call wanting to know if they were booked solid for Christmas and New Year's which she had to tell them she was. She truly hated turning away business.
In the middle of the chaos a local news team showed up. Host Andrew Walters, who she'd known for years wanted to do a quick puff piece for the evening news and of course she was happy to help out.
"Just a few minutes telling us what's popular for Christmas this year and if we could talk to a few customers..."
She looked around wildly spotting Sam Dixon from next door drinking coffee and enjoying one of her chocolate creations as well as two of her friends from her past life as a loans officer at the bank drinking hot chocolate while taking a break from their last minute Christmas shopping.
"Just give me a few minutes to ask some of my customers," she said.
She went over and asked them if they'd be willing to appear on TV.
"We'd love to," gushed Helen, her eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree. Marissa also didn't seem immune to the glamor of a TV appearance.
And since they were both in their mid-twenties with figures that owed more to strenuous workouts at the gym than daily doses of chocolate they'd look good on TV. She moved onto Sam.
"No. No way," he said waving his hand in the direction of the TV camera as if trying to shoo it away.
"Come on Sam," she said, annoyed. "You love my chocolates."
"I don't love being asked questions on TV. Find some more friends like," he gestured in Helen and Marissa's direction, "those two! They're happy, you're happy."
She put her hands on her hips and just looked at him. "I'm asking you," she pointed out. "It'll be good publicity for your business." She leaned forward dropping her voice, "besides you owe me."
"Oh, OK," he said, his voice a growl that would intimidate many. Not Maxine. She knew the truth about Sam Dixon. At heart he was a softy – and besides they had history together.
Moments later Andrew started the interviews outside Au Chocolat.
"What is it that makes these chocolates so special?"
Marissa just looked at him. "Have you tasted them?"
"They're so good," Helen put in, ducking in front of Marissa and smiling into the camera. "I mean she's got so many kinds, from salted caramels to chai crèmes."
"And then there's the baking. I've ordered two Chocolate Yule Logs for Christmas," Marissa said, not to be outdone.
"I can see you two are clearly fans," Andrew said laughing. After that he moved inside talking to Sam.
"Why do I come here," Sam said. "It's right next door and I consider chocolate to be the fifth food group. Besides," he waggled is eyebrows suggestively, "have you seen Maxine?"
She felt her face heat up. "Sam owns the gallery next door. We're good friends and even someone as talented as Mr. Dixon is, does need a break," she said.
"And inspiration," he said smiling seductively.
She glared at him. "He paints trees," she said, more than a little flustered. "And landscapes."
"I'm thinking of doing a chocolate series," he said.
Andrew made a few more comments bringing the interview to a close. "Well, there you go folks. If you need a break from Christmas shopping or maybe some chocolates for under the tree drop by Au Chocolat. You can sample some of her chocolates or just relax over some hot chocolate."
"Thank you so much," she said giving him a hug. They'd gone to school together and remained friends over the years.
He hugged her back and she couldn't help noticing Sam looked less than pleased, his face showing none of his teasing humor, as a black cloud settled over it making him appear broody and angry.
"You'll let me know if something happens with the Julianna case," he said.
"Not if it jeopardizes a crime investigation," she said.
"I'd never expect you to do that," he said hurriedly. Then he grinned at her and she saw the ten year old he'd been those many years ago. "If you're going to the press anyway you could always start with me."
She just smiled. "We'll see," she said, picking up one
In the middle of the chaos a local news team showed up. Host Andrew Walters, who she'd known for years wanted to do a quick puff piece for the evening news and of course she was happy to help out.
"Just a few minutes telling us what's popular for Christmas this year and if we could talk to a few customers..."
She looked around wildly spotting Sam Dixon from next door drinking coffee and enjoying one of her chocolate creations as well as two of her friends from her past life as a loans officer at the bank drinking hot chocolate while taking a break from their last minute Christmas shopping.
"Just give me a few minutes to ask some of my customers," she said.
She went over and asked them if they'd be willing to appear on TV.
"We'd love to," gushed Helen, her eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree. Marissa also didn't seem immune to the glamor of a TV appearance.
And since they were both in their mid-twenties with figures that owed more to strenuous workouts at the gym than daily doses of chocolate they'd look good on TV. She moved onto Sam.
"No. No way," he said waving his hand in the direction of the TV camera as if trying to shoo it away.
"Come on Sam," she said, annoyed. "You love my chocolates."
"I don't love being asked questions on TV. Find some more friends like," he gestured in Helen and Marissa's direction, "those two! They're happy, you're happy."
She put her hands on her hips and just looked at him. "I'm asking you," she pointed out. "It'll be good publicity for your business." She leaned forward dropping her voice, "besides you owe me."
"Oh, OK," he said, his voice a growl that would intimidate many. Not Maxine. She knew the truth about Sam Dixon. At heart he was a softy – and besides they had history together.
Moments later Andrew started the interviews outside Au Chocolat.
"What is it that makes these chocolates so special?"
Marissa just looked at him. "Have you tasted them?"
"They're so good," Helen put in, ducking in front of Marissa and smiling into the camera. "I mean she's got so many kinds, from salted caramels to chai crèmes."
"And then there's the baking. I've ordered two Chocolate Yule Logs for Christmas," Marissa said, not to be outdone.
"I can see you two are clearly fans," Andrew said laughing. After that he moved inside talking to Sam.
"Why do I come here," Sam said. "It's right next door and I consider chocolate to be the fifth food group. Besides," he waggled is eyebrows suggestively, "have you seen Maxine?"
She felt her face heat up. "Sam owns the gallery next door. We're good friends and even someone as talented as Mr. Dixon is, does need a break," she said.
"And inspiration," he said smiling seductively.
She glared at him. "He paints trees," she said, more than a little flustered. "And landscapes."
"I'm thinking of doing a chocolate series," he said.
Andrew made a few more comments bringing the interview to a close. "Well, there you go folks. If you need a break from Christmas shopping or maybe some chocolates for under the tree drop by Au Chocolat. You can sample some of her chocolates or just relax over some hot chocolate."
"Thank you so much," she said giving him a hug. They'd gone to school together and remained friends over the years.
He hugged her back and she couldn't help noticing Sam looked less than pleased, his face showing none of his teasing humor, as a black cloud settled over it making him appear broody and angry.
"You'll let me know if something happens with the Julianna case," he said.
"Not if it jeopardizes a crime investigation," she said.
"I'd never expect you to do that," he said hurriedly. Then he grinned at her and she saw the ten year old he'd been those many years ago. "If you're going to the press anyway you could always start with me."
She just smiled. "We'll see," she said, picking up one
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