Fudge Bites Page 16

  Chapter 16

  “The yacht club is kind of fancy for a late afternoon lunch,” I said as Trent put his hand on the small of my back and guided me up the steps to the club. The yacht club was located in an old cottage across from the marina. Only members got through the door usually. It was so exclusive, my family had only ever been inside for island fundraisers. Trent could just walk in and ask them to serve us lunch in the sunroom.

  “I know the chef,” he said with a raise of the corners of his mouth. “I’ve asked for steak salads. I hope that’s okay.”

  I gave him a sideways glance. “Why steak salads?”

  “I recently heard you liked them.”

  “I do, but I didn’t know that was general knowledge.”

  “I have my spies.”

  We were seated in an empty dining space near the window. The waiter came out, poured us fresh sparkling water, and then disappeared. A second waiter came out with a lovely zinfandel.

  “To us and our friendship,” Trent said, raising his glass.

  I raised mine as well and touched it to his. “To our friendship.” I took a sip of the excellent wine.

  He sipped as well, then covered my hand with his. “Allie, I want it to be more than a friendship. Have you thought about my proposal? You could have the best of both worlds. Mackinac in the summers, and Chicago in the winters. You can grow your online fudge sales and get them shipped out quickly and reliably.”

  “It does sound nice.”

  “You know you don’t have to live on the island year-round to be a native. Most people don’t. If I remember right, your grandfather told mine that he had been planning on winters in Florida starting this year.”

  “It’s because I was going to take over.”

  “And because there isn’t enough business during the winter months to warrant keeping the McMurphy open.”

  “But there’s Christmas, and the first snow, and the ice bridge.”

  “All wonderful, but January through May, there’s no reason for anyone to be here. Plus, Jenn is in Chicago. You could bring Mal and Mella. They would like a change of scenery.”

  “Who would take care of the McMurphy over the winter? Don’t pipes need care?”

  “You can have someone check on the ol’ girl. Trust me, it’s cheaper to hire someone to check on the building than to keep it going all winter with no guests.”

  “Trent—”

  The waiter brought out the salads and placed them in front of us. Mine looked wonderful, and I was hungry, but I couldn’t start eating until I got something off my chest.

  “Trent, I have to tell you—I’m sort of seeing someone else.”

  “I know Rex is in the mix still,” he said casually, cutting a bite for himself. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  “I’m a big girl, and I can take care of myself.”

  “Fine,” he said without blinking an eye. “Come to Chicago as my friend. I’ve got the kitchen and the apartment above it empty. I need someone to house-sit it for me until April. You can wait until January if you want. The offer still stands.”

  “Even though I’m seeing Rex.”

  “This is about helping my friend,” he insisted. “Now, enough of the hard sell. How are you? What’s the news? I heard that Sandy is moving to the Grander Hotel.”

  “She got an offer, yes,” I said. “I assume she took it, but it’s not until next season. So for now, she’s still running her chocolate shop out of my fudge shop.”

  “I didn’t realize there’d be much call for chocolate sculptures in the off-season.”

  “She’s got her own website and has been selling things online. She has to pack them extra carefully, and she’s even been known to fly to help set them up, if need be. She’s a real talent. I was lucky to have her for one season.”

  “She should have her own shop.”

  “Working at the Grander will pay her enough to save for her own shop.”

  “She’s smart. Have you put out an ad for a new assistant fudge maker for next season?”

  “Not yet,” I said. “Are other places hiring for next season already?”

  “Most other places use college students to work the summers. But for specialties like fudge makers or chocolatiers, you should be looking right now. Better to have someone lined up now than to miss out on an opportunity.”

  “That’s smart,” I said. I finished my meal. Even with our history, it was not awkward to be with Trent. We still had a good relationship whenever I saw him. It was all the time he wasn’t here that had broken down our path to a more serious relationship. That’s one thing I had to say about Rex—he was always here.

  I relaxed as we finished the dinner. Another glass of wine had me smiling and chatting with Trent as if we were still a couple. I missed him. But there was a part of me that worried that for him, I was merely a challenge. Merely a woman who had said no. Trent Jessop wasn’t used to people saying no to him. If I did give in, would he lose interest? Was that why he was gone so much this summer?

  We stepped out and I drew my navy wool peacoat closer around me. The wind had picked up from the north, blowing cold across the island. It whipped across my face, stinging my cheeks.

  “Thanks for lunch,” I said.

  “I’m afraid I’m going to be relentless about you coming to Chicago,” Trent said. He gave me a hug. “It really would be a good thing. You could see Jenn. I could see you. You’d be able to grow your business. It’s a win-win.”

  I laughed and looked up at him. “You sound like you’re brokering a deal.”

  “I am,” he said. “You’ll find I’m a shrewd negotiator. Look, like I said, we don’t have to date if you don’t want to. We can just be friends. Paige would love to spend time with you, and I’m sure Jenn would be thrilled to see you.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “It’s all I ask.”

  We walked to the street and ran into Rex. He looked from me to Trent and back to me. “Jessop. What brings you back to the island? I thought you were gone for the season.”

