Page 14 of A Chance for Candace

Chapter 7

Jessie was amazed at the taste of the decadent chocolate that covered his soft pretzel. No one that he knew of had a concoction like this. He stared at Candace who was brimming with joy. “I think if you are going to hand out samples, you should add these accidental chocolate pretzels too.”

“They are delicious. How fast can you make them for tomorrow. I think everyone in town will go crazy for these!”

“I agree.” He gave her a genuine smile and took a step forward, then took a step back. “We should spend the rest of the day finishing your Chocolate Bon Bons and making more of these pretzels.”

“I agree. Which do you want to do first?” He caught the excitement in her voice. She looked so pretty when the light shone in her eyes.

Jessie thought about it. “Well, since your candy is ready to go, why don’t we dip them and set them aside then I’ll show you how to form the dough into pretzels. It’s quite an art.”

She laughed. “You mean like this. She took a piece of the dough from the bowl and began to roll it, then kneaded and rolled it exactly the way he had done earlier. Before he knew it, she had a formed pretzel sitting on the table.

“I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. You were watching,” he told her, nodding. “Then, let’s get to work.

First they finished the chocolates, then set them aside. Candace went upstairs to make two sandwiches and brought them back down to the store. They ate as they worked, enjoying each other's company. By seven that evening the last batch of pretzels went in the oven. She poured two glasses of water and handed him one. Jessie took it, surprised they had gotten along so well today.

He hoped it was the first of many. “Would you like to sit on the porch while the pretzels are baking?”

“Yes, it’s quite warm.” She led the way outside and sat in one of the two chairs on the porch. He had put them out the other day. They had been in the back room where he slept and they were in the way since there wasn’t much room in a closed in porch.

“I was thinking about the store,” she told him, staring out into the street. There wasn’t much traffic going on as the resident’s were settling down for the evening. “I noticed there are a few empty stores along the main street. I wonder if any of them have a few small tables and chairs we can buy and place them in our shop? That way if someone wants to sit and have their sweet treats, they can. I can make hot cocoa with delicious whipped topping, or a glass of milk with your cake.”

“That thought never occurred to me to have the customers hang around like a restaurant almost. Our bake shop was strictly a counter with the cakes displayed to take home with them.” He thought about it for a moment. “It won’t hurt to try.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you are so easy to get along with. I was worried at first. We didn’t get off to a good start, did we?”

“No. I think it was a matter of trust. I know you were worried that I wanted Theo’s receipts.”

“I’ll be honest, I still worry about that.”

“You have a right to. He’s given them to you. I’m starting to wonder if you even need them. I think our chocolate soft pretzels are going to be the clear winner here.”

She nodded. “I happen to agree, although I make the best chocolate cream drops you’ll ever eat.”

“Is that so?”

“It is so. And another thing, I won’t stop there. I have so many ideas in my head, I want to try them all!”

“I have the same ideas running in my mind. My father wasn’t about to let me make anything that was different.”

“We can do this, Jessie. We can have the best shop this side of the Mississippi!”

He gave her a smile. Should he remind her that they had a contest to win? One of them was going to lose. He didn’t plan to lose, but he was starting to have feelings for Candace. Those feelings were becoming deeper than he ever thought he’d feel about someone. She was perfect for him. She loved to create and so did he. Was she even interested in him? At times, she’d be staring at him as if she wanted to say something and then he’d noticeshe’d back off and ignore him for a while until he got her talking again.

Was she just being nice because she wanted the whole business for herself? That’s how it started out. Now, his feelings were starting to change and he wasn’t sure if she felt the same or had feeling for him. Maybe he should pull her to him and kiss her like she’d never been kissed before?

She’d probably slap him across the face and stomp inside, locking the door behind her. She was feisty and that’s what he liked about her. Maybe he’d give it a day or two before he tried to be too forward. After all, they had a lot of work to do and his heart was working overtime trying to convince him that she was interested in him. He stood quickly. “I better go check the pretzels.”

“I’ll come with you.” She got up and followed him inside. While they finished the rest of the pretzels and cleaned up, they were both extremely quiet. Was she thinking about him? Or, tomorrows venture in handing out samples? He didn’t know. All he knew was that he wasn’t able to stop thinking about Candace.

*****

Candace tried hard to sleep but she kept tossing and turning. The moon’s beams were shining in her window. She should get up and close the curtain but there was a bit of comfort the way it shone inside her room, giving her a glimpse of God’s beauty outside. The Nebraska sky was so clear, she would stand by her window each night before turning in. It was almost like God was right outside the window waiting for her. She smiled. God was good to her. What other woman like her was able to travel to a new place without having to marry someone and start a new life?

Times were changing and she was glad. Women were now able to do more than anyone ever thought possible. Owning a business had been almost impossible for a woman twenty years ago. She was blessed to be alive right now. Blessed to have had Theodore in her life. Reflecting on all she had, Candace was so grateful and let her God know it. Even if she wasn’t able to sleep, talking to God got her mind off the man downstairs that she didn’t seem to be able to stop thinking about.

She wondered if he was thinking about her? A few times he would get close to her and one time she thought he was going to kiss her. Then, he backed away so fast she wondered if it ever actually happened at all? Either way, she wanted to win the contest and planned to. Theodore’s candies and chocolates would win over cake any day.

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