Previously on Adventures on Awe Island.
Another big discovery was made when Sal revealed the title of the sequel to The Secret Spot.
But just as soon as Marie's hopes were raised, they were abruptly dashed when she learned the book was missing.
Welcome to Adventures on Awe Island.
Chapter 7, Digging for Treasure, Part 2.
On Saturday morning, Marie was up and dressed early.
She stowed her detective's journal and a pen in her backpack to bring along to the ice cream making session, just in case Madame Amato revealed any more information about the riddles or where she had been.
Marie ate her cereal quickly and was rinsing her bowl in the kitchen sink when her mom came into the room.
I'll drop you off at Amato's on my way to work, she said.
Thanks, Marie said, grabbing her backpack.
Come straight home when you're done with the ice cream making session, her dad called after them.
I will, Marie agreed.
The car ride was brief.
Just as Marie's mom pulled over to the curb, Marie spotted JJ hopping out of her dad's car just ahead.
It was 9 a.m.
Time to see Madame Amato and make some ice cream before the shop opened.
Marie and JJ giggled in camaraderie, hurrying up the sidewalk.
I brought my notebook, JJ whispered as they opened the door to the shop.
I brought mine, too, Marie whispered back.
Immediately upon entering, the sweet smell of vanilla swirled deliciously around them.
Being in the ice cream shop before it opened reminded Marie of the last time they had been there to talk to Madame Amato.
Right after they found out that not only did she know Sophos, but she had known him for a long time.
She had been evasive that day, but maybe this time she'd have more answers.
Madame Amato was behind the counter.
Her shiny gray hair pinned in her usual perfect bun at the nape of her necks.
Good morning, the old woman called out warmly.
Good morning, Marie and JJ replied together.
I'm so glad you're here.
Thank you for supporting the animal shelter.
I hope you'll enjoy this very sweet reward, Madame Amato said.
She motioned for them to come around the counter.
Come back here.
We'll be working in the back room, she said.
Marie and JJ exchanged excited looks and set their backpacks on one of the cafe chairs in the shop.
Customers were never allowed behind the counter, let alone the private back room where all the ice cream was made.
As they entered the back room, another friendly face greeted them with a warm hello.
It was the tall willowy fellow who had been tending the ice cream shop while Madam Amato had been gone.
Marie noticed his t-shirt right away.
It was midnight blue, printed with an owl flying across a star-filled sky and a large white moon.
It looked like the same kind of owl that had been on the lighter blue shirt he'd worn the first time they met.
Hi, I like your shirt, Marie said cheerfully.
The man smiled broadly.
Thanks.
Girls, this is Alexander, said Madame Amato.
He goes by Xander.
Nice to meet you both again, Xander said, turning back to the counter where he was preparing ingredients.
Xander seemed friendly, but Marie had to admit she was a little disappointed to see him there.
She and JJ had been hoping for some time alone with Madame Amado to ask their questions about the quest.
Marie quickly glanced around the back room, making mental notes.
It was medium sized and shaped like a half moon.
The curved outer wall had an exit door, but no windows.
A narrow ladder was bolted to the outer wall, leading to a trapdoor in the low ceiling.
It seemed like there might be a second floor through that door.
The room also held two old-fashioned ice cream churns, a deep freezer, a refrigerator and a commercial stove.
A stainless steel sink sparkled in one corner.
The entire room was painted bright white, and everything was very clean and orderly.
Both of the churns were rumbling away, slowly stirring contents within.
Let's start over here, Madame Amato said, motioning them over to the churns.
I'd like to tell you how we make our vanilla ice cream base first.
As they got close to the churns They could see the ice cream inside was swirling around the paddles as they rotated the mixture.
Madame Amado explained that their vanilla ice cream base was made with organic cream, real vanilla beans and unrefined sugar.
Once the base was gently warmed to melt the sugar and infuse the vanilla, it went into the churn.
It was mixed a little slower to minimize the amount of air incorporated into the ice cream.
The result is a richer, more velvety texture that is quite perfect, if I do say so myself.
Madame Amato said with a smile.
She took out tiny wooden tasting spatulas and scooped a bit of the vanilla ice cream out of the churn.
She handed one to Marie and one to JJ, who immediately popped the ice cream end into their mouths.
