* * * *

When the shop closed that afternoon, Miss Harriet, Serena, and Katherine got to work right away. Katherine and Serena cleared the tables, while Miss Harriet buzzed efficiently around the kitchen. By six o’clock, all was ready.

“I hope they’re not late,” said Katherine, watching the clock and the doorway intermittently. The old anxiety she had felt when she first stepped into Miss Harriet’s had returned, and she rubbed her hands together nervously, feeling that the next few hours would spell out life or death for the Harborside.

“I’m sure Harold will get him here on time.” Miss Harriet said. “You’ve got five minutes left, Dearie.” Then, squeezing Katherine’s shoulders she said gently, “Don’t fret. Pray instead, that will calm you.”

Katherine smiled weakly. “You’re right. I’ll do that.”

“Harold?” asked Serena, walking over from the table where she had been putting the final touches to a floral arrangement. “Would that be Harold James, that dashing reporter for the Harborhaven Gazette?”

Miss Harriet blushed and nodded happily.

“Well! I am glad for you. How long?”

“Just a few months.”

“You mean it took him that long? It was plain he was head over heels for you even before I left!”

Katherine laughed in spite of her nerves. “It took a little shove to get them off.” She said playfully.

Just then the door opened and Mr. James walked in with Captain Braddock. Miss Harriet went forward to greet them.

“Welcome, Captain Braddock. Thank you for coming.” She smiled and shook Captain Braddock’s hand. Katherine thought he looked decidedly uncomfortable. They all sat down at the table, and Miss Harriet brought out tea and several trays of snacks.

“Tea, Captain?” she asked, teapot in hand. “There’s not a teabag in sight tonight, I promise you. It’s all Harborside tea.”

“Well, perhaps just a cup.” The captain said, somewhat grudgingly.

When everyone had been served, Katherine stood. With a quick silent prayer for help, she began to speak, her voice trembling slightly.

“Captain, we’re all here tonight because we love and value the Harborside. Ever since I first found out that it was in danger, I have been trying to find a way to help. Serena arrived at just the right time and has helped me think through the details of a plan I’ve been working on. Mr. James has also been a help, and you’ll see in a bit why he’s here.”

Katherine took a breath as Serena reached across to squeeze her hand encouragingly.

“Jeremiah, I don’t know if you noticed, but Katherine has soaked in the Harborside like a sponge. Before you came in yesterday, she inadvertently gave me a little demonstration of the “Braddock gift,” as Great-Grandma called it. She recommended just the tea you did for me, when you were first coming into your own at the shop. In talking to the others, here, I’ve discovered that she’s matched several other people with their perfect tea as well.”

Captain Braddock nodded. “Yes, I’ve been wondering if she would pick that up.”

“That’s how I plan to help the Harborside. But it will take some cooperation between the Harborside and Miss Harriet’s.” Katherine looked from one to the other of the shop owners uncertainly.

“I’m open to it if you are.” Miss Harriet said to the captain. “Please, tell us what you have planned, Katherine.”

“Well, people are so different, and the right tea for any given set of people will differ widely. That’s why the Harborside keeps so many different types of tea in stock. Now, Miss Harriet, what I propose is this: I would like to go on helping the customers here at Miss Harriet’s to find their perfect tea, but that will mean ordering a wide variety from the Harborside. Not great quantities of each, especially at first, but enough for a couple pots of tea at a time. We could store them in those little drawers behind the counter. They’re just the right size for a little sack of tea each.”

“Ah, so that’s why you asked about the drawers. I’ve been wondering what you were thinking of.”

“And as I introduce people to the different types of tea, I could send them to the Harborside to order some for themselves. That way, the Harborside would not just have more orders from Miss Harriet’s; it would gain new long-term customers as well. And they would tell their friends and family about it, and the Harborside’s customer base would grow by word of mouth, just as it always has. It just needs a little boost to get it going again.”

“And that’s where I come in,” began Mr. James, looking the Captain straight in the eye. “Katherine has told me that you prefer not to advertise, and that’s fine, but I have a suggestion to make. Word of mouth works, and it does work better than advertising—except when public opinion is against you. Now, for a variety of reasons, the Harborside has lost most of its local customers. You’ll only save the Harborside by winning back the community that once supported it.”

