Excerpt from Tell No One

Book one in the Nora Nash Mystery Series, by R.J. Dawkins (Pen name)

“Welcome to Sereni-Tea.”

The sweet, yeasty, mouthwatering smell of fresh pastries greeted me the moment I stepped through the door. Behind the counter, a slender woman of medium height poured milk into a metal frothing pitcher. A black scrunchy restrained a thick curtain of wavy, rust-colored hair.

Behind her, glass shelves displayed colorful canisters of tea, from common Earl Grey to lesser-known blends like Cloudberry tea and Chocolate tea.

“Good afternoon,” I said, rubbing my hands together. “It’s not as warm as I thought out there.”

“The sun can be misleading this time of year,” she said, adjusting her apron. “What can I get you?”

I perused the display case where an assortment of cold sandwiches, bite-sized quiches, tartlets, and cookies rested on pastry doilies. It all looked so appetizing, it was tough to make a choice.

“How about a cup of hot tea and an orange scone for here?” I thought about tomorrow’s tea date. “And two dozen macaroons to go.”

“Are you new to Ocracoke?” the woman asked, setting the scone on a small plate.

“Not really. I used to spend summers with my aunt, Beatrice Montgomery.”

“Oh, yes, I’ve heard about you. You’re renovating that big house, aren’t you?”

I nodded.

“Well, welcome back to Ocracoke. My name is Fern Bascom, by the way. Would you care for a cup of Yaupon tea? My treat. Sort of a welcome back gift.”

“Thank you, Fern. That’s sweet of you.”

“Have you tasted our local brew?”

“Can’t say that I have.”

“Yaupon shrubs are fairly rampant out here,” she said, the earthy scent of Yaupon tea wafting across the counter as she poured the amber liquid into a porcelain teacup. She slid the cup and saucer across the counter to me. “The leaves are harvested, cleaned, then dried like other teas. The result is a beverage that is not only energy-boosting but also rich in antioxidants. It’s a win-win in my book.”

I glanced around at the empty tables. “I seem to have the place to myself.”

“You just missed the midday rush.”

I carried my tea and scone to a small table near the window. I’d barely taken a seat when Hattie Smirch breezed in. Bundled in a cashmere coat, her hair loosely covered with a silk scarf, she exuded arrogance and authority.

“Two chai lattes to go,” she barked.

I quietly sipped my tea, my head bowed, hoping she wouldn’t notice me. I might have gone unobserved if my phone hadn’t pinged just then. Her head jerked around.

“Nora.”

She strode towards me, eyes narrowed, a brittle smile on her cherry-red lips. I felt like a cornered mouse staring into the eyes of a hungry cat. Would she toy with me first, watching me squeal and squirm before she struck, or slaughter me outright?

“I heard you’re converting your aunt’s house into a bed and breakfast.”

“That’s right.”

“Good luck with that. Our tiny island already has two magnificent hotels right on the harbor and three elegant B&Bs along the waterfront. Another inn seems a bit redundant, don’t you think?”

I wasn’t keen to engage in an argument with her. I shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“I hope you’ve done your homework. Statistics show that most family-owned businesses fail within the first year. Owners spend so much on remodeling and supplies that they can’t recover their losses.”

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we?”

Clutching my phone, I scrolled through my messages in a show of indifference. Maybe if I ignored her, she’d go away.

“I’d hate to see you waste your inheritance on such a risky venture.”

There was a message from John. I opened it.

“I hope you know my offer is still on the table,” Hattie persisted.

“Well, look at that,” I said with a toothy smile. “The last of the building permits just came through.”

Hattie snorted. “I guess some of us have to learn the hard way. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She turned and stomped back to the counter. “Add it to my tab,” she said, snatching up the drinks on her way out.

(Stay posted for publication date).