Sugar Rush (Sensual Romance Series)

by Anna J. McIntyre

  “That’s it?” the lady asked.

  Meanwhile, the other people were commenting on the excellent flavor of the fudge and making jokes about wanting more samples.

  “Yes, but it’s best to wait at least five minutes before pouring it on your ice cream,” Lexi explained.

  “But what if I want more than one serving?” someone asked. “Seems like a hassle to make it one at a time”

  “You can make more than one serving at a time, but you need to make sure you have a large enough microwave cooking bowl, or it can boil over. You would have to adjust your cooking time,” Lexi explained.

  “How do I do that?” another asked.

  “Here,” Lexi handed the person a brochure she’d prepared for such a question.

  “While Walt’s Hot Fudge on Demand is designed to make single servings of hot fudge, easily in your microwave,” Lexi explained to a growing crowd, “I’ve listed suggested times and sizes of cooking containers for multiple servings. But remember, unlike conventional ovens, microwave ovens don’t always cook exactly the same way. So, when you first make the fudge, I suggest starting with the single serving. If you want it to be a little thicker, you might have to cook it a few seconds longer.

  “The material of your cooking container—such as a ceramic coffee cup versus a glass measuring cup—and the size of the container—such as an 8-ounce glass measuring cup versus 16-ounce cup—can also effect the cooking times. On this chart, I’ve listed the recommended cooking times, depending on container size and material.”

  “Sounds complicated,” said the woman asking the original question. Then she asked, “How much does it cost?”

  “Twenty dollars for a jar.”

  In spite of the fact the woman seemed concerned over the inexact nature of cooking times, she handed Lexi a twenty-dollar bill and took a jar. The jars sold quickly, much faster than Lexi had expected, and shortly before noon, all twenty-four jars were gone, as were all the samples.

  “I don’t believe it!” Lexi exclaimed after she had handed out the last sample and was finally alone with Jeff.

  “I think you have a hit.”

  “It’s off to a great start, but it’ll really depend on next Sunday, and if I get any feedback from this week’s customers. I won’t know until then if they liked the mix or not.”

  “It was a good touch having your Facebook page link on the label and asking them to log in and let you know how they liked the fudge.”

  “Well, that will depend on if they leave good reviews or bad!”

  “Lucky for you, it’s possible to delete comments from your Facebook page,” Jeff teased.

  “Are you all out of samples?” a woman asked. Lexi turned around and faced the man and woman now standing on the other side of the table. The jars were gone, but there were still some brochures and business cards.

  “I’m sorry, we’re out. But we’ll be back next Sunday,” Lexi told her. There was something familiar about the couple, but Lexi couldn’t figure out what it was. She guessed they were in their mid-fifties, and by the way they were dressed, it looked as if they were on their way to the golf course.

  “I’m sorry to hear that. We overheard some people talking about it on another aisle and we were hoping there was some left.” The woman sounded disappointed.

  “We’ll be back next Sunday.”

  “Unfortunately, we’re leaving for a few weeks. Will you be here in March?”

  “I hope so.”

  “Lexi Beaumont, you sold them all?” Angie seemed to appear out of nowhere, camera in hand.

  “Hi, Angie. Yeah, we did.”

  “That’s awesome and all, but I came down to take some photos of your display!”

  “We told you to come with us this morning,” Jeff teased.

  “Yeah, right. I don’t think so. It was still dark when you guys left!” Angie laughed.

  As the three friends chatted about the successful day, the couple asking for the sample did not leave. Instead, they seemed frozen on the spot, staring at Lexi. They continue to stare until Lexi and her friends noticed.

  “Lexi Beaumont, Walt and Susan’s daughter?” the woman asking about the fudge blurted out.

  Surprised to hear her parent’s name she took a closer look at the couple. “Oh my god! Joe and Carolyn Manning!” she cried out.

