The Chocolate Magic Cozy Mystery Box Set Books 1 to 7

by Olivia Swift

  They sat and talked in detail about the horses’ history and pedigrees. They passed around the old photos of the Goodie Ryder descendants and said over and over again how great it was to find the two families were friends again.

  Then Gladman said that they could deliver the mare and stallion to the dude ranch.

  “We can collect them to save you the trouble,” Branston offered but the other man laughed.

  “My son would never forgive me if I missed out on a chance to see the ranch and your horses.”

  Gladdie smiled and nodded his head.

  “Next weekend would be okay with us,” Merle said, “and I can organize a lunch for everyone as well.”

  “Look forward to it,” Clara said.

  “Can I go back and look at the horses again before we go, please?” Chloe asked and Gladdie stood up.

  “Come on. I’ll tell you about them.”

  18

  “I’ll miss Chloe, but do you think they will let me come over and be there when she foals?” Gladdie asked as the ponies all came and clustered at the gate.

  “I think they would be fine with that.”

  They moved to the quarter horses and stroked noses. Gladdie told her the names of most of them. She pointed out a bay that caught her eye. He nodded.

  “She’s a good one. Picks up everything you tell her very quickly.” He grinned. “I can get a saddle.”

  “Please,” she said and went with him to carry two saddles out from the stable. They brought the bay mare and Gladdie’s stallion out of the paddock and saddled them. Chloe climbed on the fence and put herself on board. Gladdie adjusted her stirrups and mounted his horse. He led the way to where a trail stretched wound around the trees.

  “She’s lovely and fluid,” Chloe said and clicked the mare into a trot. The way was clear, level, and private and they went from trot to canter and then galloped away to give the horses a real stretch.

  “Fabulous,” Chloe said.

  “Best get back or they will send out a search party,” Gladdie added.

  “Race you back,” she grinned and set off to give herself a head start. He laughed and easily caught up to her on the big stallion. They settled to a steady run together back to the ranch and saw the group of folk coming out to find them.

  “Big finish,” Gladdie shouted and the two of them raced up to the yard and skidded to a halt in a cloud of dust. Branston clapped his hands and went to help them put the horses back in the corral.

  The group arranged to meet the next Sunday at the dude ranch and Rula invited them to see the stable where Cody had appeared.

  Sam said that he and Declan would take the next day and put the stalls in the stable.

  “So, it will be useable when you all visit,” he added.

  They piled into the cars and were waved off.

  “That was so good,” Magda said. “We know the whole story and Cody has reunited the families of himself and his friends. Job done.”

  “Branston just loves his horses. Merle lets him indulge himself,” Sam said.

  “They are a great team at the ranch,” Magda added. “That painted pony was unbelievably beautiful. She takes your breath away with that lovely spotted coat and long, swinging mane. I just love that they will breed them at the ranch.”

  “And you might possibly have one in the end,” he grinned. “I know you, Magda Barnes.”

  “It’s a long slow road though. We will see what Chloe produces next year and then they’ll have to wait to breed another.”

  “I think they should change the name to Zoe to avoid confusion,” Sam laughed. “Anyway, Declan and I will take a day off the job we’re doing and make the stable ready for them. Rula is desperate to bring the horses over.”

  Magda gave him a quizzical look because she thought he was planning something, but nothing sprang to mind.

  He smiled at her.

  “You are plotting, and I cannot figure out what it is.”

  “Let’s collect our daughter. I’m guessing you are going to teach her to ride as soon as she can sit in the saddle.”

  “We had so much fun growing up. Branston and I were so lucky to have an uncle who saw that we learned the right way.”

  Sam pulled up at Alison’s and stopped for a few minutes to tell her all about the Ryder-James ranch. Then all talk stopped as Samantha held out her arms and said quite clearly.

  “Dada.”

  “Did you say Dada, my little star?” he said and picked her up. She gurgled, pulled his hair, and definitely said dada over again.

  “Oh, dear. We will never hear the end of that,” Magda said. “She has started the way she means to continue and has him at her beck and call.” She thanked Alison and they took the third member of the family home.

  “You can change your daughter and I will warm her food,” Magda told him. She heard him talking away to the baby as he made her comfortable and brought her back into the room. Magda took over and spooned the mixture into her daughter’s mouth.

  “I’ll just pop next door and see if our neighbor needs anything else,” Sam said.

  “How very weird your dad is sometimes, my little one.”

  The weird man came back with an envelope in his hand but no tools.

  “Did you lend him an envelope?” Magda asked sarcastically.

  “Well no, but you might want to know what’s in this envelope.”

  “I knew you were plotting something.”

  He grinned and settled in the chair.

  “Well go on then. What is it?” She popped Samantha into her playpen and switched on the pretty lights. She came and sat on his knee.

  “This is really for you. Neville, next door has land at the back that he never uses, and we don’t have a lot. He’s renting it to us so that you can have a stable for Jessie at home.” He said it in such a matter of fact way and handed her the envelope that it took a few seconds to sink in. Then she screamed and flung her arms around his neck.

