Assaulted Caramel
4/5
()
About this ebook
Bailey King is living the sweet life as assistant chocolatier at a famous New York chocolate company. But just when she’s up for a major promotion, she gets word that her grandfather Jebidiah’s heart condition has worsened. Bailey rushes to Harvest, Ohio, where her grandparents still run Swissmen Sweets, the Amish candy shop where she first learned about delicious fudge, truffles, and other assorted delights.
Unfortunately, Baily’s grandparents are suffering from more than just heart trouble. A local Englisch land developer is trying to take over their shop. And when the man is found dead in the candy shop kitchen—with Jebidiah’s chocolate knife buried in his chest—the sheriff suspects Bailey. Now, with the sweet help of a handsome deputy, Bailey is out to clear her name. But as a cunning killer tries to fudge the truth, she may be headed straight into a whole batch of trouble . . .
Recipe Included!
Amanda Flower
Amanda Flower is an Agatha Award-nominated mystery author (Maid of Murder), who first caught the writing bug in elementary school. She is also the author of Andi Unexpected, the Andi Boggs series, Appleseed Creek and the India Hayes series. When she’s not writing, she works as a librarian at Ursuline College near her hometown of Tallmadge, Ohio. Visit her online at www.amandaflower.com and www.isabellaalan.com.
Read more from Amanda Flower
Farm to Table Mysteries
Related to Assaulted Caramel
Titles in the series (9)
Assaulted Caramel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Premeditated Peppermint Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lethal Licorice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Toxic Toffee Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Marshmallow Malice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lemon Drop Dead Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Criminally Cocoa Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Botched Butterscotch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Candy Cane Crime Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related ebooks
Toxic Toffee Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Know What You Bid Last Summer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Ditched 4 Murder Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lethal Licorice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Botched Butterscotch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Premeditated Peppermint Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Candy Cane Crime Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lemon Drop Dead Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Kneaded to Death Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fresh Brewed Murder Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death by Coffee Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5All Fudged Up Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Courting Can Be Killer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Marshmallow Malice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Sprinkling of Murder Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Carbs & Cadavers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Slay Bells Ring Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Catered Murder Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Engaged in Death Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jealousy Filled Donuts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Criminally Cocoa Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Murder by the Book Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Farm to Trouble: An Organic Cozy Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dead in the Doorway: A House-Flipper Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Escape Claws Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Class Reunions Are Murder Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Guidebook to Murder: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Southern Sass and Killer Cravings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Murder in the Storybook Cottage Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Amateur Sleuths For You
The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5John Grisham: Series Reading Order - 2019 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dust: Book Three of the Silo Series Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pieces of Her: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pretty Girls: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shift: Book Two of the Silo Series Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Woman in the Library: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pale Blue Eye: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Life We Bury Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Three Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Twyford Code: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Eight Perfect Murders: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Murderous Affair at Stone Manor: A Completely Gripping Cozy Murder Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Florida Roadkill: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Courting Dragons Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Hardy Boys Collection Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Secret, Book & Scone Society Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories: A Miss Marple Collection Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Marple: Twelve New Mysteries Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Word Is Murder: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death by Dumpling: A Noodle Shop Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Collective: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Case Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All Her Little Secrets: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Grady Lake: Grady Lake Mystery Series, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Marlow Murder Club: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries Volume One: Whose Body?, Clouds of Witness, and Unnatural Death Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Assaulted Caramel
82 ratings12 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book has everything I look for in a cozy mystery. It takes place in a small town which just happens to have a large Amish community. There is a murder, a wonderful protagonist, food, some romantic tension and a strong family connection. There is also a recipe included at the end. It is the first in a new series by Amanda Flower. I have read other books by this author, and I enjoy her character development, plot development and storyline. A winner in my books.
Bailey King is up for a huge promotion at JP Chocolates in New York City as head chocolatier. Just before the announcement, her grandmother calls her to say that her grandfather is in the hospital in Harvest, Ohio and is very ill. She loves them very much, especially because she developed her love for chocolates spending summers with her grandparents and working in their sweet shop. she heads off and arrives to see her grandfather's health failing and he collapses outside his store. He has just had an argument with an English developer who wants to buy his store. Because her grandparents are Amish, they have no electricity in their apartment above their store, so Bailey has to charge her phone in the kitchen of the store. When she goes to retrieve it the next day, she finds the English Developer dead in the kitchen with the fudge knife sticking out of his chest. Of course, Bailey becomes a suspect not only because she observed the argument and may have killed him because of her grandfather, but her prints are the only ones on the knife.
