The Chocolate Touch (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 8) Read online

  “But you are a Delacroix. We are night owls.”

  A Delacroix? She clutched the phone. Her tiredness disappeared faster than her dream had. “Yes, we are.”

  Saying the words gave her the warm fuzzies. Her cousin considered her part of the family. This called for a celebration. Chocolate. Champagne.

  Except…why was he calling her? “Is something wrong?

  “No, I read your email and can’t believe you’ve managed to be hired by the chocolate shop there. Well done.”

  She released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Well, it’s more like helping out.”

  “Yes, that’s true, but this will provide you a wonderful experience. Observe everything. Providing excellent customer service is a true skill.”

  Could this opportunity at Copper Mountain Chocolates be enough to cross off the rest of her uncle’s steps? She crossed her fingers. “It’s a lovely shop with a very loyal customer base.”

  “You’ll need to determine why they are so loyal.”

  “That’s easy. The chocolate.”

  “Are you that certain after only a few hours?” Phillip sounded as excited as she felt. Maybe he was looking forward to her coming to France.

  “Maybe. Guess I’ll find out.”

  He laughed. “Yes, you will. I spoke with Father, and he’s thrilled with what you’re doing at the shop.”

  Yes! She spun around the room. “I told you I’d do everything I could.”

  “And you are. This will give you an inside view at their unique products, too.”

  Her cousin was all business. “I’ll let you know whether a purchase offer should be drawn up.”

  “Of course you will.”

  This was the most relaxed she’d ever hear her cousin sound. She was happy because she had something to do with that happening.

  “I’ll have a full report for you shortly.”

  “I can’t wait to read it.” He sounded genuinely interested in what she had to say, and she tried not to get her hopes up too high. They’d been dashed too many times to do that again. “You’re going to fit right in, Chantelle.”

  Her breath hitched. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me.”

  She had to force the words out due to the thick emotion coating her throat. She didn’t care. He was family. Her family.

  “Just wait until you’re here. Father said you have kept up with your dual citizenship, which will make things much easier.”

  Thanks, Mom.

  The fact her uncle had thought about this told Chantelle it was going to happen. “I don’t know why my parents made sure I had that, but I’m glad they did and that my mom made sure I spoke French.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Though I’m a little rusty.”

  Noise sounded in the background. “It’s late where you are, and I need to start my day, so I’ll let you go. Goodbye, Chantelle.”

  “Bye, Philippe.”

  She disconnected from the call and then hugged her phone to her chest. She’d been trying to prove herself to the family, but the lonely days and nights spent working as hard as she could for Uncle Laurent had paid off.

  Finally.

  Whatever tiredness she’d felt had disappeared, but Chantelle climbed back into bed. She placed her phone on the nightstand next to the clock.

  She pulled up the bedcovers and let herself daydream about living in France. There wouldn’t be a hottie who looked like York there, but she’d have a family. That was what she’d wanted most of all. Romance and love would follow when she was ready, and then she could live happily ever after.

  Chapter Seven

  Clearing a table at the chocolate shop on Friday, York glanced at Dakota, who stood behind the counter. His sister had been watching him all morning. Guess she liked being his boss. Usually, he was the one who took charge of his sisters.

  “Am I doing okay?” he asked, trying not to laugh.

  She gave him a thumbs-up. “Table looks clean.”

  “I meant overall.”

  “Overall, huh?”

  The look she gave him was one of pure mischief, much like the constant expression on Zip’s face as the cute little cat raced through the house seeking out things he could destroy.

  Dakota rubbed her cheek as if trying to figure out something he’d messed up.

  He’d opened the door so prepared himself for a full-on frontal assault. “That bad?”

  “Not bad.”

  Okay, maybe he’d misjudged her look. She wasn’t a little girl ready to pelt him with snowballs when he wasn’t ready.

