The Bride Wore Chocolate (Sweet and Savory Romances)

by Shirley Jump

  “You're married, too?”

  He nodded, smiling like a happy loon. Held out his left hand as proof. “Legally bound and hog-tied.”

  “Didn't you plan it out? Think about it first? Make sure she was the right one?”

  “Hell, no. I mean, I thought about it and all, but geez, how am I supposed to know what kind of woman I'm going to want when I'm forty? I can barely figure out what I want for breakfast in the morning.”

  “Then why this woman?”

  He stopped, and in his gaze, she saw a brightness she'd never seen before in Danny's eyes. “It's the strangest thing, Candace. I just knew. I know that sounds nuts, but that's how it was. I felt it here.” He punched at his chest. “Like someone hit me with a hammer and told me to wise up before I let this fish get away. So I hooked her on my line.” He grinned. “And I’m damned glad I did.”

  She'd come here for answers, to fill in the blanks from six years ago. But after seeing the love in his eyes for his wife and the happiness on Danny's face, it no longer seemed so important. What had happened between them was in the past. He had his own life. He'd moved on. And so could she. Finally.

  Candace pulled into the driveway, just in time to avoid a cherry-red Porsche convertible screaming to a stop outside the duplex. Grandma flung open the driver's side door, followed by pounding rock music. “Showed them who's boss,” she crowed, pumping a fist into the air.

  “Are you drag-racing again?”

  Grandma toed at the driveway. “Uh ... no?”

  “You are, aren't you? Grandma, that's illegal.”

  Her grandmother waved at her friend Ted, who'd switched seats and was pulling away at the wheel of his car. “It's only illegal if they catch you.”

  “Most people your age are having their licenses taken away for being a menace on the road.”

  “I'm only a menace on the racetrack.” She winked. “But I taught that Martha Winton a thing or two. She thought that Dodge Dart of hers actually stood a chance.” Grandma snorted.

  Candace laughed and bent to retrieve her tote bag out of her car. “I'd worry about you, but I don't think it's going to do any good.”

  Together they walked up the paved walkway and climbed the steps. “It's you I worry about,” Grandma said. “Are you okay?”

  They'd reached the front door of Grandma's duplex. Candace waited to answer until her grandmother had finished unlocking the door and opened it. “No, I guess I'm not.”

  “I didn't think so. You want to talk about it?” Grandma gestured toward her leopard-print loveseat.

  When Candace sagged into the velvet surface, it felt as if she'd taken half the weight on her shoulders and laid it on the animal print. “I went to Providence today,” Candace began, “to see Danny.”

  Grandma sat in the zebra-patterned armchair opposite the sofa. “Danny?”

  “I dated him. A long time ago.” Candace shrugged off her light cardigan and laid it beside her. “The summer before my senior year of college. Remember, I went to New Hampshire and stayed with my dad at his lake house?”

  Grandma nodded. “I do.”

  “It was one of those typical summer flings. Stupid me thought it meant more than it did. Apparently I was the only one.” Candace rose, crossed to the mantel. It was odd, really, how she could be in this jungle-themed living room and feel more at home than she did in her own Pier 1 Imports environment. Here, zebras coexisted with leopards in comfortable zaniness. “It was one of the only times in my life I didn't act before thinking it all out first.”

  In the reflection of the mirror, she saw Grandma nod. “You thought he was Mr. Right.”

  “Or something like that I guess I was more of a romantic back then.”

  “Nothing wrong with that.”

  Candace spun around. “There's plenty wrong with it. All it does is lead to trouble.”

  “One bad relationship—”

  “This wasn't just a bad relationship, Grandma,” she cried. “I didn't think with my head. I didn't think at all. I... I got pregnant.”

  Her grandmother stood and crossed to her, laying a soft palm against Candace's cheek. “I know.”

  “You know? Everything?”

  Grandma nodded. “Why do you think I asked you to move in here?”

  “To keep an eye on you.”

