While he made stilted conversation with Mme. DuBois, Delphine helped her mother pack in her parents’ bedroom. How empty it seems without my father’s cheerful presence. She saw a crossword puzzle book he’d been working on and had to suppress a sudden urge to cry.
She turned to her mother, unwilling to have both parents desert her. She took a deep breath. “It’s so soon, Maman, to make such a big decision. Are you sure you don’t need more time to think this over?”
Clarice’s hands smoothed the blouse she had just folded into the suitcase. “Josephine has made it clear I must accompany her at once. She’s already purchased my ticket. What purpose would it serve to wait until later?”
What about me?
Delphine found herself unable to voice the thought aloud. “Are…are you sure you can co-exist peacefully with your sister? You’ve told me of how she used to bully you in your youth.”
Clarice shrugged her thin shoulders. “She can be managed. This is the best way.”
Delphine sank onto the edge of the bed, hugging a pillow to her chest. Grief thickened her throat. “Why? Why can’t you stay? I can still take care of you.” She reached out and touched her mother’s arm. “Won’t…won’t you miss me?”
Clarice reached up and gave Delphine a gentle pat on the cheek. “My mind has been made up. When you become successful in your business, you will come and visit me.”
“Of course,” Delphine murmured, deflated. In her heart she felt certain her mother wasn’t as sure of her decision as she said. It seems I must lose two parents instead of one. Stuffing down her emotions, she wearily helped her mother finish packing.
Once Clarice had two large suitcases full, Delphine brought them out to the living room. When she returned to her parents’ bedroom, it looked so bleak.
The day before the funeral, they had gone through much of her father’s things and disposed of his clothing. Clarice had kept all their shared mementos, leaving only a framed portrait of their wedding picture for Delphine.
They followed Brad out to the car, where he loaded the suitcases into the trunk of the Jetta and drove them to the airport. Delphine watched the passing lights and cars during the drive. It seems everything always passes me by, just out of reach.
Brad caught her eye in the rearview window, his expression telegraphing concern before he returned his attention back to the road.
Would he someday go away, too? Why did the sweet things fade and the bitter aftertaste linger?
Before she knew it, Delphine was hugging her mother goodbye. Amid the bustle and confusion of the airport check-in process, she cried tears of guilt, sadness, and resignation. Things, as usual, had been taken out of her hands.
She and Brad waited until the two women headed for the boarding area, disappearing from view.
“So, that’s that, I guess,” Delphine said with a quaver in her voice.
Brad wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. Delphine closed her eyes, trying to absorb all she could for uncertain times ahead.
****
Leaving Delphine alone at her home that night was one of the most difficult things Brad had done in a long time. The sight of her trying to put on a brave face in that unnaturally quiet apartment upset him.
She adamantly refused to stay at his family’s home. He’d been tempted to offer to stay with her just to keep her company, but the new urgency to their kisses and Delphine’s vulnerable emotional state made him unable to trust himself to keep a straight head.
He sent up a quick prayer for her comfort and headed back to his car. As he drove home, he couldn’t help but be amazed at the strength of his love for her. He never dreamed a trip to Europe could’ve affected his life this way. He’d looked forward to the chocolate, but ended up with much more.
For the first time Brad thought about marriage. What would it be like to be married to Delphine? He smiled. Anything but boring. Not to mention the fact that he had no idea what she’d say if he asked. What incalculable response would she come up with? He could hardly expect a simple yes from Delphine D’Arleux. She wouldn’t make it that easy for him.
The notion reminded him that he wasn’t precisely confident of where he stood with her. Could he trust her words? How did she really feel about him? Brad suddenly remembered Delphine accusing him of having a hold over her.
I’m not part of the deal, Brad.
His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. She’d said she loved him. Why would she say that unless she meant it? Brad frowned, hardly noticing the passing traffic.
He knew she felt indebted to his family and not just for financial reasons. Delphine had to be the most dutiful, responsible person he knew, and she’d been under unbearable stress in the last week.
If he pressed his attentions on her, and he’d admittedly pressed pretty hard already, would she feel she couldn’t refuse him without putting her loan in jeopardy? The insidious thought wormed its way into his brain, making him mentally examine every word of their recent conversations.
A few minutes later, Brad pulled into the driveway of his parents’ house and shut off the motor.
He sat, continuing to think. Had his desire for her blinded him to her real feelings? Did she put up with his attentions because she felt she had no other choice? And God forbid, what if she had trouble repaying the loan? Would she come to dread him then?
Brad groaned aloud and swung out of the car. When he came into the house, his mother met him at the door. She glanced over his shoulder, furrowing her brows.
“Oh rats, I was hoping you convinced Delphine to stay here for a few more days. I don’t like to think of her in that apartment all alone.”
“Me either,” Brad said abstractedly. “Mom, I’m just curious. Do you know if Delphine talked to anyone about the funeral expenses?”
