Chapter One
Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven buzzed with anticipation as Ally Sweet-Elm did
her best to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. Plans and agreements had
developed so quickly that she hadn’t been able to accept any of it as reality, but
Charlotte her grandmother, and Gabby Write her friend and employee, had no
difficulty jumping right into the adventure.
“I’m so excited!” Gabby spun around in a swift circle, just narrowly avoiding
colliding with a carefully stacked display of boxed assorted chocolate candies.
“Easy.” Ally laughed as she caught her by the elbow and steered her away
from the stack. “If you’re not careful, the candy shop will be in too much of a mess to
feature in the episode.”
“Well, it is exciting.” Charlotte Sweet rounded the front counter and walked
over to join them. “When I first heard about it, I couldn’t believe it. To think that Shelly
Saunders is going to feature this old place in her famous television show all because
she happened to stop in and try one of our candies. We’re lucky they’re traveling
around doing shows in this area at the moment. See what you’ve done for the place,
Ally?” Her green eyes shone with pride as she gazed at her granddaughter. “I can
still remember how you would hide under the counter when you were three or four,
building towers out of the empty boxes. You told me then that this was your favorite
place. And now look, you’ve taken what started out as my little chocolate shop and
launched it into the limelight.”
“I don’t think I did anything special.” Ally recalled the woman who took a bite
of one of the sample candies on the front counter and then launched into a myriad of
unexpected compliments about the salted caramel dark chocolate. “I just offered a
customer a free sample. I had no idea who she was. You’re the one who created all
this, Mee-Maw, and took me back in when my life fell apart in the city.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t recognize her.” Gabby groaned. “She’s only one of
the most famous people on television right now. Everyone watches her show.”
“Their show, don’t you mean?” Charlotte grinned. “She does have a co-host.”
“Oh, sure, but no one watches A Taste of Every Town for Greg. It’s all about
Shelly. Everyone knows Greg is going to be nice and kind, but Shelly is going to be
honest and yes, harsh. She makes that show what it is because she slices and dices
the chefs up like they’re on the cutting board right in front of her.” Gabby shook her
head. “She’s terrifying, but stunning while she does it.”
“That sounds awful.” Ally scrunched up her nose. “I don’t watch reality shows
like that just for that reason. I don’t like seeing people humiliated and treated like
that.”
“While I love your kind heart, people who go on that show know what they’re
in for.” Charlotte met Ally’s eyes. “And I like the way she’s so straightforward and
gets right to the point. I wouldn’t say she’s exactly mean, but she’s definitely a
professional. These days, anyone with a kitchen thinks they can be a gourmet chef.
But the truth is it takes education, practice, and experience. That’s why Shelly loved
our candies, because we’ve been in business for decades and have learned how to
fine-tune our recipes.”
“I suppose.” Ally shifted from one foot to the other as she glanced at the clock
on the wall. “When did they say they were coming in?”
“It should be any minute now. Why are you so nervous?” Charlotte patted
Ally’s shoulder as she drifted past her. “They already offered us the spot on the
show. The hard part is over.”
“I know, I know. But I find it a little unnerving to have people going through the
shop and deciding what to film and where. I don’t know, it feels a little judgmental.”
Ally took a deep breath, then shook her head. “But at least I don’t have to worry
about being on camera. With the two of you to show off the shop, I’m definitely not
needed.”
“What?” Gabby dropped the duster she’d been using to sweep away
nonexistent dust from the shelves. “Ally, you have to be part of the show, too. Right,
Charlotte?”
“No way.” Ally stepped behind the front counter and held up her hands. “I
agreed to the shop being part of the show. I didn’t agree to be on camera myself.”
“Oh, Ally.” Charlotte crossed her arms as she looked straight into the green
eyes that mirrored her own. “This is your shop now. You do everything for it. I just
help out on occasion. You’re the one who should be on camera.”
“Mee-Maw, please.” Ally sighed. “I’ll just freeze up. I won’t have any idea what
to say. It’ll be a disaster!”
“You’ll be fine.” Gabby smiled as she leaned against the counter in front of
Ally. “I’ll be right by your side the whole time. Besides, you’re only going to be in part
of the show. I found out they’re actually featuring Leonardo as their chef of the week.
He grew up in Blue River but just came back from New York City, and he’s opening a
restaurant right here. They’ve already filmed some of the segment. It’s going to
generate a lot of great attention for the town. The local government is trying to
promote Blue River as a country gourmet destination with all the wonderful fresh
produce in the area.”
“Leonardo?” Charlotte looked up at the ceiling for a moment, then nodded.
“Oh, yes, I remember him now. He was quite the chef, even as a kid. He always
loved to cook for his whole family. Not many of them left, I’m afraid.”
“No?” Ally searched her memory. “I can’t say I remember him.”
“He was a little younger than you. You were probably already off at college
when he was old enough to start showing off his cooking. He must be pretty excited
about what’s happening.” Charlotte smiled.
“Yes, and I overheard that Brian is going to run the restaurant with Leonardo,”
Gabby said.
Ally went to school with Brian. He was also younger than her and had also
gone to live in New York City. He’d come back to Blue River shortly before Ally had
returned after her divorce. “I remember Brian saying something about that last week.
He was so relieved his back is much better after the car accident and he can return
to work. I just didn’t realize it would be at Leonardo’s. I thought he would be going
back to work as a cook at the diner.” Ally refilled the sample tray.
Charlotte looked toward the front door and grinned. “Oh, boy, here they
come.”
The shop door swung open, and three finely dressed women who were in
their eighties made their way inside.
“Mrs. Bing, Mrs. Cale, Mrs. White. Two visits in one day.” Ally noticed their
fancy dresses and matching elaborate hats. “And aren’t you three gussied up this
afternoon?”
“Hmm? This?” Mrs. White whipped a lacy white handheld fan from her purse
and waved it demurely in front of her face. “We all just decided we should put our
best foot forward. No reason we shouldn’t dust off the nice dresses and wear them
now and then.”
“Oh, I’m sure it has nothing to do with Shelly’s visit this afternoon.” Gabby
began filling up coffee mugs for each of them.
“Who?” Mrs. White’s eyes widened.
“Someone’s visiting?” Mrs. Cale glanced around, with a mystified look on her
face.
“When is she coming?” Mrs. Bing scooped a handful of chocolate-covered
peanuts off the sample tray on the counter and tossed them into her mouth.
“Shh!” Mrs. White waved her fan at Mrs. Bing.
“Relax.” Ally laughed. “You aren’t the only ones who are excited. You don’t
have to pretend. Maybe if you stick around, you’ll get invited to be part of the actual
filming. Apparently, I have no choice but to be on camera, so I could use the
company.”
Before any of the three could respond, the front door swung open again, and
a tall, slender woman stepped inside, followed by a younger, more petite woman and
a man in a three-piece suit.
“It’s her!” Gabby squealed behind her duster, then ran into the back of the
shop.
“Gabby.” Ally laughed as Gabby rushed past her. “Shelly, welcome back.” She
walked up to the woman whose long blonde hair appeared to sparkle with every shift
of her head.
Shelly brushed right past Ally and surveyed her surroundings. “No, it won’t do.
Not at all. Leanne, do you hear me?” Shelly swung around and stared at the young
woman just behind her. “This won’t do at all!” ...
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