Chapter 19. When the dust unsettles
Where maternal instincts fly in two different directions
Note: Author commentary at the end of the chapter. This commentary is exclusive to the Cacao Muse; you won’t see it on Amazon, my author site, or printed inside the wrappers of my favorite chocolate bars.
In the busy darkness of Jim Petros’ office lit by a lone desk lamp, Jane Hammond was speed-typing on her laptop.
Pat,
Talked to Jim, the director. He’s definitely open. Not sure how much or how quickly they can scale, but he’s happy to send along a bag of their cacao beans for you guys to try out.
I’ve tried their hot chocolate myself. Maya style. Nothing like it.
Cc’ing Jim on this email so you can connect directly.
Talk soon,
Jane
As Jane hit “send,” Jim Petros walked into the office.
“Connection still alive?” he asked.
“Yep, held steady for me for a full fifteen minutes. Thanks Jim. Calling it a night.”
“Somehow I don’t believe that,” he smiled. “Mine’s just beginning.”
“You got me. Have a few more things to wrap up at the cabin. Oh, I emailed Pat, cc’d you.”
“Super. See you tomorrow.”
As she walked down the winding path from Jim’s office, Jane caught sight of a familiar figure.
“Hola Don Francisco, ¿todo bien?” she said in her best Spanish accent. (Hello Don Francisco, all’s well?)
“Si, Doña Jamón, gracias, si, todo va bien. Y su hijo, ¿pasó bien el día?” (Yes, Mrs. Ham, thank you, all is going well. And your son, did he have a good day?)
“I’ve barely seen him all day, so I imagine he’s been having a great time. I’m sure he’ll tell me all about it tonight,” she said, laughing. “Oh, and please call me Jane.”
“Bueno, okay. Doña Jane. Have a very good evening.”
“Igualmente,” (The same to you) said Jane, and continued on her way. She could see the warm light of their little cabin, and looked forward to relaxing with Max and hearing all about his day.
Inside, her husband was hunched over his laptop, poring over his notes and stats from the day. He didn’t hear her open the screen door. No sign of Max.
Jane’s usual light step suddenly felt a little heavier. She looked around, frowning. Her maternal instinct kicked in.
“Robert, where’s Max?”
Dr. Hammond grunted in response, not looking up. He heard her, but didn’t.
“Robert,” she repeated, firmer.
Dr. Hammond looked up, disoriented.
“Max. Where is Max?”
“Wasn’t he with you…?” Dr. Hammond blurted out automatically. He looked around the cabin. Max’s bed was the same as he’d left it that morning: thoroughly and properly disheveled. But empty.
“I thought he was with you, sweetie,” Dr. Hammond said.
“No—I haven’t seen him since dinner.” Jane felt her heartbeat rise.
“He’s probably with the Maya kids, with… oh, I can’t ever pronounce her name… Izzel. Don Francisco’s daughter.”
“It’s dark. We’ve only been here a few days. It’s not like Max to not tell us where he is.”
“I’m sure he’s fine, Jane, don’t wo—.”
The curt clang of the screen door against the doorframe cut him short.
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