Shades Of Chocolate (The Bakery Romance Series Book 2) Read online

  SHADES OF CHOCOLATE

  Cecelia Dowdy

  Chapter 1

  The security guard grinned at Toni, wiping the crumbs away from his mouth. He placed the partially-eaten pink, heart-shaped cupcake on a napkin. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  She returned his smile, snuggling beneath the winter cape her fiancé Brian had gotten for her last birthday. “Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. “I’m here to see Brian Carter.”

  The guard nodded. “Go on up. His admin told me you’d be stopping by for lunch.”

  “Thanks.” Toni’s high-heeled shoes tapped against the waxed floor as she strolled toward the elevator. Clutching the handle of her picnic basket, she entered, pressing the button for the third floor. “I’ve got to make it through this lunch.” She closed her eyes, the cool interior of the carpeted elevator bringing her a little comfort. Hopefully, her surprise Valentine’s Day lunch with Brian would give them a chance to talk about the problems they’d been having.

  She exited the elevator, strolled to the double oak doors that led to Brian’s office. She slowly opened the door, blinked several times, her heart pounding. What in the world? This had to be a bad dream. Brian clutched his secretary, Gia, in his arms, kissing her! He moaned, opened his eyes, spotted Toni in the doorway. He dropped his arms, his light brown skin reddening.

  “Toni—” He started toward her.

  She froze, unable to move. She finally backed up, slamming into the wall behind her, her eyes locked with Brian’s. She opened her mouth, but she couldn’t speak. She glanced at Gia, who grinned, her eyes sparkling. Gia’s unbuttoned blouse granted Toni a peek at the lacy pattern of her bra. Finally finding her voice, Toni groaned, closing her eyes, her heart continuing to pound.

  She swallowed when Brian approached, the tangy scent of his cologne surrounding her. She’d usually found joy in Brian’s scent, but now, the nauseous odor of his aftershave just made her sick. He reached for her.

  “Don’t touch me!”

  “Baby, just give me a minute to explain.” His deep voice filled the room, as Toni made her way toward the door. Gia buttoned her blouse, grabbed her pantyhose from the floor and rushed from the office.

  The chocolate muffin Toni had eaten an hour ago swirled in her stomach. A sour taste filled her mouth. The picnic basket slipped from her sweaty, shaky hands and fried chicken and chocolate pie exploded from the container onto Brian’s immaculate beige carpet. Her Valentine’s Day card landed on top of the pie. The intermingled scents of chicken and chocolate filled her nose, the food making her stomach cramp. She pressed her fingers to her quivering mouth. A sour taste filled her tongue. Brian approached her, grabbed her arm.

  Vomit gushed from her lips, right onto Brian’s fancy leather shoes. He dropped her arm. Blackness swirled around her, and she blinked. She couldn’t faint, not right now. She needed to give Brian a piece of her mind. She glanced at him. He studied his shoes, refusing to give her any attention. Did he really care more about his shoes than their relationship?

  She rushed from the room.

  “Toni!”

  His voice echoed behind her but she couldn’t stop. Somehow, she finally made it outside to her car, got in, dropping her keys while trying to put them into the ignition. She couldn’t drive, not like this. Her phone buzzed, but she ignored it. Salty tears slid down her cheeks as she gripped her steering wheel.

  Chapter 2

  “Jason, you’ve been in a funk since your mama died. This trip will give you a change of pace, help you get out there and learn more about the business.”

  Jason Matthews scowled as he listened to his father. He grabbed a pencil, squeezed it until it snapped. Yes, he’d been in a funk because his mom had made an impossible stipulation in her will. Jason must stop working in the family kitchen of their bakery for a few months. During that time, he had to work alongside his dad in the corporate offices of Matthews and Company. He knew why his mom did this.

  She wanted him and his dad to resolve their unending differences. But her plan didn’t work. Jason ached to be back in the kitchen, making cakes, pies, and cookies.