  “But you still can’t tie a decent bow to save your life,” she said. “You’re too generous with the free samples—you aren’t supposed to offer seconds. Plus, you use way too much tissue paper in the bags, and you need more practice with the whipped cream.”

  The girl he remembered who stockpiled snowballs still existed. He grinned. “I’ll work on those things.”

  “Knew my big brother would want to improve.” Her expression softened. “You do know how to interact with customers. Even the saltiest of characters walk out of here with smiles, and you clean better than any of us, something I’m sure you learned in the air force because you were never this way at home.”

  Compliments were always good. “Thanks, sis.”

  She nodded once in acknowledgement. “Overall, I’d say you’re doing pretty good.”

  “Pretty good?” He would have tossed the bleach rag at her, but he had a feeling Sage wouldn’t appreciate that. Instead, he stuck out his chest and did his best superhero impression. “I’m doing incredibly great.”

  “All hail SuperBro.” Dakota laughed. “Though you should know, humility is a virtue.”

  “Yes, but since I upsold two…did I say two…boxes of truffles and a dozen of those chocolate flowers this morning, modesty is not necessary. Mad skills, oh sister dear. I have them.”

  She shook her head. “I’ve created a monster.”

  “Just wait, it’s only my second day.” He carried the dirty dishes to the washer in the back. Noticing the kitchen area was empty, he returned to the counter. “Where’s Sage?”

  She’d been here when he arrived, but must have left when he wasn’t paying attention.

  “She left,” Dakota said. “She’s working a split shift today, so she could visit Portia in the hospital and then train Chantelle this afternoon.”

  “And me.”

  “Nope. You’re off at one today.”

  Huh? York thought he’d be working with Chantelle again. She’d been on his mind since he’d said goodbye to her yesterday. Not even a beer at Grey’s had stopped him from thinking about her. He wanted to spend more time together.

  “Why?” he asked. “I thought you needed more help.”

  “Yes, but we can’t wear you out right away. Sage also wants to talk to Chantelle.”

  “About?”

  “Chocolate. What else?

  He could think of a few things he’d rather talk to Chantelle about. None of them had to do with the shop or the chocolate they sold her.

  “Sage is thinking of asking Chantelle if she’d be up for another shift or two until Rosie returns.”

  The thought of working another shift with Chantelle made him smile. “I can finish replacing the windows this afternoon.”

  Dakota shook her head. “Go do something fun instead. Nevada will be around.”

  “Around Dustin.” The cowboy seemed like a decent guy, but York wasn’t used to the changes he’d noticed in Nevada. She was practically giddy all the time when she used to be so quiet with her head stuck in a book. Not a bad thing, just…different. “Those two are inseparable.”

  “They like being together.”

  “So do you and Bryce.”

  “We don’t have as much free time as they do, but one of these days…”

  Dakota’s wistful tone prickled the hair on the back of York’s neck. “What?”

  She dragged her teeth over her
low lip.

  Something was up. “Tell me.”

  “Do you think six months is long enough to know?” she asked.

  “Know what?”

  “If two people are meant to be together.”

  York swore under his breath. A weight pressed down on his chest. This was not the kind of question he wanted to answer or advice he should be giving. He looked to the door, but his wish for a customer to enter went unfulfilled.

  He shifted his weight between his feet. “Wouldn’t Mom be a better person to ask since she’s been happily married for over three decades?”

  “No way.” Dakota’s firm tone shut down that idea. “Mom’s already thinking about reception themes…and there hasn’t been an official proposal yet.”

  That sounded like Mom. He stirred the hot chocolate. “I’m really not the person to ask. Remember Jillian?”

  “She made the wrong choice. A stupid choice.”

  He doubted that, but what else could a sister say to her brother?

  Dakota placed her hand on his arm. “You’ve always given me the best advice. I know you will again.”

  He wiped his clammy hands on the front of the apron. “I’m not very experienced with this, um, relationship stuff. You’ve had more serious boyfriends than I’ve had girlfriends.”