Mmm, both girls said automatically.
Marie could feel the velvety vanilla melting across her tongue.
It was heavenly.
Madame Amato smiled.
This base is ready.
Now is the best time to add mix-ins, since the ice cream is still at its softest from being churned.
She guided them over to were laid out.
Everything from chocolate chips to fruit to marshmallows.
Xander placed a bowl with the scoop of the vanilla ice cream base in it in front of the girls.
So you can experiment, he explained with a wink.
Yes, Madame Amato agreed.
We're prepared to do three rounds of taste tests in these small bowls.
That way you can try different combinations and know exactly what you like before we make the final batch in the churn.
Marie and JJ surveyed the selection of ingredient options.
Let's try three completely different combinations, JJ suggested.
Marie nodded in agreement.
For the first test ice cream flavor, JJ scooped in walnuts.
Marie sprinkled milk chocolate chips, and JJ added pretzel bits and marshmallows.
Then she stirred the ingredients.
Once they were incorporated, Marie drizzled peanut butter on top.
Everyone took a tasting spatula and scooped a bit of the concoction to sample.
Marie liked all the flavors, but there were so many it made it hard to distinguish exactly what was what.
Madame Amato seemed to have a similar thought.
What we found is that, if you put more than three ingredients into the base, the flavors sometimes compete with each other instead of enhancing each other.
Xander placed another bowl of ice cream base in front of them.
This time, Marie scooped cinnamon streusel into the base.
JJ added roasted apples.
And Marie sprinkled some toasted almond slivers.
Once again, they mixed everything together and everyone tasted.
That's fantastic, Xander said.
Those are really complimentary flavors.
I like it too, JJ noted.
I'd call it Almond Apple Delight.
Marie nodded in agreement as Xander placed a third bowl of ice cream base in front of them.
This was the third and final round of testing.
Marie's gaze turned to the fruit options.
She saw cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries, but no visiberrys.
Madame Amato, she said, do you have any more visibaries?
Madame Amato raised an eyebrow as she gazed at Marie.
Marie couldn't read the expression on the old woman's face.
It looked somewhere between surprised and curious.
I do have a small supply left in the freezer she said after a pause.
She made her way to one of the deep freezers opened the lid and took out a small container.
She placed a scoop of the berries on a plate.
They had already been chopped into the ideal size to mix into ice cream.
These need a few moments to defrost before you mix them in, she said.
Marie nodded, then looked over at JJ, who was pointing at the toasted pecans.
Yes, Marie agreed, and JJ put a healthy scoop of pecans into the bowl.
Surveying the possible ingredients again, Marie did not see the one.
She and JJ had talked about bits of brownie.
She knew Madame Amato sold brownies from the local bakery.
They were usually in the display case in the front of the store.
She didn't know if Madame Amato would let them use the brownies for the ice cream flavor, but she thought it couldn't hurt to ask.
Madame Amato, Marie said, is there any way we can try bits of brownie in our custom flavor?
Madame Amato smiled.
That's a very good idea.
Let me see how many we have from the bakery.
She disappeared through the doorway and soon came back with the brownie. in a bowl.
She also looked at the visiberis and deemed them sufficiently defrosted.
Marie dumped the brownies and visiberis into the ice cream base while JJ gently stirred.
Then they all gave it a taste, same as they'd done with the other flavors.
The soft visiberis burst with tangy sweetness. against the creamy vanilla.
The toasted pecans added a warmth and crunch, and the chewy brownie chunks added just the right bursts of chocolate to pull it all together.
Yum, Marie said.
I like this one best.
Me too, JJ agreed.
It's like an explosion of flavor.
It is quite a lovely flavor profile, Madam Amato said.
What would you call it?
Volcanic Bizaberry Eruption, JJ suggested.
That's very catchy, Xander said.
Is that the custom flavor you want?
Madam Amato asked.
Marie and JJ nodded, both beaming.
Excellent.
The final step is to make a small batch and see if you still like it just as much after eating a scoop, Madame Amato said.
Xander, would you mind preparing it while we go out into the front and chat a bit?
The young man nodded. gave a small wave to the girls, and got to work.
Thanks, said Marie.
She and JJ had questions for Madame Amato that she didn't want to ask in front of Xander, and Madame Amato seemed to be making space for them to have the privacy to do so.
