Chocolate Goodies
Jacquelin Thomas
Coco Stanley can't believe the way her high-end chocolate specialty shop has taken off.But her own exotic appetite is aroused when the most mouthwatering confection she's ever seen walks through the door. He's Ransom Winters, self-made millionaire and compassionate youth counselor to the troubled kids in their L. A. neighborhood. Ransom's proud of his program for at-risk teens. And once he meets the owner of Coco's Chocolat, the Grammy-winning songwriter gets another brainstorm.But jobs for his boys aren't the only thing Ransom wants from Coco. Now if only he can get the relationship-wary chocolatier to say yes to a lifetime of sweet bliss…starting on Valentine's Day! Because chocolate can be fleeting, but love is forever.
Excerpt
Ransom pulled her into his arms, kissing her lips. His tongue sent shivers of desire racing through her. Coco matched him kiss for kiss.
Weakened by his yearning for her, Ransom pulled away, saying, “Sweetheart, we really have to stop.”
“I know…but I don’t want to,” she moaned. The kiss had left her weak and a bit confused.
Ransom kissed the top of her head. “Coco, you have my flesh screaming for you right now.”
It was going to take all of his willpower to walk out of that house tonight. Ransom was going to have to leave soon, before he gave in to the passion that had been building since he laid eyes on this luscious beauty.
JACQUELIN THOMAS
is a bestselling author of more than thirty books and is an avid reader of romance novels when she’s not writing. She and her family live in North Carolina, where she is busy working on her next book.
Books by Jacquelin Thomas
Kimani Romance
The Pastor’s Woman
Teach Me Tonight
Chocolate Goodies
Chocolate Goodies
Essence Bestselling Author
Jacquelin Thomas
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/)
Dear Reader,
February is the month of love!
I love Valentine’s Day and everything that it represents when it comes to romance. One of my favorite gifts is chocolate—I love it. Flowers are also nice, but there’s just something so special about chocolate. Chocolate has a power to captivate unlike any other food. Two of my favorite desserts are Molten Chocolate-Caramel Cake and Chocolate Crème Brûlée.
Grab your favorite chocolate dessert, a comfortable seat and settle down to meet Ransom Winters and Coco Stanley. I enjoyed writing about them and sharing their journey to happily-ever-after with you.
Thanks for the never ending show of support and Happy Valentine’s Day.
Jacquelin
Chapter 1
“Michael, all that hip-hop music doesn’t bother you?” twenty-nine year old Constance Stanley asked her brother as they finished packing up a box of chocolates shaped like the Easter Bunny. She was going to drop it off to a preschool down the street from her house later that evening.
The school was having its annual Easter celebration on Friday. Stanley Chocolates donated a box to them every year.
“And if that wasn’t bad enough, all I ever see coming out of D-Unit is a bunch of thugs,” she complained. “Why didn’t the owner just open a music store on Crenshaw or in Compton—anywhere but here in Brentwood?”
“Coco, you worry too much,” Michael responded. “There’s been no trouble since the store opened, and none of the other tenants are complaining. Have you even gone over there to meet the owner?” Her brother managed their family-owned chocolate factory, Stanley Chocolates, which was next door to her shop.
“No. I’m not sure I want to meet him, either,” she huffed. He’s probably a thug as well, she thought, but didn’t say it.
“I think you’d feel better if you do,” Michael said as he followed her out to her car. “Instead of making all these snap judgments. C’mon, I’ll walk over there with you.”
Coco unlocked her door and then shielded her eyes from the bright morning sun. It was a beautiful day in April. Much too pretty to be working inside, but life didn’t stop for perfect spring days.
“I don’t know…maybe later this afternoon,” she told him. “That way I can tell him to turn down his music. We definitely don’t need him or her scaring away our customers.”
Michael laughed. “The music is not that loud, Coco. You can’t even understand the lyrics. As for ruining business, I don’t think you have to worry about that. You know the saying, ‘chocolate is a girl’s best friend.’”
“Speaking of chocolate,” Coco began, “I have this idea for a new product for my shop. What do you think of combining cardamom, citrus and organic walnuts with Venezuelan dark chocolate?”
“Sounds delicious,” he murmured. “Is this something you want me to experiment with?”
“Actually, I think I’m going to play around with it myself,” Coco said with a quick shake of her head. “You have enough to do with that big order that just came in for the Randolph Hotel.”
Jacquelin Thomas It’s not like I have much of a social life these days.
Coco checked her watch. “I need to get out of here. It’s almost time for me to open.”
Michael gave her a hug. “See you later, sis.”
She left the plant and walked next door.
Shortly after Coco opened the doors, her first customer strolled inside.
“Good morning, Stella,” she said with a smile.
“Hey, girl,” she responded. “Coco, I need half a pound of almond butter crunch.”
She quickly packaged the order and handed it to her customer. “It’s going to be twenty dollars even.”
“Thank you,” Stella said. “I just broke up with my boyfriend so I’m curling up tonight when I get home, with a good book and this bag of chocolates. They always make me feel better.”
Coco nodded in understanding. There had been many nights when she’d bonded with a bag of chocolate-covered peanuts and a book or a feel-good movie.
Like her brother said, chocolate was a girl’s best friend. It was this guilty pleasure that kept her family in business. She had skillfully turned Coco’s Chocolate Bar into a very successful venture.
Constance, who preferred to be called by her nickname, Coco, descended from a long line of chocolatiers dating all the way back to the early nineteen hundreds. Her great-great-grandparents had made chocolate and sold it to the local markets. When Coco graduated from college, she’d opted to open a gourmet chocolate shop featuring exotic spices and flavors and make all the chocolate, too, instead of following the family tradition of only making chocolates and distributing them to other stores. Coco had always wanted to open her own specialty shop; it had been a lifelong dream as long as she could remember.
Coco’s Chocolate Bar carried exotic chocolates like ones made of sea salt and roasted almonds, pralines and peanuts from Marcona, Spain. Dark chocolates rich with the zip of New Orleans–style chicory coffee and cocoa nibs.
Based in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, Coco’s featured a warm and cozy sitting area, adorned with a beautiful marble bar with mint-green leather chairs for customers to gather and enjoy a taste of her unique chocolates, all of which were produced in the huge plant next door. She also carried her family’s line of chocolates.
A young woman strolled into the shop, propelling Coco out of her musings. “Hey you,” she said. “Elle, what are you doing here?”
The woman smiled. “I was in the area, so I thought I’d come by and pick up some white-chocolate-covered pralines for Mama. You know how much she loves them.”