  The one time he’d thought he’d been in love—the forever kind—it hadn’t worked out as he’d planned. Jillian hadn’t felt the same and had turned down his proposal. Maryland was too far from her family in San Antonio. Now, he wasn’t sure what he’d been feeling with her. Love, lust, extreme like?

  “Pleeeeease,” Dakota said.

  His sister had asked, so he would try. “Well, my friend Adam, who went with me to Fiji, knew Kayla was the one for him the day after they met.”

  “Seriously?”

  York nodded. “Adam told me that night she was the woman he’d be marrying, so I should start working on my best-man speech.”

  Dakota didn’t say anything.

  York looked at his sister. “Why are you asking?”

  “I love Bryce more than I thought possible. I can’t imagine him not being a part of my life, but it’s a little scary, so I’ve been wanting us to go slow and take our time. And now Dustin…”

  “What about Dustin?”

  “He’s going to move to New York as soon as the summer season at the Bar V5 ends.”

  That didn’t surprise York as much as he thought it would. The cowboy might be a little rough around the edges, but Dustin seemed to understand Nevada in a way few did. The fact he drove from the ranch to their house when he couldn’t get hold of her due to a misplaced or dead cell phone told York how much the man cared for his youngest sister.

  “Makes sense,” York said. “Dustin can teach riding lessons and take college courses anywhere.”

  “He’s a cowboy used to riding the range. He’s going to hate the Big Apple.”

  “Probably. But that’s up to him to figure out. He’ll only be there until Nevada gets her PhD.”

  Dakota nodded, but she seemed to want to say more.

  York tried to figure out what Dakota was thinking, but she kept her feelings well hidden. Always had. “Are you worried about Nevada?”

  “Not worried, but they only got together in February and are already making plans for the future. Big ones. It makes me wonder if it’s time for Bryce and me…”

  York had no idea what he needed to say, but he couldn’t brush this off. “There isn’t a set time table for relationships, sis. Everyone is different. Knowing right away like Adam doesn’t make his feelings better or stronger. Just like waiting doesn’t mean yours are weaker. It sounds sappy, but all you can do is follow your heart. Remember how Great-Aunt Alice used to say that.”

  Dakota nodded. “She was smart like you and Nevada.”

  “You’re smart, too. It runs in the family.” He set down the spoon. “I’m sorry I’m not more helpful.”

  She hugged him. “You’re the perfect help. As always.”

  “Keep me posted on what you decide. In case I need to work on a brother-of-the-bride speech.”

  She swatted his arm. “There’s no such thing.”

  York winked. “There should be.”

  “You just want the spotlight.”

  “I want you to be happy.”

  “I am. More than I’ve ever been.”

  “Then maybe that’s your answer.” York couldn’t believe he was saying those words to Dakota, but she’d never seemed as happy and loved as she was with Bryce.

  Another nod. “Adam found his one true love in Fiji. What about you?”

  She sounded more like their mom. “I had fun. That was the plan. Come June, I’m ready for a substantial change. Traveling, working at different sites, having more fun.”

  “The air force didn’t turn out like you expected.”

  “No, but it was good.”

  The years he’d spent in the service had been good for him, but he’d never gotten to prove himself the way he’d wanted, to show his dad that joining the air force had been where he’d make his mark.

  “I just got tired of following orders, doing what someone else wanted me to do, thinking I’d be on the brink of doing more or going somewhere else, and then staying where I was. Things got better when I was the one giving orders, but I still felt stuck.” He half-laughed. “It would have been perfect for Dad or a family guy, but I was too restless.”

  “You still are.”

  “Which is why I accepted the consulting job and not a corporate one.”

  The bell on the door jingled.

  “Welcome to Copper Mountain Chocolates,” Dakota said.

  Chantelle entered the shop. “Hi.”

  Her blond hair was pulled back into a single braid. She wore a dark blue short-sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans that hugged the curve of her hips.