  He glared at his dad, stood up. Bright sunlight shined through the large clear windows of the conference room, highlighting the long Italian wood table. He needed a few minutes to think, compose himself. He poured water from the pitcher into his glass. He gulped down the cool liquid. “Dad, this trip is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard.”

  “Don’t use that tone with me.” His father stood up, walked toward him. People found it hard to believe that they were related. Jason towered over his dad, and they were as different as night and day. His ex-girlfriend Tangie confided she couldn’t believe such a homely man could sire such an attractive son.

  He closed his eyes, the vivid memory floating through his mind. In his lifetime, Jason’s features were often compared to his dad’s. The memories haunted him, and he often wondered about it. Did his dad doubt that he was his biological son? He forced his mind back to the conversation.

  “But Mom wouldn’t want you to do this.” He narrowed his eyes, lowered his voice, making sure he made his point. “Mom opposed expanding Matthews and Company into other states.”

  “Your mom’s been gone for a couple of months now. She left total control of the company in my hands. I want to expand to other states.” He pushed a red folder over to Jason. “Sit down, and let me explain this to you again.”

  Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Jason plopped back into the seat, his father sitting beside him. “Now, according to my research, the easiest and quickest way for Matthews and Company to expand is to acquire bakeries that are already profitable and established.”

  Jason saw a pitfall right away. “You already told me that most of these bakeries are family-owned businesses. These people won’t want to sell out to us and continue running the business as part of our chain.”

  “If we offer them enough money, they’ll do it, believe me.”

  They probably wouldn’t. But he didn’t want to argue with his dad. So much arguing weighed on his battered soul like a ton of bricks. No way on this God-given earth could he take a long road trip, scoping out this list of bakeries. His dad planned on Jason visiting the establishments, talking to the clientele and the owners. Ultimately they’d decide whether the bakery would be a good candidate to become part of Matthews and Company.

  “I’m not doing it.”

  “Stop being so stubborn.”

  “Why are you even asking me to do this? You know I always did what Mom wanted with the business.”

  “Well, maybe it’s time for us to make some changes.”

  His dad had said this several times. He didn’t want to hear it again. When he’d turned ten, his mother had shown him how to bake a lemon pound cake. Jason had been baking ever since. He’d developed a strong bond with his mother, working in the hot kitchen, baking treats at their main Chicago location. The bond he’d developed with his mother had been thick, so thick that he’d always sensed his dad’s resentment.

  Momma’s boy.

  He winced, recalling the hateful words that Tangie had used to taunt him whenever he’d asked for his mother’s advice. The death of his mom still sliced through him like a hot knife, searing his heart with pain. He’d thought of her constantly over the last two months, feeling empty and despondent. Since her death, Larry Matthews had stepped in, forcing Jason to focus on the business side of things.

  His father had always wanted Jason to spend some time learning the corporate side of the business. Heck, that’s partially why Jason had e
arned his MBA from Harvard University. His family’s wealth and influence, his upper-level education, all of it, had molded him to work alongside his dad. But that never happened, and he’d always longed for his dad to approve of his actions. His dad didn’t seem to understand just how much he enjoyed working in the kitchen with his mom.

  Whenever a new customer came into their bakery, raving about the exquisite taste of their sweets, his heart warmed with pride. He didn’t get much warmth and pride from sitting behind a desk, working with his dad, talking numbers and marketing tactics. Besides, his sister Trina worked closely with their dad.

  “Why don’t you send Trina?”

  “Now, that’s a dumb question. You know that Trina has to take care of Antoine. She just can’t leave her son while she goes traipsing on a long road trip.”

  “I’ll take care of Antoine.” He’d been a father-figure to his ten-year-old nephew since Antoine’s birth. He wouldn’t mind Antoine living with him while his sister went on this ridiculous excursion.

  “You’re making excuses, trying to get out of this. If you go on this road trip, find me some successful bakeries to consider bringing on board to Matthews and Company, I’d be proud of you.”

