Gift (Enchanted Ardor #2)

Chapter One

Olivia Boncoeur brushed the blonde bangs from her eyes as she considered the pinch-lipped woman in front of her. “You’re telling me that after all these months of paper filing and follow up, that now—at this last step for approval—they’ve decided to withdraw their support?”

Her supervisor, Ms. E. S. Chernalog, shrugged, looking down her long nose at Olivia. “The clients have decided to invest elsewhere.”

Olivia bristled, pointedly ignoring the ill feeling the woman always gave her. “This has been in the works for a very long time. Why are they backing out now?”

Ms. Chernolog glanced at her watch. “I’m no longer at liberty to discuss their portfolio. Termination papers have been drawn up. This position isn’t working out and you’re better employed elsewhere. I have another meeting. Janice will have your paperwork at the front desk.”

“But—” Olivia gaped, chest constricting. “It’s right before the Christmas holidays.”

“See Janice on your way out, Ms. Boncoeur.” The rigid woman’s eyes flashed as she brushed past Olivia, her heels thumping on the carpeted floor on her way to the elevator.

Olivia stared after her, blinking back tears, heart twisting as her feet dragged her toward the front desk, muttering to herself, “What the frig am I going to do now? I needed this job.”

“She was brought in to streamline the company and increase the bottom line, which is everything, right? I thought your work was superb. I even heard some of the execs say so.” Janice scowled at Chernalog as she disappeared through the glass doors into the hall, taking Olivia’s sick feeling with her.

Janice went on, gathering the freshly printed pages and manila envelope atop the desk before rummaging in her top drawer. “I was going to give you this Christmas card next week, but I guess I should deliver it now.”

As an afterthought, Olivia’s mind leapt to another subject of the employment topic. “Have you heard if Mr. Anderson got the security job that was open? He was desperate to find work.”

“I don’t hear about things like that, but Mr. Anderson did come by for an interview.” Janice held up a red and gold envelope.

“Oh, that’s so kind of you, Janice.” Olivia dropped her security key and ID Card on the counter next to the papers, signed and slid them aside before accepting the Christmas card. She half smiled at the rounded jolly Santa head grinning at her from the front of the card as a smaller slip of paper fluttered onto the countertop.

She picked up the scroll-edged slip of beautiful calligraphic writing.

“It’s a voucher for a great family-owned tea shop around the corner. I’m afraid consolation tea is all I can offer. But I find it helps.”

Olivia slid her fingertip over the embossed card. “Thank you. Will you join me?”

“Too much work to wrap up since we downsized last month. You take care, and good luck with the job hunt. I’m sure you’ll find something perfect for you after the holidays, but tea first.” she offered a sympathetic smile. “I have a scratch ticket with my name on it at the end of the day. If I win, I’ll call you for an expensive girls night out.” Janice grinned.

“We need more people like you in this world,” Olivia sighed, as Janice moved out from behind the counter to pull Olivia into a warm hug before she left the office for the last time.

Her thoughts and pulse resumed their race as she rode the elevator, voucher in hand.

She glanced at her watch. “May as well, since I just found an hour before I have to be at the community kitchen.”

Her mind chewed over Ms. Chernalog’s words.

‘… you’re better employed elsewhere…’

Olivia scowled, sidestepping an icy patch on the sidewalk.

Unemployed for the Christmas holidays. Fantastic predicament to be in.

She sniffled, blinking away another round of gathering tears.

It’s too darn cold to cry.

“It’s okay, Liv, there’s another way. There always is, so long as you keep moving forward.” She nodded, her words crystallizing in the frosty air, as her breath clung to her face. “It’ll have to wait till Monday, and now that I don’t have any overtime workload to clear up, maybe I can call Gena over for a pajama and popcorn weekend.”

Turning the corner, she strode along downtown Ottawa’s lamp-lit Sparks Street Promenade, lined with nineteenth-century buildings. She pulled her coat tight against the sudden blustery squall, blowing snow down from the roofs into her face. Distracted, she almost missed the teashop, nestled between a set of arches. “How have I not noticed this place before?” Her eyes slid over the finely carved gilt sign set above the door.

‘Other Worldly Teas’.

Bells jangled over the arch as she stepped into the warm shop, brushing the gritty snow from her hair and coat, stomping her feet on the mat as she looked around. Her gaze landed on a blonde woman with bright green eyes behind the counter, her smile inviting Olivia forward.

“What a lovely shop.” Olivia smiled back, eyes absorbing all the beautifully restored century-old decor, as she got a sense of the place’s vibe. Her fingers slid across the antique counter, fronted with windows displaying a variety of loose teas. “Is this an old grain counter?”

“It is,” the woman beamed, her radiating pride soothing Olivia’s worries. “I found it in an antique store down in Kingston when I had this place restored. I bought that other piece at the same time.” She pointed across the shop toward another beautifully carved counter displaying packaged teas, mugs, and gifts. A framed sign nestled amid the lot advertised tea leaf readings.

I remember when counters like these were the norm in most of the shops along this street when they were built.

Olivia’s gaze flowed up the carved columns supporting an intricate tin covered ceiling. “Gosh, this is just what I needed right now. I love seeing places like this treasured and preserved.”

“How may I help you?” The woman’s warm voice drew Olivia’s attention back to the task at hand.

