t left the house since Thursday. On the way there, a stop at a farm stand and Stuart’s Fish Market had provided sweet shrimp, lavish vegetables, fresh berries, crusty bread, and assorted cheeses. With her insane work hours as a model, Darcy craved these lazy days when all she and Luke did was make love all afternoon, then supper on the sprawling deck and sip chilled chardonnay in crystal glasses.
It was a Sunday morning, the day they’d promised to go over to Luke’s billionaire friend Tyler’s infamous mansion for a cocktail party and art showing by the highly acclaimed artist, Ian McPherson. Luke raved to Darcy about Ian’s work, and he wanted to share it with her. And like almost everything in their whirlwind romance, Darcy wanted to share everything with him, too. Her persona as Darcy Devereux, super model, required changing from Luke’s big T-shirt and into an elegant Stella McCartney summer dress before going out in public. Her gelled hair-spiking and makeup routine required time, time she resented spending these days since she’d been dating Luke. Even in the morning, when she woke all full of sleep, he told her how beautiful she was. And when she dressed up perfectly the way the world knew her, he devoured her with his eyes.
Darcy stepped into her Valentino sling-backs. She ran her fingers along the back of her calf. The bruises seemed to be getting worse. She reminded herself to call the doctor for her blood test results when she got home tomorrow.
As she walked into the living room, Luke rose from the white Bedford chair. He was a tall, lanky vision in khaki slacks and an aqua shirt setting off his bronze tan and golden hair. A devilish smile crossed his face as he whisked her into his arms.
“A woman of many charms,” he whispered in her ear. His kisses trailed down her neck as he pulled her close. “Forget the party, I don’t want to leave.”
It took all her resolve not to melt into his arms. She gently pushed him back to catch her breath. “No, we promised we’d go and I want to see this artist’s work.”
Darcy brushed her lips against his full mouth. “We don’t have to stay long.”
Light danced behind his silver-grey eyes. His gaze made her wish he’d rip off her clothes and forget the party after all.
“Okay,” he said, grabbing his keys. “Let’s go. But there will be one little detour on the way back.”
Darcy was intrigued. It really didn’t matter where they went or what they did. They fit together. From the moment their eyes had met at a photo shoot, she’d known.
***
Tyler’s mansion was rumored to be one of the most expansive on the island. Darcy had heard all about his afternoon cocktail parties that lasted until dawn the next day. When they drove through the iron entrance gates, she was not disappointed. The long tree-lined drive wove through its own dense woods and flowering gardens and stopped at the valet station next to an exquisite marble waterfall. The house was all and more than she’d imagined: three stories with turrets and fireplaces intermittent with ivy-covered walls and massive windows facing out to sea. These types of functions still intimidated her a bit. “You don’t belong here,” a familiar voice whispered in her head.
It seemed like all the beautiful people in the Hamptons were there, and their heads turned when she and Luke walked through the front door. Everywhere Darcy went, people recognized her carved cheekbones and emerald eyes. She inhaled a deep breath and squeezed Luke’s arm tighter. His smile was reassuring. He always seemed to know what she was feeling.
They walked through the mammoth living room that reminded Darcy of a photo shoot with everyone dressed and posing in designer labels. Small groups gathered around the paintings spectacularly lit by hanging globes from the peaked ceiling. She could see a small orchestra outside and white umbrella-covered tables scattering the kelly-green lawn.
A voice from behind them said, “Welcome, Luke. And who is this charming creature you have been hiding from us all summer?”
Luke turned. “Tyler, I would like to introduce you to the love of my life, Darcy Devereux.”
Tyler took Darcy’s hand and kissed it with a polished finesse. Debonair was the word that came to her mind to describe this silver-haired man wearing an impeccable summer suit with a salmon-colored tie.
“What a lucky man you are,” Tyler said. He turned to Darcy. “A familiar face, I’m sure. ZK chose his model well for his summer spread in Vogue.”
Darcy smiled. “Thank you.”
“You know the artist, Ian McPherson, of course, but his newest work is the best yet.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing it,” Darcy said.
Tyler motioned for them to follow him toward the bar. “We must get you some drinks. Tyra from the Tiki Bar is whipping up her luscious libations. Let’s get you something wild and daring.”
They tried to maneuver through the room, but a crowd of people swarmed Tyler and carried him off to the backyard, where chamber music filled the air.
Tyler waved back at them. “I’ll meet you at the bar.”