Coco scooped up the treats into a shiny silver bag. “How is Aunt Amanda doing, Elle? I haven’t seen her in months.” She tied a mint-green ribbon with brown polka dots around the bag, and then handed it over. She and Elle had been friends since they were both toddlers. Their families were close, so Coco considered them an extended part of her own.
“She’s fine,” Elle responded. “Just needs to take it easy, but you know how she is—she’s not listening to anything her children tell her.”
“How are my babies doing?” Coco inquired, referring to Elle’s twin boys.
“Great,” she answered. “They are not babies anymore, though. They’re growing up so fast. I can hardly believe that they’re almost four years old.”
“That’s why you have to enjoy them as much as you can,” Coco said. “My niece is turning five on Saturday. I don’t know where the time has gone. It seems like it was just a few months ago that I was changing Cinnamon’s diapers and giving her a bottle.”
Elle sat down in one of the chairs at the bar. “We haven’t talked in a while. What’s going on with you, Coco? Anyone special in your life?”
“Nope,” she answered. “There’s no one special. Other than working, there’s nothing else going on right now. I’m not complaining, though. I need a little break. Valentine’s Day was a bit hectic this year and March was a steady pace. So far April has been good. I expect this weekend to get a little crazy, since it’s the Easter weekend.”
“I picked up my stuff for the boys’ baskets,” Elle said. “Now I just need to sit down and do them. Some days I’m just so tired, all I want to do is sleep.”
“Are you feeling okay?” Coco asked out of concern.
Elle nodded. “I’m fine. I’ve put on some weight from all of the eating out and lying around. I think I’m going to go to the gym after Easter.” She gestured toward the door. “I see there’s a new store across the street. D-Unit? Have you been over there yet?”
Coco shook her head, turning up her nose. “All I ever hear is hip-hop music, so I won’t be giving them any of my money. I really wish they had moved to a different location.”
“Why?”
She leaned forward, her elbows resting on the bar. “Elle, I moved out here for a reason. See how nice it is? I don’t want to be in an area infested with thugs. What do you think that music store is going to bring?” she asked. “Thugs.”
“What does Michael think? The factory has been in this location for a while.”
“My brother thinks I worry too much. I don’t think he worries enough.”
Elle chuckled. “Sounds like me and my brothers.”
“I saw your hubby yesterday. Did he tell you?”
She nodded. “Brennan’s leaving to go to Costa Rica on Saturday. He’s going to be gone for a week.”
Coco eyed her friend. “Why don’t you go with him? You have more than enough people to help with the twins.”
“He wants me to, but I don’t know.”
“Elle, what’s up?”
“I just feel that I need to stay home. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m always tired, it seems, and then Ivy’s ex-husband is getting married on Saturday and she’s very upset about it, so I think I should stay with her. We’re going to take her to a spa that day and then do some retail therapy.”
“I remember she was pretty upset over the divorce.” Coco shook her head. “I can’t believe Charles is getting married again.”
Elle nodded. “Ivy kept hoping they would get back together. They had even starting seeing each other last July, and spending time together. Then right after Christmas, Charles announced that he was engaged. Apparently he must have been seeing this girl and Ivy at the same time.”
“What a jerk,” Coco declared.
Elle agreed, switching her purse from one side to the other. “I’m so disappointed in him.”
Coco walked her out to her car. Once outside, she heard music blaring from the center and asked, “Can you hear that craziness?”
“It doesn’t sound bad. You just don’t care for hip-hop music.” Elle listened for a moment. “It’s not too loud and you only hear it when the doors open, actually.”
“It’s a genre of music I wish would just die,” Coco uttered. “There’s just nothing good about it, in my opinion.” She loved classical music, gospel and old school R&B, and truly believed that the world could do without rap music.
“I like some of it,” Elle said. “There are a few nice ones out there.”
“I really wish the owner had opened at another location. We didn’t see all these teenage boys in this area until that store opened. They are over there all the time.” Coco’s view of teenagers was colored by what she saw and heard on television. So far, she had not met anyone who could refute the images.
Elle embraced her. “It’ll work out. Most businesses don’t seem to last long over there. That one might be gone before you realize it.”
Coco nodded. “You’re right about that.”
“You should come to Riverside one Sunday for one of the Ransom dinners. We have a great time and I know that Mama would love to see you.”
“I’d love to come. Maybe we can do it one Sunday next month.”
Elle smiled. “Look at your schedule and let me know which one you can make.”
The two women embraced again.
“Have a great rest of the week.”
Coco strolled back into her shop.
The telephone rang.
She knew instinctively that it was her mother calling because she always called around this time. “Coco’s Chocolate Bar,” she said.
“Good morning, sweetie. It’s Mom.”
Coco smiled. “I knew it was you. How are you, Mama?” She propped her hip against the mini stainless steel fridge behind the bar.
“I’m fine. Just wanted to check in with you. How is your day going so far?”
“Great,” she responded. “Elle was just here.”
“I’m having lunch with Amanda on Wednesday. I haven’t seen her in a couple of months so we figured it was time for a girls’ day out.”
“I’m glad you’re getting out,” Coco said. Her mother hadn’t been feeling well due to a bad sinus infection.
“Oh, by the way, Gregory Barton called here. He’s in town for the next couple of weeks and wanted to get together with you.”
Greg was an old boyfriend from her college days. “What did you tell him?” Coco asked.
“That I’d give you his information. There was nothing else to say.”
“So you didn’t mention anything about him getting someone else pregnant while he was seeing me?”
“I figured I’d let you handle all of the particulars,” her mother said. “I know that you don’t like me interfering in your relationships.”
Coco laughed. “You are never going to let me forget that, are you?”
“No, I don’t think I am,” she responded with a short laugh.
A customer walked into the shop.
“Mama, I have to go,” Coco said quickly. “I’ll call you later.”
She silently debated whether or not to give Greg a call. He’d e-mailed her a few times, apologizing for hurting her and for being unfaithful. He had told her that she was the one who had gotten away.
Whatever.
She later decided that it was best to leave the past in the past. She would call Greg back, but only to say goodbye.
Ransom Winters bobbed his head to the thumping music as he strolled around the room, making sure the boys were completing their school assignments.
Thirty-two years old and a self-made millionaire, Ransom was the founder of D-Unit, a structured day program for at-risk teens who didn’t attend school on a regular basis. The boys had a history of excessive class cutting or suspensions in their regular schools; D-Unit was a reputable, short-term alternative for them to attend, but still keep up their regular school assignments.
He paused at the table by a young man wearing a black-and-white Sean John T-shirt. “What are you working on, Jerome?”
The fifteen-year-old glanced up and said, “I have to do a book report on the Civil War.”
“Have you started your research?” Ransom asked.
“Not yet.” He glanced around the room before adding, “We don’t have a computer at home.”