  “Yes, well, I had some business to take care of,” Trent said, then he put his hand on my back. “I enjoyed our lunch. Would you like me to walk you home?”

  “I’m good,” I said. “Thanks.”

  I pushed passed Rex, turned up my collar and shoved my hands in my pockets. I had a feeling they both watched me walk away. I was kind of glad I didn’t have to hear what words went on between them. I didn’t want to feel like a bone being fought over by two alpha dogs. Maybe I should just go back to Detroit for the season. Sometimes space helped put things into better perspective.

  Shane was at the McMurphy when I got back. “Hello,” I said as I unbuttoned my coat. “You haven’t stopped by since Jenn left. Are you doing all right?”

  “I’m as good as can be expected.” He shrugged and pushed the glasses up on his thin nose. “Have you heard from Jenn recently? She’s been busy.”

  “Yes. But she still seems excited about the work she’s doing.” I hung up my coat. “You look cold. Can I get you a coffee?”

  “That would be great,” he said, blowing on his hands. “It’s cold working a crime scene.”

  I poured him a coffee with cream and sugar, heavy on the sugar. He sat down by the fireplace and held out his hands. “Was this a tough scene?” I asked. “I mean, I know it was in the scrub patch, but did you know the person?”

  He took the coffee from me and took a sip. “The body was at least a month old.”

  “Oh,” I said. “Was there much left of the remains? Anything to identify the person?”

  “They were still dressed, so maybe we can go on that. I’m going to have a forensic artist create what the person might have looked like.” He sipped more coffee.

  “If it was a local, someone would have reported them missing, wouldn’t they?”

  “Not necessarily,” he said. “September is about the time people start leaving for their winter roosts.”

  �
�Huh,” I sat back. “What about the bag? Do you think the two are connected?”

  “We’ll have to see. The canvas was pretty good cover for the hymnals, so it’s possible they were there this entire time.”

  “But not likely.”

  “No, not likely. We’ve had some good storms this last month. The books at the front should have gotten wet.”

  “The bag was closed tight when I found it,” I admitted. “I didn’t think it was part of a crime scene, and my curiosity got the best of me.”

  “So you opened it.”

  “I did.”

  Just then, Elmer Faber came tromping down the stairs with two men on his crew trailing behind him. “We’re done for today,” he said. “I’ve left the pile of two-by-fours at the bottom of your steps. I figure with all the cameras you have, it will be safe.” He paused and nodded at Shane, then turned back to me. “We’ve locked your place up tight. Frances has the dog, but we haven’t seen the cat.”

  “Thanks for checking,” I said, getting up.

  “We’ll be in at eight tomorrow. Any guests we need to worry about?”

  “No guests.”

  “I’ll have my interior crew here as well finishing up the second-floor remodel. I figure one more day of that and we’ll be done, at least with our part. You’ll still have to do all the decorating and stuff. We just do the heavy lifting.”

  “Thanks,” I said. I waved to the other guys as they left through the front door.

  “I didn’t know you were remodeling. Your apartment too?”

  “No, actually they’re working on the roof deck supports,” I said. “I’ve had men in and out of my attic all day.”

  “Ah, Jenn’s idea.”

  “Yes,” I said. I sat back down and curled my legs underneath me. “She will be super proud when she comes back.”

  “I’m going to see her next weekend,” Shane said. “So don’t you be getting into any trouble between now and then.”

  “Oh no,” I said. “Who will be our CSU when you’re out of town?”

  “Hey, a guy’s got to have a vacation, you know.”

  “You have to admit I’ve been keeping you employed.”

  He frowned. “The lab is so backed up now, I could not have another scene to investigate until the end of May and still not get through all the tests. It’s just me and one lab tech, you know.”

  “Who’s the lab tech? Do I know him?”

  “Her,” he said. “Kendra Zeller. She got out of Northwestern a year ago with her MS in forensic science. Best scientist I’ve ever met, even though she’s young.”

  “Is she living in St. Ignace?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” I asked, then smiled. “I mean, if she’s the best, then she would want the best equipment and opportunity to grow in her profession, right?”

  “She’s been on a mission to help clear backlog at county labs. It’s like this thing. She figures if she can clear backlog, then she can move to another lab in need about every two years. It’s brilliant, actually. She will get to work cases all across the United States while helping others. I almost wish I could join her.”

  “Almost?”

  His features softened. “I don’t really want to go anywhere and leave my girl back home—well, in Chicago.”

  I sat back and studied the flames. “Trent is back on the island.”

  “Huh.”

  “He asked me to move to Chicago after Christmas. He’s got this idea that it will be hard to ship my fudge once deep winter hits.”

  Shane nodded his head. “He’s right. Gets real cold, real fast, and the flights coming in and out are scarce.”

  “I was afraid of that,” I said, tightening my lips. “He’s got a commercial kitchen for rent with an apartment over it.”

  “Is it furnished?”

  “I didn’t ask. Why?”

  “One bedroom or two?”

  “Also didn’t ask . . .”

  He winked at me. “I’m looking for a place to crash when I go to Chicago.”

  I frowned. “You’re not staying with Jenn?”

  “She has a roommate. She’s trying to save money to start her own business for real.”