There should be plenty of suspects but the police have decided that Bailey or perhaps her grandfather might have done the murder. A very handsome deputy has a special relationship with the Kings and Bailey finds herself comparing him to her boyfriend back in New York. As she investigates, she finds out that many of the Amish that sold their businesses to the victim, also had a reason to kill him. Bailey continues to search out information to find the real murderer.
I loved this story. The characters are very believable and very engaging. Maami, Clara King and Daadi, Jebediah King are wonderful people with huge, generous hearts. Even with his heart condition and weakened state, Jebediah puts the needs of others first and never loses his strong work ethic. Clara, a strong woman in her own right is the perfect helpmate. While Bailey is not Amish, she clearly has the same values as her grandparents. Their close bond remains even though she is living in New York. Her father left the Amish faith when he married her mother many years before.
The pace of the story moves nicely not only trying to catch a killer but finding out that the Kings had committed to making desserts for a wedding and they are not allowed to use their kitchen. Bailey jumps in to help and finds out things about the groom that she shares with the police. The wedding itself is interesting, the mother of the bride especially. The groom is the son of the murdered man and the wedding is going on as planned. Seems a bit odd to Bailey. There is a lot happening with quilting bees, community dinners, and even a pot bellied pig that is invited to the wedding. The mystery was a twisty one. I thought I had it figured out but was very surprised by the reveal. Amanda Flower has given her readers a terrific story to savor. I am ready to read the next one in this series. A great book for any cozy mystery reader to enjoy. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Bailey King leaves New York in the midst of the selection process to become head chocolatier at JP Chocolates upon Jean-Pierre's retirement. Her Amish grandfather became ill, and Bailey felt the need to help her grandparents. She intends to return to New York in a few days. Soon after arriving, she becomes the chief suspect when she discovers in the shop's kitchen the corpse of a man her grandfather argued with earlier. She meets Deputy Aiden Brody, a pleasant officer who is a friend of her grandparents. Not all the law enforcement officers are so nice. The sheriff dislikes the Amish, and Deputy Carpenter's hateful attitude shines through. No one cared for the murdered man so suspects abound, including the man's own son who wants to go through with his wedding even before his father's burial. Much of the novel seems to be spent in establishing a feel for the community and characters. I liked it well enough to continue the series, although I hope the sheriff won't be around much longer and Deputy Brody assumes that role.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bailey is a chocolatier in New York, but her beloved grandparents are Amish and own a chocolate shop in an Amish community in Ohio. When her grandfather falls ill, Bailey rushes there to help out where ever she can and be supportive to her grandparents. Bailey finds herself in need of her own support when a much despised member of the English community is found dead in her grandparents’ kitchen. There is action aplenty in this delightful cozy, the first in a new series. Enjoyable characters comprised of a believable mix of both English and Amish persons and an engrossing plot combine for an entertaining tale.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I enjoyed this book greatly, there are a few flaws in it. These flaws are miniscule though and largely only take place near the very end of the book. Everything else is just a fun little cozy mystery that is enjoyable! I loved reading this. I highly recommend it if you are looking for something with a bit of knowledge about the Amish life, but also something that is approachable since the main character is not Amish. I found myself immersed in this and enjoying every single character and I can't wait to read the next one.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A very different type of Amish story, one where a young woman finds her roots in her Grandparents, but she was not raised in the Amish Community.Bailey returns to help her Grandparents in their Amish Candy Shop, when her Grandfather has health problems, not at a good point in her life, she is up for one fantastic promotion, but family comes first.When a murder happens in the back of the store, all of the characters are called into question, and we are left guessing almost to the end. I love when I can’t guess the “who done it” right away, and this one did not disappoint.I loved the relationship she has with her family, but you keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, and page turning to the end.I received this book through Net Galley, and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower begins An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. Bailey King has rushed to Harvest, Ohio to check on her grandfather, Jebidiah King. She received a call from grandmother, Clara that his heart condition was worse and he had been taken to the hospital. Bailey is walking up to Swissmen Sweets (where her grandparents work and live) to sees her grandfather