“Do you have encyclopedias?”
The boy shook his head, looking embarrassed.
“You can use the computer over there,” Ransom said, pointing toward the one on the far left. “We have a set of encyclopedias, as well. Let me know if you need any help.”
“Thanks.”
Ransom smiled. He truly believed that it took a village to raise children, and having been a youth counselor in the school system, he knew firsthand that most teens weren’t misbehaving just because. There was always a reason, usually due to what was going on at home: absent fathers, mothers on drugs, etc. His program allowed teens to come to the center and continue their education. He and his staff worked in a Christian hip-hop environment designed to put the teen boys at ease.
Recent statistics showed that the students in his program returned to school with a change of attitude and grades improved. A couple of the boys had turned in their flags, giving up the gangs to which they once belonged. Before they left the program, Ransom met with each of them to help create short– and long-term goals. He followed up, making regular visits to the schools to make sure his boys were on track and had successfully merged back into the school system.
“I’ll be out for a bit,” he told one of the staff members. “I’m going to introduce myself to some of the local businesses across the street. Maybe we can find some more volunteer opportunities for the boys. I’ll pick up lunch. It’s sub sandwiches today. Rick, can you call in their orders for me?”
“No problem,” said the man seated over at a desk in the far corner.
Ransom left the center and glanced across the street. He was always looking for ways the boys could perform the community service requirements that were part of his program. He had been considering going over to the Stanley Chocolates factory to see if they would allow his students to come in and work in some capacity for a few hours a day. Many business owners in the small outdoor mall where he was located hadn’t been real receptive to having boys with baggy pants and hats on backward in their workplace.
Ransom was never one to give up, so he walked briskly across the street and strode into the plant with purpose.
“May I help you?” the receptionist asked.
“I’d like to speak to the manager, please. I don’t have an appointment, so if he or she is busy, I’d like to schedule one. I’m the owner of D-Unit across the street.”
She smiled at him. “What is your name, sir?”
“Ransom Winters.”
“Michael, there’s a Mr. Ransom Winters here to see you. He’s the owner of D-Unit.”
She hung up, saying, “Please have a seat. Michael will see you shortly.”
“Thank you.”
Stanley Chocolates had been around for as long as he could remember. Ransom glanced about the reception area, studying the pictures.
A man walked out from the back. “Hello, I’m Michael Stanley. You’re Ransom Winters?”
Rising to his feet, he nodded. “I am.” He followed Michael to his office.
Closing the door, Michael said, “I saw a message where you’d called me last week. You were actually on my list to phone today. We had a lot of orders that needed to go out and I was short staffed.”
Ransom sat down in the visitor’s chair facing Michael. “I completely understand. I really appreciate you seeing me without an appointment.” He gave a quick overview of his program.
“I applaud your efforts,” Michael responded when he finished his presentation. “I’m sure the response to the center has been overwhelming.”
Ransom nodded. “So much that we’re opening another one in Inglewood soon. The schools seem to fully be on board. Now if I can just get more of the local businesses to lend their support…”
“You can certainly count us in,” Michael said. “However, I would like to have an orientation with the boys who will be coming here, and they must adhere to the rules I set for them. If they don’t, I will have them leave immediately.”
“Understood,” Ransom said. “Thanks so much, Michael. I appreciate it, man.” He stood up. “I won’t keep you from your work any longer. Thanks again.”
Michael rose to his feet. “I’ll walk you out. By the way, my sister owns the chocolate bar next door. You should go over and introduce yourself. She thought you owned a music store.”
“Really?” Ransom asked. “Is the music too loud?”
“I don’t really hear it unless your door is open,” Michael said. “Nobody’s complained, have they?”
“No,” he responded. “But I’ll cut the volume. I didn’t realize you could hear it all the way over here.”
A young woman walked into Michael’s office just as they shook hands.
“Hey, I was just talking about you,” he said to her. “Coco, this is Ransom Winters. He’s the owner of D-Unit.”
She looked surprised, but recovered quickly and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Constance, but everyone calls me Coco. It’s very nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he replied.
Ransom was struck silent by Coco’s beauty. He estimated her to be about five-seven. Her body wasn’t too thin or too thick—just the perfect size, in his opinion, and her clear complexion was a golden-butternut color. Coco wore her hair in a sassy, short style that gave her a youthful look. He guessed she was in her mid to late twenties.
He finally pulled his attention away from her and glanced at Michael, to find him smiling.
Busted.
He had been caught ogling the man’s sister. Hopefully this would not cast him in a bad light. He wanted to leave them with a good impression.
“Sis, I think you need to hear exactly what D-Unit is,” Michael told her, sending a wave of relief through Ransom. “It’s not what you thought it was.”
He smiled at Constance. “I heard that you believed I’d opened a music store. That’s not what D-Unit is about.”
“I did,” she confirmed. “So if you don’t sell music, what do you sell?” Coco scanned his clothing. “Are you selling clothes?”
He shook his head. “I don’t sell anything. D-Unit is a center for teens. Right now we’re geared to helping boys in particular, but plan to add services for girls by next year. We offer a structured day program.”
She regarded him with somber curiosity. “What exactly is that?”
“It’s a program designed to help boys stay in school and on target even when they have been suspended.”
“So all those teens I’ve seen coming in and out of your shop are your students?” Coco asked, trying to hide her astonishment. To her they looked more like gangbangers than students.
“Yes,” Ransom answered. “When they’re suspended from school, they usually do nothing but run the streets or stay home playing video games. Neither is the best choice for them.”
She nodded in agreement. “Wow, you’re definitely not a music store. I totally had you figured all wrong.”
“I guess with the music always playing, it was natural you made that assumption,” Ransom said. “The students seem to relate well to music.”
He liked that she seemed interested in his pilot program. Hopefully Coco would allow one of his boys to put in some volunteer hours at her store. “I haven’t been to your shop, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m pleased with the way things are going. Word of mouth is the best advertisement.”
Michael snapped his finger. “I knew that I recognized your name. You won a Grammy earlier this year.”
Ransom smiled and nodded. “Most people have never heard of me.” He could feel the heat of Coco’s gaze as she quietly observed him.
“You’re one of the biggest songwriters out there,” Michael said. “I know because I have a couple of friends in the industry. My sister here plays the violin.”
Ransom glanced over at her. “I’d love to hear you play sometime.”
She gave him a smile that caused his heart to flip. “You might regret it afterward. I haven’t played much in years. I’ve had my hands deep in chocolate.”
They laughed.
If her brother had not been standing there, Ransom most likely would’ve asked Coco out on the spot. But he decided to keep it professional between them. He still held out hope that she would allow one of his students to fulfill his community service hours in her shop. She was one neighbor he was happy to have.