  “She’ll get it done.” I paused. “If I spent the deep winter in Chicago, I could see Jenn every night for wine, if I wanted.”

  “Not every night if I’m in town.”

  “Okay, not every night. But I miss her. It would be nice to have a friend nearby.”

  “You have friends here.”

  “Yes, I do, but they’re all starting to pack up and leave for the winter. I don’t want to be alone. What if I end up being a body decomposing in a wood somewhere until someone notices I’m gone or stumbles across me?”

  “Now you’re being morbid.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” I sipped my coffee. “I want to experience a full year on Mackinac island. I’ve dreamt of it my whole life.”

  “Don’t go, then. Rex will be here, and Brown and Lasko. They’re your friends.”

  “Yes, true. And I know Liz said she’s not going south this winter. I never asked Sophie, though.”

  “Who do you think pilots here a couple of times a week?” he asked. “But she has family in Green Bay so she usually doesn’t stay.”

  “Not because she doesn’t want to,” Frances said from halfway down the stairs. Mal ran from her heels to me and hopped up on my lap before I even knew what hit me.

  I petted my dog and laughed at her antics. “Why doesn’t she stay?”

  “No place to get a room. Everyone closes down,” Frances said. She pulled up a chair. “Are you thinking about closing?”

  “Trent’s offered her a commercial kitchen and an apartment to rent for the dead of winter.”

  “Really?” Frances said, studying me. “I suppose you would be able to see Jenn.”

  “He said that I’ll find it hard to ship from the island after Christmas. I could keep the online fudge business going more easily if I went back to Chicago for the winter.”

  “Or Detroit, I suppose,” Douglas said as he came into the lobby from the backdoor area. “I’m sure your parents would love to see you.”

  “What about you two?” I asked, craning my neck to see them both. “What would you do if I left?”

  Douglas looked at Frances.

  “We were talking it over after you asked last time,” Frances said. “We decided if you did end up closing, we wouldn’t stay. Our honeymoon in Hawaii was so much fun, we thought maybe we would try out some other islands for a few weeks.” She smiled warmly at her husband.

  Great. My entire little family that I thought I was building wanted to go separate ways. What was I going to do now?

  * * *

  BUTTERSCOTCH FUDGE

  2 cups butterscotch chips

  1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

  2 tablespoons butter

  1 teaspoon vanilla

  Prepare an 8-inch pan by lining with parchment and greasing with butter. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine butterscotch chips with sweetened condensed milk and butter. Microwave on high for one minute, then stir. It may need 30 more seconds in the microwave. Stir and repeat as needed until all chips are melted. Add vanilla and stir until combined. Pour into pan and refrigerate until firm. Take out of pan and remove parchment. Slice and enjoy!

  Makes about 64 1-inch pieces of fudge.

  Chapter 17

  Mella still hadn’t come home by Saturday morning. I finished making the fudge, hung up my apron, and went to check on the progress of the remodelers on the second floor. In one week, they had pulled up and disposed of all the carpeting on this floor along with the mattresses on the beds. The hallway and all the rooms had received a fresh coat of paint. The floors had been sanded and stained, and today the workers were pouring the urethane to protect the wood. To do that Douglas had helped move the furniture out of the rooms, into the elevator, and up to the third-floor hallway.

  The workers moved swiftly. The smell
of the urethane was pretty thick, so all the windows were opened. I wore a jacket because I’d turned off the heat in the building. No sense in heating the entire island, especially when there was a chill October wind blowing in from the lake.

  “Winter’s coming,” Elmer said. He blew on his hands, but otherwise showed no sign of being cold.

  I held Mal to keep her off the floor, and we both shivered. “Can’t wait.”

  “I hear you’re thinking of going to Chicago after the Christmas season.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “A little birdie,” he said. “If I were you, I’d consider it. It gets hard living on the island in the dark months. It can be a rough place. Not so nice for a woman alone.”

  “Well, I didn’t think I’d be alone,” I said.

  “Suit yourself,” he shrugged. “Most of my crew and I will be under the bridge with the trolls during those months. Work is hard to come by in construction once the snow flies. My family and I have a lake house in Branson, Missouri.”

  “What about your kids?”

  “One’s married and living in Denver. The other’s in college.”

  I sighed and looked at the floors. “We have to stay off the floors for twenty-four hours, right?”

  “Yes. It’s why I do them on Saturdays. Gives the guys Sunday off, and then we’ll check the floors on Monday. If all goes well, we’ll be moving the furniture back on Monday and putting final touchups. The new mattresses will arrive Tuesday. We’ll get them on the beds, and then get back to the roof work.”

  “Great,” I said. “It’s gone by pretty fast.”

  “Well, lots of guys are looking for work right now, so I was able to pull together a large crew,” Elmer said.

  “I would have thought other hotels would remodel after the season was over.”

  “Most close for the winter and start booking their maintenance and remodel work in the spring. That’s our busy time. You were smart to do it now. Got my best crew and thirty percent off the price.”

  “Yes, well, I learned during the remodel I did this past spring just how pricey it can get. Thanks for the tip on doing it in the fall.”