Page 14 of Starfish Cottage
“I’m not sure. Seems like it could go in a museum or something. I was thinking though… if this guy is such a popular figure, maybe our next town event should be in honor of him.” Maddie looked at Chuck. “Does he have a big following?”
“Oh, sure. That event in New York draws a big crowd. Of course, that might be because it’s built around booze.”
Deena frowned. “That might not fly so much here in Shell Cove.”
But Maddie’s head was already spinning with ideas. “We wouldn’t have to focus on the booze. The 1920s and 30s are popular times. We could do something along that theme.”
Now it was Chuck’s turn to frown. “I think the people that like to follow him like the part about the booze, though.”
“We could have that too.” Maddie tapped her finger on the counter, already putting her advertising hat on even though the event hadn’t been fleshed out or approved at the town meeting yet. “I wonder how we could get the word out to the fans of our famous bootlegger.”
“Why not try the fan club?” Chuck said.
“He has a fan club?” Perfect!
“Yep. They have a website and are on Facebook.”
“Thanks. You guys have been a lot of help.”
“Are you really going to recommend an event around this bootlegger character?” Deena asked.
“I’m going to do some research and think it over. Of course, I need to find something that has broader appeal too. But if we make it a big celebration, we might just be able to attract a lot of tourists.”
“That’s a great idea. I could make those whisky chocolates from the recipe you found in the drawer.” Deena’s eyes gleamed.
“That would be fantastic! A recipe right from Marco’s kitchen!”
Maddie took her chocolate-covered Oreos and left with a smile on her face and visions of how she could present this at the town meeting whirling in her mind.
* * *
“Well she certainly seems enthusiastic,”Chuck said as they watched Maddie leave.
“I like her attitude. This town has changed for the better since she and her cousins came to spruce up the Beachcomber.” Deena pulled Chuck toward the melting chocolate. She was happier than she’d been in years and couldn’t keep the smile off her face, and it felt good.
Chuck was a good man and determined to help her with the business. He was also wealthy, but that had nothing to do with how she felt about him. She’d turned down his many offers to invest in Saltwater Sweets. It was her family business and her responsibility to put it back on track.
She only wished her daughter, Samantha, would take the same interest in the shop. She was the only one Deena had to pass it on to, and she couldn’t bear the thought of Saltwater Sweets not being in the family.
“They seem very sharp. It’s great that she’s planning an event.” Chuck started setting the ingredients for the sea-salted caramels onto the worktable: caramel squares that they’d made earlier, coarse sea salt, and the various tools they needed for dipping.
“Sounds like it could be fun.” Deena handed Chuck the tongs. “Remember, dip the whole thing in, then twirl it around to get all sides coated.”
“I know.” Chuck smiled down at her. “And I won’t forget to swirl the design into the top.”
Deena laughed. She hoped she wasn’t being too bossy. Chuck was a quick study and had a knack for chocolate making, as if he were meant to be here with her.
“If they do go ahead with the Marco Rosone theme, it could be good for Saltwater Sweets because your great-grandmother was associated with him.”
Deena glanced at the recipe Maddie had given her. She’d put it in a protective plastic holder until she had time to take it to the framing store. She’d made a copy, but planned to hang the original recipe on the wall. “We haven’t tried that whisky fudge recipe yet. Maybe this afternoon.”
“Sounds good.” Chuck placed the sea-salted caramel carefully onto the waxed paper. “I was thinking maybe we could do some special packaging to take advantage of that association. Maybe bags with 1930s-style printing. People love stuff like that, and they’d take the bags home and show them to their friends. Might bring in more business.”
“That’s a great idea.” Chuck had been in marketing before and was always thinking up good ideas for her.
Deena felt hopeful for the future. With more tourists coming to town and Chuck by her side, everything was perfect… well, almost everything.
As usual, Chuck sensed the shift in her mood.
