Chocolate Goodies by Jacquelin Thomas

too,” he said. “I passed all of my final exams. I’m glad school is almost out becauseI’m going to work forty hours during the summer.” Benjamin smiled. “I’ll be able to get all of us some school clothes for next year.”
    “Benjamin, I don’t want you worrying about college,” Ransom said. “If you get accepted, I will pay for your tuition and books.”
    “You serious?”
    He nodded. “You have to do your part, though.”
    “I will. I wasn’t going to take the SAT because I didn’t think I’d be able to save enough money for college.”
    “Stanley Chocolates also gives scholarships,” Coco announced.
    “I can get one because I work here?”
    She nodded. “You sure can. Like Ransom just said, bring in your college acceptance letter and we’ll start the paperwork.”
    Benjamin looked upward. “Thank you, God,” he whispered.
    Coco walked away to keep from crying.
    One of the older men who worked in the factory came over. “He’s a good kid,” he told her. “And a hard worker. I’m glad y’all took a chance on this one.”
    “Thank you, Sam.”
    She headed back to her shop. It was almost time for Valencia to clock out, and Coco was working until closing tonight.
    Ransom rejoined her a few minutes later.
    “I’m going to have to stay on him about that SAT. He needs to go on and get it out of the way.”
    Ransom’s going to make a great father one day.
    Coco felt a thread of guilt over the secret she waskeeping from him. He deserved to know, but she couldn’t risk tearing apart Elle’s family.
    Ransom gave her a slight nudge. “Hey, I thought you were telling me about the chocolate-making process. So what comes after the kneading?”
    Coco smiled. “Tempering,” she responded. “This process allows you to solidify chocolate. After that the mixture is poured into molds and placed in a cooling chamber.”
    “This is just the base for you, though,” Ransom said. “You add more ingredients for your gourmet products, right?”
    “Yes. I add spices, flavors, fruit—whatever it calls for.”
    “So if I give you some ingredients, do you think you could create a candy bar with them?”
    Coco met his gaze. “Is this a challenge?”
    Ransom nodded.
    She spoke eagerly. “What do I get if I win?”
    “What do you want?”
    She broke into a smile.
    Before she said anything, Ransom cocked his head to the side and said, “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
    “It won’t be so bad. If I win, I want you to take violin lessons for two weeks.”
    “That’s it?” he asked. When she nodded, Ransom held out his hand. “Okay, you’re on.”
    She shook hands with him. “Okay, give me the ingredients.”
    “I only have one,” he said. “Applewood bacon.”
    “Excuse me? You want me to come up with a bacon bar?”
    Ransom nodded. “You can use any other ingredients you like, but it has to have bacon.”
    Bacon. I’m not real sure about this, but there is no way I’m going to let Ransom win this challenge.
    “Are you certain? You want bacon in chocolate?”
    He nodded a second time. “What doesn’t go with bacon?”
    “Chocolate,” Coco responded. “I’m up to the challenge, but I’m not sure on this one, Ransom.”
    “Give it your best shot, sweetheart.”
    “You can count on that,” Coco said. “I’m not about to let you win.”
    Ransom laughed. “We’ll see.”
    He showed no signs of relenting.
    “Okay,” Coco said. “I’ll get started on it tomorrow. This is going to be so much fun. I’m going to enjoy teaching you the fundamentals of playing the violin.”
    “We’ll see,” he repeated. Then he raked his eyes boldly over her body.
    Coco found herself extremely conscious of Ransom’s virile appeal. She yearned to be crushed in his embrace, and ached for his touch. Her feelings for him were intensifying.
    Before either one of them said a word, they fell into each other’s arms, kissing hungrily.
    The sound of the door opening forced them apart.
    “I’ll