  Jason turned away, stared at the paneled wall, and closed his eyes. Approval, he’d been seeking his father’s approval for as long as he could remember. According to his dad, he could never do anything right. Growing up, he didn’t play football and basketball as his dad had wanted. He’d chosen soccer and signed up for karate. He’d always sensed his dad’s dissatisfaction, and it had always bothered him. His animosity toward his dad had grown over the years, and he’d prayed, begging the Lord to make his father accept him. Larry needed to stop trying to mold him, make him into a different person.

  “Just think about it, Jason. I’ll expect an answer from you tomorrow.”

  He wasn’t giving up that easily. “What about my house and Spike? You’re making it seem like this trip could take months.” He’d worry about Spike and needed to be sure someone would take care of him while he traveled.

  “Trina has agreed to stay in your house, get your mail, and watch Spike.” Ouch, that hurt. His dad and Trina had already discussed this before discussing it with him? So pathetic. It seemed like Trina and his dad were scheming against him, and he didn’t like it. Not one bit.

  He left the room, not even bothering to say goodbye. Being around his father made him angry, yet he wanted his approval. So much turmoil swirled through his brain that he did what he usually did when stressed.

  He baked.

  When he arrived home he pulled out the ingredients for his famous caramel cake. The beige batter swirled through the mixer blade, and he focused on the liquid, closing his eyes, forcing himself to concentrate on his task. He removed the cake from the oven, placed it on the cooling rack. Once it was cool, he frosted it, and boxed it up. He’d take the cake to Bible study. They always socialized afterwards. He really needed to talk to his friends about his impending decision. Could his dad’s request be an answer to his prayers?

  He threw on his overcoat, opened the door to leave for Bible study when his phone rang. His dad’s number flashed across the Caller ID screen. No way was he talking to him right now. The phone stopped ringing, but seconds later, another call came through. Dad again. He’d better answer. “Dad, what’s wrong?”

  “I’d wanted to talk to you about our location on Main Street.”

  Okay, he had his interest. “What about it?” Jason had been wanting to change some of the recipes, add some new items to their menu. His mom had been totally against any changes. She’d refused to change her mind.

  “If you go on this road trip, I’ll let you have total control over that location. You can add whatever recipes you want, change the items.”

  This was news. He’d been dying for control over that location since he’d gotten out of college ten years ago. “Before I agree, I have a condition of my own.”

  “Go on.”

  He swallowed, clutched the phone. “I’m going to take a three-month leave of absence after this trip is over. I have the vacation time. I need some time to myself to think.”

  “Three months. That’s an awful long time—”

  “I haven’t taken a vacation day in three years.” He yawned. Hopefully, he’d be able to stay awake during Bible study. Lately, he’d been burned out emotionally, physically, and mentally. His mom’s death had sapped all of the energy from his system, and he needed that time away from Chicago, away from his dad, away from everything just so that he could sit and think.

  The silence hummed on the phone. Finally the older man spoke. “Okay, take your leave. I guess you’re entitled.”

  He guessed? What did he mean by that? Couldn’t his father see just how messed up he’d been since mom had died? He took a deep breath. “Okay, Dad. I’ll do it.”

  Chapter 3

  “You vomited all over his shoes?” Toni’s best friend, Sheila, sat at one of the tables in Toni’s bakery, her dark eyes widening with surprise.

  Toni nodded, her heart pounding while she told Sheila the details about Brian’s infidelity.

  Sheila selected another cocoa-fudge cookie from the plate, took a large bite. “Hmm.” She finished her cookie. “You broke up with Brian a month and a half ago, and you’re just now telling me the details? Is this the first time you’re telling anybody about this?”

  No way could she hide anything from Sheila. She pulled a chocolate bar from her pocket. Her assistant, Cathy, had just left. She didn’t have any customers at the moment. She could sit and relax for a few minutes. She glanced at her watch. Besides, she’d be closing soon.