After they were seated at a cafe table in the front of the shop, Marie and JJ took out their notes.
Marie blurted out her first question quickly, sensing that this opportunity to talk would be brief.
Where did you go?
She asked.
Madame Amato sighed.
I cannot tell you right now.
I'm sorry.
Why can't you tell us?
JJ prodded. voice already hinting at exasperation.
It would only distract you from your task right now.
Your goal is to solve the riddles, Madame Amato said pointedly.
Marie looked up from her journal, where she had been jotting down the answer, and stared at the old woman for a moment.
Madame Amato met her gaze.
You're making progress and doing a good job of taking things one step at a time.
Just keep going.
JJ pressed on.
How do you know we're making progress though, since you've been away, she asked, still not trying to hide the disbelief in her tone.
Madam Amato shook her head.
I cannot tell you that either.
That information will also just distract you right now.
Marie let out a big sigh just as Xander came through the doorway from the back with four servings of ice cream.
He placed one in front of each of them, then joined the table and handed out napkins and spoons.
They all began to eat.
It was absolutely delicious, each bite just as tasty as their first sample.
I predict volcanic Viseberry eruption will be a hit, Xander said enthusiastically.
We will make a full batch this afternoon and let it harden overnight, Madame Amato said.
So starting tomorrow, be sure to tell your family and friends to come try your creation.
All of the proceeds from the sale of your flavor will be donated to the animal shelter.
That's wonderful, Marie said.
We're going to be volunteering there all summer, JJ added.
That's how we got our parents to bid on this prize.
A most excellent trade-off, Madame Amato said with a smile.
Xander asked Marie and JJ questions about themselves and their interests as they ate their ice cream.
Marie answered politely, but her mind kept drifting to the questions she wanted.
She held off though, unsure if it was wise to ask them in front of Xander.
As they conversed, she and JJ exchanged a few looks and Marie knew JJ was feeling the same way she did.
When their bowls were nearly empty.
A glance at the clock on the wall told Marie that the ice cream shop was opening soon, and time was of the essence.
She decided to chance a question, but instead of one, it actually turned out to be three.
She blurted out in rapid succession, Madam Amato, When you were gone, were you with Sophos?
Is he okay?
Is he ever coming back?
Madame Amado sighed.
Her warm expression melted into worry and her tone grew more serious.
Yes, I was with Sophos, but only briefly.
He is safe for now.
I don't have any more information than that, she concluded.
She stood up and began to clear the table.
Xander did the same.
Girls, I'm sorry our time is up.
Xander and I have to prepare for the opening of the shop.
Thank you so much for your generosity towards the animal shelter.
I hope you had fun today and that everyone enjoys volcanic visibary eruption.
Thanks for coming, Xander said.
He waited for them to gather their things, then escorted them to the shop's entrance and locked the door as they left.
Marie and JJ started walking towards their neighborhood, replaying the mornings.
That was a lot of fun, Marie said.
I just wish we'd had more time alone with Madame Amato.
Me too, JJ agreed.
It's frustrating that she won't tell us much.
Yeah, well, at least she told us we're still on the right track.
That's a relief, Marie said.
Yeah, but how does she know that?
JJ asked.
Marie shrugged.
No idea.
She proceeded to tell JJ about trying to borrow the sequel to The Secret Spot from the library.
JJ raised her eyebrows when she heard the title.
The Chosen Three?
That can't be a coincidence, Marie nodded.
Except the book's been missing from the library for at least a year.
Of course it is, JJ said rather sardonically.
By now, they were at Marie's house.
See you tomorrow, Marie said.
Don't forget to bring something small to dig with.
I'll bring a trowel and a tape measure too.
JJ nodded.
I'll bring a compass she noted before setting off for her own home, which was still a little further away.
As Marie walked up her driveway, her worry increased.
What if they were wrong about where they thought the next buried treasure was?
What then?
Marie didn't like the uncertainty, but for now she could only hope that they were right about the location and that they would dig the treasure up tomorrow.
Only time would tell.
With Christian still grounded.
It's up to Marie and JJ to go to the Great Grandmother Oak and see if they can find the second buried treasure.
Will it be where they hope it is?
Find out when the adventure continues in our next episode of Adventures on Awe Island.
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