  Grandma laughed. “I may need that, but at the time, you needed someone much more.”

  Candace had never told anyone how Danny had broken her heart by cheating on her with someone else. How she'd realized three weeks later that her stupidity and her lack of common sense had gotten her pregnant. She'd been so wrapped up in Danny, in the wild, swirling emotions of that summer, that she'd forgotten about precautions. About what could happen. About the mistakes she could make so easily in a moment of passion.

  He'd never called her, not even sent so much as a smoke signal; just moved on to other girlfriends, unaware she was going through the most agonizing summer of her life. When she'd miscarried at eight weeks, she'd told herself it was a blessing. But it hadn't been. It had been the most painful experience of her life, one she relived every September twenty-third. She'd vowed never to make the same mistake twice, and dedicated her life to helping other people who had stepped off life's path.

  For six years, those choices had served her well. But now...

  Now she wasn't so sure she'd made the right decision.

  “How did you know?” she asked her grandmother.

  Soft blue eyes crinkled with love. “I've known you all your life. You're part of me, which gives us a connection that can't be explained away. When you finally came back home that summer, I saw it all over your face. And I knew you needed me.”

  For once, Grandma's beliefs in the cosmic alignment of life and spirits made perfect sense. “I'm glad you were here.”

  “I'm glad I was, too.” She smiled. “Some things are meant to be.”

  The clock in the hall chimed. “I better get home. There's a lot to do before the wedding tomorrow.”

  Grandma withdrew her hand and pursed her lips, as if she wanted to say something, then didn't. “Get some rest, then. It's a big day.”

  “The biggest.” And then Candace had to leave because her throat had closed up and her eyes had filled with tears.

  She was turning into a human spigot. At this rate, she'd be using her veil for a tissue.

  3 egg whites

  1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

  3/4 cup sugar

  1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  2 tablespoons cocoa, sifted

  1-3/4 cups really good semisweet chocolate chunks

  Get your best boa on, then preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Keep an extra piece to the side to doodle pictures of your dreams. Post it on the refrigerator as a reminder that pipe dreams can come true. Look at Cinderella—it worked for her.

  Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed until soft peaks form that look like cloud nine. Add in the sugar and vanilla a little at a time (don't want to do it too fast and deflate your dreams), until the mixture is as glossy as a silver lining. Fold in the cocoa, then the chocolate chunks. Do this gently—and watch that you don't get any feathers in the mix.

  Drop by tablespoons onto the parchment paper. Bake thirty-five to forty-five minutes, or until dry. Cool slightly, then peel paper backing from cookies, pop them in your mouth and dream of a good-looking, rich and luscious future. If it helps you to indulge more, wear a nice pair of feathered mules and stretch out on the divan a la Elizabeth Taylor.

  CHAPTER 23

  “You know you're insane, don't you?” Rachel said. She'd arrived bright and early, albeit with a few grumbles about being roused from bed before noon on a Saturday morning.

  Michael grinned. He folded the top layer of tissue paper over the gift, then carefully fitted the lid onto the giant box. “Yeah, probably.”

  “She's never going to accept this from you.”

  “That's why you're g
oing to deliver it.” He withdrew a sheet of stationery from the top drawer of his desk, wrote a note, sealed it in an envelope, wrote “Candy” on the outside, then attached it to the top of the box. “Just make sure you give it to her personally.”

  “How will I know which one she is?”

  “She's the bride. Pretty hard to miss.”

  Rachel put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a little squeeze, then released him quickly, as if she didn't want to be caught by the affection police. “You know, you're not so bad for a brother. If I weren't your sister, I might actually think you were boyfriend material.” She bent to pick up the box, but not before he saw a faint sheen of red in her cheeks.

  “Hey, thanks ... I think.”

  She grinned, toting the big box in both arms. “So what are you going to do after I drop this off?”

  “Wait. Hope. Pray.” He took in a breath. “But first, I have one more stop to make.”