Captain Braddock grunted. “What do you have in mind?” he asked, frowning.

“A series of articles on the history of the Harborside and the Braddock family’s impact on Harborhaven over the years. You see, sir, people don’t shop at the Harborside anymore because they have lost that sense of connection with it. No one knows better than you and Serena just how steeped in history the Harborside is. Believe it or not, that is your greatest asset.”

Captain Braddock sat silent, brows knit, deep in thought. Everyone was still, and silent as they waited for his reaction. Katherine held her breath. Finally, Serena spoke.

“Jeremiah, we’re not here to bully you into doing what we think you ought to do. But as part owner, and one of the last remaining members of the Braddock family, I must say, I heartily approve of Katherine’s plan. As Mr. James has said, the history of the Harborside is what draws people to it. Isn’t it what makes the shop so precious to you and me? Surely it’s only right to share that heritage with others.”

The captain took a deep breath. “Well… Katherine, Mr. James, you’ve thought through this well. But do you think it will be enough? We’re in quite a bit over our heads. Do you expect this will really bring in enough more customers?”

Katherine nodded. “I looked over our current sales ledger, and I think with Miss Harriet’s initial order setting her up with a wide enough variety, and with the publicity of the articles and our personal recommendations, it should go a long way towards doubling or even tripling our sales in the next few months.”

“I looked over her calculations, Jeremiah, and I agree.” Serena added, “There’s a good chance this will work.”

“So,” Katherine asked, looking at the Captain and Miss Harriet. “Are you willing to work together to save the Harborside?”

Captain Braddock rose from his seat and looked gravely at Miss Harriet. Then, he picked up his teacup and held it towards her. “I’m willing if you are.”

Miss Harriet nodded and raised her cup as well. “Here’s to saving the Harborside!”

37 The New Beginning

The sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Miss Harriet’s as Katherine bustled between the tables. Passing a table by the lace-enshrouded side window, she paused. A soft smile spread over her face as she realized that it had only been a year since she first stumbled upon Miss Harriet’s. She remembered the loneliness, the pain, the gnawing heartache—how different she felt now!

She turned and looked around the room. Rosie and her faithful group of followers sat in the middle of the room where several tables had been pushed together. Their noisy voices were dominated by Rosie’s boisterous exclamations as they discussed the latest gossip.

The little girl whom Katherine had seen having tea with her mother a year before sat a little way from the Luncheon Society. The girl had put off the costume jewelry in favor of a simple pendant, a little silver heart. She had matured much since that first day.

You and me both, thought Katherine, as she watched the mother and daughter giggle together and sip their tea.

Mr. James sat by the window, typing rapidly as always, pausing now and then to sip his Harborside Assam. He looked up as Miss Harriet passed him, and the two smiled as only a newly-engaged couple can smile.

Katherine’s heart swelled with happiness for them, and she couldn’t help but cast a glance towards the elderly couple by the window, conversing so politely, yet wholly engrossed in each other. Mr. Patten and Mrs. Penelope looked just about as happy as Miss Harriet and Mr. James as they quietly sipped their Earl Grey and shared their scones and Cornish pasties.

She wished Serena could have stayed to see this. The little drawers in the back of the counter were filled with a variety of teas, and Katherine had begun to teach Miss Harriet some of what she had learned about matching people with their perfect tea. Mr. James had written three articles, and each had caused quite a buzz around town and brought in customers to both Miss Harriet’s and the Harborside.

Serena’s visit had laid to rest the specter of unknown horror and broken down the last remaining wall of mistrust between the Captain and Miss Harriet. What a mess that lost letter caused! Katherine sighed, and picked up a tray of dishes to take to the kitchen.

She thought of Captain Braddock and the weighty sacrifice he had been willing to make, just to keep the Harborside going. She sighed happily as she remembered the joy on his face as he tallied up last week’s sales.

“I think,” he had said as a grin slowly spread across his weather-beaten face, “we might just be afloat again!”