The Chocolate Touch (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 8)

by Melissa McClone

  The door opened another quarter of an inch, but York couldn’t see the judge. Just his shadow.

  “Did you enjoy yourself?” Judge Kingsley asked.

  “I did, thank you.” There! York had said the two words he wanted to say. “It was exactly the vacation I needed, so much fun, and to top it off, my friend who went along with me met the woman of his dreams there.”

  York held out the gift bag. “This is for you. There’s something for your cat, too.”

  The judge didn’t say anything, nor did the crack widen further.

  Stalemate.

  That was okay. York hadn’t expected to speak with the man given what Dustin had said, so this would do.

  “I’ve taken enough of your time, sir.” York set the gift bag in front of the crack. “I’ll leave this for you and your cat. Have a nice day.”

  York heard the door open more, but he didn’t glance back. He kept walking. Each step brought more yowls from the cat. He didn’t care. He’d done what he came to do—say thank you to the judge.

  That deserved a celebration tonight with Chantelle. She was part French. A bottle of bubbly might go over well.

  Forget going to Grey’s.

  Only the Graff would do tonight.

  *

  From drinking champagne at the Graff to watching a matinee at the local theater when neither of them had to work, each day that week brought something new to experience with York. He was still doing things with his sisters, but he made time for Chantelle every day.

  Dates and kisses. Kisses and dates. Oh, and chocolate. She’d never been happier.

  On Friday, she arrived at the shop and went to the back to put away her purse. Sage was standing near the roaster.

  “Good morning.” Chantelle tied on her apron.

  “Same to you. I heard from Rosie last night,” Sage said. “She’ll be back in town next week, so Monday will be your last shift here. You’ve been an immense help, but I’m sure you must be ready to go home.”

  Chantelle’s one-bedroom apartment in Boston was as much a home as her room at the Graff Hotel. If anything, this shop had become her home. But that was ending.

  Whatever she had with York would be over, too. The only question left was whether she should leave Marietta next week or wait until the end of the month when York left. Either way, he wouldn’t be a part of her life for much longer. He wouldn’t be there to put a smile on her face, make her laugh, or kiss her until she went weak in the knees. He’d shown her how much she’d been missing in her life these past three years. She didn’t want to lose that.

  Or him.

  A lump burned in her throat. She forced a smile. “Thanks. This has been fun, but I’m sure you’re ready to have your regular staff back.”

  “By the way,” Sage said. “I tried one of your lavender-infused chocolate truffles. Delicious.”

  “Thanks. It was one of my mom’s recipes.”

  Maybe York was correct. Maybe Chantelle had the skills to do great things at Delacroix Chocolates.

  *

  After Chantelle worked at the chocolate shop, York walked her to the Graff. The last thing he wanted was a girlfriend, but if he was in the market, she’d be the woman for him. Fun, didn’t ask the typical relationship questions, kissed like a dream, and understood about his family obligations.

  Even on a Friday night.

  “You’re sure you don’t mind?” he asked.

  “Go have dinner with your sisters,” Chantelle said. “Dakota and Nevada are the reasons you’re in Marietta. Family time is important.”

  “You’re important to me, too.”

  “Aw, thanks. But I’ll be fine.”

  Chantelle was saying all the right things, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. Maybe she was tired from her shift. “You need to eat.”

  “I will.”

  “I’ll call you when I’m done, and we can do something.”

  “I’d like that a lot.” She kissed him. “Have fun with your sisters.”

  A little while later, York slid into a large booth at the pizza parlor. Next to him were Nevada and Dustin. On the other side were Dakota, Bryce, and Walt.

  “Sorry I’m late.” York hadn’t realized everyone would be here. “I didn’t leave the chocolate shop right at five.”

  Bryce poured him a beer from a pitcher.

  Mischief filled Walt’s eyes. “Were you working with Chantelle today?”

  York nodded.

  “She can make a whipped cream tower almost as good as Dakota,” Nevada said.

