A Chocolate-Box Christmas by Josie Riviera

Author:Josie Riviera [Riviera, Josie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Two

Christmas Eve came a week later. As usual, Maise hadn’t completed her shopping, because buying for five adult brothers and her parents was more than difficult.

It was impossible.

She parked her Volkswagen at the curb of Main Street and stepped out of the car, smoothing her red-and white-striped dress. California weather was mild, almost balmy, and she loved it.

She peered around. Hopefully, a few shops were open, and she’d know the right gift when she came upon it.

A sign in the window of Bloomingfield Candy Shop caught her attention.

Winner of the Women’s Shelter Annual Fund-raiser for best candy. Come in for a free taste of flavor-rich fudge.

The shop’s red canopied entrance welcomed her as she entered, and she admired the tin pails and decorative boxes tied with exquisite satin bows. The scents of high-quality handmade chocolates combined with the aromas of butter, vanilla, and sugar. Truly, this shop was a chocolate lovers dream.

She’d pondered her conversation with Ben that day at the shelter. At first, she’d thought he was just schmoozing her to win her vote. But no, he’d been sincere. And besides, his candy had deserved to win.

“Maise!” A handsome, familiar man behind the counter greeted her as she stood at the end of a long line. When it was her turn, he quickly filled her order for seven boxes of chocolate.

“Do you ship to Alaska?” she asked.

“We ship all over the world.”

“Can you put a rush on it? It’s for my five brothers and my divorced parents who live separately.”

“Chocolate is sent two-day air, so it won’t be overexposed to the elements. However, your family won’t receive the candy in time for Christmas.”

“I always run behind. I’ll call them on Christmas Day and explain.”

Ben added a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and an extra box of signature fudge to her order and placed them on the counter.

“I’ll help you drink the hot chocolate,” he replied as she raised her eyebrows. “I wasn’t supposed to be here tonight, but wanted to lend a hand because of the last-minute rush. My sister left a few minutes ago to be with her child. You just missed her.”

“It’s Christmas Eve and completely understandable.”

He gazed at her for a long moment. Around them, the shop began closing down, and he bid his employees a joyful holiday.

He raised the cup of hot chocolate to her. “Merry Christmas, Maise.”

“Merry Christmas, Ben.”

“What are you doing this evening?”

“I’m attending a church service at the little chapel in town, then will order a pizza and going home.”

“I’ll accompany you.” His infectious smile made her immediately agree. “But I planned to make a stop at a military service family’s home. I’m a volunteer for the USO.”

“Is that part of your small-town hero story?”

He nodded.

“I’m fascinated.” She swallowed a sip of hot chocolate, then put the cup aside on the counter. “What do you do for the USO?”

“Anything and everything. I’m dedicated to our service members. But mostly, I provide a listening ear.”

“Can I visit them with you?”

“I’d like that very much.

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