Page 59 of Holiday Cheese and Capers
“How do you know when it’s ready?” Jasper asked.
“We know by the date, but we also must listen,” Brother Tomasso said simply. He picked up a small silver hammer and tapped the wheel in various places. Each spot produced a different tone. It was a deep, resonant sound. “When the cheese sings in harmony, when all the notes align, we know it has aged to perfection. It is ready.”
“So, um… Does that mean we are going to get to try some Parmesan?” One of the passengers asked tentatively. “I’m not sure I recognize that tune.”
“The cheese is ready. And the breaking ceremony will happen this evening,” Brother Tomasso continued, “but first, we must move this wheel to the preparation room. Usually we wait for the younger monks, but—” He looked at the massive wheel. “If anyone feels moved to help?”
Exandra stepped forward, arm raised. “I can carry it.”
Brother Tomasso looked doubtful. “Signora, it weighs?—”
She lifted the wheel as if it weighed nothing, hoisting it onto her shoulder with a grin.“Show me the way!”
The group gasped at her show of strength and Brother Tomasso’s eyes went wide.
“Or perhaps you do not need help,” he said, impressed. “It seems you are rather blessed as well. This way, please, Signora.”
As Exandra carried the enormous wheel through the monastery, Bayard watched her with undisguised admiration. This was Exandra fully herself—strong, confident, no longer hiding, attempting to make herself smaller, or holding back.
She caught his eye and smiled back at him.
They saw the copper vats where the cheese was started, watched the salting process, learned about the consortium’s strict regulations. It was fascinating, however, that as they completed the tour, all the passengers kept making mildly disappointed comments.
“It’s all very interesting, learning about the cheese,” one woman said to her companion, “but I keep thinking how much more exciting this monastery would have been with one more mystery to solve. I miss the Culture Vulture.”
“I know what you mean,” her friend agreed. “The Culture Vulture added so much sizzle to the journey. Made us all feel like we were part of something big.”
“I’d honestly pay extra for a cruise like this with built-in mysteries,” a man added. “You know, where we get to play detective. Like a murder mystery dinner, but with cheese.”
Bayard and Exandra were walking just ahead of this group. Minerva saw them both stop walking at exactly the same moment.
They turned to stare at each other, and something electric passed between them.
Inspiration.
Excitement.
Hope.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Bayard asked quietly.
“I think so,” Exandra breathed. “Mystery cruises? With fake sabotage? Puzzles to solve? Guests playing detective?”
“You could create the mysteries! Design the scenarios! You know all about conducting investigations.”
“And you could still teach the cheese education. Provide the expert knowledge, but toss in an investigatory twist. We’d be perfect?—”
“Partners,” Bayard finished. “Perfect partners. Working together.”
“You wouldn’t have to give up the cruise line,” Exandra said, the words tumbling out faster now. “I could join you immediately. I wouldn’t even have to quit the Society right away. I have enough leave saved up to spend several years away. Oh, Bay! We should pitch this idea to the cruise company this afternoon! Mystery-themed cruises. They’re popular with Ordinary folk—why not magical people, too?”
“You’d have to leave the Society eventually.”
“I think I’m okay with that,” she said, and seemed surprised by her own certainty. “Bay, I’m tired. I’m so tired of fighting and investigating real crimes and seeing the worst of people. But this—” She gestured around them. “Creating mysteries for fun? Giving people adventure without real danger? Working with you every day?” She laughed. “That doesn’t sound like giving anything up. That sounds like I’m getting to have everything I want.”
“It sounds like winning,” Bayard squeezed her hand. Then he lifted it to his lips and kissed it. He didn’t care who saw.
They stood in the corridor, other passengers flowing around them, and just stared at each other.
