Page 4 of Sweet Summertide

Alfonso clapped his hands together, and Theodor reached over and held the steering wheel true. “Who taught you how to drive, bro?”

“Teach Alfonso? Dominic Toretto.”

“You learned how to drive from watching a movie?” Theodor shook his head. “Of course you did.”

“Vroom, vroom motha-fu?—”

“Just put your hands back on the wheel, will you?”

Alfonso kept his focus forward for the duration, which Theodor appreciated. Today was not a good day to die, not when he had a date.A Date? Is that what it was? Holly had said yes to him with zero hesitation. Now, heat rose behind his ears, and he rolled down the window for some fresh air.

The ride to the Foundry followed a lonely country road along tree-lined fields and stone walls. The black, asphalt pavement cut a clean line around each hillside and traveled along a crest with a panoramic view. This wasn’t his first time in town, but the lush summer foliage made the scenery appear much changed.

Theodor had visited Alfonso in the spring and had fallen in love with the small town. He wasted no time planning a move there. Christmas Cove had felt like home from the moment hestepped foot on the cobblestone main street and dipped his toes in the ice-cold shoreline of the little lake.

Liking the small town was made easier knowing his best friend, Alfonso, was there. The Italian transplant had become the head chef at the Foundry, a high-end retreat where city dwellers could come and get a taste of the outdoors while staying in luxury accommodations. The first time he stayed in town, he’d crashed on Alfonso’s sofa. This time, he had booked a cabin at the Foundry until his place in town was ready to move into.

They parked in an empty spot at the rear of a blackened barn structure that served as the resort’s main gathering space. Harbour House, as it was called, contained the dining room, a relaxing gathering space in front of a two-story stone fireplace and hearth that would give a medieval castle a run for its money.

Inside, they walked from the service door past a storage area and a very well-equipped gym. He sucked in his stomach at seeing the line of Peloton bikes along one wall, and the sound of his mother’s voice echoed in his mind.How can you expect to take care of a spouse if you can’t take care of yourself? She always thought he was out of shape.

Theodor’s excuse was chocolate. He was in as good physical condition as he’d been in years, but it was true that while juggling law school, culinary school and working all hours at the Champagne Bar at the Plaza, little time remained for other lifestyle improvements. Working out was easier when he had no one or nothing else taking up his precious time.

Perhaps this change—this place—would be everything he needed to start a new life for himself.

“This way,” Alfonso said and led them to theCucina, the resort’s dining facility.

“You know I was here a couple months ago, right?” Theodor reminded him as they pushed through the saloon-style kitchen doors. “When I helped with that insane wedding cake?”

“Alfonso no think you could do it,” he laughed.

“I admit, I’d never made chocolate look like a coral reef, but it was a beauty when I was finished with all the pieces.” The cake, as challenging as it was to create, had made a huge impact on his decision to give up all of his parents’ dreams for him and follow his calling to be a chocolatier. “Now show me what ingredients you were able to source for me for tonight.”

Alfonso bent down and pulled out a large blue tub, about three feet across and two feet deep, from underneath a long stainless steel work surface. The way he grunted while lifting it, Theodor expected it to be full of rocks. Peering inside, it might as well have been stones. Stacks of raw chocolate bars wrapped in clear cellophane filled the container, and it was no wonder Alfonso had a difficult time lifting it.

“Enough chocolate, no?”

Theodor washed his hands and began unpacking the goods. He organized the bricks into piles on the worktable and began sorting out his recipes in his mind. “How many people are coming?”

“Cento.”

“Really, a hundred guests?” he repeated to make certain, and Alfonso nodded with a silly grin. “I suppose I’d better get to work. You had better get to making dinner too.”

Alfonso nodded and headed into the walk-in cooler at the far end of the kitchen while Theodor placed the last of his items on the table. It was apparent that he was underprepared for the event, even though he’d relayed a list of all his supplies to Alfonso, he just hadn’t done a big event like tonight’s before.

There was no time to second guess himself now. A stream of about ten guests flowed through the kitchen door and approached his spot at the center of the space. With smiles all around and eager, wide eyes taking in the stacks of ingredients, he supposed he was meant to do something with them.

“We’re here for our chocolate demonstration,” one of the women said as she hugged close to a tall man.

He put up one finger indicating that they wait a moment. “Alfonso?” he said and chased his friend into the cooler. “What are those people expecting me to do?”

Alfonso poked his head out of the long plastic curtain pieces and drew his head back inside. “Oh. They pay extra for teaching about chocolate.”

“Is that all? You could have mentioned it before now.”

Alfonso shrugged and shoved Theodor back out into the open kitchen space. A white jacket slid up his arms from behind and Alfonso patted him between his shoulder blades. While walking to the guests, Theodor buttoned his chef coat and smoothed the front.

“Tell me, who knows anything about chocolate?” he said and came up with a fast plan to provide an experience they would not soon forget.

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