He grinned. “For Serena. I had to give my expert opinion. Mom took her to Gilded Lily’s to get one for the tea and they had it narrowed down to two.”
Shopping, one of the fun aspects of having a little girl. Little girls, babies—Cecily became suddenly aware of a tick-tick-tick at the back of her brain.
She quickly took a mental hammer to the culprit. A ticking biological clock wasn’t a good enough reason enough to jump into a relationship. Not these days. Biology and culture didn’t always mate well; the high divorce rate was proof of that. It seemed people rarely got together with the idea of staying together anymore.
Even Icicle Falls wasn’t immune to the big D. She thought of Cass Wilkes and Charlene Albach, both great women who should’ve been living in Happily-Ever-After Land. And she’d heard rumors that her old pal Ella O’Brien, who ran her mother’s shop, Gilded Lily’s, was having problems. She hoped the rumors weren’t true.
Ella and Jake had been high school sweethearts, her first successful match, in fact. Ella hadn’t said anything when they’d gone to lunch a couple of weeks back. Still, they’d been out of touch for the past five years and that probably wasn’t information you blurted out the first time you saw an old friend, especially the old friend who got you together with your husband.
Cecily and Luke were in the warehouse now. She grinned at the sight of all the inventory building up. This weekend the town would experience a veritable avalanche of chocolate. Cecily shivered, as much from cold as excitement, and rubbed her arms. He took off his leather jacket and draped it over her shoulders—more perfect-man points for Luke Goodman—then led her to where several cartons stood stacked in a corner.
He opened one and took out a little pink box wrapped in gold ribbon and sealed with the gold medallion bearing the company logo, a slumbering quarter moon with long, girlie eyelashes and a smile. The box was what they called a four-seater, holding four different chocolates: salted caramel, a white-chocolate-lemon-cream truffle, a dark chocolate truffle with chocolate ganache filling and a mint chocolate—four of their most popular flavors.
He handed it over for her to inspect. “Perfect,” she said.
“I guess you’re going to have a crowd at your pageant,” he said, looking at the cartons.
“We’re sold out,” she said proudly. Samantha had balked at the idea, and now Cecily took secret delight in proving that her big sister didn’t know everything. Everyone she’d talked to was excited about the event. Actually, everyone was excited about the whole festival and she was really enjoying the anticipatory buzz that had taken over the town. Promoting chocolate was considerably more fun than finding matches for unappreciative customers.
“These should be a hit,” he predicted as she returned the box to the case. “Let me know how they go over.”
“You’re not going to come and see for yourself?” she asked. “It should be quite a show.”
“Not interested. My mom’s trying to convince me to go to the ball, though. Support the company.”
“You should, Prince Charming. You might find a princess there.”
He leaned against the wall and looked at her speculatively. “Think so?”
Oh, dear. Now she’d just led him on. “Well, you never know,” she said lightly. “I might put on my matchmaker’s hat one more time and see if I can find her for you.”
“Is that how it worked for Prince Charming?” he countered.
“Well, in a way, if you count the fairy godmother.”
He shook his head. “She just provided the clothes and the ride. The magic was up to them. Kind of like real life.”
Cecily pointed an accusing finger at him. “You’re a romantic.”
He shrugged. “Nothing wrong with that. I believe in magic.”
She’d believed she had, too, but the magic never lasted.
“Anyway, you never know what can happen at a ball. If you keep an open mind,” he added, giving her nose a playful tap.
“I’ll remember,” she said.
As she left the warehouse for the office, she realized she was feeling all warm and happy inside, as if some of that magic they’d talked about had slipped into Luke’s finger when he touched her. He is a nice man, she told herself. And what woman in her right mind didn’t want a nice man?
Up in the office she found Jonathan Templar getting ready to leave.
“This man deserves a medal,” Elena said. “He has saved us once again.”
Their hard-drive hero pushed his glasses up his nose. “Slight exaggeration.”
“No, no. It is no exaggeration, believe me,” Elena said. “You are the king of the computer.”
“That’s me,” he said with a smile as he zipped his jacket.
“So why are you here, chica?” Elena asked Cecily.
“I have to do a little work on the Mr. Dreamy contest,” Cecily said.
That produced a frown on Jonathan’s face. He hid it quickly but not quickly enough.
“I don’t think Jonathan approves of our contest,” Cecily teased.
“Hey, if it’s bringing in money,” he said diplomatically.
“But it’s beneath you, right?”
“I’m not exactly Mr. Dreamy material,” he said.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Elena said, looking him over. “Lose the glasses, go to the gym a little. You have potential. Doesn’t he?”
“Absolutely,” Cecily agreed.
Now Jonathan’s face was turning red. “Uh, I’ve gotta get going. You guys have a good day.” And with that he was out the door.
“Poor Jonathan,” Cecily said. “We embarrassed him.”
“He needs a better self-image,” Elena said. “You should find someone for him.”
“I’m not doing that anymore,” Cecily told her. “Anyway, there’s only one woman he wants, and that’s Lisa Castle.”
Elena gave a snort of disgust. “That one. He’ll never get her. Why do so many men want women who don’t even see them?”
