Page 1 of A Chance for Candace

Chapter 1

Chicago Illinois 1895

“Candy, please take this before Margeret gets here! Hurry!”

Candace stared at the old man’s wrinkled, shaking hand. In it was an old, faded, rectangular leather pouch that had seen better days. Two long thin straps of thin, worn leather tied the top of the pouch to the bottom in a not so neatly made knot.

She knew what was inside.

Mr. Kinney was trying to hand her a whole lifetime of his success. Inside the pouch were secret receipts his grandparents brought to America from Europe so long ago. The success of his confections the whole city of Chicago paid a pretty penny for was right in front of her.

What she wasn’t comprehending was why he was secretly handing it to her?

“I don’t understand, Theodore.”

“Everyone in my family is dead, Candy. My first beloved wife died so long ago, and I barely know this one. My sons are gone, both died in the war. There is no one else to carry on our family legacy. Take these recipes, Candy. Start a new legacy. Make it your own and keep these out of my wife’s hands. She’s a cruel woman.”

He was breathing erratically now and yet he kept talking as if she would come through the door at any moment. “Margaret never loved me. All she wanted was the money this business provided. A nice house. A brand new carriage. She can have it all but don’t let her get her hands on what’s inside of this pouch.”

“I’ll do whatever you want me to do with your receipts, Theodore.”

“She’s planning on selling everything I worked so hard for all of my life so she can move to New York City. I can’t let these receipts be sold to the wrong person.”

“You mean you don’t want her to sell them to your competitor?”

He stared into Candy’s eyes, the brightness she remembered slowly fading. He used up so much energy to speak these words. He was slowly fading and yet he had waited until she got there to give him such an important part of his life. She saw how hard it was for him. A sob escaped her as she realized the man who had become like a father to her, a mentor, was about to leave this world.

“Promise me the receipts will not get into their hands? Promise me.”

“I promise.”

Footsteps from down the hall got louder. He shoved the pouch at her with his remaining strength.

“I overheard Margaret’s plans. She is determined to sell the shop and receipts to them. You can’t let that happen. Take these and leave town. The moment you walk out that door, leave here and never return. Margaret will be so busy looking for the pouch, she’ll not notice you are no longer here.”

Candace shoved the pouch into her reticule the moment the door flung open. Her heart was pounding so fast she wondered if Margaret heard it.

When Theodore’s wife moved to her husband’s side, she laid a hand on her throat, a shocked look upon her face. “Oh, dear, dear Theodore. I’m afraid you don’t have much time left, do you?”

He kept his eyes closed, his breath a bit ragged, his face grey as he ignored her. Margaret looked up at Candace. “Wasn’t he just speaking to you? I thought I heard his voice.”

“Barely. He got out a few words but it exhausted him. I’m afraid he slept through most of my visit.”

“Well, then. Perhaps you should go so he can rest.”

“I’m leaving now. Please tell him goodbye for me.” With those words, Candace left the room, closing the door behind her, knowing it was possibly the last time she would ever see or speak to her mentor again.

She felt like a thief, knowing what was inside her reticule.

The door opened and closed. Candace turned to see who was following even though she knew very well who it was.

“Candace? Do you have a moment?”

Composing herself, she took in a deep breath. Candace turned and smiled. “What can I do for you, Margaret?”

“I hate to even bring this up right now, but I can’t seem to locate my husband’s family receipts.” She moved closer. “I know you worked with him on a daily basis. He was terribly worried that they may fall into the wrong hands. I’m wondering if you may have seen where he keeps them?”

Would Margaret see the pulse beating in her throat? She wasn’t very good at hiding her emotions but in this case she had to put on the performance of a lifetime. She made a promise to Theodore and nothing in this world would stop her from carrying out his wishes. “He doesn’t allow anyone to know where he hides his receipts. I’m sorry, I hope you find them. Perhaps he can tell you before he passes.”

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