Coco could hardly keep her eyes off the handsome man standing before her. He was not at all what she expected. Ransom had to be at least six-four or –five, his shoulders broad and muscular. His skin was the color of delectable dark chocolate and his eyes a dark brown with a hint of hazel.
He looked familiar, but Coco was sure they had never met. There was something about his eyes. She searched her memory and came up with nothing. She knew some Ransoms but it was their surname.
“I need to get back to the center,” he said. “But before I go, I was talking to Michael about community service.”
Her brother quickly gave her a recap of their conversation.
“Part of the program includes my students volunteering for community service hours,” Ransom interjected.
“I’m going to have some of them help out in the plant,” Michael announced.
Guarded, Coco met his gaze. “Really?”
He nodded. “I think it’s a good idea, sis.”
Although she was very attracted to Ransom, Coco was not about to have a bunch of teens she didn’t know working in her shop.
“Would you be interested in having one of my students come in a couple hours a day?”
“I’m sorry, Ransom. My shop brings in a certain type of clientele and, well, I’m not sure how…” Coco looked to her brother for help.
Ransom gave her a polite smile. “Thank you for your time. I need to pick up lunch for my students and get back to the center.”
“You left me hanging, Michael,” she said after Ransom left the plant. “Now he probably thinks I’m nothing but a snob.”
“Ransom is doing a good thing with those teens,” her brother responded. “It wouldn’t have hurt to let one come over to help you.”
“I’m not saying it isn’t a good program, but he can’t change those kids overnight. Michael, you are taking a great risk by bringing them into the plant. You need to discuss this with Dad and see what he thinks.”
A flash of anger ignited in Michael’s eyes. “I’m the one in control, Coco. I don’t need to report to Dad—not about this.”
“Those boys lead troubled lives and if they are involved in gangs, who knows what will happen?”
“Maybe all they need is to know that they matter in this world, sis,” Michael pointed out. “We grew up with two wonderful parents. Most of those kids are from low-income, single parent homes.”
“So you think I’m wrong for not letting them come to my shop?”
He met her gaze. “I never said that, Coco. I can’t tell you what to do in your shop.”
“And you don’t want me telling you what to do in this plant, right?”
“Right,” he confirmed. “I have everything over here under control.”
Coco released a soft sigh of resignation. “Michael, I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Chapter 2
Ransom was attracted to Coco, but he was disappointed in her stuck-up attitude regarding her clientele. He really hadn’t expected her to have any of the students waiting on customers, but she didn’t give him a chance to tell her.
He shook his head sadly. He knew too many people like her.
Ransom knew some boys gravitated to gangs because they were looking for something they didn’t have at home—a sense of family. But he hated the way people sometimes tended to prejudge teens. There was always a reason for bad behavior, but most adults didn’t want to dig deep enough to find it. No one had given up on him, so Ransom vowed to do all he could to help out in turn. He was never going to give up on any child.
Before he ended his canvassing, Ransom picked up two more companies willing to give volunteer hours, so he considered his venture successful. He walked to the deli in the next block to pick up lunch before returning to the center.
Some weeks he had as many as ten boys at D-Unit, but he averaged around four or five. He currently had four students, and decided two would go to the Stanley Chocolates factory, one to the grocery store, and the other would do his community service at the restaurant across the street.
Ransom paid for the sandwiches, chips and sodas. He picked up the box and carried it back to the center. One of his staff members ran out to assist him.
“Thanks,” he said.
His eyes traveled over to the fancy lettering in mint green and brown over the door of Coco’s shop.
She really was a beautiful woman, Ransom thought to himself. Even if she was stuck-up. Maybe once she got to know him better, he might be able to change her mind about community service for his students.
That wasn’t the real reason he wanted to get to know Coco. Ransom couldn’t forget that smile she’d awarded him earlier, or the gleam of interest he’d glimpsed in her eyes. They were attracted to each other.
Moving to the Brentwood area had been one of the best ideas he’d had in a long time.
After a light dinner of spinach salad and grilled salmon, Coco settled down in her den and pulled her violin out of the back of the downstairs closet.
She blew a layer of dust off the instrument.
What am I doing? I haven’t played this thing in almost two years. Some fine man tells me that he’d Chocolate Goodies like to hear me play and what do I do? I run home and pull out my violin.
Ransom was just being polite.
I’m doing this for me, she kept telling herself. It has nothing to do with him.
Coco made sure to hold the violin properly, with her left arm curved underneath the instrument, the chin rest placed between her left shoulder and jaw. She began playing softly.
She had forgotten how much doing so soothed and calmed her. Coco had been playing the violin since she was ten years old and loved it, although in recent years she’d put it away to focus on building her business.
She drew the bow across the strings, creating a rich, mellow sound. Every now and then she would pluck a string with her index finger, creating a totally different sound. She played until she felt nice and relaxed, then decided to leave the violin out, because she’d really missed playing it.
Still feeling the effects of the busy day, Coco walked through her house to make sure it was secure. Then she headed upstairs to her bedroom and prepared to take a long hot shower.
Her oldest brother, Daniel, called her not too long after. “Are you in bed?” he asked.
“Not yet,” Coco answered, putting him on speakerphone while she slipped on her robe.
“I’m not going to keep you, but I promised Grace that I’d call you tonight. She wants to know if you’re coming over on Saturday for Cinnamon’s birthday party.”
Coco smiled at the mention of her niece’s name. “Of course I’ll be there. Cinna’s going to be the big five. I can’t miss that.”
He gave her the time and location of the party, and then they ended the call.
Coco slipped on a pair of pajamas, then stretched out on the sofa in the sitting room to watch some television before she called it a night. She always watched the news before going to bed.
She frowned. A couple of teenage wannabe gangbangers had attacked a woman, who’d later had a heart attack. She was in the hospital in critical condition.
Coco thought about the types of teens hanging out at D-Unit and felt a growing concern for Ransom. It was admirable how much he wanted to help them, but did those boys really want help? Did they want a better life, and were they willing to work toward it? She wasn’t sure, and with all the gang activity spreading, she couldn’t help being skeptical.
Her brothers were always after her to stop prejudging before she had all the facts. She didn’t have any children, so her only connection was through her friend’s children and her niece, who was only four, soon to be five. The only teens that frequented her shop usually came with their parents.
“You can’t save the world, Ransom,” she whispered.
Chapter 3
Coco caught a glimpse of Ransom as he crossed the street with two of his students the next day. She eased over to the window, observing the teenagers. They were dressed in baggy pants and long T-shirts. They looked like thugs to her, but it was clear that Ransom saw something else.