“Misplaced loyalty? Insanity? Who knows? It’s another one of love’s mysteries.” And why were so many women attracted to the wrong kind of man? If she could solve that mystery, her own love life would take off.
With a sigh, she sat down at the spare office desk and got to work finalizing details for the Mr. Dreamy contest. That done, she went on to check her email.
Before they’d left to pick up Bailey, she’d sent notices to all the Mr. Dreamy contestants, reminding them of the walk-through scheduled for that night at Festival Hall. Most of them had responded cheerfully.
Have the crown ready, Bill Will had written. And how about going kayaking with me when I win?
Good old Bill, the picture of confidence. But his competition was going to be stiff. There were some great-looking guys entered.
A picture of Todd Black popped into her mind. With his swarthy pirate face he was probably a shoe-in. Talk about a hypocrite—entering the contest at the last minute after mocking her so thoroughly. The prize package had obviously been too sweet to resist.
And speak of the devil. Here was an email from the black pirate himself. I didn’t enter this.
She typed back. Really? I have your picture and entry form right here at the office. You barely made the deadline.
A moment later the phone rang. “Todd Black on line one for you,” Elena alerted her.
“Okay, you’ve had your fun,” he said, without giving Cecily time to say hello.
Luke h
ad left her feeling warm and happy. Just talking to Todd made her feel like she’d swallowed a lit sparkler. “Someone entered you in our contest,” she said, dousing the sparkler with the firm reminder that Todd Black was a cynical turkey. “Nice picture, by the way. It makes you look like a real ski pro.”
“I am.”
“Great choice, then.”
“I didn’t send it,” he growled.
“Who did, then?” she asked. “One of your girlfriends?”
“How the hell should I know? It was up on my Facebook page. Anybody could’ve printed it. Probably my bartender’s idea of a sick joke.”
So her contest was a sick joke. “Some joke. He paid the twenty-five-dollar entry fee.”
“Keep the money, but un-enter me. I’m not parading around in my boxers in front of a bunch of horny women.”
“Fine,” she said. “No one wants to see you in your boxers, anyway.” She flashed on an image of Todd Black in a pair of boxers decorated with valentine hearts. He wasn’t a walking wall like Luke but he was all male and she could envision those rock-hard abs and beautifully sculpted pecs with maybe a smattering of dark hair. There were no sparklers in her chest now. Oh, no. Those had been replaced with bottle rockets.
“I can think of a few women,” he said. “I do give private shows,” he added silkily.
Another bottle rocket went off. “Thanks for sharing. If I meet any brainless bimbos I’ll send them your way.”
“Ha, ha,” he said, and hung up.
“Oh, very original,” she said to the dial tone. She hung up a little more forcefully than necessary and realized Elena was over at her desk wearing a know-it-all expression. “What?” Cecily demanded.
“Nada,” Elena said airily.
“Nada is right,” Cecily muttered. Todd Black was a big nada.
Was it hot in here?
Chapter Twenty-One
Sometimes the more preposterous the idea, the greater the success.
—Muriel Sterling, Mixing Business with Pleasure: How to Successfully Balance Business and Love
Chocolate Festival, Schedule of Events
FRIDAY EVENING:
5:00–7:30 p.m.: Chocolate Walk, sponsored by Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company
Participants can enjoy special chocolate drinks and desserts, along with a treat from Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company.
Participating restaurants: Zelda’s, Schwangau, Der Spaniard, Italian Alps Pizza
8:00 p.m.: Festival Hall, Ceremony to crown Mr. Dreamy, sponsored by Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company
SATURDAY
8:00 a.m.: Lost Bride Trail guided hike, sponsored by the Alpiners Hiking Club
Get out in the great outdoors and hear the legend of the lost bride.
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.: Lovers’ Breakfast, served at the Breakfast Haus
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.: Street Fair
Enjoy the food and craft booths and meet our local artisans. And be sure to stop by the Sweet Dreams booth to purchase your “chocolate survival kit” and meet Mr. Dreamy, who will be there from 10:00 a.m. until noon.
11:00 a.m.: The Romance of Flowers, at Lupine Floral
Learn the language of flowers, get tips on how to make your floral arrangement last and put your name in a draw to win a lupine lovers’ bouquet.
1:00 p.m.: Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company Tour
Come see how we make our fabulous chocolates and get your picture taken with Mr. Dreamy.
2:00 p.m.: Chocolate High Tea with Mr. Dreamy at Icicle Creek Lodge, sponsored by the Gingerbread Haus and Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company. For reservations, call Icicle Creek Lodge
5:00 p.m.: Wine and Chocolate Tasting at D’Vine Wines
Sample dessert wines made by local wineries along with locally made Sweet Dreams Chocolates.
6:30 p.m.: Sweet Dreams dinner at Zelda’s, sponsored by Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company and Zelda’s restaurant
Tickets are available at Zelda’s and must be purchased in advance. Seating is limited so make your reservations early!
8:00 p.m.: Sweet Dreams Masked Ball at Festival Hall, sponsored by Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company
Tickets may be purchased at the Sweet Dreams Gift Shop or at the door.