“Your father spoke to the funeral director and took care of it before she had a chance. Before he gave her the loan, he had her financial history checked out. Delphine has led a tough life, Brad. We wouldn’t dream of not helping out in such a situation.” She put a hand on his arm. “And especially as you seem quite enamored of her, it’s almost like she’s one of the family.”
Brad knew what his mother hinted at. An hour earlier, he might’ve told her he planned to propose to Delphine. Now he couldn’t. Wouldn’t a proposal just make Delphine feel even more obligated? Would she really feel the freedom to say no?
“We’ll see, Mom. We’ll see.” He gave her a hug. “And thanks for taking such good care of her.”
****
Delphine woke up the following morning with a monstrous headache. She felt worse after a long, pitiful crying jag. The apartment was so quiet. No noisy morning talk shows on the TV. No smells of cooking as her mother prepared breakfast. No Papa to talk to. Delphine swallowed back her grief and got out of bed.
She had work to do.
Three hours later, she had completely cleaned the apartment and felt somewhat better. She sat down at the kitchen table and wrote out thank you cards to everyone who sent flowers. Delphine paused when she began the card to Brad and his parents. What words could express her gratefulness?
She labored over the card, searching for just the right words, until it finally sounded right. She smiled as she wrote Love, Delphine. Hopefully Brad would read more into that word than his parents. She wondered if she’d see him today. He hadn’t said anything about it last night.
Delphine gathered up all the cards and brought them with her when she left the apartment. After putting them in the mailbox in front of the building, she caught the bus that would eventually drop her near her shop.
As she sat watching the passing scenery, she caught herself looking for the tiny bird that had arrested her attention before—a lifetime ago. But the tree limbs appeared absent of life today. Delphine leaned back against her seat and sighed.
After getting off at her stop, Delphine walked the rest of the way to the shop. She studied the area, wondering how her business would do. D
oubts crept in at the endeavor she was about to undertake—the feeling that’d she made a horrible mistake nagged at her.
Taking a deep breath, Delphine shoved the worries away. She needed to start producing an income if she wanted to continue to live in her apartment. Besides, mindless work would ease her overwhelming grief.
She went to the tiny office area in the back and settled in to take care of some neglected paperwork.
First priority was to hire a couple of employees. As much as she needed to keep her costs down, she knew she couldn’t produce enough stock to meet the hoped-for demand. Already, she’d had some people knocking on the front door, curious to know when she planned to open.
The grand opening was just a few weeks away. She’d have to make a push to be prepared, and she needed full time help to accomplish it.
Delphine flipped through a few of the applications for employment she’d received in response to a newspaper ad she’d placed earlier in the week. Two of the applicants listed prior experience in candy making. Delphine called them both and arranged for interviews the following day.
She leaned back in her chair, glad to have one task finished. She glanced down at her list—dozens remained. Delphine thought over what she’d accomplished so far. She’d introduced herself to the owners of the businesses along her block, of course sweetening her visits with lots of candy. Along with free samples, she also planned to have door prizes of boxed chocolates, along with coupons that would appear in the newspaper when the shop opened.
A tingle of excitement lifted her spirits. Maybe she really could pull this off—maybe actually succeed at something. Delphine thought of Brad, wondering what he was up to. Already she missed him, missed his steady strength and easy smile.
Delphine went over the accounts, ordered supplies, and organized the office. When she was done, she felt better about the business, but worried about Brad when she didn't hear from him. Maybe he was tired of the way she clung to him. Or maybe she should just believe that he truly cared for her.
It was a daring hope.
She felt the corners of her mouth turn down. Now that her work was done for the day, she could no longer squelch the uneasy thoughts that persisted despite her best attempts at rationale. But too weary to do any more, Delphine locked up the shop and went home.
After a long, hot shower, she called her mother and made sure she’d arrived safely in France. Clarice chattered happily about being back in the Loire valley and about her excitement at the prospect of visiting her old childhood haunts.
“By the way, Delphine, you need to call about a life insurance policy I believe your father’s last employer kept in force. I found the papers as I was preparing to move here.” She went on to give the name of the insurance company and policy number.
Delphine wrote the information down and promised her mother to check into it before hanging up the phone. Insurance. Benefits. Those were something Delphine couldn’t quite offer yet with Chez Chocolat. Maybe someday, if she really succeeded, she could offer benefits. Maybe even open satellite shops.
When she thought about all the work involved, someday seemed like a long way away.
****
Brad rubbed the back of his neck, staring out the living room window, hating the thoughts that plagued him. He wanted to go see Delphine.
Or should I give her space?
He wanted to search her gaze and discern her real feelings—but what if he didn’t like what he saw? All he needed was a daisy to pluck the petals off. Does she love me? Love me not?
The girls he’d dated before, mostly beach bunny types, had been relatively uncomplicated. Of course, he’d never been in love before. Maybe that was part of the problem. Brad groaned, tired of the turmoil.
“Bradley, hun.”
He turned at the sound of his mother’s voice. She entered the room with a piece of paper in her hand.
“Be a dear and run some errands for me. A woman new to our church is coming over for dinner tonight. I need some flowers for the table.”