  “Almost is the key word.” Dakota laughed. “I will say Chantelle’s truffles were amazing. It’s too bad Monday is her last day helping out at the shop.”

  York straightened. “What do you mean?”

  “Rosie called. She’ll be back on Monday night,” Dakota said. “She and her brother worked hard when she was in LA, so she now has extra time to fill in while Portia is on maternity leave.”

  Why hadn’t Chantelle told him? Not that it mattered if she were helping at the shop or not. She could still stay in Marietta until the end of the month to spend time with him.

  “Does that mean my shifts will be cut, too?” York asked.

  “Yes, you need time off so you don’t spend your entire vacation working.”

  “Sounds good to me.” He would rather spend it with Chantelle.

  As the talk shifted to Walt’s most recent card game night, York noticed the noise level rising in the pizza parlor. A line had formed in front of the takeout counter that went out the door.

  A blonde caught his eyes.

  He did a double-take.

  Chantelle.

  Guilt coated his throat, but he didn’t understand why. She wasn’t his girlfriend or anything. They were just hanging out and spending time together. He’d done nothing wrong. He was supposed to have dinner with his sisters, which he was doing. It wasn’t his fault they’d invited others to join them.

  But he hadn’t.

  The thought of including Chantelle had never crossed his mind. That didn’t mean he should feel bad because he hadn’t invited her. He wasn’t dating her the way his sisters were dating their boyfriends.

  Besides, the last thing he needed was one of his sisters mentioning Chantelle to their mom. Her meddling would only get worse. No way would he give Mom ammunition.

  Chantelle paid for her pizza, turned, and walked to the door.

  Walt waved at her. “Chantelle.”

  Smiling, she waved back. Her gaze met York’s for a second, but that was enough to make him feel like a complete jerk. He watched her leave.

  Walt shook his head. “Hard to believe a pretty woman like that will be eating pizza alone in her hotel room.”

  “Dad,” Bryce warned. “You promised. No more playing matchmaker.”

  Walt held up his hands, palms facing out. “Just making a statement.”

  Nevada and Dakota laughed.

  Dustin looked like he was about to join in, but then he picked up his beer and took a long drink.

  That seemed like the best course of action to York. He did the same.

  No reason to feel weird, he told himself. She’d been the one to tell him to go out tonight. It wasn’t like they were in a relationship, one that was deep with feeling involved.

  By the time the pizza arrived, York had lost his appetite. He wanted dinner to be over so he could see Chantelle. He didn’t know if he owed her an explanation or an apology, but he needed to make sure she was okay.

  Maybe he was feeling this way because he knew they wouldn’t be working together at the shop. Something was making him feel weird.

  York tapped his foot, but that didn’t make anyone eat faster. By the time the bill arrived, he was ready to go.

  “Who’s up for Grey’s?” Dustin asked.

  “Me,” Nevada said.

  Bryce nodded. “I’m game.”

  “Where you go, I go.” Dakota held Bryce’s hand.

  “Thanks, but I’m heading ho
me,” Walt said. “Big bridge tournament tomorrow. I need my beauty sleep.”

  “York?” Nevada asked.

  “I need to make a phone call, and then I’ll meet you over there.” He would invite Chantelle to join them. Maybe this weirdness inside him would go away, then.

  As soon as the others were out of sight, he crossed Front Avenue and entered the Graff Hotel. He called Chantelle from the lobby.

  One ring. Two rings. Three…

  “Hello.”

  “Hey,” he said. “I’m finished with dinner. My sisters didn’t tell me they were inviting the others. I didn’t mean to exclude you.”

  Silence.

  Not a good sign.

  “Do your sisters know we’ve been…whatever you’d call what we’ve been doing?” Chantelle asked.

  He hesitated. “They know we’re friends and hang out.”

  “Friends.”

  Sweat dampened the back of his neck. He felt on the defensive, but he wasn’t sure why. One of the reasons he didn’t want a girlfriend was to avoid situations like these. So why was he feeling this way with Chantelle?

