Chocolate Heart Murder (A Maple Hills Cozy Mystery Book 11)

by Wendy Meadows

  Hawk and Nikki sat on the sofa and relaxed by the fire. It had been a long day, but she was grateful to have such wonderful people around her. Still, she could sense that Hawk was a little tense.

  “What are you thinking?” she finally asked him.

  “Are you sure you can pull this off?” Hawk asked, worried about Nikki’s workload.

  “With my family and friends around, I can accomplish anything,” she reassured him. “Lidia keeps me on track and reminds me I’m usually ahead of schedule. Seth and Tori always pick up the slack. And then there’s you…always swooping in with a delicious dinner just when we think we’re all going to collapse on our feet after another busy day.” She smiled at him. “It will go just fine.” She snuggled under his arm, content to rest quietly in the silence with him. They sat and watched the fire for about half an hour more. Hawk eventually said he needed to go and get some rest. Nikki thanked him and gave him a hug and kiss. She helped him with his coat and opened the door for him. The night sky was full of stars. It was a beautiful crisp evening, with the fresh coating of snow over everything, and Nikki knew she would have no trouble sleeping that night. She waved goodbye to Hawk, locked her door, and went to bed.

  CHAPTER THREE

  T he next morning, Nikki got up early and had breakfast with Seth. Seth was in an especially good mood because he planned to surprise Tori with tickets to the movies that night. A new romantic comedy had just been released with an actor they both loved to watch, and he thought it would be a nice way to relax at the end of the day. “I’m sure she’ll love it, Seth. She knows you adore her and that things have just been busy lately…a nice date will be a good sign, I think.” Nikki gave his hand a squeeze as they left the house and he smiled, heartened. When she and Seth drove to the shop, there was already a small group of customers waiting on the sidewalk.

  “It is going to be a busy day,” Nikki predicted. She was not wrong. As soon as Nikki opened the door, the customers started rolling in. A gentleman asked about the award displayed prominently in the front window. Seth proudly explained that Nikki had won it in a chocolate competition last Christmas. The man was impressed, and Nikki could tell Seth liked to brag about her. She smiled and was once again glad she had entered the competition. Her petit fours had been the talk of the town for two weeks after the competition.

  Nikki looked around after she slid another tray of chocolate hazelnut truffles into the display case. The shop was busy with last-minute Valentine’s Day shoppers. Everyone was complimenting Nikki on her chocolate-dipped strawberries. Seth and Tori were helping in the shop while Lidia was working in the kitchen. Tori was helping a young girl pick out a mixed bag of chocolates. The little girl had stopped by Nikki’s shop before. She took her time and was careful with her selection. The counters ended up with fingerprints, but Nikki did not mind. The little girl took out her hard-earned allowance to pay for the chocolates and shyly said that she hoped her mother would like the gift. After she left, Nikki wiped off the counters with a smile.

  Nikki was in the front waiting on some customers when the door opened and Susan walked in with a handsome gentleman. They were holding hands and each had a twinkle in their eyes. The man could not stop staring at Susan. They were bundled warmly in their coats, with thick sweaters and jeans to keep out the cold. They both looked a bit haggard but happy.

  “Nikki,” Susan called and waved. She stepped over to the side of the counter while her gentleman removed his jacket and draped it over one of the café chairs.

  Nikki waved back. “How are you today?” Nikki asked.

  “I’m great. Can we talk for a minute?”

  “Sure, just let me finish up here.” Nikki finished tying a pretty bow on the chocolate box in front of her. “Here you are, Miss Sims,” Nikki said and handed it over the counter to her. Miss Sims smiled and thanked Nikki.

  “I recommend this shop to all my neighbors, you know,” said Miss Sims as she waved and exited the store. Nikki left the front counter in the capable hands of her son and Tori, fetched three mugs of hot chocolate, and walked over to Susan. Nikki handed them the mugs and sat down.

  “Thank you, Nikki. It is cold outside,” said Susan. She took a sip and smiled. “This is delicious. Have you met my fiancé, Tim?”