SUNDAY
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.: Town Treasure Hunt
Visit our local merchants and find bargains on all kinds of treasures. Several stores are the location for valuable prize packages, which will be awarded randomly to shoppers throughout the day.
Prizes: Dinner for two at Ludwig’s. One night free lodging at the Icicle Creek Lodge. A bottle of Riesling from D’Vine Wines. One free trip down the Wenatchee River with Adventure Outfitters. A coupon for one free small gingerbread house shipped anywhere within the continental U.S. from Gingerbread Haus. A snow globe from Kringle Mart (valued at fifty dollars). A box of chocolates from Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company. One hat, courtesy of the Mad Hatter Novelty Hat Company. A one-hundred-dollar gift card for Sleeping Lady Salon and Spa. A twenty-five-dollar gift certificate for Mountain Escape Bookstore.
We Hope You’ll Enjoy our First Annual Chocolate Festival!
Preparations were going forward at warp speed now.
The decorating committee, headed up by Heinrich and Kevin, had outdone itself, hanging baskets overflowing with artificial pink and white flowers from storefront roof overhangs and festooning trees with strings of red and pink heart-shaped lights. Restaurants were offering lovers’ dinners and the town chefs had knocked themselves out creating recipes featuring Sweet Dreams chocolates. With the exception of Johnson’s Drugs, every shop in town was participating in a treasure hunt, which would lead visitors from store to store in search of bargains and prizes. Heinrich and Kevin had been creating special chocolate-lovers’ floral arrangements over at Lupine Floral, incorporating Sweet Dreams candy, and were going all out on flowers for the chocolate ball, while Ed York was offering a wine-and-chocolate tasting on Saturday evening before the chocolate dinner at Zelda’s, which was sold out.
Not to be outdone, the social and service clubs had gotten into the act. The Alpiners Hiking Club was conducting guided hikes up Lost Bride Trail. The Rotary Club was sponsoring the Lovers’ Breakfast at the Breakfast Haus, with proceeds to go to the food bank. The town churches were providing free taxi service for any celebrants who drank a little too much wine with their chocolate, and every artist, club and youth group within a ten-mile radius was going to be manning a booth of some kind, giving visitors a chance to buy everything from chainsaw carvings to elephant ears. Samantha was especially excited about the booth Bavarian Brews was running. All their hot drinks would come topped with whipped cream and a Sweet Dreams chocolate.
Excitement was growing all over town, much of it focused on the Mr. Dreamy contest.
“I’m sure my Brandon is going to win,” Olivia predicted when Samantha stopped by to see how preparations were going for the chocolate tea.
“Are you coming to cheer him on?” Samantha asked, not making any promises. If she’d had her way, Brandon wouldn’t have been allowed to compete. Talk about waving temptation right under Bailey’s nose.
“Oh, I’ll be there,” Olivia said. “All the LAMs are going. To support your mother,” Olivia added. Samantha couldn’t help grinning, and Olivia’s pudgy cheeks turned pink. “Well, and to admire all the good-looking men.”
“Olivia,
you are a cougar,” Samantha teased, making the color in the older woman’s cheeks deepen to magenta.
“There are some things a woman never loses an appreciation for, and one of them is chocolate. I’m sure you can guess the other,” Olivia said.
“I think I can,” Samantha said. And she had to admit that her sisters had been on to something. Tacky as this whole Mr. Dreamy contest seemed, it was a hit, and a moneymaker. And the more moneymakers they had, the better.
“Everyone’s talking about the pageant, you know. Well, the whole festival, actually,” Olivia said. “It’s all going to be so much fun. Everyone’s going to be there.”
Spending money. Samantha smiled at the thought of being able to walk into the bank on Monday with a big, fat check. Take that, Blake Preston.
* * *
“Brown wants to come up and check out the chocolate festival,” Darren said to Blake. “I told him you’d be happy to show him around, take him out to lunch.”
Happy? In what parallel universe? “Sorry,” Blake said shortly. “I’m afraid I can’t help you. I won’t be around on Saturday.” He’d had plans to hang out at the street fair, buy a ton of stuff at the Sweet Dreams booth, but not now.
“You won’t?” Darren sounded surprised. “Not very good public relations.”
“Probably not very good public relations to be seen with the guy who wants to take our client’s business, either,” Blake retorted.
“Now, listen here, Preston,” Darren began.
Blake cut him off. “Sorry, Darren. You’re on your own.”
“Well, what am I supposed to do with Brown?” Darren demanded.
“Hey, it’s a nice drive,” Blake said. “And if you decide you want to do dinner, try Zelda’s. They make a great steak.”
Darren was still sputtering threats when Blake hung up. He wouldn’t follow through on any of them, though, and they both knew it. Blake was doing a good job here and bringing in new business from neighboring towns. He was an excellent bank manager. But he wasn’t a good whipping boy and, after that disastrous visit to the factory, he was done letting Darren bully him into unethical behavior. Darren could damn well drive up here with his pet pig, let Trevor Brown drool over Samantha’s company and eat bratwurst to his heart’s content. Blake hoped he choked on one.
Sweet Dreams on Center Street Page 25