  “I haven’t said more because I don’t want my mom going crazy if she hears anything from my sisters,” he explained.

  That had sounded like a good excuse when he’d thought of it, but once he’d said the words, not so much.

  “Everyone except Walt is on their way to Grey’s,” he added. “Come with me.”

  That invitation should make everything better.

  “Thanks, but I just got off the phone with my cousin and am in my pajamas. I’m going to bed early.”

  Her cousin who lived in France? That meant a middle-of-the-night call for him. Not good.

  York’s throat clogged. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”

  “I just need to figure a few things out.” Her voice was so soft he had to strain to hear her. “I think it’s time for me to go.”

  That wasn’t what he expected to hear. A good thing he hadn’t eaten much because his stomach was churning. “Why?”

  “Rosie Linn is coming back. Sage doesn’t need my help.”

  “What about…” He almost said us, but that wasn’t the right word. There was no us or we. They weren’t a couple. At least, that wasn’t what he’d planned on happening when this started. “I thought you were going to stay until the end of the month. That way we’d have more time together.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “Yes.” He didn’t hesitate.

  “I don’t know.” She sounded—not exactly sad, but maybe defeated. “I’m not sure I can keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “Seeing you tonight with everyone made me feel left out. Except I realize I had no reason to feel that way. I’m not your girlfriend. I’m just someone you’re spending time with for a couple of weeks, so it makes sense I wouldn’t be included in family stuff. I shouldn’t have felt excluded because I wasn’t invited, but since I did, maybe it is better not to get more involved.”

  “I understand.” Even if he didn’t like it. She’d mentioned wanting to be closer to family because she had none here in the States. No wonder she felt excluded. That was probably how she felt most of the time. “I felt like a jerk when I saw you tonight.”

  “Thanks for saying that.”

  At least he’d done something right. But the truth was if he didn’t care about her, he wouldn’t feel so bad over what happened. “You’re more than someone I’m just spending time with for a couple of weeks.”

  “Am I?”

  “Yes.” Not planned, but it happened. “We’re supposed to go shopping tomorrow and visit Portia on Sunday. I’d still like to do that together. What do you say?”

  The pause seemed to last forever.

  “Okay,” Chantelle said finally.

  Her answer wasn’t a resounding yes, but he’d take it. This was his fault.

  “Get some rest,” he said. “I’ll call in the morning before I go into the shop.”

  “Goodnight.”

  “Sweet dreams.” Maybe she’d have a good one about him. He was going to need all the help he could get to make up for this.

  He’d been an idiot for trying to keep his spending time with Chantelle a secret from his sisters. That wasn’t fair to her. He was a grown man, one who could handle his mother.

  He just needed to convince Chantelle to stay in Marietta for the remainder of the month. The question was…how?

  Chapter Eleven

  Standing outside Portia’s hospital room on Sunday with York, Chantelle wondered why she’d agree to come today. Yes, she wanted to see Xavier, who’d been born late on Friday night, but shopping with York yesterday had been difficult. He’d said she was more than someone he was spending time with, but she didn’t feel that way. If anything, she was more confused than ever.

  She’d told Philippe she was leaving this week, but she wasn’t sure when. She was on the wait list for a flight out of Bozeman on Tuesday, but could confirm a seat on Wednesday.

  Should she or shouldn’t she leave?

  York kept trying to convince her to stay as long as he was in town.

  Carrying a blue stuffed elephant that he’d claimed was a must buy when they went shopping, he looked way too adorable.

  Chantelle adjusted the colorful tissue paper in the gift bag she held. Inside were footie pajamas, a set of burp cloths, and a board book.

  “I’m going to knock,” she said. “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “Dakota said Portia wanted visitors. Since she decided not to give Xavier up for adoption, she wants to introduce her son to everyone.”

  “He looks like a cutie.”