having a disagreement with someone before collapsing (he would not stay in hospital). Her grandparents are Amish and have a strong work ethic. It was at her grandfather’s side that Bailey learned her love of chocolate. It turns out that the man arguing with Jebidiah was Tyson Colton. Tyson has been trying to convince Jebidiah to sell the shop. Tyson has big plans for the town. The next morning, Bailey heads downstairs to get her phone and finds Tyson Colton stabbed to death in the shop’s kitchen. It is soon apparent that the police consider Bailey’s grandfather their prime suspect. Bailey knows that this situation will only worsen her grandfather’s heart condition. She switches out her sugar thermometer for a deerstalker cap and sets out to find Tyson’s killer. I found Assaulted Caramel to be well-written and engaging. It has an easy writing style which made for an enjoyable read. The story has real characters, a lovely setting, steady pace and plenty of humor. One of my favorite things in the book (besides the luscious chocolate and fudge descriptions) was Jethro, the spotted pig. Jethro’s description and antics had me chuckling. I also appreciated the snark from Bailey’s best friend, Cass Calbera. I hope we see more of Cass in future novels. My rating for Assaulted Caramel 4.5 out of 5 stars (I liked it, but easily solve the mystery). I did feel that there was too much internal dialogue (Bailey thinking). The mystery had some good elements and many readers will not guess the identity of the culprit until the second half of the story (or you might be surprised). There are the right number of suspects and pointed clues. I am eager to read Lethal Licorice when it comes out in February.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5ASSAULTED CARAMEL (Amish Candy Shop Mystery #1) by Amanda Flower is a perplexing little confection. This book is like a much hyped chocolate chip cookie that, when you finally locate one and bite into it, you find that it is a run of the mill cookie with only one chip in it. Yes, this story is set in the Amish area of Ohio, the grandparents are Amish as are many of the people of the town, but the book makes almost no use of this "Amishness" to tell the story. Amish is just a term used to make this story different from Ms. Flower's past writing. This story could have been set in any small town and worked quite well. Calling it "Amish" does a disservice to the people who are and to those, like me, who live in a community with them. Any of Linda Castillo's fine mysteries set in this same type of community within the borders of Ohio pays greater homage to the Amish and their ways than this slap dash effort. Putting "Amish" on the cover doesn't add to the respect that should be given to this religious community. I found the most Amish aspect of the entire outing to be the cover image, but beyond that, this was a book conceived and written to cash in on whatever cachet this religion holds for the outside world. Shame on you. And while there is a murder and and the murderer is revealed, the why of the killing was never explained. What is up with that? And just one recipe? Again, what up?
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bailey is called home from her fancy Chocolatier job in NYC when her grandfather's heart condition seems to be getting worse. Her grandfather's health is touch and go but the discovery of an enemy in his candy kitchen doesn't help matters. Bailey needs to be there to support her grandparents' candy business and clear her grandfather from suspicion.This cozy was so delicious, great start for a new series - chocolates galore as well as a look into the Amish world and work ethic. Looking forward to a new one hopefully soon.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This new series by cozy mystery writer Amanda Flower is set in Holmes County, Ohio, where Amanda's personal knowledge and exposure to local Amish practices help make her stories come alive for those whose lives regularly interact with Amish friends and acquaintances. In this first of the series, we're introduced to Bailey King, whose Amish grandparents own the candy shop in Harvest;, Ohio. Bailey herself is not Amish, her father having left the Amish faith before he married an Englischer, and Bailey was raised on the east coast far from her father's Amish roots. Nevertheless she has a close and loving relationship with her grandmother and grandfather King whom she visited regularly each summer while growing up. Bailey lives in Manhattan and is poised to be named the new head chocolatier at prestigious JP Chocolates in midtown Manhattan when her grandfather takes ill and she decides to take a quick trip back to Ohio to see him. Things disintegrate quickly upon her return to Harvest where she is confronted by her grandfather's failing health, a dead body in her grandparent's shop, and the local sheriff's quickly naming Bailey the prime suspect in the murder. I really enjoyed the characters in this new novel - not the least of which is one of Amanda's signature plot points - a beloved pet of one of the main characters who just happens to be a pig. The author kept me guessing as to whom might really be the killer and even when I thought that I really did know how the murder had played out, a last minute switch left me guessing to the end. Looking forward to enjoying more of Bailey's adventures in the next book of the series, "Lethal Licorice."
