Katherine slipped through the door of the tea shop just after closing and found Miss Harriet sitting at a table with a cup of tea.
“Hello, Dearie. Have a good day?”
“Yes, though not without its surprises.”
“Ah, so you’ll already know I had a visit from Captain Braddock.”
Katherine nodded.
“And you know what it was about?”
“I know he brought you an envelope we found with your name on it.”
“So he did.” She reached across the table and poured a cup of tea for Katherine. “I’ve just been sitting and thinking the whole thing over. It’s quite astonishing.”
“Is it?” Katherine asked, with an attempt to sound casual.
“I have to say, the captain was quite apologetic. He told me the letter had been lost, and you only just found it today.”
“Yes. It had fallen down behind a drawer in the counter.”
“Ah. Well, he handed me the letter, said what he came to say, and then left again.”
“And what was in the letter?” Katherine asked, leaning forward in her chair. “Was it from Serena?”
A soft smile spread across Miss Harriet’s face. “Yes, it was.” She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out the letter. “You can read it if you want. I don’t think she would mind, since you’ve become so involved at the Harborside.”
Katherine took the folded papers and held them with something bordering on reverence as she read:
My Dear Friend,
You will be surprised at my news, but it’s not so sudden as it appears. I am leaving tonight for China. My brother, Jeremiah, whom you won’t have met, will be taking over the shop for me. I’m sure he won’t mind. He was set to retire this month and come back to the Harborside anyway.
It sounds ridiculously like something in a novel, but I am going away to get married! You remember the tea plantation I told you about, that I visited just before you came to town? Well, the owner and I, (his name is Li Jun, by the way. Isn’t it a lovely name?) well, we’ve been corresponding ever since, mostly about tea orders and my attempts to research growing conditions for tea plants.
Recently, I asked him for a cutting from one of his tea plants. He said he would gladly give me a cutting from the very best of his plants, but that it would have to be planted in the right kind of soil. When I asked what kind of soil the cutting would need, he replied, “Chinese soil” and asked me to come to China to be his wife. I was astonished, but so happy, and agreed to come. He sent me a ticket, and I’m flying out tonight. I’ll send you my new address as soon as I’m settled.
I’m not going to tell everyone about this, because it seems too precious a thing to be turned into one of Rosie’s gossipy tales. Please just tell everyone who asks that I am well and happy. And please keep an eye on my brother. He may need help getting used to running the shop on his own.
In fondest friendship,
Serena Braddock
“So that’s why she left,” Katherine said, laying the letter down on the table.
“I feel I owe the captain an apology. She likely asked him not to tell where she had gone or why, just as she did me. He wouldn’t have known I was meant to be in on the secret, unless she had mentioned it to him, and I’m certain he didn’t keep this letter from me purposefully.”
Miss Harriet took a sip of tea and sat deep in thought for a moment. “Come to think of it, it isn’t at all unlike Serena to go off to China. I remember how she used to talk about her trip there, how beautiful it was, and how kind the planter had been. I just never realized she had kept in contact with him.”
“Too bad she didn’t ever send you her address,” Katherine said, slumping down in her chair.
“Oh, she did.”
“What?” Katherine sat up again.
“Just because I never received it, doesn’t mean it was never sent,” Miss Harriet said. “Serena was always responsible and trustworthy. If she said she would send her address, I know she did. It’s just a pity it never arrived.”
“I had hoped that envelope would hold the key to contacting Serena and telling her what trouble the Harborside is in.”
“I know, Dearie. But we’ll just have to keep praying and watching for what God will do. He is the only One who can truly help, you know. Even if we found Serena, it wouldn’t solve everything.”
Katherine sighed. “I know. But if anyone could convince Captain Braddock not to take a foolish step, I feel sure Serena could.”
* * * *
“Hello!” Katherine called as little bell above the door announced her arrival at the Harborside. “I’ve come for Miss Harriet’s order.”
Captain Braddock came into the shop, limping more heavily than usual. “Hello Katherine.” His shoulders drooped and his voice sounded flat.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, laying a hand on the captain’s arm. “Won’t you please tell me?”