  Carolyn Manning didn’t wait for Lexi to come to her. She flew around the table and hugged the young woman. Lexi never imagined she would break into tears at such a reunion, but it was a difficult thing not to do when Carolyn Manning was sobbing and hugging, while her husband stood quietly with tears running down his face.

  Angie and Jeff watched silently. Both recognized the couple’s names. Finally, Carolyn pulled herself together, as did Lexi. They stood facing each other, each wiping away the tears and smiling.

  “I don’t know why I didn’t recognize you immediately,” Carolyn said. “You look just like your mother.”

  “But she has Walt’s green eyes. I swear I see him in her eyes,” Joe commented.

  “I can’t believe this. How long has it been?” Lexi asked excitedly, no longer crying.

  “Eleven years,” Carolyn said.

  “What are you doing in Havasu?” Lexi asked.

  “We moved here last year, after Joe retired. There was no way we were going to stay in New York. Neither of us are fond of harsh winters. ”

  “New York? I didn’t know you were living there.”

  Joe and Carolyn exchanged glances.

  “Yes, we moved shortly after you went to live with your grandfather. By the way, how is he?”

  “I really don’t know, but I assume he’s fine. I moved out after the first of the year, and you might say we’re estranged.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, but it doesn’t surprise me, considering his relationship with Walt,” Joe said.

  “Which is one reason I always wondered why he appointed Grandfather as my guardian.”

  “But Lexi, your parents didn’t appoint your grandfather guardian. They appointed us,” Carolyn said.

  Lexi stood in the London Bridge Shopping Center parking lot, surrounded by vendor booths and noisy shoppers, but no longer heard anything beyond her own thoughts. Transported back in time, she was once again that young girl sitting before the judge, telling him she wanted to live with her grandfather.

  “Then it was my fault?” Lexi blurted out.

  “What do you mean?” Carolyn asked with a frown.

  “Did I go to live with that man because I was a stupid little girl who chose her grandfather? Who asked to live with a man I didn’t know? Is that what happened?”

  “What are you talking about? You went with your grandfather because he took us to court over your custody. I remember the judge talking to you, but that really had nothing to do with it. Your grandfather is a very powerful man, and we didn’t have the resources to fight him. During that same time, Joe was transferred to New York, and we simply did not have the financial resources to stay in California and fight him, and our attorney told us it was a hopeless case.”

  “But why didn’t you stay in touch?” Lexi impulsively blurted, immediately regretting her question.

  “Because your grandfather wouldn’t allow it. He took out a restraining order against us, and we weren’t permitted to contact you. They said it was in your best interests, that you would adjust better if we didn’t interfere,” Joe explained.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “I remember your father’s hot fudge very well,” Carolyn reminisced. She and her husband sat with Lexi, Angie, and Jeff in a long booth at the Javelina Cantina Mexican Restaurant, overlooking the London Bridge. At the swap meet, Carolyn suggested they go somewhere for lunch, since Lexi was out of her hot fudge mix anyway, and it would give them an opportunity to catch up on old times. Joe and Carolyn sat on one side of the booth, while the three younger people sat on the opposite side, with Lexi in the middle.

  “Do you recall that weekend we spent at my cousin�
��s cabin in Wrightwood? You were probably eight or nine years old,” Carolyn asked. “It was really late and everyone was asleep. Your mom and I got the urge for a hot fudge sundae, but we only had a little ice cream left.”

  “I remember.” Lexi smiled at the memory. She took a tortilla chip from a basket sitting in the middle of the table. “Not sure if the smell of the hot fudge woke me or your giggling.” She dipped the chip in a bowl of salsa and took a bite.

  “You made us split it with you. Threatened you would wake Joe and your dad if we refused.” They all laughed.

  “Those were good times,” Carolyn sighed.

  Everyone was silent for a few moments, lost in private thoughts, when the server arrived with their food. Plates were passed around the table, and drink glasses refilled. Jeff ordered another Corona and handed the server his empty bottle. When the server finally completed his tasks at the table, the conversation resumed.