  “We're here!” Rebecca came into Candace's apartment the morning of the wedding, dispensing a hug and a bright smile. “Best friends to the rescue.”

  “And we come with lots of supplies.” Maria held up a bag of sweets from the shop. “All the chocolates you can eat and more.”

  “Thank God.” Candace grabbed the bag out of her hand and peeked inside. “All my chips went ahoy in my stomach sea an hour ago.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  “My nerves are shot. I'd kill anyone who got between me and a Hershey bar.”

  “Hey, you're a woman. Craving chocolate is in your DNA.” Maria patted her on the shoulder.

  “So, where's your dress?” Rebecca asked. “I'm surprised you're not wearing it yet. The limo's supposed to be here to take you to the church in fifteen minutes.”

  “I haven't put it on. I guess I've been a bit distracted this morning.” Della had left two hours before, to ensure perfection with everything. Grandma had already headed over early to get a good seat before big Aunt Bertha from Somerville arrived and blocked the view. That had left Candace alone, to stew—and chew—in nervous anticipation.

  She led the way toward her bedroom. Trifecta tagged along, hobbling into the room and leaping up onto the corner of the bed. Bob stationed himself in front of the fish tank, hoping in vain for a tetra to make a leap for freedom.

  Candace lugged the big white bag out of the closet, pulled down the zipper and released the enormous white cloud from its plastic coffin. “Ta-da!” Her voice held all the enthusiasm of Eeyore's.

  “Oh,” Maria said.

  “Oh my,” Rebecca said.

  Candace sighed. “I kept the one Bernadine picked out.”

  “I can see that.” Maria picked up and released a piece of the faux suede edging. “The question is, why?”

  Candace dropped down onto her bed, the dress landing like a smooshed cream puff beside her. “I don't know. It seemed easier. I thought about shopping for another one, and Barry even offered to buy me a new dress, but...” There was that tightening feeling starting in her chest again, clawing at her throat, blocking her breath, squeezing at her heart.

  Air. She needed air. No, not air. She needed...

  Candace lunged for the bag of treats Maria had brought, tore it open and grabbed a double chocolate macadamia cookie, stuffing it into her mouth before her throat closed up and left her unable to sugar up.

  Rebecca took a seat beside her on the light blue plaid comforter. “I thought you picked out a dress you loved the other day when you went shopping with ...” She didn't finish the sentence, as if saying his name would invoke the temptation to think about Michael.

  Too late. He'd been on her mind for days.

  “I did.” Candace sniffled and dug in the bag for another cookie. “It was perfect. I loved it. The saleslady even said it looked delightful.” And then she was crying, the tears streaming down her face faster than Porsches on the autobahn. She shoved another cookie into her mouth.

  “Then why didn't you buy it?” Maria placed a third cookie in Candace's palm.

  “Because . .. because I couldn't imagine marrying Barry in it.” Now she had a full-fledged avalanche of waterworks running down her face.

  “Who else would you wear—” Maria started to say. “Oh. Oh.”

  Rebecca cast Maria a look that said, Don't say it.

  “I'm marrying Barry,” Candace said, and started to sob again.

  But after all that had happened... could she still go through with this today? Wearing that thing that was sitting on her bed?

  Rebecca's emerald satin gown rustled as she moved closer and turned Candace's chin up to meet her gaze. “Are you really, really sure?”

  “Everybody's already there. The priest is waiting. I have a dress. Sort of.” This time she grabbed a fudge brownie from the bag and downed it in two gulps.

  “If you aren't sure, don't do it. A marriage isn't a temporary thing.”

  “I know. But... but Barry is just like me. That makes him perfect, doesn't it?”

  It was the logic she'd built everything on. Barry was perfect because he was her identical match. If he was all wrong for her, then all her carefully laid plans were wrong, too. That would mean all the planning and objective thinking in the world wouldn't save her from making another mistake.

  That was exactly the kind of chaos Candace couldn't handle. There wasn't enough chocolate in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to help her face that truth.