  He’d never seen her dressed so casually, but he liked it. A lot. “Hey.”

  “How is Portia?” Chantelle asked.

  “Keeping that baby from celebrating an early birthday,” Dakota said. “I’m sure Sage will update us when she gets here. You’ll be working with her today.”

  “Great.” Chantelle sounded pleased. “We can talk chocolate.”

  Dakota nodded. “That’s what Sage said.”

  Chantelle moved closer to the counter. “What about you, York?”

  “I get the afternoon off.” He tried to sound happy about that, but wasn’t sure if he succeeded or not. He wanted to work with Chantelle.

  Something—disappointment, perhaps?—flashed across her face. “Oh. I, um, thought—”

  “Me, too.” Maybe talking chocolate wasn’t the only thing on her mind. Maybe he was. That made him smile. “Another time.”

  She nodded. “I’ll put my stuff in the back and put on an apron.”

  As she walked past, he enjoyed the view of her butt. Yeah, jeans looked as good on her as the skirts she wore.

  “Something I should know?” Dakota asked in her which-one-of-you-is-the-guilty-dog-or-cat voice.

  York wasn’t about to fall for that. “About?”

  She motioned to the back. “Her.”

  “No. But what can I say? I’m a guy. I look at women.”

  “That wasn’t a look, that was a leer.” Dakota didn’t believe him. “You sure nothing’s going on?”

  “Nothing is going on.” Unfortunately.

  But seeing Chantelle again made him wonder if there would be anything wrong about two coworkers having a drink together. To talk shop, er, chocolate, and whatever else happened to come up.

  That wouldn’t be a date.

  More of an off-site meeting.

  She’d bumped into him at the bookstore. Maybe he could do the same when she got off work.

  *

  Five o’clock arrived quickly. Spending time with Sage today made Chantelle feel as if she were attending the chocolate academy again. She’d loved every minute of it. Now she went through the steps to close the store
under Sage’s watchful gaze.

  Copper Mountain Chocolates’ owner was meticulous and a perfectionist. No wonder their chocolate was so delicious. Sage had lofty standards for her products and the staff who sold it. She’d poured her heart into the business and nurtured the relationships with her customers. She didn’t seem unhappy or ready to do something different, but Chantelle wanted to confirm that.

  As for Sage’s processes and recipes, those weren’t topics open for discussion. Any questions had been shut down immediately. No insider scoop. Chantelle would put that in her report. She hoped Philippe and Uncle Laurent weren’t disappointed, but the customer-service experience, as her cousin had mentioned, had been priceless, and she’d be getting more. Sage had asked her to take shifts until Rosie returned from her trip.

  Chantelle had enough information to write her report, and she would, but she was also happy to help and learn more. And maybe, just maybe, she’d get to work another shift with York.

  Thinking his name put a bounce to her step. Silly, yes, but she had a harmless crush on the guy. He was fun to be around and good looking. Who wouldn’t like him?

  “You better watch where you’re going or you might bump into somebody.”

  The sound of York’s voice made her stop. He stood in the middle of the sidewalk directly in her path. If he hadn’t said anything, she might have walked right into him. Again. “I was just—”

  “What?”

  Saying she was thinking about him would make her sound interested. She was, but Chantelle didn’t want him to know that. “Lost in my thoughts.”

  That was the truth. He didn’t need to know her thoughts were about him.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “I installed another window for Dakota and then decided to take a walk downtown.” He rocked back on his heels. “It’s Happy Hour at Grey’s Saloon. Want to get a drink?”

  “Sure.” The word popped out before she had time to think about the reasons she shouldn’t do this. No problem. One drink wouldn’t hurt anything. It wasn’t like he’d asked her out to dinner.

  “Grey’s is down one block.” He fell in step with her. The same as he had the other night. “Is this your first view of downtown Marietta in the daylight?”

  “Other than walking to the chocolate shop. I like what I see.”