  “I still don’t understand,” Jeff asked. “Why did the courts give her grandfather custody?”

  “Just because parents assign a guardian in a will, that doesn’t necessarily mean their wishes will be honored,” Joe explained. “Especially when the appointed guardian isn’t a family member and a family member contests the will.”

  “It also helps,” Carolyn added, “if the family member is very wealthy and has connections.”

  “I still say it didn’t help when I told the judge I wanted to live with my grandfather. I can’t help but wonder how things might have been different had I given another answer.”

  “I really don’t think it would have changed the outcome. Your answer only made the judge feel better about the decision he’d already made.” Carolyn reached across the table and patted Lexi’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Lexi; I had no idea things had been so awful for you.”

  “Carolyn, it wasn’t that bad,” Lexi said brightly, not wanting to make her parent’s best friends feel guilty over something they couldn’t change. “I lived in a very nice house, and I wasn’t abused in any way. I had plenty to eat, clothes to wear, and received a nice education. It was just that he was always gone, and I was pretty much raised by the servants.”

  “It sounds lonely,” Carolyn said sadly.

  “Let’s not forget the old S.O.B. tried to marry you off to his partner!” Angie added, sounding annoyed.

  “He what?” Carolyn gasped. Both she and Joe turned to look at Angie.

  “After Lexi graduated, he expected her to marry his business partner. When she refused, he kicked her out and kept everything he ever bought her and everything in her bedroom, which was practically everything she owned, including her clothes.”

  “Oh, Lexi! I’m so sorry!” Carolyn shook her head in disgust.

  “Are you talking about Jerome Peters?” Joe asked.

  “Yes,” Lexi confirmed.

  “He’s just a couple of years younger than your dad. What was your grandfather thinking?”

  “I really don’t know, Joe.” Lexi shrugged, grabbing another chip. “Knowing Grandfather, having me marry Peters was the same as marrying off his business and keeping his life all neat and organized. His first priority was always the company. All that doesn’t matter to me anymore.”

  “Lexi surprised her grandfather,” Angie chimed in. “He expected her to buckle when he took everything away from her. He didn’t realize Lexi freelanced during college and had a nice little nest egg to fall back on.”

  “And what about your inheritance?” Joe asked.

  “Inheritance?” Lexi frowned.

  “You were supposed to get that when you turned twenty-one. You’re twenty-one now, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t know what you mean by inheritance, but there wasn’t any from my parents.”

  “What are you talking about?” Joe asked. “I know your parents had at least $100,000 equity in their house. I remember when he bought it, before you were born, and how much they paid. Housing prices went up like crazy during that decade.”

  “Not to mention the life insurance money,” Carolyn added.

  “Life insurance? I don’t know anything about that. According to my grandfather, all the money that was left over went to him, to pay off some loan Dad owed him. Apparently, my parents borrowed money from my grandfather.”

  “What?” Joe and Carolyn shouted at the same time.

  “That is utter bullshit!” Joe shouted, his face turning red.

  “Shhh, Joe, not so loud. People are staring.” Carolyn patted her husband’s arm. He took a deep breath and lowered his voice.

  “Lexi, your parents never borrowed money from your grandfather. I would bet my life on that. I don’t know what bullshit your grandfather is trying to feed you, but he is lying, plain and simple.”

  “Lexi, it seems we made a big mistake by walking away and letting your grandfather win. I am so sorry,” Carolyn apologized. “At the time… Well, it was all so emotional. Joe had just received his transfer to the New York office, and we weren’t in the position to turn it down. At the time, your grandfather presented a good argument to the court. He was your only living relative. He was more than financially equipped to give you whatever you needed. And if you went with us, you’d be leaving your school and friends, and so soon after your parent’s death.”

  “What was this about a court order?” Jeff asked, breaking into the conversation. “Back at the swap meet you said something about a restraining order.”