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower is the first fantastic book in a new Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. It is fresh, emotional, fun and made up of strong characters that you love and others you despise. The story takes you on a roller coaster of emotions as you try to figure out who has murdered the despicable Tyson Colton and why. The way Amanda Flower weaves the Amish community in with the Englischers makes it the fabric of the mystery. I loved it and definately look forward to the next book in the series.Bailey returns to Ohio to check on her Grandfather who is ill but finds the Amish community being targeted by Tyson Colton. When she arrives and Colton is badgering her Grandfather causing him to collapse it sets her up as a suspect when Tyson is found by Bailey dead in her grandparents kitchen in their Amish Candy Shop Swissmen Sweets. Bailey has to help her grandparents keep their business going, clear her name and figure out who really killed Tyson.Bailey is a strong, confident, smart character that seems to be able to hold her own. I think how she handles the arrogant demanding Eileen mother of the bride is awesome. Her chocolate expertise keeps Eileen at bay and her Grandparents business from being maligned by the wicked Eileen. When she meets Juliet and Jethro her pet pig I HAD TO LAUGH. I think her reaction is so funny seeing a pig in a Church and you just have to love Jethro. Aiden the sheriff deputy is compassionate yet smart and doesn't hold a grudge against the Amish unlike his boss the sheriff. When Cass, Baileys best friend, shows up and her quirkiness as well as her smart mouth adds a fun element to the situation. Cass as Baileys side kick in the investigation has a comical relief element and yet her straight forwardness seems to get some results. All characters from Bailey right down to Jethro the pig makes the book work and keeps you engrossed in the story.I laughed, got angry, cried and stewed right along with the story. This book is a great mixture of love, family, faith and friendship. If you like a good mystery, set in a small town with an Amish Community as part of the plot, strong unique characters, with twists and turns on an emotional roller coaster, and so many suspects that make you wonder whodunit to the end then you must read this book. The ending was a surprise but I won't spoil it for you. I couldn't put it down. I would give it 5 stars.If you want to learn more about this book or the authors other books go to:amandaflower.comUNTIL NEXT TIME:GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP ON READING
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was a fantastic intro to a new series by Amanda Flower. Don't let the cute title fool you, this book was rich in storyline, characterization and of course, candy. Bailey King works in NYC and is about to be named head chocolatier at the prestigious JP Chocolates. However, her grandfather's progressively worsening heart condition leads her to Ohio the weekend before the announcement to check on her beloved grandparents. When a local developer is found murdered in her grandparents candy shop, she remains both as a suspect and support for her family. I enjoyed the details of how this Amish community is coexisting with the local English and the characters, both local and her friend Cass from New York are very well developed. The only thing I thought a bit odd was that while Bailey's love of chocolate and candy making clearly comes from her summers spent with Daadi and Mammi in Ohio, her best friend Cass seemed to have no idea about her Amish heritage. I look forward to reading more about Bailey, Aiden, Juliet and hopefully Cass in subsequent stories.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bailey is an up and coming chocolatier in NYC and is just about to be named the successor of her mentor and owner of a famous chocolate...place (chocolaterie?) when she gets a call that her grandfather is seriously ill. So, she drops everything and heads home to the middle of Amish country in Ohio. Her grandparents run a chocolate shop in a small Amish town, which sounds cozy and welcoming as heck, but then of course there's a murder, right in the chocolate shop's kitchen. And Bailey is Suspect Number One.A good, solid start to a new (for me) cozy mystery series. Very Hallmark-like, what with the Big City Girl coming back to Small Town Midwest, needing to choose between the a-hole boyfriend she left behind in the city and the handsome and sweet small town deputy she finds here. Plus, I didn't at all guess correctly who the killer was, which is always a good sign. I'll likely continue with the series. Bonus: it's set in an area of Ohio that's nearby to me!
Book preview
Assaulted Caramel - Amanda Flower
tell.
Chapter 1
I still can’t believe you left!
Cassandra Calbera shouted into my ear. They’re making the announcement Monday. You have to be here!
I held the phone away from my face and imagined my best friend standing in the middle of Jean Pierre’s test kitchen in the back of JP Chocolates in Midtown, New York. She’d be in her chef whites and have her short, purple and black hair pinned behind her ears to keep it out of her eyes. I prayed that she was alone, considering the direction of our conversation. The fewer people who knew I’d left the city, the better.
While Cass continued to tell me all the reasons why I should immediately return to New York, I parked in the first spot I could find on Apple Street, which ran perpendicular to Main Street. Apple trees lined either side of the narrow lane. In the spring, they looked like flowering white torches marching up the road, forming a beautiful canopy. When I was a little girl, I had asked my grandfather why the apple trees never had any apples. He replied that the English residents of the village didn’t like the apples because they made a mess on the street and sidewalk, so the Englishers made the trees sterile. At the age of five, I had no idea what sterile meant, but it sounded bad. "It is the Englisch way, he had said.
To change what Gott created into something more convenient."
This late in September, the tree’s leaves had turned yellow-gold, and a few fell to the sidewalk in the breeze that rolled over the green hills surrounding the village.
