Summer with a Chocolatier: Love Beach Collection

one

Noah

“Today’s the day. Ready?”

My twenty-eight year old little sister squeals like a teenager at a K-Pop concert and leaps toward me. I stumble back from the onslaught and plant my hands against her shoulders. Once we’re both steady, she wraps her arms around me and turns us until we face the small house set a few buildings down from the main business area of Love Beach, North Carolina.

The house we’ve turned into our new business, Choco-Love. As well as our new home, although the upstairs apartment still needs some work. Ninety percent of our efforts—and savings—went into the shop.

Tegan releases me. “We did it, Noah. I am so proud of you.”

“I couldn’t have done?—”

“This without me. So true, brother dear.” Side by side, she leans her head against my shoulder. “I may have the accounting and social media savvy we need, but without your talent with chocolate, there’d be no reason to open a sweet shop. I still don’t understand why you picked this town. The heat and humidity off the ocean are going to make your job harder.”

“I know.” Along with my shrug I blow out a long, slow breath. I’ve questioned this decision repeatedly, nearly called off the building purchase numerous times. There’s something about Love Beach that calls to me, some reason I’m supposed to be here. An inner knowledge I’ve learned not to question. My aunts say I get that from my great-great-grandfather. Maybe. Who knows?

Our family has worked with chocolate ever since his wife, Grammy Charity created custom chocolate in San Francisco over a century ago. Since then each generation has fewer cousins who show interest in continuing the family’s sweet legacy.

I was once one of those who made decisions taking me far from a future in designer chocolate. I’d ignored that annoying voice in my head until my senior year of college. It was as if something snapped inside me, connected me to family—and chocolate. With a diploma in architecture I’d never use, I took a few months to travel, searching for a purpose.

When I visited my cousin Trace in Nebraska, I’d been filled with the sensation I’d come home. Working with him for nearly a year, I relearned the family recipes and perfected the advanced techniques he’d developed in showpiece construction. Still dissatisfied, I spent time in Europe and the great chocolate capitals of the world. I absorbed every bit of candy making knowledge I could.

After seven years of study and working for others, my sister finally convinced me to open my own shop. We searched for a location for over six months and I was ready to give up. We’d planned to relax a few days along the coast and the moment we stopped in Love Beach that inner rightness kicked in. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

It took a lot of convincing for Tegan to agree, but once she was on board, everything fell easily into place. The perfect building came up for sale, storefront and home in one. A closing shop in another state sold us their equipment at an unreasonably low price. Other businesses have welcomed us—even before we’re open.

Today I’m jittery. Yes, I’m nervous for opening day, but it’s more than that. It’s like waiting for something to happen. Nothing bad, but something with the power to change my life.

Tegan tugs my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Come on. It’s almost opening time and we need to do one more final check to make sure everything’s perfect.”

I jerk her to a stop at the door. “This will be a great day.” Am I convincing her—or myself?

“You know it.” She turns and presses her back to the wood and glass door and peers into my face. “I know you’re worried. Me, too. That’s to be expected with any new venture. Starting a business isn’t easy. While you were off in Europe being chocolate man, I studied Trace’s business plans. Reached out to our other family shops. They’ve got our backs, Noah. You and I are a great team. Don’t ever doubt that.”

Wise words from my sister. She’s always supported me, even when I made questionable decisions. I hope, for her sake, this isn’t one of them.

Forty-five minutes later, I realize I’m hiding in the back office looking over invoices for orders I’ve already completed when I should be out front greeting our customers. But I haven’t heard the door chime. Or any voices other than Tegan’s as she sings along to the soft rock playing over the speakers.

Closing my eyes, I lean back and take a deep breath. This is our first morning. It’s not unreasonable for no one to show up to a candy store this early. We’re going to be fine. Tegan spent hours going from business to business in town with samples and the stack of resulting orders proves it was a good tactic.

Our online presence has been buzzing, too. In fact, my phone pings to announce Tegan’s latest video. She makes me laugh as she takes viewers on a mini tour of the chocolate case. What would I do without her?

At the end of the video, she stares into the camera. “And where is the man who created all this deliciousness? Let’s go find our recluse chocolatier.”

Five seconds later the office door bursts open and Tegan strides in, phone lifted and pointed toward me. For fuck’s sake, couldn’t she give me a warning?

“Here he is. Noah Drake, creator of our delicious, custom choc-cuterie boards, all around great guy. And my brother. Wave, Noah.”

I manage a grin and wave. Thankfully she immediately turns the camera back to herself. “Today’s opening day at Choco-Love in downtown Love Beach. If you’re in the area…”

Her voice fades as she returns to the front of the store. There’s a double chime from the door and the video on my phone. “Welcome to Choco-Love.”

A customer. Pocketing my phone, I stand and with a deep breath for calm go to meet the public.

Tegan’s holding the door open as a line of people enter. The sight of our crowded store stops me in my tracks. This is what I’d hoped for, what all our planning has led to. Life is turning out perfect.

Before allowing the happy thoughts to run free I rein in my imagination. Just because there’s customers now, doesn’t mean that will continue. So much depends on tourist traffic. We’re not too far off the main square, the trick will be directing folks our way.

A tall woman enters and the crowd parts as she moves toward me. Belatedly, I recognize her as the head of the local business association and step forward to greet her without having to remember her name. “Welcome to Choco-Love.”

She grins and takes my extended hand. “It smells divine in here, Mr. Drake.”

“Noah, please.”

“And you must call me Angela.” She waves a gentleman closer. “My husband, Walt.”