  “Soon after Lexi went to live with her grandfather, we moved. I regularly sent letters and gifts to Lexi, yet never heard back. About a year after her parent’s death, we came to California for a visit, and wanted to spend some time with Lexi. We weren’t permitted to see her, and when we pressed the issue, her grandfather got a restraining order. She was a minor, and he was her guardian, so the judge agreed he had the right to deny us visits. I suppose we crossed over the line by showing up at her school, but we didn’t know what else to do.”

  “I never knew you wrote or sent gifts. And I didn’t know about your visit to my school.”

  “We never managed to see you, but apparently, your Grandfather suspected we might do something like that, so he hired someone to follow us while we were in California.”

  He hired someone to follow us while we were in California—those words made Jeff feel a little sick inside. I need to tell her, Jeff told himself. Yet, he hadn’t been able to find the right time. He wondered how she would feel when she found out her grandfather had also hired him to follow her.

  “You need to find out about your inheritance,” Carolyn told Lexi.

  “I don’t even know where to start.”

  “I’ll help you.” Jeff wrapped one arm around Lexi and gave her a reassuring hug, pulling her closer to him in the booth.

  “So, tell me, how long have you and Jeff been together?” Carolyn asked.

  “I think the more interesting question,” Angie teased, “is how long they’ve known each other.”

  Lexi elbowed her friend.

  “Ouch!” Angie squealed.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

  The next moment the server returned to the table. He refilled their beverage glasses and asked how they were enjoying their food. He offered to bring more chips, to which they declined. When he left again, Joe asked Lexi how she came up with her idea for marketing the hot fudge sauce. The conversation took several turns during the meal. From hot fudge they moved on to Joe’s retirement; how they all ended up in Havasu. They were discussing upcoming local events when the server came to remove their plates.

  Joe asked the server to bring him the check, and despite some friendly arguments from his dining companions, who each offered to pay, the server took Joe’s credit card a few minutes later. After the bill was paid, the five got up from the booth and made their way from the dining room, down the short hallway between the bar and kitchen, to the front entrance of the restaurant.

  Joe had parked his vehicle near the stairs by the front entrance, while Angi
e and Jeff had parked around back, toward the Channel. The five lingered by Joe’s car while saying their goodbyes. Lexi and Carolyn exchanged phone numbers, and Carolyn promised she would call Lexi as soon as they returned to Havasu from the trip they were taking.

  After the group said their lengthy goodbyes, Joe and Carolyn got into their vehicle, and the three younger people began walking to the rear parking area.

  “They seem like really nice people,” Jeff commented a few moments later, after Joe drove out of the parking lot with Carolyn.

  “Yeah, they were always nice to me when I was a kid.”

  “I think you need to check into this inheritance thing,” Angie suggested.

  “I didn’t want to say anything back at the restaurant,” Lexi said as the three stopped by Angie’s Volkswagen. “I’m sure they’re wrong about the inheritance.”

  “Why do you say that? They seemed to know there was life insurance, and they were both adamant your parents wouldn’t have borrowed money from your grandfather,” Angie argued.

  “Even best of friends don’t always know what goes on behind closed doors. About two years before my parents were killed, I overheard them argue. I remember because my parents never fought, and this one was pretty heated. They didn’t know I was in the next room, because I was supposed to be at the neighbors, but I had come home to get something.”

  “What did you overhear?” Jeff asked.

  “They were arguing about money. My dad had a small business, and I guess things were going bad, and he needed to replace some equipment. My mother suggested he go to his father for a loan, and that is when the fighting started.

  “Plus, I don’t see how my grandfather could hide something like an inheritance from me. If there was life insurance money, then wouldn’t he have to put it in some sort of savings under my name? And if they were having money problems, they probably didn’t pay the premiums or cashed out the policy. There are lots of possibilities, and the less likely, in my opinion, is that there is some unclaimed inheritance out there waiting for me.”

  “Shouldn’t you at least check into it?”