Glad for an opportunity to forget his worries, Brad took the paper. “Should I just go to the grocery store to pick up one of those bouquets?”
“No, no, there’s a specific shop I want you to go to. They have just the thing. Everything’s on the list.” She hurried from the room.
Brad glanced at the list. A wry smile slanted his mouth. Not too subtle, is she? His mom had listed the florist next door to Delphine’s shop. Well, now I have an excuse to see Delphine!
Brad jogged upstairs to his bedroom to change from his ratty O.P. teeshirt and shorts, into a sedate Hawaiian shirt and khaki pants.
As he passed his sister’s old room where Delphine had stayed, he paused. The night her father died, he’d checked on her when she hadn’t shown up for dinner. Brad remembered seeing her asleep with an old stuffed animal in her arms—one he knew his mother kept in the room as part of the décor.
On impulse, he went in the room and grabbed the rabbit off the chair. For whatever reason, Delphine had needed to hold onto it, and he wanted her to have it.
Twelve
Stephan Valentino looked up at the slim shop ensconced between two others on the bustling city street, and checked the address in his hand. The windows of the chocolaterie were shuttered, but if he concentrated hard and inhaled deeply, he could detect a hint of chocolate in the air.
He glanced at his watch. Ten minutes early for his interview for the candy-making job. He mentally reviewed his qualifications and brushed down the front of his shirt. He’d been looking for a job for several months as an apprentice chef. Candy making wasn’t a particular interest of his, but he was broke and this shop was within three miles of his apartment.
The door opened. A slight young woman with wavy brown hair exited. Stephan took a step back to avoid bumping into her. She wore a gauzy dress that floated around her calves. She couldn’t be a customer as the shop wasn’t open yet. A prospective employee? He wondered how many people the owner intended on hiring.
When she looked up at him, Stephan smiled into her pretty gray eyes. The girl’s cheeks turned red as she continued past him. He watched her hasten away, wondering about the little gold heart pendant she wore around her neck.
A valentine. Must be a sign. Before she left the block, she turned and glanced back. Stephan sent her a wolfish grin in response to her obvious mortification at being caught looking.
He returned his attention to the shop. Getting this job became more desirable than ever.
****
Delphine had to smile at the young man sitting across from her. Stephan was twenty years old and had dropped out of a culinary school because he could no longer afford the tuition. He was tall and thin with a pleasant face, and his black hair and a goatee gave him a roguish air. His light-hearted flirtatiousness reminded her a little of Brad.
She glanced down at his résumé. While he didn’t have much experience in chocolate making, he’d had some culinary schooling and was experienced working in professional kitchens. Delphine looked up at him.
“Do you plan to go back to culinary school when you can afford it?” She hated to hire someone who was only looking for a temporary gig.
“Is there only one position open?”
She raised her brow. “There are two. I’ve already filled the other.”
He leaned forward, his lids drooping. “I’m looking for a long term situation, and learning more about chocolate would only help my career.” He thumped his chest. “I won’t leave you after you’ve trained me, Mademoiselle D’Arleux.”
Delphine suppressed a smile. She wondered if he’d seen Minnie leaving the shop. She was nineteen and had helped in a friend’s candy shop for a year in another city. The girl seemed shy but very eager for the opportunity. With brown hair and gray eyes, she had a quiet attractiveness about her.
Delphine sent Stephan a gimlet look and nibbled on the end of her pen. She’d had very few even semi-qualified applications. Could this Romeo-wannabe behave?
Stephan grinned, as if guessing her thoughts. He leaned forward. “You know, with a name like Valentino, I would lend a certain cachet to your enterprise.”
She refrained from rolling her eyes. He laid it on thick, but if he had what it took, she could train him to her level and have a real backup if she was unable to work.
“Mr. Valentino,” she said tartly, “what I require is someone who will dedicate themselves to the craft and to this business to make it succeed. If there’s any reason for me to believe you cannot fulfill your obligations, I will be forced to look elsewhere.”
Stephan stretched out his hand. “I’m your man.”
****
Brad sunk down in his seat when he saw a strange man emerge from Delphine’s shop. He glared as the man shoved his hands in his pockets and sauntered to a Mo-ped parked nearby. After the guy maneuvered into traffic and disappeared from view, Brad clambered from his car, holding the rabbit by the ear, and marched up to the shop door. He banged on the front door, his gut churning with jealousy.
Delphine opened the door. Her face lit up into a smile and she hugged him hard. Brad put his arms around her, inhaling her fragrance, wondering how he’d survived the past two days without her.
When he’d absorbed enough of her proximity to carry him through the next few minutes, he released her. “Who was that guy who just left?”
Delphine pulled him inside the shop and shut the door. “My new employee.” She looked up at him, her eyes glowing like embers. “I’ve missed you,” she said softly.
Brad felt like a supreme idiot for ever doubting her. He gathered her close and kissed her with all the untried emotion in his heart, hoping to banish his nebulous worries for once and for all.
How Sweet It Is Page 11