“Let’s get a drink,” Luke said, taking Darcy by the arm.
The bar featured tropical cocktails and was stocked with imported French champagne and assorted wines from the Pacific Northwest to honor the artist showing his work today. Luke pointed to a Pinot Noir from a well-known winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Glasses in hand, the couple followed the crowd as they admired the massive oil paintings that blended Native American and Asian flavors.
“Hey there, Luke, good to see you, man.”
Darcy turned to see a tall, dark, and very attractive man shaking hands with Luke. Even as in love as she was, she could still admire a good-looking man. He turned to her, his hand extended.
“I’m the artist causing all this fuss here today. Ian McPherson.”
His handshake was warm, his smile genuine. Humble was not a characteristic she saw much of in New York, and it immediately endeared him to her.
“Darcy Devereux. I can see why Luke admires your work.”
“Thank you.” Ian waved his hands around the party. “Tyler talked me into all of this. It is definitely not my style, but it does build the career.”
Luke put his arm around Darcy. “We’ll have to make it out to the end of the world you live in someday.”
“Well, it’s not exactly the end of the known world. Madrona Island is about an hour north of Seattle and quite civilized.”
“You live on an island?” Darcy asked.
“Sure do,” Ian said. “Covered in Madrona trees, rocky beaches, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. A few whale sightings and bald eagles circling thrown in, too.”
“Sounds like heaven,” Darcy said. She looked up at Luke; anywhere would be heaven with him. She wondered if there were any wineries on that Northwestern island. Somewhere the two of them could escape to someday and live happily ever after. At the pace she was going, she was tired all the time. Their dream of escaping somewhere faraway together sounded better and better. She sighed. It was a nice fantasy.
A well-dressed woman dripping in diamonds and gold took Ian’s arm and started pulling him away. “You must show me all the new paintings and help me decide which ones to buy for my summer cottage down the road.”
Ian spoke back over his shoulder, “Nice to meet you, Darcy. Hope to see you both this week.”
“Come on the boat with us tomorrow,” Luke yelled after him.
“Text me the time and I’ll be there,” Ian said, giving in to the patron’s persuasions and moving across the room.
“He is in high demand,” Darcy said, trying not to laugh.
Luke leaned in and kissed her. “Don’t get any ideas. You’re taken.”
Darcy raised an eyebrow at him.
They wandered around admiring a few more of Ian’s exquisite art pieces. When they reached the back of the house, Luke took her wine glass and placed it next to his on a side table.
“And now for the detour,” he said. “Are you ready to leave?”
Butterflies flickered in her stomach. He was being very mysterious. “The art is amazing, but I’m not in the market right now for a purchase. We can spend some time with Ian tomorrow on the boat. Let’s go.”
Hand in hand, Luke led her out the back of the house toward the water.
“What about the car?” she asked.
“We’ll come back for that later,” he said, guiding her down a footpath to the endless beach below. When they got to the warm sand, they tossed off their shoes and left them behind.
A few stragglers were off in the distance, but they had the beach almost to themselves. The afternoon sun was making its way west as Luke led her in silence to a small, idyllic cove where the ocean water was turquoise and glistened in the sunrays.
“What a beautiful spot,” Darcy said.
“I used to run away here as a kid when my parents were fighting, or when Stefan was tormenting me,” Luke said. “I’d just float in the cove and wish I was old enough to move away.”
Darcy felt for him. She knew the feeling of wanting to leave your family behind and start a new life.
He took her hands in his. “I have never shared this spot with anyone else.” He knelt down on one knee. “You are the one, Darcy. The only one.” He pulled a small satin box out of his pocket.
Her feet froze in the sand. Her heart raced wildly.
“My love, will you marry me?” he asked.
She looked down at the man who completed her heart and soul. If she said yes, their families would blend and she had no idea how that could ever work. But to say no was impossible. There would never be another love like this one in her life. Tears welled in her eyes.
He opened the box to reveal a large but tastefully designed diamond engagement ring. It was breathtaking, but it was Luke who meant everything to her.
“I do, I will,” she managed to get out through happy tears.
A smile spread across his face as he stood and placed the ring on her finger before taking her in his arms and pulling her into a deep embrace. “This is forever,” he whispered into her ear.
