Page 16 of Sweet Summertide

“No! Millie is not bad woman,” Alfonso said and waved both hands in disbelief.

“Maybe not, but she was here last night, all the same.” Theodor took advantage of having stepped away from the window to see what else he had to do to finish the removal. The glittery gold paint that remained caught the morning light and shone against the luscious wood interior. “I’ll need to thank Holly for this idea. I’m about to order my permanent decals and now I know what color and font to go with,” he said only partly joking. “The gold actually looks great.”

“Si.” Alfonso grabbed onto Theodor’s shoulders and jiggled him. “Give Alfonso job, yes?”

Theodor looked across the street at Holly’s quiet job-site and wondered what mischief she was out planning at that moment. Though he hoped at some point they could put this little rivalry away, the reality was beginning to crystallize: Blake Holly Hollis was trouble, and she had ensnared his imagination. She was equal parts a woman needing to be loved and one who needed to be put in her place.

Theodor had little time to outdo her one-sided game and turned his attention back to Alfonso. “What’s going on with you and Millie, anyway? I saw the way you were looking at her the other night after the chocolate festival.” Theodore asked and gathered his ladder.

Alfonso grabbed the bucket and tools and held the door open. “Vite.”

“Vite? Grapevine?” Theodor let the question linger as he placed the ladder just inside the door.

“Millie … how you say?” Alfonso used his pointer finger and gestured a curling motion. “Wrapped around Alfonso’s heart.”

Theodor understood. “She’s like the tendril on the vine. Alfonso, you’re such a romantic. I like her, I do, I just hope she can keep Holly from doing something stupid again.”

Alfonso smiled with his hands on his hips. “We work?”

Theodor clapped his hands together. “Today’s goal is to get the kitchen set up. All my beans are coming in two days’ time, and I have to get roasting or I won’t have any chocolate to sell on opening day.”

Theodor explained where the display cases would be positioned. He planned on having three distinct counters where he could feature differing themes. At the front, he planned for a small bistro-style eating area where guests could enjoy theirselections, and if his liquor license came through in time, he would pair a variety of wines with his chocolate flavors.

Alfonso nodded his approval along with several grunts and they walked into the back space. Theodor motioned around the space, prepared to explain the work that still needed to be completed, but there was nothing to explain because there was nothing in there at all. “Where’s all my equipment?” His hands covered the sides of his head, and he wanted to rip out his hair. All he could think was there had been far more shenanigans last night than some shoddy graffiti on the front window.

“Did you lose or … move it?” Alfonso said and opened the rear door to the back patio.

“I think I’d remember moving it,” he said, and wondered, for a split second, if Blake Holly Hollis had anything to do with his missing kitchen.

“Look here.”

Theodor made his way out back. A shade structure stood over a section of patio with all of his equipment lined up and organized. Doubtful that Holly had cleaned out the space and arranged the heavy items, he walked back into the front of the shop and saw a note written on the whiteboard. His construction manager had left the note explaining where everything was and that the floors were still wet last night.

The entire reason he had been out last evening was because the old wood floors were being cleaned and resealed. In his annoyance, he had forgotten all about the work being done. And now, he felt guilty at having mentally accused Holly of being so wily.

Theodor took the hand-truck and made for the patio. Now that his kitchen was ready to be outfitted, he wasted no time at getting things going. Once the earthy scent of roasting beans was permeating the air down Main Street, he would feel like he was on the fast track to opening day.

He and Alfonso made quick work of moving the roasters, counters, sink station, and drying racks inside. There was one wall where the roasters had to go, the electrician had supplied the correct power, and a system was put in place to vent outside. The remaining modular items could be configured to suit his needs, but right now, he needed maximum roasting and drying space.

Using the hand truck, and brute strength, they positioned the counters in an ‘L’ shape to make the roasting process faster. Later, Theodor would need to focus on stocking his confections. Like always, he had a plan and would stick to it.

He stood back at the entrance of the shiny kitchen. Excitement coursed through his veins. “I think this might actually work, Alfonso.” The space was organized and had a good flow from one workstation to the next. Other than needing a good wipe-down, he could see his dream coming together.

Alfonso threw an arm over Theodor’s shoulder and looked on with him.

“I appreciate your help today.”

“No problem, bro.”

The front doorbell jingled and caused their work to stop. “It’s probably one of the laborers.”

“Hello in there.” The feminine voice was not one of Theodor’s workers. “Alfonso? Are you here?”

The grin on Alfonso’s face stretched wide and returned to neutral just as fast as it had appeared. “Millie,” he said with a blush evident on his cheeks. His grin returned and Alfonso slapped Theodor on his back as he made for the front.

Curiosity caused Theodor’s feet to follow his giddy friend. “You like her a lot!” he whispered from behind, and Alfonso replied with a sharp shush.

Spotting her target, Millie embraced Alfonso with a smile plastered across her face. As happy as she seemed to see the chef,her light demeanor dissolved when her gaze met Theodor’s. “I’m so sorry?—”

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