1 Chocolate Worth Dying For Read Free Page B

firmly. "You shouldn't have to suffer for the misdeeds of others."
    "It doesn't mean I should take advantage of it," she said, filling his coffee.
    He shrugged, unrepentant. "Change your mind, let me know."
    "Yeah, no," she said lightly.
    As she drove out to Tracey Vandemeers' though, she had to admit there was a little, tiny, part of her who said, wasn't that exactly what she was doing now? The other part of her was too excited by the prospect of turning Tracey's place into a Willa Wonka chocolate factory.
    As she turned onto Vandemeer Drive and down towards the house at the end of the street she felt her eyes widen in surprise. Not bad. Not bad at all. The view was stunning. Over-looking Saanich peninsula a patch-work of verdant farm-lands gave way to blue ocean waters.
    The house itself was huge. An updated take on classic craftsman style she'd guess it was easily 5,000 square feet. Tracey waited for her at the front door, having evidently heard her drive up.
    "It's so good to see you" she said brightly as Maxine greeted her. She was wearing a casual, but fashionable, top and yoga pants. Her hair looked relaxed with a comfortable ease about it usually only achieved with the help of a pricey hair-cut. She appeared to be weathering the death of her husband well.
    Too well, Maxine couldn't help thinking as she greeted her. "It's a beautiful place you have here."
    Tracey shrugged. "You've never been here before?"
    "No," Maxine said.
    "It's been a good house for us," Tracey said. "The children have grown up here and it was a great place to entertain." Her eyes teared up. "We did a lot of entertaining with Ron…" she broke off here.
    "You must have a lot of good memories," Maxine said quickly.
    "And there'll be more," Tracey said, her voice squeaking as she blinked back tears. She gave a forced smile to Maxine. "Would you like the grand tour or should we just get down to it."
    "Whichever you think best," Maxine said.
    "Then for now we'll stick to the areas the party will be in," Tracey said pouring her a cup of coffee. The kitchen will be open but mainly we'll have it in the living room. She led the way to a huge Great Room over-looking the valley and the pool.
    Maxine gasped. The view was literally jaw dropping. Light filled the room itself and a large sectional, in front of a fireplace gave way to a deck, which looked more like an outdoor living room, with wicker furniture and grass green cushions along with a large patio table creating an inviting area to relax in, while watching over kids or just having a drink.
    "It's a little chilly out so we'll stay in here."
    Maxine just nodded. "For the party will we be staying inside?"
    Tracey paused, considering. "I think so. We'll have the cake and presents in here. Afterwards if the weather's good everyone may congregate outside but I think we'll stay away from swimming for this party."
    "So, minimal decorating out there. Most of it will be in here."
    "That sounds right. Although if it's a nice day a chocolate fountain and fruit dip would be good."
    "We could have one incorporated in the over-all decorating. If it's nice we'll move it out-doors." Already Maxine's mind was racing coming up with ideas.
    "Why not one for both," Tracey said. "We just won't put the patio one out if the weather's bad."
    "It will add to the cost," Maxine cautioned.
    "I'm not worried about the cost," Tracey said quickly. "Anything that makes this time easier for my kids is … is worth it."
    Maxine jumped in quickly before Tracey got bogged down in grief. "Then I have to tell you I've got all kinds of ideas. Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory was one of my all-time favorites too but I'll need a budget."
    "It's whatever you need," Tracey said.
    That was pretty much a caterer's dream Maxine thought. Then again she didn't like to take advantage. "I can usually create the same over-all theme for a party at different price points. It's just a matter of the details."
    Tracey shook her head, waved her hand.