***
Forever was the word that echoed in her mind back at home on Monday when the doctor finally called with her test results. Lupus. An autoimmune disease. She had not had the flu last month. There was a reason her hair was coming out in clumps, her joints still ached, and her weight kept dropping. The flare-ups would continue on and off and the disease could progress to her organs. She needed to come in immediately. Steroid treatments were prescribed, and possibly drug therapy.
Darcy had been called one of the most beautiful women in the world, but love was all she ever really wanted and she’d finally found it with Luke. He’d loved her as Darcy Devereux and never known her true identity, Kyla Nolan. Who would she be now?
CHAPTER ONE
Present Day
Madrona Island
Kyla stuffed the delicate silk pouch with rose petals and dried lavender before tying it closed with a gold satin ribbon. These made perfect wedding shower favors, and the soon-to-be-Mrs. DeHaan was picking up the order today. Weddings were in the air on Madrona Island, it seemed.
Lily and Ian’s wedding ceremony at the inn last month had been beautiful. Their self-written vows had brought tears to Kyla’s eyes. Grandpa John had beamed the whole day, and Ian’s young son Jason’s smile made the union complete.
Of all the services Kyla offered at Tea & Comfort, wedding preparations were the most painful sometimes. Her road had not always been smooth. Her breath caught remembering Lily’s grand opening for Madrona Island Bed & Breakfast last July. Luke had completely shocked Kyla when he’d appeared at the gathering. She had no idea how he’d found her or why. His searching eyes and angry but broken stance still haunted her.
“Kyla?” he’d said.
No one else caught that the name was framed as a question. What he did not say was, “I thought your name was Darcy.”
To Luke she was Darcy Devereux, supermodel. Spiky white-tipped hair with flaming red roots. A face painted to perfection. Designer clothes draping her tall, slinky body. That’s how Luke knew and loved her when he’d asked her to be his wife. Kyla, the local owner of Tea & Comfort, with long, flowing, red hair down her back and wearing island garb must have been a shock to him.
After seeing Luke for the first time in two years, her joints had ached and the fatigue returned. She’d feared a relapse of lupus and brought out her arsenal of herbal remedies, meditated twice a day, and was feeling much better now. Luke’s quick departure had been a relief.
The bells rang over the front door of her shop, bringing Kyla back to the present day. She left her workroom and walked out to the front of the store to greet her customer. Morning sun lit the front window, casting tiny rainbows through the crystal prism along the walls. Audrey, the local librarian, waited at the smooth oak counter where purchases were made.
“Good morning.” Audrey straightened her glasses. “Do you have my package ready?”
“It’s right here under the counter. I freshly blended it this morning.”
Kyla retrieved the monthly herbal tonic she’d prepared. Yellow dock, turmeric, red raspberry, and dandelion with a little molasses taken daily kept the iron up. She placed the bottle in a lavender tissue paper and tied it closed with a piece of silver yarn.
“Thanks so much,” Audrey said. “This really helps.”
“Don’t forget to eat your greens.”
Audrey laughed. “I’ll try.” She held up a jar with a heart charm attached to it. “Love spells?” Audrey asked blinking. “Do they work?”
Kyla hesitated. They certainly hadn’t worked for her yet, but then again, her heart was already taken. “They’re for focusing your hopes and dreams,” Kyla said. “A pink, rose-scented candle helps as well.” She pointed to the corner shelf where her handcrafted beeswax candles were displayed.
“Maybe next time.” Audrey turned and headed for the door before waving goodbye.
Kyla checked the wooden shelves for stock and placed dried lavender arrangements on the tea tables. She glanced outside and admired the crisp fall day. Hopes and dreams, she thought. She looked down at the empty ring finger on her left hand. Almost.
Her wedding to Alexander Lucas Bradford II—Luke—would have been a huge society affair. Luke’s parents would have taken charge and held it at their mansion in the Hamptons. His brother, Stefan, would have made their life hell if Luke had been the first to wed. Kyla caught her breath. The potential for disaster had put her in bed for days with a blazing migraine.
She hadn’t told her wealthy-born husband-to-be that her grandmother, Mona, was from a long line of Irish healers and she was proud of her lineage. And her mother was a professional herbalist. Not exactly the type of people Luke was used to associating with at home or school at Harvard. She’d left New York a few days after her diagnosis and never looked back.
Kyla sat back down at her worktable and placed another lovers’ sachet in the woven basket. Merlin, her rescue cat jumped up on the counter and rubbed his furry black body against her. The cat’s purr was loud and comforting. She scratched behind his ears.