He was talking and laughing with them as if they were all friends. If they were such good kids, then why were they suspended in the first place? Coco wondered.
“I hope Michael knows what he is doing,” she whispered, as her mind traveled back to what she’d heard on the news last night. She fervently hoped that her brother wouldn’t come to regret his decision.
She considered calling their father, but didn’t want to upset Michael. He was running the factory, and would be furious with her if she involved their dad.
Her assistant manager, Valencia, arrived and walked to the back to clock in for work.
Coco hid her shock when Ransom entered the shop a few minutes later. Smiling, she greeted him cheerfully. “How are you, Ransom?”
“I’m good,” he responded, taking a seat at the bar. “I figured since we’re neighbors, I should come check out the chocolate here. I’ve heard a lot of great things about this place.”
“So you’re coming to see if it lives up to the reviews, huh?”
He met her gaze. “Something like that.”
She cleared her throat. “So, how do your students feel about having to work in the factory with Michael?”
“They were actually excited about working with him. I also have one working two doors down at the restaurant, and another at the grocery store.”
She frowned. That was not what she’d expected him to say. “Really? They wanted to do it?”
“Yeah, they were eager to work in the factory. I suspect more out of curiosity than anything,” Ransom answered. “To be honest, I was surprised Mr. Chou agreed to let me send a kid over. I half expected him to nix the idea.”
“He’s a nice man and the father of eight, so he must really love children. I know he does a lot in the community.”
“I’d heard that,” Ransom told her. “That’s why I went to talk to him.”
“I know you probably think I’m a snob or something because I refused,” Coco stated, folding her arms across her chest. “But I’m really not.”
“To be honest, I did think that,” Ransom admitted. “But now that I’m seeing this place from the inside, I can tell that you cater to a certain type of customer.”
“It’s not only that, Ransom. What would I have him do?”
“He could sweep up for you, or wash dishes—anything. He doesn’t have to work with your customers.”
“I hadn’t considered that,” she said. “Oh, I’m forgetting my manners. Ransom, would you like something to drink? It’s on the house, and hopefully, it’ll impress you enough to give a good review when you’re asked about the shop.”
His smile sent a thrill through her. “Thank you. I’d like to try one of those…drinking chocolate. Is that a fancy name for cocoa?”
Coco laughed. “‘Drinking chocolate’ is a European term for hot chocolate, Ransom. It’s not a powder like cocoa, but actual pieces of chocolate melted into a cup of boiling water or milk. I always use milk.”
“So which one would you recommend I try?”
“That will depend on what flavors you like,” she answered with a smile. “The dulce de leche is made with real white chocolate and natural caramel.” Coco surveyed him for a moment, then said, “You look like a German chocolate kind of man. My German chocolate drink is made of milk chocolate, caramel and coconut milk. Once you take a sip, you’ll swear you are back in your grandma’s kitchen. I also have strawberries and white chocolate, chocolate mint and Moroccan spice.”
“I’ll try the German chocolate,” Ransom decided.
His cell phone rang.
“Would you excuse me, please? I need to take this call.”
While he was talking to someone back at the center, Coco glanced up at him, studying his profile. This man looks so familiar to me. I must have seen him someplace. But where? There was something oddly familiar about him, although she was still positive they had never met before now.
She poured the hot liquid into two cups, one for Ransom and one for herself. There was nothing wrong with bonding over a mug of drinking chocolate.
She handed him the cup when he put away his phone.
“Thank you.” He took a sip of the soothing liquid and smiled. “You were right. This is delicious and it does remind me of my grandmother’s kitchen. She used to make me German chocolate cakes for my birthday every year until the day she died.”
“When was that?” Coco inquired.
“Five years ago,” Ransom told her. “I miss her a lot. My mom, too.”
“You lost your mother?” Coco couldn’t imagine the pain of such a deep loss. She adored her mom and didn’t know how she would survive such grief.
He nodded. “She died last year.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Coco said earnestly.
“She worked hard all her life,” Ransom murmured. “I’m glad she can rest peacefully now.”
“I suppose that’s a good way of looking at it.” Coco took a sip of her drink, then asked, “Could you please tell me more about your program?”
“Sure,” he responded. “What would you like to know?”
“You get these boys only when they’re suspended from school, if I understand correctly. I guess I can’t help but wonder if what you’re doing really helps them in the long term. You only have the students for, what, three or four days?”
“I have them for the entire time they’re suspended,” stated Ransom. “That can be up to ten days, sometimes longer. And many continue to come back even after they’re returned to school.”
“Is that enough time to make a real difference in their lives?”
He set his drink down on the bar. “I know we can’t save everyone, Coco, but we have had some great successes. I’ve had two boys give up their flags.”
Puzzled, she said, “Give up their flags…what does that mean?”
“That they are leaving their gangs,” Ransom explained.
“Are they safe when they do that?” Coco asked. “I thought the only way out was through death for most of these kids.”
“We move them into a safe house outside of Los Angeles, so that they can live without fear. I have four houses around the country just for situations like this.”
She was impressed. “Wow. Ransom, I think that’s wonderful. It sounds like you’re really dedicated to these boys.”
“I am,” he confirmed. “I really believe that it takes a village to raise children, Coco. Most of the students who have come through my program show a marked improvement when they return to school. When they come to me, I get copies of their school records, which show that most are not bad kids. Many are growing up in single parent homes, and gangs provide the family they crave. Some are misjudged because of the way they dress or who they associate with.”
“I guess I’m guilty of that,” she murmured.
He flashed a winning smile. “It’s not too late to change your way of thinking.”
“Point taken.”
Ransom surveyed his surroundings as he finished his drink. “What are those?” he asked, pointing to the bottles behind the bar.
“Vintage dessert toppings,” she responded. “You should try them. I created them by blending wine and chocolate. I have Caramel Chardonnay, Chocolate Raspberry Cabernet, Chocolate Espresso Merlot, Strawberry Champagne and Extreme Dark Chocolate Decadence.”
“Now I’m impressed,” he said. “I’m definitely going to have to try them.”
“I hope that you will,” she said. Ransom made her heart skip a beat.
“Coco, I hope I’m not about to make a fool of myself, but would you be interested in having dinner with me tomorrow?”
She released a soft gasp. “You’re asking me out? Like on a date?” Duh…
He nodded.
“Sure,” she said. “I’d love to have dinner with you.”
He raised his eyes upward. “Thank you, Lord.”
She laughed. “Okay, what was that all about?”
“I was giving thanks. I’ve wanted to ask you out since yesterday, but I wasn’t sure what you’d say. I don’t even know if you’re seeing someone.”