  “I have not,” said Nikki.

  “It is very nice to meet you,” said Tim to Nikki. He was a handsome young man, polite and well-spoken, a perfect match for the lovely young woman.

  “You, too. The wedding order is coming along nicely. The chocolates are almost ready, and we have everything we need for the chocolate fountain,” Nikki told them.

  “Thank you. I am so glad you were able to pull that together. You are amazing. I know the order was last-minute, and I still cannot believe you are pulling it off. Speaking of amazing, I was also hoping you could do me another favor.”

  “What is that?” asked Nikki, hiding her trepidation.

  “The rehearsal dinner is just around the corner, and I was thinking it would be nice to have some chocolates for the guests. You would not have to worry about setting up a table. We will have waiters roaming around with trays,” Susan said hopefully. “Only if it’s no trouble. I would love to give you some more business for the wedding and…I just thought, perhaps if you have some extra inventory…”

  “I am sure I can pull something together. Did you want a certain variety of chocolate, or would you like a sampling of my chocolates?” Nikki asked.

  “A sampling sounds terrific, don’t you think so, Tim?” Susan asked her fiancé.

  “Whatever you want, beautiful,” he answered, sipping his cocoa.

  “I can get a sampler order done in time for the rehearsal dinner,” Nikki assured Susan. “About how many guests will there be?”

  “There will probably be around fifty guests that night.”

  “That will not be a problem at all.”

  “Thank you so much,” Susan exclaimed. “Didn’t I tell you she was a lifesaver, Tim?”

  “Yes, you did. Thank you, Nikki,” Tim said.

  “Well, we will let you get to work,” Susan said. “Oh, and please come to the rehearsal dinner,” she insisted. “And bring a guest.”

  “Well, I’m not sure. I would not want to intrude. I am happy to make the chocolates, but I thought rehearsal dinners were just for family,” Nikki said, hesitating.

  “This is less of a rehearsal dinner and more of an informal gathering. We have invited a number of friends from town, and it is a casual affair,” Susan said eagerly to Nikki. “I want everyone to be able to compliment you on your fabulous confections, Nikki. You deserve that.”

  “Okay, I’ll be there,” agreed Nikki, smiling.

  “Wonderful,” exclaimed Susan. She and Tim stood up and put their coats on. Tim helped Susan with her coat and scarf. What a cute couple, Nikki thought. Tim and Susan left the shop, and Nikki got back to work as a number of customers filled up the shop. After a little while, there was a lull, so Nikki filled in Seth and Tori on the new developments.

  “Susan would like a sampling of chocolates for her guests at the rehearsal dinner,” Nikki told them. “I told her we would be able to pull it off. I will just need some help.” She paused for a moment, worried. Nikki had just remembered that Seth planned to surprise Tori with a date tonight. She met his eyes and tried to give him a reassuring smile.

  “I’m sure Lidia can help you sort it out,” said Tori.

  Seth hugged his mom. “Absolutely,” he said.

  Just then, the door opened, and Hawk walked in. He brushed the snow off his shoulders and took off his coat. He hung it on the back of a chair and walked over to Nikki, put his arm around her and kissed her hello.

  “Just the man I wanted to see,” said Nikki.

  Hawk raised his eyebrow.

  “We have been invited to attend Susan’s rehearsal dinner,” Nikki said with a smile.

  Hawk groaned. “Do I have to wear a suit two nights in a row?” he asked.

  �
�No, silly,” Nikki scolded him playfully. “It is casual dressy. You can wear jeans and a nice shirt. No jacket.”

  “That sounds a little less awful...”

  “So, will you join me?” Nikki asked coyly.

  “I would be happy to escort you to the dinner,” replied Hawk with a half bow. Nikki laughed.

  “Why did you stop by?” she asked.

  “Actually, I was just passing by and I wanted to drop in and say hello. I’m glad I did, because it sounds like you will need my help.”

  “I would appreciate that,” replied Nikki. She and Hawk went back to the kitchen to let Lidia know what was happening.

