Chocolate Truffle Mystery

by Naomi Miller

  And the best reason was to help his nephew get settled into a good business. Sean had his whole life ahead of him and someday soon he would be thinking of marriage and a family. He would need a business to run.

  With a wide smile on his face, Andrew walked into the kitchen, calling out to his nephew as he did so. “Top of the morning to ye, Sean.”

  “Hey, Uncle! How are the newlyweds?” He asked, with a wink.

  “Fine and dandy. Fine and dandy. Hey, you got a few minutes to chat? I've got some things I want to run past you.” He poured himself a cup of coffee while he waited for Sean to answer.

  “Well, sure. You want to sit here or go upstairs?”

  “Let's go upstairs. I'm thinking there will be less of a chance of being interrupted there.”

  Sean nodded his agreement—and when they met up halfway across the kitchen, he nudged Andrew playfully. “Hey, want to race?”

  “Sean, my boy, I'm saving all my energy for someone else.” Andrew laughed heartily and then added, “Besides, I'd hate for this old man to show you up.” Slapping his nephew on the shoulder, Andrew headed upstairs, with Sean laughing loudly as he followed his uncle.

  * * *

  Sitting in Andrew's office upstairs, Sean wasn't certain what to expect.

  “Is everything all right, Uncle Andrew?” He asked, not entirely certain he wanted to hear the answer.

  Andrew only laughed and gave Andrew another clap on the shoulder. “Yes, my boy. Don't you worry about a thing. You've been doing a terrific job for me. But see, that's what I want to discuss with you.”

  But nerves had Sean worrying over every little thing. Uncle Andrew was the only one in the family who had ever believed in him, given him a chance. He did not want to mess up. And that thought brought to mind his major slip up last summer.

  “Okay, but first let me apologize again for my part in your break-up with Amelia. I had no idea that you had fallen in love with her. And how was I to know that you had changed your mind about never re-marrying? Or that Amelia would break things off so quickly without even discussing it with you.”

  Sean knew the story well. Uncle Andrew had met Bridget O'Conner when he was nine and she was eight. Ten years later, they married. When she had died at thirty-seven, Andrew was crushed and he had vowed to his family that he would never marry again. How could Sean have known the situation had changed?

  “Sean, are you still worrying about what happened? That's all water under the bridge. Everything worked out and we're fine. I couldn't be happier.”

  Sean let out his breath in relief as Andrew went on. “But that's not why I wanted to talk to you. As a matter of fact, I want to talk to you about your position here.”

  “My position?” The worry was back, gnawing at him. “Uncle, just tell me what's wrong. Obviously there's a problem. If I'm doing a terrific job, why are we having this private meeting?”

  “Because you're doing such a great job. I discussed the idea with Amelia and she thought it was a perfect idea.” Andrew sat back and put his feet up on his desk.

  “The plan is for you to take over and run the Irish Blessings Cafe someday. And not after I've grown old and retired, but someday soon. You'll be wanting to settle down when you find a young lass to marry and have a house full of children.”

  Sean didn't know what to think. . . “Wait. What do you mean when you say take over and run the cafe?”

  “I mean to say that I intend for you to take over here. . . if you can see yourself staying in this friendly little community, that is. I mean to help you find yourself a house big enough to hold a wife and children, a place for your family. It's not as if I need the money, after all. I only opened the cafe to have something to do.” And with a wink, he added, “And to be close to Milly. I couldn't very well sit in the bakery every day just waiting for the chance to tease her.”

  Sean sat back in his chair, trying to make sense of everything. Never in a million years had he thought he could ever own the Cafe! “Uncle, I have to be honest with you. When I first started helping out after leaving home and coming to stay with you, I didn't care that much for it.” Before Andrew could interrupt, he held up a hand and went on. “Then when you left, and I had no choice but to run it, I think I actually detested it at times! But now. . .” Remembering what his uncle said about taking it over posed another question.