Bai, are you listening to me?
Cass demanded.
I took a deep breath. I explained to Jean Pierre before I left. This is a family emergency. My grandfather is sick. Jean Pierre understood. Besides, it’s only Thursday. I’ll be home in time for the announcement on Monday morning.
Jean Pierre might understand, but the selection committee will not. They’re looking for any excuse to give that skunk Caden the head chocolatier job. Just because he’s French, and they think it goes better with the brand of Jean Pierre’s empire. Do you think I should run the mob just because I’m Italian?
You probably wouldn’t be bad at it.
First of all, that comment is both flattering and insulting. Second, you are completely missing my point.
What would that be?
I asked, rubbing my forehead and staring out the windshield of the rental car I had picked up at the tiny Akron-Canton Airport. There hadn’t been much selection, and the inside of the car smelled faintly of stale cigarettes. The smell was giving me a headache. As I stared out the window, an Amish buggy clopped down the cross street. Inside, an Amish man with a long dark beard chatted with the Amish boy in the passenger seat. The boy was laughing. I couldn’t be farther from Midtown if I tried.
Are you listening to me?
Cass asked.
I blinked. I hadn’t realized she was still talking. As much as I loved my best friend, she had a tendency to ramble when she was really passionate about a subject. I’m listening,
I lied.
You not being here the week before their final decision as to who will be Jean Pierre’s replacement only makes it easier for them to give it to that jerk. Is that what you want?
Jean Pierre won’t let them do that.
I had been Jean Pierre’s first chocolatier and protégé for so long, that everyone, even me, assumed that I would be appointed as head chocolatier at JP Chocolates when Jean Pierre retired.
It’s not Jean Pierre’s decision,
she argued. When the chocolate company went public, all the power went to the board of directors, which is the selection committee. Sure, they may listen to Jean Pierre’s suggestions, but they can do whatever they want.
She wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t already know. I rubbed my temples. I had to get out of the car. Cass, I’m not going over this again with you. My grandfather is ill. He’s more important than some job.
"It’s not just some job, Bailey. You’ve been working for this for six years. Six years. Do you want to throw away all the thousands of hours you spent on perfecting your craft?"
I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel. Of course not.
Then, come back—
Oh, Cass, can you hear me? You’re breaking up,
I said. I’m way out in the country now . . .
Bailey? Bailey, can you hear me? Bai?
I hung up the phone. As a native New Yorker, Cass questioned cell phone reception anywhere west of Manhattan.
I scrolled through my text messages for a response from Eric Sharp. Nothing. The last text messages had been from me to him, telling him I was heading to Ohio to visit my ailing grandfather, telling him I was at the airport, and telling him I had landed in Akron. No response to any of them. I reminded myself that between his two pastry shops, television show, and thousands of other obligations, Eric didn’t have time to text his girlfriend, especially since he and I were the only ones who knew we were dating. I threw the phone into my purse. Despite Eric’s impossible schedule, a short thinking of you
text would have lifted my spirits considerably, because I was pretty certain Cass was right. My rash decision to drop everything and fly to Ohio did put my promotion to head chocolatier at JP Chocolates at risk. I shook my head. I’d had no other choice. When my grandmother had called to tell me my grandfather was ill, I had to go. My grandmother only called if it was an emergency. The Amish didn’t use the telephone for chitchat.
Through the windshield of my rental car, I watched as a second horse-and-buggy rolled by. I had told Cass that I was in the country; I hadn’t told her I was in Amish Country. The village of Harvest in Holmes County, Ohio to be specific. I wasn’t sure what my fashionable coworker would have said if she knew I had Amish relatives. She’d probably wonder if I had a bonnet hidden somewhere in my apartment.
My grandparents might be Amish, but I wasn’t. Neither were my parents. My father had grown up Amish and then left his district to marry my mother. Right now, Mom and Dad were having the very un-Amish adventure of traveling through Europe to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary. Judging by the number of vacation photos in my email inbox, I could safely say that Mom and Dad had mastered the selfie and were on a personal mission to snap a photo of themselves with every major landmark in Europe. The last one I had received included the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. I would have to buy an air freshener if I was going to spend any significant amount of time in the rental car, or risk asphyxiation. As I walked to the corner of Apple and Main Street, I hoped that Daadi and Maami would be happy to see me. My grandparents didn’t know I was in town. My grandmother had called to tell me Daadi was ill, but she’d asked me not come. She said Daadi would not wish me to leave my work on his account.
