Pharis noticed Tammy’s attention had turned elsewhere and looked back at Declan.
‘Hello, Tammy,’ Declan greeted her, his voice carrying an undercurrent of possessiveness. ‘I got your text.’ He looked directly at Pharis as he made the statement with a smug smile tugging up the corners of his mouth. Then he leaned across the counter and kissed Tammy’s cheek.
Tammy recoiled slightly, her surprise evident. Her hand flew up to her cheek and she fought to keep the heat rising in her from reaching her cheeks. ‘Erm, Hello Declan. Then what brings you here?’
His lips quirked into a faint smile, but his eyes remained fixed on her. ‘Just thought I’d check on how you’re doing.’
If Tammy had fetched her best knife from the kitchen, she could have cut the palpable tension. Pharis cleared his throat and placed his hands flat on the counter, then he too leaned across, kissing Tammy on the opposite cheek. A deep rut formed in between his eyebrows as he looked from Tammy to Declan. ‘I’ll leave you two to catch up. I have some other business to attend to.’ Tammy’s jaw dropped open.
As Pharis walked away, the air seemed to grow heavy with unspoken emotions. Declan placed an elbow on the counter, leaning on it, and smiled, reminding Tammy of a cowboy in an old western movie. He lowered his voice. ‘You know, Tammy, it’s good to see you getting along with Pharis so well.’
Tammy’s brow furrowed in confusion, her heart racing as she tried to decipher his intentions. ‘What do you mean?’
His smile deepened, though it held a hint of possessiveness. ‘Just making sure you’re in good hands while I’m not around.’
Tammy blinked, her cheeks finally flushing with a mixture of surprise and annoyance. ‘Declan, as you can see, I can handle things just fine on my own. And Pharis, like you, is a friend, nothing more.’
Declan’s gaze held hers for a moment longer before he stepped back, a touch of amusement playing on his lips. ‘Of course, Tammy. Just looking out for you...is all.’
As he turned to leave, Tammy couldn’t help but feel a mixture of frustration and intrigue. The encounter had left her with a whirlwind of emotions. ‘I’ll eagerly await your call. Can’t wait to get back in that little kitchen and show some of the locals a thing or two.’
Tammy’s brows pulled together at his statement, and as the door chimed again, she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were far from settled between her, Declan, and Pharis.
After the last customer left, Tammy turned the sign around to the closed sign and placed her back against the door. She allowed her head to fall back against the cool glass and let out a long ecstatic sigh.
She was exhausted, but there was still lots to do before she could leave. First, she cleaned the shop side of the tearoom, then she took a quick stock check and made a careful calculation of what had been used that day. If she could gauge stock usage and what had been sold every day, she’d be better organised next week. Lastly, she cashed up and was very pleasantly surprised with her day’s efforts. Katherine had very kindly let her reset the combination to the small safe hidden away at the back of the shop. She put the day’s takings inside it and thanked Katherine for being so savvy. Richi had been against her suggestion of a safe from the start. Yet another thing she’d had no say over.
With that done, she headed into the kitchen and set about baking to replenish the cakes sold. As she baked, she hummed happily to herself, and her smile never faltered. Her positive demeanour was a far cry from how it had been just a few weeks ago. Now she looked and acted like a completely different woman.
As she piped icing onto her final cake, she looked over to the refrigerator and the array of photos magnetised to it. The smiling faces of her parents seemed to confirm how she was feeling. Being here—starting the tearoom in Seagull Bay, it was meant to be.
A light rapping at the door to the shop caught her attention. Tammy quickly placed the cake in an air-tight container and popped it in the fridge. She pulled off her apron, hung it up, and hurried to the door.
A grey shaggy beard and kind old eyes were the first thing she saw through the glass door. Unlocking it, she held it open and greeted her uncle with a warm smile. ‘Uncle Ben. What are you doing here? I thought you’d be in bed by now.’
‘It’s late, lass. I was worried. I should have known you’d still be hard at work here.’ His worry lines melted away and a smile lit up his face. ‘Are you finished yet?’
Tammy nodded. ‘As a matter of fact, I just finished the last cake. I’ve cashed up and prepared for tomorrow. All I have to do now is turn the lights off and lock up.’
‘Are ya hungry, lass?’ Just at that moment, Tammy’s tummy growled in answer. Ben looked down at it and they both chuckled. ‘How’s about I treat you to some fish ‘n’ chips at The Cheese Wedge and Pickles?’
Tammy giggled. ‘Haven’t you had enough of fish for the day?’
Ben winked at her. ‘You can never have enough fish... Besides, they get their supplies from me, so I know it’s going to be good.’
Tammy laughed as she shook her head. ‘Okay, I’m sold. Let me just turn the lights off and grab my bag.’
Five minutes later, Tammy’s arm was linked snuggly with her uncle’s as they headed for the pub while she regaled tales of her second day in Tammy’s Tearoom.