  “If you sold it, how much would you want for it? How would I be able to afford it? And what would you do if you sell it to me? You're planning to stay here, aren't you?”

  “Of course I'm planning to stay here. My Milly loves it here. . . and although it's not the old country, I've found it to be a home to me.”

  Sean smiled at the deepening of his uncle's accent. Whenever he spoke of the old country, Sean could hear Andrew's Irish coming through stronger.

  “Besides, you know what they say. . . you're never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. And that's exactly what I've done. I set a new goal and dreamed a new dream. Now it's your turn. And I've already said I have no intention of selling you the cafe. I want to pass it on to you.”

  “Uncle, that is a very generous offer. Having this cafe could secure my entire future.” He hunted around for something to say. . . some way to thank his uncle, but all that came to mind was panic over the idea of settling down into marriage. “But you know I'm way too young to be thinking of marriage and family.”

  “No, Sean. I do not think the problem is your age. . . I fear the problem is the age of the young lady. You have found yourself enamored with her, but she is much too young for you.”

  “Who? Wait? What young lady? There is no one. I get up, come down here to work all day. I fix myself something to eat and take it back upstairs. I eat my dinner, read awhile, and go to bed. Rarely does that change.”

  Andrew looked skeptical, but he didn't push. “Well, for now that is probably best. Besides, you'll have plenty of time to see her. In the meantime, give her a few years to grow up. If you're lucky, you'll have the rest of your life to spend together.”

  — SIX —

  Tuesday morning started out a little more exciting than usual. . .

  The bakery had just opened for business. Mrs. Mueller had come in to buy coffee and a danish. She chatted with Bella for a minute before leaving. After she left, a dozen other customers came in to pick up orders for the holiday or to grab a coffee and one of Katie's delicious treats.

  Three customers were still waiting when it happened. Bella handed a customer a danish and turned to ring up her purchase.

  The next moment, she sank slowly to the floor. . .

  When she woke, dazed and a bit confused, she noticed that she was lying on a couch. Looking around, she realized that she was in Mrs. O'Neal's office.

  Mr. and Mrs. O'Neal, Katie, and Travis were all gathered around her. And a moment later, Freida walked in to the room.

  Bella tried to sit up, but Mrs. O'Neal stopped her. “I think you should lie still for a minute. Perhaps you shouldn't try to get up yet.”

  * * *

  “What happened?” Bella asked.

  “My dear, that's just what we're wondering. Apparently you fainted. I know you had a bug for awhile, but you seemed to recover from it. Now this. . .” Mrs. O'Neal asked, while looking down at her newest employee with concern. The poor girl was so delicate, she looked like a strong breeze would topple her. “Do you have any idea why you fainted?”

  “Uh. . . no ma'am, not really.”

  “Do you have any medical issues that I should be aware of?” Mrs. O'Neal watched Bella closely as she questioned her.

  Bella's white cheeks suddenly flushed with color.

  “Can we speak confidentially, ma'am?”

  “Of course we can.” Mrs. O'Neal looked around at the others. “If you will excuse yourselves, please.”

  * * *

  After the others left the room and Mrs. O'Neal had closed the door, she turned back to Bella.

  Bella knew she needed to tell her�
��to tell everyone—about her condition. But she was nervous about sharing her problem with the others, especially not knowing them well enough to know how they would take it, how they would look at her after they knew, how they would treat her. . . think of her.

  She could lose her job. She really liked her job. And she was good at it. For another thing, she had made friends with people in the community and she didn't want to lose that. And last, but certainly not least, was her home. Although she was staying with Mrs. Mueller for now, she knew the time would come when she would need to have her own home. And the one thing she knew for sure was that she never wanted to leave Abbott Creek.

  No matter what.

  When she had visited in January, her parents had made it clear that even if she insisted on staying in Abbott Creek for awhile, they fully expected her to move back home eventually.

  And that, she would not. . . could not. . . do.