  “More chocolates?” she exclaimed. “Are you going to be able to handle that?” Lidia was pouring melted chocolate from a large mixing bowl into tiny molds, and there was a smear of pink frosting on her cheek.

  “We will be fine,” Nikki said with a grin, walking over to dab Lidia’s cheek with a kitchen towel. “I have the best crew on the planet.”

  “Okay, I can stay late if you need me to,” said Lidia.

  “I appreciate that,” replied Nikki.

  Seth came in from the front of the store. “Mom, can I talk to you?”

  “Sure, Seth,” Nikki replied. “What do you need?”

  “Nothing…I am just concerned about the amount of work you have taken on for the next couple of days. I know you are strong, but even you have your limits. Tori and I were talking, and we want to help out. I told her about the surprise date I had planned, but she wouldn’t hear of it. It won’t be any fun for us to go out for a night on the town if we know you’re here in the store, working until past midnight. How about we take care of the store orders while you and Lidia work on the wedding and rehearsal chocolates? When we’re done with the store orders, we can pitch in with the wedding order.”

  Nikki was touched at her son’s gesture. “Thank you, Seth. That’s a very noble offer. Do you agree, Lidia?”

  “Yes, I do,” Lidia replied, stirring the chocolate with a fond smile. “You’re such a wonderful son to your mother, Seth. I know she is proud of you.”

  “Well, we better get started,” Nikki exclaimed. “Many hands make light work, after all.” Hawk also offered to help wherever he was needed, explaining that he had the rest of the day off, and she should use him as needed. Nikki smiled as he tied on an apron like a pro.

  “Would you mind working in the store?” she asked.

  “Sure, if I get busy I will give a yell,” Hawk said.

  “I will feel safe with you out front,” Nikki said sincerely.

  “Like I said, I am here to help. Let me run and grab some snacks, first. It looks like it will be another long night.”

  “That would be a big help. Thank you,” Nikki said, putting on her apron. “Okay, where should we begin?” she asked. Seth took one table and Nikki and Lidia took another. Tori watched the shop until Hawk reappeared. He took over and she went back to the kitchen to help the others. Seth prepared the strawberries and Tori dipped and sorted them.

  Nikki asked Lidia if they had any extra candies in the freezer. Lidia went to check and came back with a few trays. There were some truffles, chocolate-covered nuts, and chocolate-covered cookies. Nikki had been selling out of her chocolate-dipped strawberries this week, and the other candies, though freshly made, were not selling as fast.

  “Those will be perfect for the rehearsal dinner,” Nikki said. “I will just make a few more trays of assorted chocolates and we should be set.”

  “When were you planning on decorating the wedding strawberries?” Lidia asked.

  “I will do that tomorrow before the rehearsal dinner,” replied Nikki.

  “That is cutting it close,” said Lidia with concern.

  “I should be fine. If I need you to help me, I will let you know.”

  “Okay,” said Lidia. “What do you want me to do right now?”

  “Would you make some caramels? We can have some plain caramel, some dipped in chocolate with sea salt, and some with nuts. I can whip up some chocolate, vanilla, and butterscotch fudge. That will set overnight and be ready for tomorrow.”

  “That sounds like a plan,” Lidia replied. The two women got to work on the caramels and fudge, and soon the kitchen filled with the rich smell of melting sugar and butter. Hawk was kept busy in the front of the store and occasionally popped in to ask for help. Seth helped his mother with the trays of assorted chocolates while the fudge was being prepared, and then helped her lay out the massive trays where the fudge would be poured out to cool overnight. The kitchen and the shop were bustling with people and with the delectable smells of wonderful chocolates.

