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“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes. I’m visiting for roughly six weeks...and I’m a teacher, so I suppose you could call it a sabbatical.”
Beulah regarded her with knowing eyes. “Say no more. I know what it’s like to be overwhelmed and want to hide away from the world for a bit.” She reached across the table and patted Sage’s hand. “Owl Creek is the perfect place to reflect and take stock of your life.”
Sage opened her mouth to tell Beulah she hadn’t come to Alaska for those reasons. But what would she say? It was out of the question to blurt out her real reasons for making this incredible trek to Alaska. Beulah might pass out if she told her she was her long-lost stolen grandbaby. Or she might assume Sage was yet another fraud bent on deception. No, for the time being, it was far better for Beulah and the rest of the townsfolk to believe she’d come to Owl Creek seeking a refuge from the storms of life. Once the truth came out, her father could be swept up in a cloud of suspicion and legal wrangling. The thought of it made her shudder.
Iris provided a welcome distraction by appearing at their table with a wide grin on her face and pushing a tea cart laden with goodies. “I wondered if the two of you might wind up sitting together. Afternoon tea is much better with company.” She looked over at Sage. “I brought over Beulah’s favorite lavender tea. Let me know if you’d like something else instead.”
“I’m not fussy about tea or food, so I’m sure it will be fine,” Sage said, inhaling the heady aromas of the various teas. “Everything smells delicious.”
Iris placed the steaming teapot down on the table along with a three-tiered stand overflowing with finger sandwiches, tiny cakes, scones and miniature muffins. Even though she’d recently eaten lunch, Sage’s hunger kicked in at the sight of the scrumptious treats.
“Enjoy!” Iris said before walking off toward another table.
Beulah lifted the teapot and leaned toward Sage to pour tea into her cup. Her movements were graceful. Once Beulah served herself, they both began adding sweeteners and milk to their cups. Sage reached for a cucumber sandwich and a blueberry scone. The two of them settled into a companionable silence as they drank their tea.
“Do you like chocolate?” Beulah asked. She seemed to be sitting on the edge of her seat, anxiously awaiting Sage’s reply.
“Is that even a question?” Sage asked with a chuckle. “I didn’t know it was possible for a person not to like chocolate.” She lifted her teacup up to her mouth and took a sip of the piping hot tea.
Beulah threw her head back and let out a hearty laugh. Her tinkling laughter filled the air and warmed Sage’s heart. Beulah North radiated an air of goodness. Given everything the North family had been put through, it made Sage feel hopeful. As awful as the kidnapping had been it clearly hadn’t destroyed Beulah or her zest for life.
“I’m serious,” she said. “I love all kinds. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate. Chocolate-covered cherries. Truffles. Pecan clusters. Caramel chocolate. Honestly, I’m crazy about all of them.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more. In my world, chocolate is a staple. I’ve loved it ever since I came out of the womb, which is one of the dozens of reasons I married my husband, Jennings, bless his heart. His family created the North Star Chocolate Company right here in Owl Creek.”
“That’s impressive. I’ve heard a lot about it. I really wanted to take a tour of the factory this afternoon, but it was quite hectic over there this morning with the press conference and the media crush.”
Suddenly, there was a look of distress etched on the older woman’s features. Sage could have kicked herself for blurting out the n
ews. Perhaps Beulah hadn’t known anything at all about her family’s statement to the press. If that was true, Sage had spilled the beans.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “That was insensitive of me. I didn’t mean to dredge up an uncomfortable topic.”
Beulah paused to take a sip of her tea. “There’s no need to apologize. I knew all about the press conference, which is why I’m sitting right here at this table sipping my favorite tea and enjoying your lovely company. I opted out of it.”
Sage sensed Beulah wanted to talk, so she simply stayed quiet and listened.
“This time of year isn’t easy for my family,” Beulah admitted. “I’m sure you’ve heard a little something about it, but twenty-five years ago we suffered a terrible loss. My sweet granddaughter Lily was stolen from us.” She shuddered. “Gone without a trace. It’s amazing how in some ways time has stood still and we’re all still waiting for some type of closure. I just couldn’t go to that dark place today.” Beulah scoffed. “I must sound like a real chicken, but my heart has been knocked around a bit in the years since we lost Lily. I don’t want to hope for her return only to have my heart ripped out of my chest again. My sweet Jennings has been affected deeply by it. Most days he doesn’t even venture outside.”
Tears pooled in Beulah’s eyes, which in turn caused a huge lump to rise to Sage’s throat.
Instinctively, she reached across the table and squeezed Beulah’s hand. “You don’t sound like a chicken at all. You sound like a woman who has been through a terrible ordeal. I’m so sorry.” It hurt to see Beulah so wounded and to know that she was tied up in the pain the North family had endured. It was one thing to know it from a distance, but now she was up close and personal to the living, breathing people whose lives had been forever altered by her mother’s selfish actions.
“You’re a very kind woman, Sage. And I’m going to personally make sure you receive that tour of the chocolate factory.” She beamed at Sage. “Matter of fact, I’m going to show you around myself.” Beulah’s gaze drifted to a point past Sage’s shoulder. Within seconds, Sage looked up to find Hank standing next to their table with his arms folded across his chest. His steely gaze was focused on Sage.
“Fancy meeting you here,” Hank drawled, his eyes full of questions. “I was wondering where you’d disappeared to. Was it something I said?”
* * *
Hank couldn’t deny the slight thrill he got from putting Sage on the spot. The look on her face when he’d appeared at her table had been priceless. Her eyes were as wide as saucers and her mouth had opened without any words coming out. He reckoned it was safe to say she was speechless. Beulah, on the other hand, seemed as if she had plenty to say to him.
“Oh, look what the cat dragged in. It’s my gentleman companion.” Beulah dramatically pulled up her sleeve and looked at her watch. “And he’s only thirty-five minutes late.”
He leaned down and pressed a kiss on Beulah’s cheek. “Forgive me, Miss Beulah. I didn’t forget about our tea date, but I’ve been putting out a few fires at the chocolate factory. There was a real commotion over there.”
Beulah wrinkled her nose and made a harrumphing sound. “As I live and breathe! I was stood up for a press conference!”