I turned the corner onto Main Street, passing an Amish woman pushing a double stroller. Two plainly dressed toddlers sat in the stroller, kicking each other with their small feet. The mother said something to them in Pennsylvania Dutch. The children giggled, and I felt myself relax. I had made the right decision. The selection committee members wouldn’t change their minds about choosing me as the head chocolatier just because I took a couple of vacation days that were owed me. I hadn’t taken a single day off from work since last year, when Jean Pierre had announced his planned retirement.
Main Street was the primary shopping district in the tiny village of Harvest, Ohio. Gas-powered lamps marched down the street, alternating with more apple trees, and store fronts advertised Amish-made products—everything from quilts to baskets to pretzels and brooms. Returning here felt like stepping back in time. Not into a former century, as many people misperceived the Amish culture, but into a bustling community of shops and merchants, where clothes and home goods and foods were locally harvested and handmade. Cass would be horrified—there wasn’t a Starbucks or a department store in sight. Me, I rather liked the simplicity and authenticity. I specialized in chocolates, so it made me smile to think that people specialized in furniture and cheeses and even blank-faced Amish dolls.
My grandparents’ store—Swissmen Sweets—was in the most coveted spot on the street. It was right across from the town square, where the village held the Apple Blossom Festival in the spring, community picnics in the summer, farmers’ markets in the autumn, and ice-skating in the winter. Everyone in town wanted Daadi’s location, but he had owned it for well over fifty years, and he was way too smart to sell.
I was about a block from Swissmen Sweets when I spotted my grandfather leaning on a walker in front of his candy shop. His snow-white Amish beard hung to his chest, and his black felt hat sat primly on the top of his head. He spoke to a non-Amish man wearing a business suit that could have been sold in any number of the New York department stores Cass loved to frequent.
I took a deep breath, happy to see Daadi was no longer in the hospital as he had been when my grandmother called, but the walker frightened me. Daadi was a proud man, and he must hate having to rely on the contraption to keep him from toppling over.
I started to wave to attract my grandfather’s attention, but stopped myself when I was close enough to overhear their conversation.
Daadi gripped the sides of his walker until his knuckles turned white. I have told you before, we’re not interested.
The man in the suit appeared to be in his late forties. He wore his brown hair combed back in a wave and his tan had the slightest hint of orange. You’re a fool. No one is going to make you a better offer than I am.
"That is gut," Daadi said. "Because I do not want any more offers. I’m happy with what I have. More importantly, Gott is happy with it. Now, if I cannot interest you in any fudge, I must ask you to leave."
The man pointed at my grandfather. You’re just prolonging the inevitable. When you’re gone, this property will belong to me. There’ll be no one to stand in my way. You don’t have any family to take it over.
My chest constricted. Daadi did have family. He had Maami, and he had me. I clenched my teeth and started walking toward the pair at a fast clip.
The man spun around and headed directly for me. Not watching where he was going, he ran smack into my shoulder. Hey!
I shouted at him, so loudly I wouldn’t have been surprised if they heard me back in New York.
He blinked at me. In Harvest, pedestrians didn’t yell at each other like they did in the city. I could use this to my advantage. Watch where you’re going.
He straightened his jacket. Get out of my way.
I was going to say something else, but then I saw Daadi over the man’s shoulder. Daadi was bent over his walker. He held his chest and crumpled to the sidewalk.
I ran to him. "Daadi!" I held him in my arms and looked back up the sidewalk. The man glanced at me, shock registering on his face, before he turned the corner onto a side street and disappeared.
Bailey.
Daadi touched my cheek. What are you doing here?
Before I could answer, he lost consciousness.
Chapter 2
My grandparents’ family doctor was an English man in his late fifties with a wide, kind face that immediately put me at ease. He put his blood pressure cuff in his medical bag and adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses on the long bridge of his nose. Jebidiah, I do think you should go to the hospital for some additional tests.
Daadi shifted his position on the nest of pillows my grandmother had made for him on their bed in the small apartment above the fudge shop. "Nee, I have been to the hospital too many times. They always tell me the same. My heart is weak. I don’t have much more time. I do not need to hear this again. When Gott calls me home, I will be ready. Going to the hospital won’t change that."
It felt like someone reached into my chest and squeezed my own heart in a vise when my grandfather stated this so matter-of-factly. I agreed with the doctor. Daadi should go to the hospital. After he had collapsed on the sidewalk, I started to call 911 when my grandmother asked me to stop. She said Daadi didn’t want the ambulance called. Instead, she called their family doctor, Dr. Brown, who had an office on the other side of the square and was there in a matter a minutes. During that time, Daadi had come to, and Dr. Brown and I half led, half carried Daadi up the stairs to his room.