“Do you have a job opening?” Olivia chuckled as she held up her voucher, leaning forward to read the name tag pinned to the server’s apron. “Hello, Quinn. A lovely lady sent me this way for consolation tea.”

Quinn reached for the voucher, flipping it over. “Ah, yes, Janice. One of my best customers. Sorry, no employment opportunities here. I’m guessing you need something soothing?”

Olivia nodded. “I’ll take whatever you recommend. I have a rather large pivot to master and no room to stumble.”

“Sounds serious.” Quinn glanced up from the canisters she pulled up onto the counter as she worked.

“Hmm, yes. My employment options just crumbled and I’ve been neglecting my savings account.”

“Good time to slow down and reassess. I’m sure you’ll find something suitable after the holidays.” Quinn smiled handing Olivia the steaming cup. “If you’d like a reading when you’re done, just let me know.”

“I would love that. I have some time before I start my volunteer shift at the community kitchen up town.” She brought her cup to a table by the window overlooking the pedestrian mall. Removing her coat, she settled in, extracting her notebook and pen from her purse, getting back on track while she allowed her drink to do its magic.

She made a list of priority actions.

Olivia always kept enough money in her account to cover a few months’ rent. Everything else went to charities.

She sighed over the hot brew.

Tea. Job markets. New investment research.

Maybe you’re just not cut out for this sort of thing, Liv. You’re just not cut out for the business world.

She shivered as icy pellets skittered across the window, joining the dusting that slid along gathered snow banks, catching on the feet of huddled pedestrians.

She’d had a healthy list of options before she took this job. Now her confidence was in the basement.

This group had been her last hope and everything was set to go toward solidifying her portfolio.

How did I lose their confidence? I thought things were going so well.

And just like that—gone.

She blew on the steam, moving it across the top of the cup.

Serves me right for ignoring Bayn’s suggestions of frugality and saving for rainy days.

Her old dragon shifter friend was right, though she hadn’t intentionally been careless with her money. She just didn’t need most of it for herself, and donated her extra earnings and time to charities, food banks and shelters. Salaries didn’t stretch very far after rent, utilities, and groceries these days.

So much for the illusion of job security. I guess those days are long gone… if they ever existed.

Olivia glanced at her watch. Her heart rate accelerated, shoulders tightened, so she turned her attention back to her tea.

You’ve always landed on your feet.

‘What we need, will come.’ Abbess Marie-France used to say.

Olivia had adopted it as one of her personal mantras.

Closing her eyes, she sipped the fragrant tea, sighed and relaxed. “Perfect.”

Outside the window, the promenade cleared of folks rushing home after work or streaming toward the Rideau Center for holiday shopping.

If I can’t find another job, I’ll have to move. Again.

Another sip.

I could reach out to Bayn… no. Too easy.

Though they hadn’t seen each other in centuries, Olivia had done her best to keep tabs on him.

As much as she allowed herself to toy with the idea now and then, Olivia wouldn’t ask her old friend, no matter that the dragon shifter had a treasure horde large enough to run his own country. One didn’t simply ask a dragon to part with his carefully collected treasure… or old friends to solve your problems.

Olivia, you engineered this situation, you’ll work your way through it.

“Reading?” Quinn made her way toward Olivia’s table.

Olivia glanced at the sign. Ten dollars and the proceeds went to a local women’s shelter. “Of course, how can I resist?” She checked her watch again. “But I only have a few minutes.”

Quinn slid onto the seat across from her with a smile and instructed Olivia what to do with her empty cup.

“Janice said she was going to buy a scratch ticket. Should I do the same?” Olivia chuckled as Quinn peered into the cup, assessing the grounds.

“I don’t know about that.” Quinn squinted, turning the cup. “The leaves aren’t interested in finances.”

“Oh?” Olivia leaned forward, trying to peek into the cup for herself when Quinn glanced up at her with a curious eye. “What are they interested in?”

“Mostly love, but these symbols are complex. And there’s a warning here. I know, that’s rather vague.” Quinn shrugged.

Olivia laughed as she extracted the money from her purse to place on the table. “No, that’s very clear. I have zero interest in love, as it always comes with large, blaring, danger signals. Nope. Thank you. Had enough of that nonsense.” She stood, re-wrapping her scarf before reaching for her coat. “I have to get going, but now that I know you’re here, I’ll definitely come back for more of your wonderful tea.”

Quinn stood, eyes searching Olivia’s face. “I’m glad to hear that, but I’d like to invite you to a party I’m hosting tomorrow night, and we can talk some more. Just give me a moment. Maybe I can help with the next step of your journey in some way.” She strode toward the counter. Setting Olivia’s cup and saucer aside, she reached for a business card from beside the till and scribbled on the back.

Olivia stood next to the door, buttoning her jacket, then adjusted the hood.

Quinn reached for her hand to place the card on her palm. “Please come. If you need a ride, call me and I’ll arrange for someone to pick you up.” She glanced out of the glass door. “And be careful out there.”

Olivia’s hand tingled with warmth from where Quinn’s hands touched hers.

Startled, she met Quinn’s green eyes and knew she had to go to this party, even though Saturday night was her tub and book night.

…I haven’t called Gena for that movie weekend yet.

She nodded, fingers curling around the card.

Quinn smiled. “Good. See you tomorrow night.”

Olivia tucked the card into her pocket and stepped out into the blustery night, pulling her hood tight to block out the howling wind and snow.