  After the store closed, Hawk tidied up front and then came in to help, pitching in with the mountain of dirty pots and baking pans that had accumulated by the sink and the twin dishwashers. Seth, Tori, Lidia, and Hawk stuck at their labors and kept spirits high by singing silly songs and trading jokes, and by ten o’clock, the chocolates were ready for the next day and the kitchen was gleaming. Everyone said goodnight, and Nikki went home to get some much-needed food and sleep.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  T he next morning, Nikki got up before her alarm went off and made some coffee in the pre-dawn chill. She wrote a list of things that needed to get done before the rehearsal dinner that night. She had a sudden realization and ran to check that her outfit was ready. She knew that once she left the house, she would not be back until it was time to get dressed. Everything seemed ready. She opened her closet and picked out a pretty dress in a shade of pale blue that fell just to her knees, with soft brown leather boots. Nikki sorted through her earrings and was looking for the perfect scarf to wear with her dress when she heard Seth in the kitchen making eggs and toast for the two of them.

  She walked out of her bedroom with a smile on her face. Her son always remembered to make her a hearty breakfast on days when he knew she would be working like crazy. Nikki sat at the kitchen island and sipped her coffee and ate breakfast with Seth.

  “Are you feeling okay?” Seth asked Nikki.

  “I’m fine, why?” she asked.

  “I just want to make sure you are not overtaxing yourself. You have a habit of taking on more than the average person. You worry so much about others that you forget to worry about yourself. I want you to know that I am here for you.” He came around the counter and hugged his mom, and she hugged him back.

  “Thank you for having my back,” Nikki said and smiled at Seth. “I’m the mom here, I’m supposed to be worrying about you. It’s sweet that you worry about me and support me. Are you ready to go?” she asked.

  “I will be ready in a minute. Let me clean up in here...” he stood up and she noticed he was still in his flannel pajama pants.

  “I will wash the dishes, Seth. You go ahead and get changed.”

  “Thank you, Mom.”

  “You’re welcome, Seth.” Nikki smiled as Seth bounded up the stairs. Even though he was in college, he still bounded around like a Labrador puppy. Nikki smiled fondly as she washed the sinkful of dishes and thought about the day’s work ahead. She had most of the chocolates ready for the rehearsal dinner, but she would have to drop them off at the reception hall that afternoon. I still have to decorate the strawberries, she remembered. I can start that this morning. Worst case scenario, I can finish them tomorrow right before the wedding. Nikki heard a noise and looked up. Seth was coming into the kitchen, humming to himself. Nikki smiled.

  “Are you ready to go open the shop?” she asked him.

  “Yes. Can I drive?” Seth asked.

  “Sure, why not,” Nikki replied. She tossed him the keys, and they walked out to the car. Nikki locked the house and then climbed into the car beside Seth. Even though they were from the South, they had grown accustomed to driving in the snow. Seth started down the winding road into town. The trees were dusted with snow, and the fields around Nikki’s house looked as smooth as whipped cream. The red feathers of a cardinal caught Nikki’s eye, and she
watched it hop along the snowy field.

  That morning, the shop was just as busy as ever. In the kitchen, Nikki laid out her tools and ingredients to decorate the chocolate-dipped fruit for the wedding. She carefully swirled a flourish of pink chocolate onto each piece that ended in a heart. It was back-breaking work, leaning over the counter and focusing on the berries, and she had to constantly monitor the temperature of the chocolate. After a few hours, Nikki stood up to stretch and was satisfied to see the rows and rows of identical, delicious chocolate-dipped strawberries. She cleaned up the table and turned her mind toward the rehearsal dinner treats. She checked her fudge and the caramels. The trays of fudge had set overnight into a smooth expanse of perfect, solid chocolatey brown, and Lidia’s caramels were a tempting shade of golden amber. When she tested the flavor of a caramel, it was the perfect balance of sweetness and buttery flavor. Lidia had cut the caramels into neat, perfect little squares. They looked wonderful. Nikki carefully removed the fudge from its cooling tray and cut it into long pieces, and then into delicate little wedges. She put a few finishing touches on the chocolates, and they were ready to go. Nikki checked the clock. She had become so immersed in the delicious labor of making the chocolates perfect, the day had flown past. It was now almost time to take the candy over to the hall. She quickly arranged the fudge on some trays.