Quinn barreled on. “Three, it’s a founders’ dinner. That means the Bakers will be there. That means River will be there.”

Sometimes, Addison wondered if Quinn really was an empath, and she’d been lying to them about her lack of the family gift for all these years. “I have no interest in seeing River again,” Addison said.

“You were both in tears yesterday,” Quinn said.

“Because of the shadow garden,” Addison said.

“Yeah, and the shadow garden only amplifies what you’re already feeling,” Quinn replied.

“It might surprise you to know that I’ve convinced myself the tea leaves led me to connect with the Bonners so I could finally let River go,” Addison said. “I’m ready to move on.”

“That’s not at all surprising,” Quinn said. “Wrong, but not surprising.”

Addison threw up her hands. “Fine,” she said. “I’ll convince Mom and Grams to attend the dinner. Somehow.”

“I cannot believe I let you talk me into this,” Addison said as she and Quinn stood in the alley behind the tea shop. Both her mother’s truck and Kaden’s white Audi sports car that looked like it had been dropped there right out of the ’90s were parked out back.

Addison braced herself as Quinn pushed her up the back stairs and into the shop.

Clem called from the front room, “Irene, is that you?”

Addison and Quinn shared a look.

“It’s me and Addison!” Quinn replied for them both.

They found Clem packing up four-ounce jars with Lavender & Lemon Balm’s signature recipe teas to sell during the festival. She stood and wrapped them each in a hug. Then she abandoned her task, pulled a tea from the shelf, and spooned several heaping portions into a jar.

“I take it Mom isn’t here?” Addison asked.

“I haven’t heard from her or Kaden after I dropped him off over there with takeout last night,” Clem said. “But I promised her I’d make sure she had her hangover cure when she woke up today, and I forgot to grab it for her last night,” Clem said. “Will you run it over to the house for me?”

“You heard what she said to me yesterday,” Addison said. “I’m not going over there. She doesn’t deserve it.”

“It’s not about what she deserves,” Clem said. “It’s about what she needs. And yes, she was not herself, but she was also pissed at Maura on your behalf.”

Addison arched an eyebrow. “You’re not just saying that?”

Clem shook her head. “She doesn’t blame you. If anything, she’s likely thrilled the rosemary made such a ruckus. No one’s going to realize she showed up intoxicated. Honestly, the shadow garden did her a favor.”

Addison accepted the jar of tea. “Fine,” she said. “I’ll take it to her. But only because you promised and because I need to check on the garden anyway.”