  “Knock, so we can see him in person.”

  She did and was greeted by a “Come in.”

  York opened the door so she could walk in first. Portia lay in bed, holding a baby wrapped in a blanket against her chest.

  “Happy Mother’s Day!” Chantelle and York said at the same time.

  “Hard to believe that’s today.” Portia grinned. “I thought I’d be celebrating as a mom-to-be this year, but this little guy decided he was tired of waiting another couple of weeks until his due date and wanted out. Meet Xavier. I call him Zavy.”

  “Cute name.” Chantelle walked closer to the bed. “Original. Was Zavy named for someone in the family?”

  Portia adjusted the baby’s blue-and-pink-striped cap and then checked his swaddling blanket. “The name is an original, isn’t it? He’ll probably be the only Zavy in his class.”

  The baby was sleeping. Chantelle’s chest tightened. “He’s beautiful and so tiny.”

  “Congratulations,” York said. “We have a couple of things for Zavy.”

  “Thanks.” Portia stared at her son with love. “He’s being spoiled.”

  “As it should be.” York placed the gifts on the wide window ledge next to two bouquets of flowers and other gift bags.

  Portia looked at Chantelle. “Would you like to hold him?”

  “Yes.” The word flew from her mouth. “Let me wash my hands.”

  “Sage trains us well at the chocolate shop,” York joked.

  Portia laughed. “I miss that place.”

  York moved closer to the bed. “It’ll be there when you’re ready to come back. Until then, this little guy is going to take all your time.”

  “I’ll be staying out at the Circle C Ranch for a while. Extra hands to help with a newborn.”

  Chantelle returned. “Good plan.”

  Portia handed her Zavy. Chantelle supported the newborn’s head. She remembered that from a college friend who’d had a baby.

  “He’s so sweet.” She couldn’t believe how little he was. “And he’s got that new baby smell.”

  “What smell?” York came toward her and sniffed. “Oh, that. Not bad.”

  Chantelle gave him a look. “It’s delightful.”

  As she held Zavy, the longing for a family of her own quadr
upled. She’d thought about having kids someday, but she’d never felt that strong of a yearning for one of her own. Not until now.

  “Can I have a turn?” York asked Portia after he’d washed his hands.

  “Go ahead,” she said.

  Chantelle handed the baby to York. Some distance from the wee one would be good to keep her biological clock from going off even louder.

  “Come here, little man.” York said as he took the baby Chantelle offered. “Aren’t you a handsome fellow? Bet you’ll drive the girls crazy.”

  York gazed lovingly at Zavy.

  Chantelle’s stomach did one back spring after another. She had a feeling he would be the best uncle whenever his sisters had children, but she could picture him as a father also.

  Her insides twisted and pulled as if someone were making taffy.

  An image came into focus, one not so different from what was right in front of her. York holding his son…their son.

  Oh, no.

  No, no, no.

  Her throat tightened.

  She was falling for him.

  They hadn’t known each other that long, but it explained all her confusing feelings.

  She was falling for York. She could picture their future together, one that could be amazing, but had no hope of happening because York wanted to travel, live out of a suitcase, and be free to do whatever.

  A relationship was what she wanted, not him.

  So where did that leave her? And them for as long as she was in town?

  *

  Monday, Chantelle was back at the shop. She hadn’t said a word to York about her feelings for him because she was trying to figure out how she felt. It was hard. She wasn’t sure if staying in Marietta to be with him for two more weeks was the right or the best decision for her.

  All day, customers dropped off baby gifts for Zavy. Everyone wanted to see his pictures, and Sage, the proud great-aunt, was happy to oblige with a brag book she’d put together last night. Even though the shop closed in an hour, Sage was still there.

  Spending so much time with the chocolatier was an enjoyable way for Chantelle to mark her last day helping at the shop. Dakota and Nevada had come by to have a hot chocolate this afternoon and sat at the far table.

  Copper Mountain Chocolates was the place to be today.