Read Online Salt Water Taffie (Boardwalk Brides Book 1) by Janice Thompson - Free Book Online Page B

Atlantic City native and you don’t know the story of how salt water taffy got its name?”
    Casey’s brow wrinkled in response. “No sir.”
    “Well, then. You watch close and I’ll tell it as we go.”
    Casey pulled up a stool and sat on it, watching as the mixture in the pot was stirred. Ryan stood next to her, drinking in every moment. Every now and again he caught a glimpse of Taffie out of the corner of his eye. She was certainly in her element now. In fact, she seemed to know just what to do and when to do it.
    “I’m going to tell you a very tall tale,” Mr. Carini’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “The stuff fairy tales are made of.”
    “Ooo, I love fairy tales.” Casey giggled, then stuck the lollypop back in her mouth, her gaze focused on the Wonka-like fellow who stood before her.
    “This will be the tallest tall tale you ever hear,” Mr. Carini explained with great whimsy. “So hold on to your hat. I’m about to take you on a candy-land adventure!”
     
    ***
                 
    Taffie tried to hide the smile that crept up as her father told the story. She’d heard it a thousand times, of course, though the listeners were usually just small children like Casey, not folks in Ryan’s age group. Still, she never tired of the legend—more fiction than fact.
    Her pop’s face lit up as the story began. “Back in the 1880s—or so the story goes—a terrible storm blew into Atlantic City.”
    “Like this one?” Casey pointed beyond the glass to the window at the front of the store. With the shutters pulled down, it was hard to tell what the weather was up to outside. Just then a peal of thunder clued them in.
    “Like this.” Pop grinned. “The waves were vicious, frightening even the locals. A merchant by the name of David Bradley owned a candy shop not far from where we’re standing now. Sold many of the same products we sell today.”
    “Wow. A candy maker.” Casey’s eyes widened. She stuck the lollypop back in her mouth and listened attentively.
    “Anyway, the storm was mighty and the waves high. They crashed ashore, putting all of the shops under water, including Bradley’s candy shop. The man thought his business was drowned in the sea, thought there was no hope for his soggy candies.”
    “Wow. Really?” Ryan asked.
    “Have we mentioned that this is a tall tale?” Taffie whispered, leaning in his direction.
    “Shush, Taffie. Now, would I lie to you, son?” Her father gave him a stern look, then continued, turning his attention to Casey. “Anyway, the following day after the waters went down, a little girl about your same age came prancing into Bradley’s shop, looking for something sweet to nibble on. Bradley, in a state of despair, offered her a few pieces of the water-logged delicacies, but told her to watch out for slivers of jellyfish and other sea-life buried inside.”
    “Icky!” Casey squealed.
    “Yes, very. He called it salt water taffy because it had been soaked in saltwater from the Atlantic. Inspiration from on high, I believe.”
    Taffie rolled her eyes, but said nothing. She continued to stir the bubbling pot of corn syrup and sugar.
    “Then came the best part.” Her pop rubbed his hands together, clearly delighted with the end of the tale. “A candy store owner’s dream.”
    “What happened?” Casey sat on the edge of her stool.
    “The salt water taffy tasted wonderful! And the idea caught on! Folks came from north, east, south, and west to buy Mr. Bradley’s salt water taffy. Before you knew it, other competitors sprang up and Atlantic City became known as the home of this confectioner’s delight. And poor Mr. Bradley. . .”
    “What about him?” Casey asked.
    “Forgot to copyright the name salt water taffy . So, alas, it was stolen.”
    “Mm-hmm.” Ryan pursed his lips, then asked, “So, all of this came about because of a terrible storm? Water washing into a store? A man selling soggy candy?
    “Oh yes.”
    “I’m sorry, but