“I’m single,” Coco assured him. “Since you asked me out, I’m assuming you are, too.”
“You assumed correctly.”
Coco continued to search her memory, trying to place where she could have seen him. “Ransom, what did you do before taking on the plight of teens?”
“I worked as a high school counselor for three years, and then as a songwriter at a big record label for four years, and I freelanced after that. I guess my name got around and I started writing for some major singers. It’s been really good to me. This is why I’m able to start this facility, and I hope to have them all over Los Angeles. I have another one opening soon in Inglewood.”
“It sounds like you are truly one of the good guys,” Coco told him. “I really hope those boys appreciate what you’re doing for them. I certainly do.”
“They show me by doing well in school.” Ransom checked his watch. “I guess I need to get back to my office. Coco, thanks for the drink and the conversation. I enjoyed both.” He pulled out a twenty and handed it to her.
“The drinking chocolate was on the house, Ransom.”
“This is a tip.” He dazzled her with an incredible sexy smile. “I look forward to our dinner tomorrow night.”
She waited until he walked out of the shop before shouting, “Yes!”
Amused, Valencia glanced over at her.
Ransom took Coco to the Jade Empress Pavilion for their first date. She told him she had eaten there once before, but never in one of the private rooms.
“This is nice,” she said, her eyes bouncing around the space, which was draped in rich but soothing jewel tones. “All the green foliage and rice paper lanterns really add to the ambience. I feel as if I’m away at an exotic retreat.”
“I’m glad you like it,” he responded. “I wasn’t sure what you’d want to eat, so I might have overordered, but it won’t go to waste. I can take whatever we have left to the staff and students on Monday.”
They sat down facing each other.
Coco looked stunning in a teal-colored sundress that seemed to love her body, judging by the way the material fell around her hips and flattered her curves.
Waiters started to bring the food out, arranging it attractively on the table.
“We have scallops with a sea garden topping, deep fried stuffed crab claws, Peking duck, Maine lobster, fried rice, and for dessert, mango pudding and Chinese pastries,” Ransom told her.
“Wow,” she murmured. “I think I’ll have a little bit of everything.”
“You are a woman after my own heart!” He chuckled and picked up the chopsticks.
“Are you really going to eat with those things?” Coco asked.
“Aren’t you?”
She shook her head. “Oh no, that’s not part of my skill set.”
“You have to try it,” Ransom said. “C’mon, I’ll help you. Just watch me and then you do it.”
Coco put forth a valiant effort to eat with chopsticks, but ended up laughing at herself. “Okay, I give up. I’m using my fork or I won’t be able to enjoy dinner.”
“You were doing fine.”
“Yeah, right,” she said, pointing to the stain on his silk shirt. “That’s why you’re wearing some of our dinner. Seriously though, I’m real sorry about that and I’ll be more than happy to pay for the cleaning.”
Ransom waved away her concern. “Don’t worry about it.”
Coco stuck a forkful of lobster in her mouth, savoring the flavor. “This is delicious.”
“Have you tasted the duck?” he asked.
“I’m trying it now.” She sampled the tender meat and nodded in approval. “It’s really good.”
Coco took a sip of her iced water. “So tell me something,” she said. “Why are you always playing rap music? Most of that stuff degrades women and glorifies gang life, right? I would think that it goes against what you stand for.”
“Have you listened to the lyrics?” he inquired.
“Not really,” she admitted. “I can’t stand hip-hop, so I don’t really pay attention to it. I’m more of a classical music and old school R & B kind of girl.”
“I think you should be more open-minded when it comes to music, Coco. All you heard coming from the center was hip-hop and you immediately assumed it was bad. You didn’t even bother listening to the lyrics. If you had, you would have realized that it was gospel or Christian hip-hop. I don’t know if you’ve realized this but classical music has been sampled in several hip-hop songs,” Ransom explained. “Nas skimmed from Beethoven’s “Für Elise.” Young Buck used beats from Mozart’s Requiem. Ludacris snagged from both Requiem and Dvorĭák’s Symphony No. 9.”
“I didn’t know that,” Coco said. “That’s pretty interesting—this whole hip-hop, classical combination.”
They continued to talk about music while they finished their meal.
Afterward, Ransom drove her home. Since it was their first date, he didn’t want to keep her out too late and sought to end the night on a high note.
She was still on his mind when he pulled into the garage at his home in Santa Monica.
Coco had a wonderful sense of humor. He had enjoyed the evening with her. Ransom smiled as he recalled how clumsy she was with chopsticks. She’d been laughing so hard at her inability that the results had been disastrous. He glanced down at his stained silk shirt. It was ruined, so he decided to toss it. The evening had been worth it, however. Ransom was looking forward to seeing Coco again.
Coco had misjudged Ransom completely.
He was a really nice person who cared deeply for youth in the community. He was also a lot of fun, she admitted to herself.
He certainly is a good sport. I don’t think I’d be that nice if someone ruined my silk blouse.
Okay, so I know I wouldn’t be as magnanimous.
Coco loved the way his kissable lips parted when he laughed that deep, throaty laugh. He was a very handsome and sexy man. She thought about the sensual product line in her store. She’d sold quite a few of the items, but had never tried them herself. She really wanted to try the body frosting, since she had received such rave reviews on it.
Okay, so I’m totally in lust over this man. Maybe I should go take a cold shower.
It had been months, maybe even a year, since she had been involved in a serious relationship. The older she became, the quicker she was able to detect the jerks, and since she refused to settle, Coco was still single.
She was not a woman who believed she needed a man in her life, but it didn’t mean she wanted to be alone, either. She was ready for that special someone, but he had to come with the whole package.
Her ideal man was family oriented, had a strong work ethic and great sense of humor, and would love her with his whole heart.
Her mind traveled back to Ransom.
“Cold shower, here I come,” she said with a groan.
The next day Coco got up early and drove the short distance to the shop to work on a special treat for her niece. The store was busy because it was the day before Easter Sunday. All of her employees were there and things appeared to be going smoothly.
She didn’t leave until shortly after two. She talked with her assistant manager and another employee before saying, “I’ll see you all on Monday. Happy Easter.”
“Thanks for the Easter baskets,” Valencia told her.
Coco had made one for each of her employees. “You’re quite welcome.”
She walked outside and quickly made her way to her car.
Singing softly with the music, Coco merged onto the 405 freeway, going south. Her brother and his family lived in Marina Del Rey.
“Auntie Coco, you’re here,” Cinnamon exclaimed when she arrived forty-five minutes later. “What took you so long?”
“I’m sorry for being late. There was a car accident on the way over here and traffic was backed up, honey.” The trip normally took her less than thirty minutes.