  “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You’re forgiven for plotting. Oh, my goodness. Oh, heavens. You really tricked me this time.” She opened the envelope and took out a legal document that said they were renting the land behind the house next door. The term started immediately.

  “I paid the first month’s rent.”

  “Oh, Sam. I’m just the luckiest girl.” She felt the tears come into her eyes and he offered her a tissue.

  “Next week, by the way, the stable will be delivered and Declan and I will put it up for you.”

  Magda gasped and could not find the words. Then she grabbed his hand.

  “Where will the stable go and how much land is there?”

  “I’ll find the papoose carrier1 and take Samantha as you look at it all,” he said. Magda did a happy dance all around the living room much to the disgust of the four cats.

  They grabbed jackets and wrapped up the baby. She sat in the papoose and looked around. Then gazed up at her dad.

  “Say Dada,” he said as they walked over the garden behind the house.

  “Dada,” Samantha said obligingly, and Sam grinned hugely. There was a fence.

  “I’ll make you a gate through here,” Sam said and stepped over the fence fairly easily with his long legs. Magda stepped up and climbed over and they looked out at the ten acres or so that Neville had bought when he first came there to build the house.

  “Plenty of grass for two,” Magda observed. “Might even need to restrict them sometimes.”

  “Two?” Sam asked. “You already planning on the painted pony?”

  Magda laughed. “You know you’ll want to ride out as well sometimes.”

  He grudgingly admitted that it had crossed his mind. They had a gentle stroll over the whole patch. It was mostly grass with some trees here and there to provide some shade.

  “I’ll put a water trough near the garden fence and then I can just fill it with a hose,” Magda decided. She did a few skips and jumps and spread her arms. “We rent all of this. I cannot believe it.”
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  “Dadadada,” Samantha said.

  “You can get fed up with hearing something, Samantha,” Magda added but grinned at the same time.

  “Daddy is just the best in the world.” She took his hand and they walked back together.

  1 Cradle boards and other child carriers used by Native Americans are known by various names. In Algonquin history, the term "papoose" is sometimes used to refer to a child carrier. However there are many different terms among the 573 federally recognized tribes, nations, and communities.

  19

  The next day was normal at the café. Sam and Declan took the day to collect what was needed to complete the stable. Rula was almost dancing with excitement and Sam obligingly put the video on his phone every so often to let her see how it was going.

  “For heaven’s sake,” Magda said. “Take today off and go and watch them.”

  Rula kissed her friend on the cheek, grabbed a jacket, and ran to her car.

  In a quiet moment or two after the midday rush was over, Katie looked through her photos from the day before. She passed them to Magda.

  “Those shots of Gladdie on the horse are wonderful. I’m not good at catching the action like Shelby but I can catch something else.”

  “What do you mean?” Magda asked.

  “Look carefully. I just noticed it myself.”

  Magda gazed at the photo that Katie was pointing out. She shook her head and then looked again. She looked at Katie who nodded and smiled.

  “Has Declan seen this?” Katie shook her head.

  “Wow,” Magda said and gazed at the picture of Gladdie Ryder-James on his stallion. If you stopped looking at the picture of him and looked beyond it into the air, the faintest shape of Goodie Ryder on a similar stallion was riding beside him. At a normal glance it merged into the cloud background.

  “That’s pure magic,” Magda said. “Send it to the others.” Katie agreed and sent it off with a note of where to look. It was only minutes before the phones started to ring.

  The first was Gladdie himself and he was beside himself with excitement. Katie laughed and said that she would work on trying to paint it before the weekend. Shelby was a bit later but had already done a few strokes of a sketch to pick up the outline. Declan was in the stable working with Sam and Rula and called to say that Cody was on the stairs as usual and smiling like the cat that had gotten the cream.

  “This weekend is going to be fabulous,” Magda said. “Must get some work done so that we can enjoy it.” She swung into activity and then decided at the end of the day to drive to Rula’s. Katie said the same and the two girls followed Mikey home in their own cars.

  Sam and Declan were collecting their tools and Rula was sweeping the floor. The stable now looked like a stable. The stalls were complete with hay holders and water bowls. The taps were working in the sink. A hose was attached to another tap on the wall and two bags of hay were hanging on the pegs. The saddle holders were ready for the saddles. The electricity was working, and the place was bright and well lit. Rula was delighted.

  “This is wonderful,” Magda said. She nudged Sam and told him that he could reproduce the same thing for her.” Rula looked at her friend.

  “You two are plotting.”

  Magda grinned.

  “For once, Sam completely fooled me.”

  “And that’s not easy,” Sam said as he held his daughter. “Say dada,” he added, and Samantha obligingly said Dadadada.”

  “I can forgive the big head about dada because he rented our next-door neighbor’s field for me and ordered a prefab stable.”

  Sam gave himself a pat on the back.

  “Oh wow. What a week we’re having.”

  “Cody is pleased,” Declan observed, and they all looked at the staircase where the rest of them could see nothing.

  “Do you like this place now, Cody?” Rula asked and a loud and decisive bang sounded from the stairs. “We left the stairs untouched to remind us of you.”

  “I have to practice a lot,” Mikey added.

  “Will you help him?” Magda asked and another thud came from the stairs.