We exchange greetings. I make a mental note to ask Tegan their last name. As well as practice name recall. Never been good at that.

In my peripheral vision a man holding a camera moves closer. Angela touches my arm. “A new business opening is a newsworthy event. Hope you don’t mind.”

Tegan moves to my side and softly pokes her elbow in my ribs. “We don’t mind at all.”

After a few general questions, I’m asked to explain our specialty. “With the popularity of charcuterie boards for all occasions, why not enjoy one that’s more than dessert focused, but chocolate forward as well. Our choc-chuterie boards hold a variety of chocolates and other sweet treats as well as a chocolate centerpiece. Considering the size and weight, some of the boards will also be edible.”

The camera focuses for a final shot of the round display case I’d discovered at an auction. Originally designed to show off cakes and pies in a restaurant, the refurbished rotating shelves are perfect to show off the details of our chocolates.

Angela claps once and the gathering silences. The woman can really command a room. Her husband hands her a long, narrow box. “The business association officially welcomes Choco-Love to our city. This delicious addition is sure to become a favorite of both locals and tourists.” She leans forward slightly and says in a stage whisper, “I know I’ll be stopping by often.”

After allowing the murmurs of agreement to silence she continues. “We want everyone to discover Choco-Love and will be adding this to the signpost at the end of the block.”

She removes the lid from the box then holds it up so I can see the contents. A wooden sign matching others on the post with Choco-Love brightly painted over an arrow. Applause rises from the people watching. Tegan slips next to me and pokes my arm. Hard. “Say something.”

Wrapping my arm around Tegan’s shoulder, I say, “This warm welcome to Love Beach is more than my sister and I ever imagined. Hopefully we’ll be in business here long after this sign fades and weathers away.”

Angela laughs. “Noah, the town hopes you’ll be here longer than that. Signs fade pretty quickly in our humid, salty air. Now that the formalities are done, I insist on being your first official customer.”

Once she moves to the case where our truffles are displayed the rest of the crowd surges into relatively organized chaos. Between boxing up chocolates, weighing bags of Tegan’s gourmet taffy, and manning the register, time flies. By the time I finally glance at my watch, it’s nearly time to close and there are few chocolates remaining on the display trays.

Tegan swipes her hand dramatically across her forehead then grins. “I expected a good opening day, but nothing like this. Wow, I’m exhausted.”

“See why I had us prep triple what we hoped to sell? Otherwise we’d be up all night dipping candy to restock the trays.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m going to lock the door so we can get prepped for tomorrow. I’m glad you decided to have shorter hours our first few weeks.”

Humming an agreement, I turn my back on the store to start cashing out the register.

“Wait a sec, Noah. Someone’s coming. Hi, there. We’re just about to close up.”

“I’m here to pick up a preordered kid’s board. I was afraid I wouldn’t make it here in time after the day I’ve had. I’m so glad you’re still open. Devin would be crushed if he didn’t have chocolate for his birthday.”

Goosebumps form on my arms and an odd, heated sensation travels down my spine at the woman’s voice. The smooth, breathless modulations spark memories I’ve struggled to forget. There’s no way I remind myself, still I angle my head and strain to hear the continuing conversation.

Tegan’s bright tone fills the empty store. “Of course, birthday chocolate is a necessity. How old is the birthday boy?”

“He’ll be eight this weekend. Tonight his gymnastics team is celebrating after practice.”

“Does Devin like elephants perhaps?”

The woman’s laughter surrounds me, lifting the hairs on my arms. I know that laugh. Knew it. Knew it as well as my own. Unable to focus on the cash and receipts in my hand, I stuff everything into a bank bag and stare at the wall.

“He does.”

“Then I know which board is yours. Hang on a sec. I’ll be right back.”

Now would be a good time to turn around and prove to myself the voice and the laugh and the memories do not belong to the woman in my store. Fate would not be so cruel. I sense her scanning the store, her gaze lingering on my back. I straighten my spine and remain facing the wall. I will not turn around to face disappointment. Or her.

“Oh my gosh, that’s perfect,” she exclaims when Tegan returns.

“My brother is extremely talented. Since you paid online when you ordered you’re good to go.”

“Thanks so much for letting me rush in at the last moment.”

“Not a problem. Wish your son a happy birthday from us here at Choco-Love.”

A grin relaxes my tight jaw. Tegan has a way with people, connecting easily in ways I never can.

“Let me get the door for you.”

A sharp gasp. A crash. The flat slap of a fall.

Dropping the bank bag, I rush to the wide open area near the door where Tegan crouches next to where the woman is on her hands and knees. Just what we don’t need, a slip and fall lawsuit on our first day. “What happened?” I ask more harshly than I intend. “Are you okay?”

The woman shakes her head. “I’m fine. Just clumsy.” She reaches toward the open Choco-Love box and scattered chocolate bits. “No, no, no.”

She rises to her knees and spears her hands through her short, silvery blonde hair. A knot forms in my stomach and I freeze. Her hair. I know the feel of that hair in my hands. Sliding over my body.

Tegan gathers the box and pokes her finger inside. “There’s only a little damage to the main elephant. I’m sure Noah can?—”

“Noah?” She turns her head and lifts her face to me. Her wide eyes go even wider. Her soft, pink lips form a silent ‘O’. “Noah?”

With a sigh I kneel next to the woman I was head over heels in love with in college. The one I left behind without explanation when I couldn’t find myself. The woman I’ve never been able to forget.

“Beryl.”