The doctor sighed. I expected you to say that.
He glanced at my grandmother, who stood on the opposite side of the bed, holding Daadi’s hand. Clara, please call me day or night if you need me. I’ll be here as quick as I can.
My tiny grandmother nodded. "Danki, Dr. Brown." The white prayer cap on her head blended in with her soft, silver hair. Her hair had once been brunette like mine, but it had been silver for as long as I had known her.
The doctor nodded and headed for the door.
Before he reached the bottom of the back stairs, I rushed out of the room. Doctor, what’s wrong with my grandfather?
Dr. Brown looked up at me from the middle of the narrow staircase. The gas-lit wall sconce illuminated his broad face. There was a sadness in his eyes that I hadn’t noticed when he had been in the bedroom with my grandparents. Congenital heart disease.
My chest tightened as if an unseen hand had cranked the vise just a little more tightly, and even though I didn’t want to, I asked, The prognosis?
He only shook his head. Then he turned and descended the stairs to the shop’s main floor.
I stood there, staring down the narrow stairwell with a hand covering my heart. I didn’t know if I was covering it in protection or prayer. I glanced over my shoulder at the doorway that led to my grandparents’ bedroom. Maybe now was a good time to start praying, assuming I still knew how to do it. I dropped my hand and headed back to the bedroom.
No, Clara,
Daadi said. I am not going back to the hospital. They have told us before there is nothing more to be done. Let it be. I would rather spend what little time I have left on this earth with you, here in our home.
Tears gathered in my grandmother’s blue eyes, the same color as my own. "Ya, you are right, Jebidiah."
He gave her a weak smile. I will savor that, because it is a rare thing, indeed, for you to tell me I am right.
She frowned. Do not joke at such a time.
"Jokes are always welcome. Even the gut Lord laughs. He noticed me standing in the doorway.
There’s my girl. Come closer and tell me why you are here."
I sat on the edge of his bed, careful not to disturb him. I came to see you. I heard you were unwell.
Weakly, he shook his finger at Maami and me. I think the two of you have been up to something.
Maami lifted her chin. I called Bailey when you were in the hospital. She is your granddaughter and has a right to know.
I agree. Bailey has a right to know,
Daadi said, and then turned his head on the pillow toward me. But you should not have come. Don’t you have the chocolate man vote this week?
I smiled, touched that my grandfather would remember the pending head chocolatier announcement at such a time. I’ve never heard it called that before, but yes, the selection committee is voting on who will be the next head chocolatier at JP Chocolates. The announcement will be made Monday morning.
Daadi tried to sit up, but Maami and I both pushed him back onto the pillows. Then why are you here?
he asked. You should be in New York, making chocolate castles to wow the committee. Don’t give them any reason to consider another chocolatier.
My hand remained on his shoulder. It’s not as important as being here with you.
Hogwash,
Daadi snapped, some of the fire back in his eyes. It’s all you have written to us about for the last five years. You can’t fool me into thinking it is no longer important to you, now that I am under the weather.
"You’re more than under the weather, Daadi. I held his cold, wrinkled hand in mine.
And you’re more important than a silly job."
He grunted, but his face broke into a smile. I found myself smiling too.
Maami stood up and smoothed a wrinkle out of her plain lavender dress. I’ll let the two of you argue about this and make some tea. I’ll put double sugar in yours, Bailey.
She winked at me. Don’t think I forgot your sweet tooth.
I smiled my thanks.
Maami closed the door after her. When I heard her footsteps fade, I asked, "Daadi, before you fell, you were talking to a man. Who was that?"
Daadi opened his eyes and stared at me like he was looking through me. It was almost as if he was searching his mind for the memory. That frightened me, because the incident in front of Swissmen Sweets had been less than three hours ago. He smiled. "Oh, ya, that was Tyson Colton. He’s a developer in the county. He wants to buy the candy shop. He’s already bought the two shops on either side of me."
There was a cheese shop on the right of Swissmen Sweets and a tiny pretzel shop on the left.
What? Why?
I wondered if I should be questioning him about this Tyson Colton character at this time.
My grandfather focused on me. "Because he wants to make money. What other reason do Englischers need to take away Amish property? He knows that I have the best location in the village, and since it is the best, he wants it."
How much is he offering?
I held my grandfather’s hand a little more tightly.