  “I’m starting the painting tonight of you and Gladdie,” Katie said and felt a warm wind on her cheek. She smiled.

  “Well, we’ll leave you to admire your new stable,” Sam said. They went back to their vehicles. Rula was doing a happy dance in the stable as they drove away.

  The rest of the week passed in a flurry of normal activity. Sunday finally arrived. Merle had invited everyone for lunch. There were sixteen people . . . but for Merle, that was just a normal group to cater for. The restaurant at the ranch could cope easily and she used the private room there for the meal.

  Everyone was excited and arrived early. Chloe was jumping up and down when the big horse transporter and motorhome drew up. Branston waved them to the stables. Everyone followed them and Gladdie jumped out to open the rear doors.

  Branston had left a corral ready for the newcomers. Gladman went to help his son and they brought out the mare with the wonderful coat and flying mane. She stepped daintily down the ramp and stopped in front of Chloe. Chloe whispered in her ear and helped Gladdie put her in the corral. Gladman brought out the stallion and Branston took the head halter and walked the stallion to the same corral. The two newcomers stood together and quietly looked at their new surroundings.

  Lots of cell phone cameras clicked.

  “Let them settle and come have some lunch,” Merle invited. Everyone followed her to the restaurant. The visitors were taking in the ranch as they went and as always, the place was impressive. The restaurant was smart with lots of glass and mirrors. The potted plants brought the outdoors inside and the levels of the floor gave sunken areas of privacy and stepped-up tables where you could enjoy the view. Merle opened a door off to one side where there was an enormous table.

  “Drinks,” Branston said and whipped out a notepad the waiters used. He flicked a towel over his arm to play the part. Magda shook her head. Her cousin had always been a showman. Merle gave them menus and two waitresses came in to take the orders.

  “We’re really being treated,” Clara said. “This is wonderful.”

  The food was excellent as always and talk swept around the table about the horses, the history of the families, and of course, Katie’s photo. They opened it up on more than one cell phone and passed it around again.

  Merle suggested they have coffee in their own lounge and the visitors saw that the restaurant had access to the house where Merle and Branston lived. This again, went through to the main office, reception, and gift shop. When they were settled with drinks, Katie slipped outside to the car and carried in a large framed picture.

  “Handy being married to a man who makes wonderful picture frames,” she said and lifted the cover off the painting. She propped it against the back of a chair and bit her lip as she waited for a reaction.

  There was a pause as everyone looked. Magda had already seen it and knew how beautiful it was.

  Gladdie dropped to his knees in front of the painting and gently touched the image of Goodie Ryder with his finger.

  “Katie, you’re a genius,” he said.

  “I’ll keep this one for myself, but I’ll run off a print for you,” she said.

  Branston asked if they would like a tour plus a look at the horses. He had asked Diana to bring Merlin over when she came for lunch and the small stallion was in the far corral. They walked over and split into groups to look at the horses in different places. Merle pointed out the luxury cabin that was vacant if they wanted to have a look inside.

  Clara and Gladman along with Diana and Katie went to look inside the cabin. Magda knew the luxury would impress the visitors. The huge deck had a hot tub, a fire pit, and an outdoor barbecue as well as loungers. The interior was like a chic hotel.

  Magda followed Branston to the horses and allowed herself a few minutes to dream about a painted pony as she petted the mare.

  “We should change her name t
o Zoe,” Branston said and everyone agreed.

  “Thank goodness,” Chloe laughed.

  “Chloe has Merlin and I wondered if you would like to see what we’re doing next week.” There was a chorus of agreement and they headed toward the stables. Besides his own stallion, he had another saddled and offered it to Gladdie who grinned and jumped on board. Merlin was waiting outside with Chloe and they trotted into an empty paddock.

  Branston went first and did a few tricks and turns followed by Chloe who did the same.

  “Want to go?” Branston asked the teenager who did some quite spectacular riding without hands. The gelding he was riding was comfortable with Branston and responded well. Then Gladdie took a chance and did a handstand on the saddle as the horse kept going in a steady circle.

  He came back to the fence to much applause. Branston said that he and Chloe would now practice their show piece. He went first and she followed behind him. They did several turns and stops and starts in unison and then picked up a little bit of speed. Branston hung under the horse’s neck as Chloe moved from her saddle to his and then Branston came back upright and finished behind her with Merlin alongside. Branston lifted her off the seat and she landed back on Merlin. They did a victory round to much clapping.

  “That looks really dangerous,” Magda said.

  “If we fall off, the horses will stop immediately,” Chloe said.

  Branston suggested that Gladdie could add a section of his own.

  “The rodeo people are giving me a free hand with what we do. If Chloe goes first and then you and then me, we can do that before we do the double routine you just saw.”

  “Love to,” Gladdie said. “I’ll work out a routine.”

  “Are we going to see you on the new stallion?” Magda asked her cousin. He handed her the reins to the one he had been riding and went for another saddle. They watched him adjust it, talk to the new horse and then gently slide into the saddle. His attitude to a new horse was completely different. He rode around the paddock by himself and then waved a hand. Chloe and Gladdie rode in to join him as Sam held the gate.