I wasn’t exactly up on the society pages in Denver, so I wasn’t surprised I’d never heard of him. It’s not like we were running in similar social circles.
“But then, that sort of tracks for Charles,” she mused to herself. “He’s never been a high-profile kind of guy. More behind the scenes of the Hawthorne empire. His parents and sister have always been the ones that thrive in the public eye.”
“You must know them pretty well.” I helped myself to one more apple slice as I glanced over Mia’s produce and started making menu lists in my head.
Her lips thinned, nostrils flaring. “As well as anyone, I suppose.” Then Mia changed the subject, perking up again. “Are you hunting for anything specific today?”
“A little of everything,” I said. “Stocking up, really. Thought I’d see what was available and hopefully get some inspiration. I do make a gourmet ratatouille that I’d love to serve later this week.”
Her face brightened with an excited smile. “Our eggplants will blow your mind.”
Mia fixed me up with several bags of produce, containing all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Everything I’d need to get through the next few days.
“What else can I help you find? I’ll point you to the good stuff,” she said with a wink.
A breeze brought the scent of nutty cheese to my nostrils from somewhere in the marketplace. “I’m not sure yet, but cheese always calls my name.”
Mia laughed softly. “A woman after my own heart. I know just the place. My friend Agnes has a cheese shop a few stalls over. Let me show you.”
Mia put a “back in five minutes” sign out on her display table and beckoned me to follow her to an eclectic little stall of mismatched odds and ends: dozens of small tea plates in all patterns and colors, a few chalkboards with handwriting in upper and lowercase letters that looked a bit like ransom notes from a serial killer, and bright primary-colored, large-bulb Christmas lights, mixed with tiny multi-colored ones that could have been from St. Patrick’s Day.
“Mia!” The merry-looking older woman behind the counter waved us over. She had a riot of greying curls and wore Doc Martens splattered in paint. “Who’s your friend?”
“Aggie, this is Eleanor. She’s got a company credit card and I told her you could help her do some damage.”
She laughed, wiping her hands on the apron over her ample chest. “I think I can manage that. What’s your poison?”
“I could use the staples, and maybe a few adventurous options as well.”
Aggie snapped her fingers, smiling. “I like your style. We can definitely do adventurous. Give me a sec.”
She folded together a small white box from a flat piece of cardboard, and began filling it with a collection of supple, colorful, and fragrant cheeses.
“This. Looks. Divine.” I took the proffered box, laughing to myself at the hand-drawn label that affixed the lid. It looked like a child’s drawing of a goat with wings.
“Your shop’s name is Praise Cheesus?”
She nodded proudly. “It is. My daddy was a minister, and while I’m not entirely religious, he sure is and he named the shop. I love it, and people remember it.”
“Brilliant. That’s good branding.” I grabbed a toothpick of blue cheese from the sample tray and took a bite. My eyes closed and I groaned happily. “This is amazing. What’s your secret?”
Mia chuckled, leaning against the stall. “Don’t get her started. You’ll be here all day.”
“You know, Mia,” Aggie began, pulling Mia and me closer to the stall so she could whisper, “I was planning to come find you later. The market’s been buzzing with a bit of gossip you might find interesting.”
Mia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Oh? Do tell.”
“Word is Charles Hawthorne is back in town,” Aggie said.
“Well, you’re looking at their new chef,” Mia said, deflecting her surprise. “What do you say, Elle? Seen him skulking about that massive house yet?”
I smiled nervously, face flushing red. “It’s only my first day. I wouldn’t even know what he looked like.”
“His family’s been keeping quiet about it,” Aggie interjected. “But people are talking.”
Mia shrugged. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“Why is it a big deal that he’s back?” I asked, flummoxed by their interest. “Is there something I should know?”