More money than I would ever have a use for, or want. I told him he could double his amount, and I still wouldn’t sell.
I knew he wouldn’t like to hear what I had to say next, but I had to share it. If he is offering you a significant amount of money, then you could retire and take it easy. You could take better care of your health. You work too hard.
My grandfather frowned. "Gott made us to work for His Kingdom. I will rest when I pass on."
I bit the inside of my lip. I didn’t like the sound of that. My grandfather’s mind was made up, and arguing the point with him would only upset him more, which wouldn’t be good for his failing heart.
He covered my hand with his. "Do not worry, my girl. All will work out as it should. Gott has had this moment planned from the beginning."
What moment did he mean? The offer from Tyson? Or Daadi’s failing health? All will work out as it should? To quote my grandfather, hogwash! If the doctor’s frown had been any indication, that was not to be.
Do you want me to email Mom and Dad?
I asked. They’re somewhere in Italy right now, but they would want to know you are ill.
He struggled to sit up some more. "Nee. Don’t bother them. They have waited for their trip for a very long time. Your maami should not have bothered you either. I will be fine. You go back and make those fancy chocolates. It’s your dream. I’m not going to get in the way of what you’ve worked so hard for. I like to think it’s a little bit of me that makes you so gut with chocolate."
It’s more than a little bit,
I whispered.
Then go back and get that head chocolate person job for me, if you can’t do it for yourself.
Tears sprang to my eyes. If your strength is up, I’ll leave the day after tomorrow, but I’ll be back just as soon as I can after the head chocolatier is announced.
He smiled. All right then, if returning will make you feel better, you have my blessing.
Maami pushed opened the bedroom door and came in with a tea tray. I brought you some hot broth too, Jebidiah.
My grandfather grimaced.
Maami squinted her blue eyes at him. Don’t you make that face at me, Jebidiah King! You will drink this broth. Nothing warms you all the way through like hot chicken broth.
Grandfather winked at me. She is always telling me what to do.
Maami set the tray on a side table and cupped the bowl of broth in her hands.
I reached for it. Let me.
She smiled and gave me the bowl. I dipped the spoon into the hot broth and held it up. "Here, Daadi."
He smiled. Clara, did you see how beautiful our Bailey has become?
I did,
my grandmother said.
I felt myself blush, and I fed my grandfather the broth.
Chapter 3
A little while later, after Daadi had drunk enough broth to satisfy my grandmother, he dozed off.
I picked up the tea tray and crept down the stairs. The stairs from the living quarters ended in a short hallway that opened directly into the candy shop. I stood there for a moment, admiring the room in which I had fallen in love with chocolate as a little girl. Along the walls, maple shelves held glass jars filled with every kind of candy you could imagine, from mints to licorice to caramels.
However, the pride of the shop was my grandfather’s signature fudge, and it was displayed front and center in a ten-foot-long glass case that doubled as the sales counter. Inside the display case there were dozens of trays of fudge: milk chocolate, rocky road, Neapolitan, maple, pumpkin, blueberry, peanut butter, and so many more. Even though I worked with chocolate every day, my mouth still watered when I saw all those trays of fudge, and the memories of my grandfather sneaking me pieces of fudge on summer evenings before dinner when Maami wasn’t looking brought a smile to my face. As many times as I tried to duplicate my grandfather’s fudge in New York, it didn’t taste quite the same as that made by his own hand. I bit the inside of my lip. How much longer would he be able to make it?
Maami smiled at me over the glass counter. Want a piece?
I nodded. If anything, eating the fudge would give me something else to do other than worry over my grandfather’s health.
She laughed and lifted the plank of wood at the end of the counter that divided the work area from the public. Then come on back and pick your own. Being a chocolatier, I suppose you know how to cut chocolate.
I sure hope so, or JP Chocolates will be in big trouble.
I stepped around the counter, slid the glass door back on the display case, and removed a tray of fudge. I set the tray on the counter behind me and picked up the chocolate knife from the white cutting block. It had a long, curved eight-inch blade with a sharp hook on the end, which pointed back toward the handle. It was perfect for cutting huge blocks of chocolate. I had found it in a specialty cooking shop in New York. It had cost me a small fortune.
"Daadi uses the knife I gave him?" I asked, feeling pleased. Finding Christmas and birthday gifts for my grandparents was always a challenge. The Amish only wanted practical things, and their estimation of what was practical was far different from any English person’s I knew.
She smiled. He refuses to use any other knife. If it is dirty, he waits for me to wash it before he will cut anything.
I grinned and set the knife on