Read Online The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane (Life in Icicle Falls) by Sheila Roberts - Free Book Online Page A

lasagna, but suddenly she had no appetite.
    A soft hand with a slight speckling of age spots covered hers. “Things really are going to work out,” her mother said.
    Bailey nodded once more. “I know. And I’m so lucky to have all of you. It’s good to be home,” she said, bursting into tears.
    And now, in addition to losing her business and finding out that the man of her dreams had fallen for some other woman, she’d ruined her welcome-home dinner. Her big sister left the table, probably in disgust, probably wondering why she’d bothered to buy such an ingrate a plane ticket home.
    But, no, a couple of minutes later Samantha was back. She set a salted caramel on top of the lasagna. “Eat this,” she commanded.
    As if chocolate fixed everything. But Bailey obeyed and popped it in her mouth. It didn’t fix anything, but it did make her feel better.
    “Another toast,” Samantha proposed. “To the bitches who try to ruin us. May their chocolate supply dry up and their boobs fall off.”
    Here Bailey was aware of her mother frowning in disapproval, and despite everything she had to smile just a little.
    “Amen,” she said even as their mother murmured, “Really, Samantha.”
    Sammy grinned. “It made her smile.”
    For a moment. Bailey set down her mug with a frown. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
    “You’ll figure it out,” her mother assured her.
    She sure hoped Mama was right.
    * * *
    Cecily couldn’t help feeling guilty as she got ready for her date with Luke. Her little sister was barely home, and here she was, leaving her. Bailey had a naturally happy disposition, so she’d managed to rally during the dinner at their mother’s the night before. She’d been impressed with the changes Cecily had made to the condo after buying it from Samantha, approving the sunny yellow walls and the cream-colored leather sofa and chair. She’d gotten tears in her eyes when she saw the Welcome Home, Bailey sign Cecily had hung on the door, and she’d been delighted with her room.
    “This is almost as good as when we shared a room growing up,” she’d said with a smile. “I was always kind of sad when Mama and Daddy bought that bigger house and we each got our own room.”
    Cecily had diplomatically kept her mouth shut on that subject. She’d enjoyed having the privacy.
    “This will be fun,” Bailey had said, smiling brightly.
    But later that night Cecily had heard her crying.
    It was hard to come home feeling like a failure, but Cecily hoped that once some of the pain wore off, Bailey would be glad she’d decided to return. Meanwhile, she was going to have to keep working her way through the misery.
    “Are you sure you don’t mind if I go out?” she asked as she came into the living room.
    Bailey was parked on the couch with a can of pop, a bag of veggie chips and a stack of Oreos. She had the TV on and turned to the Food Network. Cecily looked to see what program she was watching, and Bailey quickly aimed the remote and killed it.
    But not before Cecily had seen what was playing. “Isn’t that Serve It Up? ”
    Bailey pulled a chip out of the bag and studied it. “I was channel surfing.”
    “Uh-huh.” Just what her sister needed—to sit around watching a reality TV show about successful caterers. “Why don’t you come out with us,” she suggested.
    Bailey stared at her in horror. “On your date? ”
    “Luke wouldn’t mind.” Well, maybe he would, but Cecily was sure he’d understand.
    “No,” Bailey said with a firm shake of the head. “I’ll be fine. Really.”
    “If you watch that show, it’s only going to make you feel worse,” Cecily cautioned.
    “I don’t think anything can make me feel worse.”
    Cecily remembered how she’d tortured herself watching The Bachelorette after breaking up with Fiancé Number Two. “Trust me,” she said over her shoulder. “There’s always something that can make you feel worse. Come on,” she urged. “Come out with