  As far as her present situation was, she knew the time was fast approaching when everyone would know the truth, so she might as well get it over with.

  “Maybe you could call Katie and Freida back in. That way, I can tell you all at the same time.”

  “If that's what you want.” Mrs. O'Neal went to the door to call the girls. The moment they walked in and closed the door, Bella looked up at them and quietly spoke the words she had been dreading to say.

  “I'm pregnant.”

  While she gave them all time for her news to sink in, Bella took a deep breath and waited for their questions. She only hoped they would understand.

  “Bella, I know this may be a difficult subject to talk about. Thank you for trusting us enough to share your news.” Mrs. O'Neal spoke first, her voice calm, quiet, sweet.

  “I'm sorry I didn't tell you before today, but the time sort of got away from me. I meant to tell you sooner.” Bella spoke quietly, still uncertain. “And I'm sorry I hid it from you when you interviewed me for the job.” She turned to Katie then.

  Katie nodded, but it was Freida who asked the first questions. “Is there anything else you want to share with us? Is there a father in the picture? Will you be staying in Abbott Creek? What are your plans—if you have any?”

  “Oh, I will most definitely be staying.” Bella spoke quietly and calmly. “I have already told Mrs. Mueller and she is very graciously allowing me to stay with her as long as I need to.”

  “And the father?” Mrs. O'Neal asked the question again, though her voice was still quite calm. Obviously she felt the point was important and needed to be answered.

  Bella shook her head, but otherwise didn't answer.

  “And you saw a doctor last month? Did he say everything was all right, as far as your health and the baby is concerned?” Katie asked then.

  “Yes. He confirmed that everything is going well, but he advised me to get regular prenatal care. I'm going to ask one of the midwives in the community to help me.”

  “Why do you plan to stay here in Abbott Creek?” Freida asked. “Don't you want to be around your family after you have the baby?”

  “NO! And please, Mrs. O'Neal, I don't want to lose my job. . . or my home. . . or my new friends here. Please may I stay?”

  * * *

  Realizing Bella was only getting more upset, Mrs. O'Neal put a stop to the conversation.

  “All right, girls. Let's allow Bella to rest a little while. Bella, I'm going to send Freida out to take care of customers while Katie is doing her baking. And I'm going to stay with you. Now, you just lie back, close your eyes, and rest a bit, okay?”

  “Yes, ma'am.” Bella tried to smile, but couldn't quite make it work. She obediently laid back down.

  Mrs. O'Neal covered her with a small, cotton quilt. Turning off the overhead light, she quietly left the room and closed the door behind her.

  Bella would need lots of help, starting now.

  And she was certain of two things. . . that Bella would find plenty of help in Abbott Creek—and that she had chosen the right place to live.

  * * *

  By lunchtime, the news had traveled around the small community that Bella had fainted while waiting on a customer. More and more customers came into the bakery, ostensibly to buy something.

  But none left without asking about Bella.

  Meanwhile, Katie and Freida were trying to wait on customers, fill the orders, and field questions the best they could. They had been advised to say that Bella was fine and she planned to be back at work tomorrow.

  It looked as if Valentine's Day would be the busiest day of the year at the bakery, thanks to Bella.

  Andrew's Banana Bread

  Ingredients:

  2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)

  ¾ cups sugar

  ½ cup butter, softened

  ¼ cup milk

  1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  1 tsp baking soda

  ½ tsp salt

  ½ cup walnuts, chopped

  2 large eggs

  3 ripe bananas, mashed

  Instructions:

  1. Cream together sugar, butter, and eggs.

  2. Add milk and vanilla.

  3. Peel bananas and mash to whatever consistency you prefer.

  4. Mix flour, baking soda and salt together.

  5. Fold in chopped nuts.

  6. Grease and lightly flour loaf pan.

  7. Pour batter into cake pans.

  8. Bake in pre-heated oven for 55-60 minutes at 350°.

  9. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then set on cooling rack for another 10 minutes before slicing.