  Sheila folded her arms across her chest, tapping her foot. “Well…”

  Toni sighed. Sheila wouldn’t like her answer. But she had to be honest. She took a large bite of the chocolate bar. The taste of the expensive German cocoa filled her mouth with exotic sweetness. She indulged in a few more bites, working up the courage to respond. “I told my friends, Sterling and Rhea. I called them shortly after I found out that Brian cheated on me.”

  “What?” Sheila stood up, paced around the bakery on her small feet, waving her skinny arms in the air, working off her anger. “You told them before you told me?” She finally plopped back into the chair, glaring at Toni. “I’m your best friend, and when you initially told me about Brian last month, saying that you broke up with him, I offered to be there for you as a friend. Listen to you if you needed somebody to talk to.” She shook her head, rolling her eyes. “I’ve always been there for you, supported you during your troubles, and the last time you needed somebody to talk to, you decided to tell Sterling and Rhea, two people you met once at a food conference two years ago?”

  Sheila’s loud voice filled the bakery. Hopefully she’d calm down before another customer arrived. She took Sheila’s hand and squeezed it. “Sheila, you know you’re my best friend. You’ve been there for me since high school, and you were the one person that knew about my dad’s drinking problem, and his abuse against my mom.” She finally lifted her head, gazing into Toni’s eyes. “But I couldn’t tell you about what happened.”

  “Why not?” Her voice softened.

  “Because I was ashamed.”

  Sheila jerked her hand away. “Ashamed? You’ve never been ashamed to tell me stuff before.”

  Toni took a deep breath. How could she explain this to Sheila? “You never trusted Brian. You were always saying there was something about him that seemed dishonest, and I didn’t believe you. My mom told me the same thing.” She’d only taken Brian to her parents’ home one time. Although Brian had acted like the perfect gentleman, her mom had confided to her later that she didn’t trust Brian. “I wanted to tell somebody who didn’t know all about my bad history with Brian, kind of like talking to a stranger. I just needed to talk to somebody, but not a close friend.”

  Sheila’s mouth pressed into a hard line. “But Rhea and Sterling are not strangers. You’ve talked
to them on the phone a lot, and you text and email them. Didn’t you tell me that Rhea sent pictures of the twin babies she had a few months ago?”

  Toni nodded.

  Although she’d only met Rhea and Sterling once, she’d developed a bond with them, but that bond didn’t compare to the bond she’d shared with Sheila. She probably shouldn’t have told Sheila that she’d already revealed this information to Rhea and Sterling. Then Sheila wouldn’t have gotten so upset. She hated seeing her best friend angry. “I know you didn’t like Brian, and I figured you’d be glad to see we’d broken up.”

  “Seeing you suffer wouldn’t have made me glad. But I think the Lord watched out for you. At least you found out about Brian’s infidelity before you married him.”

  Toni glanced around her bakery, digesting Sheila’s words.

  The memory of finding Brian kissing his secretary came to her mind every single day. She swallowed down her shame and humiliation. Gia had orchestrated this entire mess. Later, she’d discovered that Brian had been dating Gia for months, and Gia had been upset that he had broken his promise by not ending his engagement with Toni.

  Days before she’d caught them kissing, Toni had called Gia and told her she wanted to spend some time with Brian. Gia mentioned he’d be working overtime on Saturday, Valentine’s Day, and that she should surprise him with lunch.

  Gia wanted Toni to catch Brian cheating on her, and her plan had worked. She’d broken her engagement. Brian proved to be a skunk, a cheater, a liar, but she still thought about him, fondly recalling the good times they’d shared. How pathetic was that?

  “You seem so sad. Your feelings for Brian will go away, I just know it.”

  But Sheila didn’t understand. Toni wasn’t only mourning the loss of her engagement to Brian. She mourned the loss of her dream.

  “Toni, what are you thinking about?”

  She sighed. “I wasn’t only looking forward to marrying Brian. I also wanted to buy a house, have his children…I wanted us to be a nice happy family.” She folded her arms in front of her chest. “You know that’s been my dream since forever.”