Katherine stared at the woman in front of her. Could this really be Serena?
“Hello, Jeremiah. It’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you.” She looked around with a loving smile. “And I’ve missed the Harborside as well. There’s nowhere else like it.” She turned back to Katherine.
“I see my brother has let you in on the Harborside’s best-kept secret. We’ll have to go up there together while I’m here. I’m just dying for a good rummage through those trunks. There’s one for each generation of Harborside Braddocks, you know, and I’m sure you’ve noticed there are a few more in the basement.”
Katherine’s eyes widened. “Really? That sounds fascinating.”
“But, Serena, why are you here?” asked the captain, limping unevenly down the last few steps of the staircase.
“The bank contacted me about some paperwork you wanted to file.” She looked her brother solidly in the eye and said, “We need to talk.”
* * * *
“Miss Harriet, you’ll never guess who I brought to see you. Not in a million years!”
Miss Harriet came out of the kitchen with a puzzled, “What’s all this fuss about?” Then, as she looked past Katherine to the tall, dark-eyed woman behind her, she gave a little shout of delight and ran towards her, wrapping her in a sisterly embrace.
“Serena!”
“Harriet, oh, it’s too good to see you again. You’re not mad at me?”
“How could I be? I did get your letter eventually, though it was delayed.”
“Jeremiah told me. I should have written again. I did send you my address, but never thought it mightn’t reach you. I just thought you never cared to write back.”
“And I thought you must not have cared to tell me where you had gone!” The two friends shook their heads and hugged once more.
“See?” Miss Harriet said, turning towards Katherine, “I just knew it would all get straightened out eventually.”
“Yes, but there’s still the Harborside to straighten out,” Katherine said.
“Yes,” Serena echoed. “And that’s where I need your help, Harriet.”
* * * *
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.”