  — SEVEN —

  Amelia O'Neal had asked her husband earlier to wait until closing to pick her up, so she would be available if the girls needed her—and it was almost closing time before things finally quieted down.

  At that point, Amelia called Andrew, asking him to come on over, and to bring sandwiches and chips for everyone.

  A few minutes later, when he walked in to the bakery, he turned and locked the door behind him.

  Amelia opened her mouth to argue, but he was insistent. “Now then, I'm locking the door and putting out the “closed” sign and I don't want to hear any argument. You have worked hard and now you need a break.” Putting the food stuffs on a table, he motioned for them all to come join him.

  “Come on over. I've brought hot sandwiches and chips. Plus I knew you girls would enjoy sodas so I brought several of those, too. Amelia, bring you and me a cup of coffee and Freida, bring over a few delicious treats. Let's eat.”

  “Should I go and get Bella?” Freida asked, one hand still resting on the swinging doors to the kitchen.

  “Or should we just take something back to her?” Katie looked at both O'Neals and waited.

  “She fell asleep some time ago on my little couch in the office. I thought it best to let her rest. What do you think?” Amelia looked to Andrew with a half shrug while both Katie and Freida waited for an answer.

  “I think it would do her some good to have a bite—and to get up and around a bit. Freida, would you go and see if she's awake?”

  Freida nodded and walked into the kitchen, walking back out less than a minute later with Bella right behind her.

  “She was already awake. I promise, I didn't wake her up.” Everyone laughed a little at the insistence in Freida's voice.

  * * *

  In no time at all, the sandwiches and chips were gone. Nibbling on a shortbread cookie, Andrew looked around at the bakery. “I guess you ladies have done all you can today. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and you'll be plenty busy. Maybe we should call it a day.”

  “I was hoping you would tell us a little more about your trip—or is this a bad time?” Bella looked hopeful.

  “Well, actually this is probably a good time to tell a little more. Where did we leave off?”

  “The train ride to New York.” Freida replied.

  “Ah, yes. New York City is a fascinating place. The next time I visit I will take my husband; he will liven it up considerably.” There was a
twinkle of mischief in Amelia's smile—and Mr. O'Neal took his wife's hand in his, kissed it, and then winked at her. “That you can be certain of, love.”

  “But Mrs. O'Neal, what about New York.” Freida was relentless “Did you stay long? Did you do anything interesting?”

  “Yes, my dear. I stayed almost a whole week. I had taken an empty suitcase with me and I was determined to fill it before returning. New York has some wonderful shops. And the sites. . .” She sighed a little before going on. “The Statue of Liberty was first on my list. Oh, if I could only convey how I felt when I got my first glimpse of the statue that symbolizes freedom and democracy for America. It's on Liberty Island, you know.”

  “My dear, as long as I've lived here, I have never visited New York. Now I canna wait to go, with you by my side, of course.”

  Squeezing her husband's hand, Amelia's eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I would love that, Andrew. We must plan a trip later in the spring. Perhaps I shouldn't say anything more so we can enjoy the sites together.”

  “Nae, love. Go ahead and tell your story. We'll make plans to visit all the same places, plus many more, when we make our trip together.”

  “All right. Well, I purchased a tour. The first place we went was to Times Square, but I can't say I enjoyed it much. It's huge. . . and exciting. . . but also loud and noisy.”

  Mr. O'Neal laughed at that. “That's my girl.” He kissed her hand again. “I could have guessed you wouldn't enjoy it. I'll find a way to make it more exciting to you when we visit.”

  Mrs. O'Neal smiled at him before going on. “Then we went across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was all well and good, but the only thing I really remember about it was the tour guide mentioning that it's one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States, and that it connects Manhattan and Brooklyn.” She shrugged before going on. “Then we went on to Rockefeller Center. That was very interesting.”