The little girl hugged her. “I’m so glad that you’re here now. We’re gonna have lots of fun.”
“We sure are,” Coco said.
She waved at her brothers and her parents as Cinnamon led her over to the table where the birthday cake was on display.
“Look, Auntie…I have a Barbie doll cake.”
“I can see that,” Coco responded. “It’s beautiful.”
“We’re gonna have hot dogs and hamburgers.”
“Yum.”
“Auntie, did you make me a special chocolate for my birthday?” Cinnamon asked eagerly.
Every year Coco created a special bag of chocolates for her niece. She pulled out a silver bag now. “How about some white chocolate and orange crème delight?”
“Oooh, that sounds delicious.” Cinnamon held out her hand. “Can I please try some of them now?”
“You have to ask your parents,” she replied. “But you know what I think?”
“What?”
“These will taste better after you’ve had a hot dog or a hamburger. This will trigger the yum-yum buds.”
“Really?” Cinnamon asked, her big brown eyes wide. “A hot dog can do that?”
Coco bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing. “S-sure can, honey.”
“I’m gonna go get one now. I might eat a hamburger, too. I’ll get lots of yum-yum buds then.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” she told her niece.
“Liar liar pants on fire,” Michael said from behind her.
She turned around. “See, that’s why you’re not married.”
He chuckled. “Why? Because I won’t tell lies? You’re probably right. Honesty certainly hasn’t gotten me any closer to the altar.”
Coco feared she had hurt his feelings somehow, so she said, “Michael, I was kidding.”
“I know that, sis. I think there may be some truth to it, though. You know what my date told me last night? She actually said that I was too nice.”
Coco felt a rush of anger. “What?”
Michael shrugged nonchalantly. “Any woman who needs a little thug in her life definitely isn’t the one for me.”
“She actually told you that?” Coco asked. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
He nodded in agreement. “I couldn’t get away from her quick enough.”
Coco looped her arm through her brother’s. “Well, it’s just you and me.”
“Not anymore,” Michael responded with a grin. “You’re hanging out with Ransom these days. How did your date go?”
“I ruined his silk shirt,” she announced. “But other than that, everything went well, I thought.”
“How did you mess up the man’s shirt?”
“I was trying to eat with chopsticks and, well, the food sort of flew away and landed on his chest. I really was aiming for my mouth.”
Michael cracked up laughing. “Stay away from chopsticks, Coco.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” she said. “I’m amazed the man wants to go out with me again.”
“Me, too,” Michael said.
Coco jabbed him in the arm.
She heard Cinnamon calling her name and said, “I guess we’d better get back there and do the auntie-uncle thing.”
“Let’s do it,” Michael said.
Chapter 4
On Monday Coco walked over to D-Unit with a gift for Ransom. She had ruined his shirt so she went out first thing that morning to buy him another one. Coco had found one that was pretty close to the color he’d worn the other night, purchased it and had it wrapped.
He currently had three students, who were sitting at desks working on class assignments or homework. They seemed busy and focused, and she regretted disturbing them by her arrival.
Ransom ushered her into his office.
“How was your Easter?” she asked, taking a seat on the sofa.
He sat down beside her. “It was good. I went to sunrise service and then had breakfast with my pastor and his wife. How about yours?”
“My brothers and I all attended church with our parents and had dinner together afterward.” I thought about you all day long and how much I enjoyed our dinner together.
“I bought this for you,” Coco said. “I felt really bad for ruining your shirt.”
“You didn’t have to do this,” Ransom told her.
“I did,” she replied. “That shirt was very expensive and I’m pretty sure it was ruined. The one I bought isn’t quite the same color, but it’s close.”
He opened the box. “Coco, I actually like this color much better.” Ransom leaned over and kissed her. “Thank you.”
She resisted the urge to touch the place where his lips had been. Her heart was racing and Coco could feel her blood rushing through her veins. She hadn’t known Ransom a week yet and she was already falling for the man.
“Coco…”
She glanced at him. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
“I didn’t offend you just now, did I?”
“No, you didn’t,” she answered. “Not at all. To be honest with you, I loved it and would do it again.”
Whoa. Slow down.
Coco took a deep breath, then exhaled. “I can’t believe I just rambled on like that.”
“You didn’t ramble. In fact, I enjoyed hearing it and would love to kiss you again.”
Laughing, she boldly met his gaze. “What are you waiting for?”
His mouth covered hers hungrily.
A knock on the door had them scrambling for air.
Ransom rushed to his feet and said, “Come in.”
One of the teens peeked inside. His eyes darted back and forth between Coco and Ransom suspiciously for a moment.
“What do you need, Benjamin?”
“Uh…Mr. Winters, I wanted to let you know that I finished my math. Can I get on the computer? We’re supposed to get the information on the history projects. Since I’m not there, I wanted to see if she posted it on the Web site.”
Ransom nodded. “That’s fine, Benjamin. I’ll be out there in a few minutes to check your math assignment.”
His eyes traveled once more to Coco and his mouth curved upward. “I’m sorry for disturbing y’all.”
“It’s all right,” Ransom said. “Back to work, Benjamin.”
“I just want to say one thing, Mr. Winters. You got great taste.” Grinning from ear to ear, the teen closed the door and was gone.
“Wow,” Coco said with a smile. “He’s good for my self-esteem.”
“Benjamin is a good kid. His father left when he was six years old. He’s the oldest of four and his mother is sick. He works nights and takes care of the family.”
“He’s how old?”
“Sixteen. He’ll be seventeen next week. He’s here because he mouthed off at one of his teachers, who was ragging him about homework.”
“Does she know all this?”
Ransom shook his head. “She’s never asked Benjamin about his life. She’s never inquired why sometimes he falls asleep in class or doesn’t have all of his homework done. She assumes that he’s just lazy and doesn’t want to be in school. She has no idea that Benjamin sees getting into college as his only way to a better life for him and his family.”
“Does he have the grades to get into college?”
“He could,” Ransom said. “He’s certainly smart enough. He is a phenomenal basketball player, too, but because he has to work and doesn’t get off until midnight, he has no time for sports or any other school activities.”
“Is there anything that can be done to help him?” Coco asked. “He needs to be able to focus on his academics if he wants to get into college. What does he want to study?”
“Mechanical engineering.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”
“He can do it,” Ransom said. “I’m looking into what services are available to help his family. I’m also trying to figure out a way for him to make some decent money and not have it interfere with his schoolwork. I’m afraid he’ll start looking for ways to make a lot of money in a short period of time, and if that happens…”
“I don’t even want to think about it,” Coco said. “Wait a minute! Maybe Michael can help. Benjamin could work at the plant after school and on the weekends, but he’d still be able to get off in time to do homework and spend time with his family. I’m sure we pay more than what he’s making right now.”