  Maria pulled up the ottoman, took a seat, and then fished out a second brownie and handed it to her. “Do you remember the conversation we had in the shop about your planner?”

  Candace thought for a minute, chewing. “Yeah, I think so.”

  Maria bit her lip, as if weighing her words carefully. “Well, I told you there's more of your grandma in you than you think. And ... I think you should take her approach to this.”

  “What? Get married naked?”

  “No. Look at what's going to make you happiest. What's going to make you excited about beginning every day? If Barry isn't the man to get your motor running, as Grandma would say, then”—she glanced at Rebecca, who nodded support, then returned her gaze to Candace—”you shouldn't go through with this.”

  Candace jerked to her feet, shaking her head. “I can't let sex rule my decisions.”

  “Hey, it works for me,” Maria said with a grin.

  “We're not talking about sex. Well, I'm not, anyway,” Rebecca said. “Who knows what goes through Maria's mind. I think we should get her spayed.” She winked, to show she meant no harm.

  “Hey, I think about things other than sex.” Maria smoothed out her skirt. “Like shopping. And donuts. And donut boys. I can't help it if Krispy Kreme hires cuter help than Dunkin' Donuts. I go there solely for the donuts.”

  Rebecca rolled her eyes. “I can smell the bullshit from here.”

  Candace toyed with the tulle edging of her dress. “I just can't see myself running out and getting a new husband every time I get an urge for a devils food instead of a honey dipped.”

  “You look terrified today.” Rebecca draped an arm over her shoulders. “What is it, Candace? It's more than being afraid of repeating your mom's marriage record, isn't it?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then what?”

  She shook her head. “How do you ever know you're making the right decision? I mean, I thought planning it all out, analyzing my choice, was the way to go. It made sense, at least to me.”

  “That works when you're picking out a minivan. Not a husband.”

  She flipped the brownie over and over in her left palm. It crumbled, breaking into several pieces, each as delicious alone as they had been together. Grandma would have found some kind of sign in the broken brownie, but all Candace saw was a need for the Hoover. “I just don't know if I can trust my heart.”

  Rebecca and Maria both drew Candace into a huge, supportive hug. “Hey, if there's anyone who has a good heart, it's you,” Maria said softly. “Trust it. You deserve to be happy.”

  “You'
re going to be okay,” Rebecca told her. “It's all going to work out.”

  This was what friends were for. To put the brownie bride back together when she crumbled.

  “Aw, I love you guys.” Candace nodded, sniffling. “Even more than chocolate.”

  1-1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs

  l/4 cup pureed prunes

  l/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

  2 cans (20 ounces each) of cherry pie filling

  You've made your bed, now it's time to pay the piper with a little prunes—bound to bring out the truth in anyone. Mix the crumbs and prunes with a pastry blender until it looks as crumby as your lies have been. Add the chocolate chips, one for every untruth spoken in the last three weeks.

  Spread the pie filling evenly in a pie plate; cover it up with the chocolate crumbs, just like you've been covering your own tracks. Bake at 375 degrees for twenty minutes and think about how the truth can set you free.

  Or ruin your life.

  CHAPTER 24

  By the time she had her dress on and had consumed every treat in the bag, Candace had decided she couldn't marry Barry with this secret between them. Screw Dear Abby 's advice about keeping an affair to yourself. That wasn't fair to Barry, or to their marriage.

  The limo pulled up to the church and Candace got out before the driver could even open the door, leaving Rebecca and Maria behind. “I have to talk to Barry,” she told them.

  Candace hurried into Our Lady of Faith, through the doors, down the white-pathed aisle and toward the door at the back of the church where the groomsmen waited. The white tulle bell of a dress swirled around her legs like an upside-down melting soft serve.

  She yanked open the door. “Barry. We need to talk.”

  He jerked up in surprise. His face reddened and he shoved the Sears catalog he was holding to the side, exposing pages of ads for high-heeled women's sandals on pedicured feet