“He makes minimum wage.”
“Yeah, we definitely pay more than that. Let me talk to Michael and I’ll give you a call later.”
Coco was about to walk out of the door, but Ransom pulled her back into his arms and kissed her.
She returned his kiss with a hunger that belied her outward calm. Burying her face in his neck, Coco breathed a kiss there.
“I’d better get out of here while I still can,” she whispered. “I want to catch Michael before he leaves. He has a meeting sometime this afternoon.”
“Thank you,” Ransom said when they parted. “Benjamin deserves every chance he can get.”
Coco waited for her breathing to return to normal. “I’ll call you after I speak with my brother.”
An hour later, she and Michael walked back over to D-Unit.
Ransom met them at the door.
“Coco told me about Benjamin,” her brother told him. “I’d like to speak with him, if you don’t mind.”
“You can use my office.”
While they were in the back talking, Ransom introduced Coco to the other teens and his staff.
“You the lady that owns the chocolate bar over there?” the one named Jerome asked.
“Yes, I am,” she said.
“I bet you have some real expensive candy in there—it looks like it from the outside. I only peeked in once and I felt like I couldn’t afford to even walk in the place.”
Coco wasn’t sure how to respond to his comment.
“I like to see my people do good,” he told her. “It inspires me.”
She smiled. “Jerome, what is it that you’d like to do?”
“Stay alive, for one thing, and then go to college so that I can have my own business one day.”
“From what I’m seeing, you are on the right track, Jerome.”
He gave her a genuine smile.
Coco turned to Ransom and said, “I know what’s missing over here. You need chocolate. Michael and I will get together and send over a nice selection of chocolate snacks.”
Before he could respond, her brother and Benjamin strolled out of Ransom’s office. From the big grin on the teen’s face, Coco knew that Stanley Chocolates had a new employee.
She wished there was something more she could do to help Benjamin.
Ransom took Coco to a Christian hip-hop concert on their second date. Initially, she wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but as she listened to the words, she found herself warming up to the music.
Coco could tell that Ransom was thoroughly enjoying himself. He caught her watching him and flashed her that sexy smile that caused a shudder to pass through her. When she closed her eyes, she could see him covered in body frosting lying in the middle of a bed.
Oh no, I’m at a Christian concert. Please forgive me, Lord. Okay, I need to really get a grip on this lusting.
Coco crossed her legs and focused on the music. She didn’t dare look at him until it was time for them to leave.
“So what did you think?” he asked her afterward.
“Huh? Oh, I had a great time,” Coco told him. “I actually surprised myself because I really enjoyed the music.”
He broke into a grin.
“Okay, you were right. There, I’ve said it.”
“Hey, I’m just glad you had a good time,” Ransom stated. “Coco, thank you for coming with me. I didn’t want to go alone. Concerts are no fun when you’re by yourself, in my opinion.”
I’d go anywhere with you. Well, not really anywhere, but most places.
She caught Ransom staring at her. “What is it?”
“Sometimes you have this look of pure amusement. It’s as if you’re hearing something no one else can hear.”
Man, he’s good.
“No, it’s not that,” Coco said. “Ransom, we’ve only known each other for a very short time, but there are moments when I feel as if I’ve known you forever.”
He nodded. “I feel the same way. Maybe it’s because I really enjoy your company.”
She smiled.
“Coco, I’m not a man to beat around the bush. I’m very interested in you and I would like to pursue a relationship with you. I’d like to see where this road takes us.”
“I feel the same way,” she said.
“Then that means another date has to follow, hence the whole dating thing.”
“Just tell me when and where,” Coco responded with a chuckle. “Actually, I have it. Ransom, my parents are having a dinner party on Saturday for some of our VIP clients. I’d like for you to be my date.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.
Ransom met Coco at her parents’ Century City home. She had gone over there earlier to help her mother with last-minute details.
A woman dressed in a black-and-white uniform greeted him and directed him to the back of the house, where everyone was gathering. As he passed by the kitchen, the smell of freshly sautéed garlic and herbs tantalized his senses, causing his stomach to growl in protest.
Coco saw him and navigated through the sea of guests toward him. “I’m glad you made it. My mom’s dying to meet you.”
“Where is she?” he asked.
“She went upstairs for a moment, but she’ll be back.”
Ransom chuckled. He silently noted the muted gold walls and deep emerald green tones displayed throughout the furnishings. He was still in the process of decorating his new house, so he looked to pick up tips wherever he could.
Coco led him over to her father.
“This is my date, Ransom Winters.”
“It’s nice to meet you, son.” After a brief pause, he added, “I apologize for staring. You look familiar to me and I was trying to figure out if we’d met before. So your name is Ransom Winters, huh?”
“I’m afraid we haven’t met until now, although I grew up with Stanley Chocolates,” Ransom said.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to have met you, Ransom. A real pleasure.”
There was something in the elder Stanley’s eyes—a flash of recognition… What was that about? Ransom wondered briefly. He gazed around the room, taking in the dining guests and the ambience.
Coco introduced him to her brother Daniel and his wife. Then her mother approached them. “This must be Ransom,” she said.
“He is,” Coco replied. “This is my mother, Eleanora Stanley.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Stanley.”
Smiling warmly, Eleanora nodded in approval. “He’s a very handsome man, Coco.”
“Thanks for pointing that out, Mama.” Coco took him by the hand and said, “Will you please excuse us?”
Ransom burst into laughter. “I like your mom.”
“Yeah, I guessed you would.”
A waiter walked up to them carrying a tray of wineglasses. Ransom took one and handed it to Coco. He then got one for himself.
“Just so you know, my mother is not ashamed of her quest to have me married and pregnant. She fully believes that I should have a husband and that Michael needs a wife. Actually, I think my brother needs one, too.”
“So you’re not looking to get married?” Ransom murmured. He was more than ready to settle down himself and start a family. It was all he really wanted in life, since he had achieved everything else.
“I’d like to get married one day,” Coco admitted. “I’m just not obsessing over it.”
Everyone gathered under the huge white tent that had been set up in her parents’ backyard. After her father said grace, the guests formed lines for the buffet.
“Everything on the menu is delicious,” Coco whispered to Ransom. “But one of my personal favorites is the prawns with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers and spinach. The other is the lobster tail soaked in a lemon-butter sauce. And the baked chicken is really good. We use this catering company all the time. If you’re ever looking for a caterer, you should try them.”
Ransom filed that piece of information in the back of his mind.
They sat down at the table that had been reserved for them.
He sampled the food. “I’ll definitely give these folks a call when I’m looking for a caterer,” he told Coco.
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