The Secret Ingredient

By Ann Wortham

“This is one of your stupider ideas.” Kid Curry stared down at the pot of bubbling chili and stirred it with a big wooden spoon.

“Hey!” Heyes said as he placed an arm load full of wood under the cooking grill, jostling Curry slightly to one side. “I don’t have stupid ideas!”

“Really?” Curry gestured at Heyes then down at himself. “Look at how we’re dressed. It’s ridiculous.”

“Don’t you have any Christmas spirit? I just thought we should fit in with the town and their festivities. Besides, that cute girl at the diner loaned me these aprons and hats and gave me a good luck kiss.”

“Oh. Well, that makes it all right.” Curry did not look like he was the least bit convinced. He rolled his eyes. “We’re sure to win. And may I remind you, you spent the last of our Christmas dinner money on this stuff and the entry fee.” He gestured at the chili with his spoon.

Heyes grabbed another spoon and dipped it into the concoction so he could sample it. “Hmmmm.” His eyes closed in bliss. “Tastes wonderful. Trust me. We’re going to win that big old prize pot and it will be steak or anything we want for Christmas dinner!”

“Well, you’d better be right,” Curry said. He tasted the chili for himself. “It does taste good.”

“I told you,” Heyes said. “That gal in San Antonio a few years back gave me the best recipe along with her secret ingredient.”

“Well,” Curry said, “I’m trusting you on this one.” He gestured at their outfits again. The two were decked out in gaudy holiday themed aprons. Curry’s hat was decorated with rather subdued greenery but Heyes’ hat was bright red and lined with white fur. “And I’m only wearing this because you insisted.”

“Like I said,” Heyes pointed out, “We need to get into the spirit of the town. It can only help the judges to like us. I swear, I’ve never seen a town so in love with Christmas and all the trappings.”

* * *

They’d ridden into the town of Evergreen five days earlier to find a Christmas and winter wonderland like they’d never seen before. Every inch of the place was covered in some kind of Christmas decoration with garlands galore, lights everywhere, mistletoe hanging in unexpected places, and bows and ribbons adorning places of business and homes. Every door in the town had a wreath. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground but the weather wasn’t too cold, making the snow a cheerful touch without it being unpleasant. Through the windows of homes decorated Christmas trees were visible. In the middle of town was a huge gazebo where Heyes and Curry soon learned there were Christmas related festivities every day and night. But the grand finale, they were told, was going to be Christmas Eve when there was a big cooking contest, judged by the town mayor and sheriff and the local school marm. A cooking contest to see who could make the best chili. Apparently there was a local blacksmith who had won the contest three years running and there was a good-natured rivalry now to see who might finally beat him, with townsfolk vying to be the one who could finally take his title away from him.

All of which was fun and festive but it was the mention of a large prize pot that made Heyes’ eyes light up.

“No,” Curry said immediately. “There’s an entry fee. It will take most of our money.”

“But I can win!” Heyes insisted. “You know I can.”

Curry shook his head. “You always say that. About everything.”

“And don’t I always win?”

Curry was slow to reply. Then finally admitted, “Well, yes. Usually.”

“So let’s do it!” Heyes was already getting excited and rubbed his hands together. “I have just the special recipe.” He frowned. “But we’ve got to go to the grocer and see if they have my special ingredient.”

A short while later and some quick flirting with the grocer’s daughter they had their secret ingredient in hand and a promise of secrecy from her. But it took the very last of their money. Heyes was excited but he could see Curry was already sulking. It was true if they didn’t win this contest they were going to be flat broke again. And right before Christmas. They’d probably have to leave town and camp somewhere out in the cold and eat hardtack.

He’d really thought once they had their amnesty things would be better for them. But he had to admit their lives were pretty much the same. At least so far. They wandered around, taking odd jobs here and there, and trying to survive honestly on what money they could earn. The biggest difference was they no longer had to worry about being recognized or fear running into a sheriff who knew who they were. It was definitely less stressful. Heyes was still hopeful they’d eventually settle down somewhere. Maybe even end up having families. But all that was still in an unknown future.

At least they had a job at the moment. They were actually in Evergreen to deliver a horse for a longtime friend. Everything had gone off without a hitch and once they returned to their employer, they’d be paid the rest of the money they were owed and they’d be flush again. But until then, their funds were now tied up in trying to win this contest.

* * *

The day of the contest dawned bright and a little chilly. It definitely felt like Christmas Eve. There were carolers roaming the streets and everyone seemed to want to offer Heyes and Curry a mug of hot chocolate or apple cider. Heyes thought the people in this town were definitely some of the friendliest they’d ever met. Everyone had embraced them as part of the town since their arrival and been happy to see them enter the cooking contest. There was betting going on as to who was going to win this year and Heyes and Curry were included in the mix. But they had extremely long odds against them to Heyes’ chagrin.

But he also knew they had a hard row to hoe trying to court the town judges to pick their chili over the long running winner’s. He suspected the townspeople were hoping someone would finally unseat the blacksmith from his title while they also felt a bit disloyal rooting for outsiders.

Everyone competing was given a grill and access to wood and cooking pots and utensils. Everything else they had to supply for themselves. Heyes had gathered their needed ingredients and started cooking as early as allowed. He knew that the longer the chili had to cook and simmer, the better it was going to taste.

Curry had grumbled about wearing the Christmas aprons and hat that Betsy from the diner had brought them that morning but Heyes managed to convince him it could only help them with the judges. It showed they were getting into the spirit of the town and their love for Christmas. Besides, it just felt cheery and festive.

Before he knew it, it was already close to time for the contest judging. The town all gathered around the big gazebo.

The mayor and other judges came together and began tasting the various entries. There were only a few since the locals were intimidated by John Sandal, the blacksmith, having now won so many times. When the judges tasted John’s chili it was obvious that they loved his offering, with the sheriff going back to sample more and his eyes closed in bliss.

Curry sighed. But Heyes nudged him in the ribs. “Just wait until they get to ours. You’ll see.”

Finally, they reached Heyes and Curry. They were friendly but wary as they went to dip their spoons into the bubbling hot chili. The mayor looked surprised as he took his first taste. Then he went back for more. The sheriff and the schoolteacher followed him. The sheriff’s eyes grew wide and he went back for seconds and thirds.

Curry was starting to relax as it became clear that the judges really liked their chili. But would it be good enough to unseat their champion? Would they be willing to give the prize money to outsiders?

The judges thanked them and went back to the gazebo to deliberate on their decision.

Finally, they addressed the assembled town.

“This has been a great contest, as always,” said Mayor Sweeney. “I want to thank everyone for their efforts. I especially want to say how wonderful it is that everyone embraced the spirit of Christmas and dressed up for the occasion.”

“See,” Heyes whispered to Curry, nudging him in the ribs again. “What’d I say?”

Curry harrumphed.

“It’s time to announce this year’s winner,” the mayor continued. “I have to say I’m surprised but our visitors, Mr. Heyes and Mr. Curry have hands down made the best chili we’ve ever tasted!”

The crowd applauded and whooped and hollered as they congratulated Heyes and Curry and slapped them on the back. Those who had bet on them to win were happily lining up to collect their winnings.

John the blacksmith took the loss with good grace, especially after he tasted their chili for himself with a surprised look on his face.

“It was our secret ingredient that did the trick,” Heyes said, beaming with pride. He glanced over at Curry. “I told you it was going to be worth the expense.”

Curry sighed, but he looked happy. “You were right, as always.”

“What exactly is the secret ingredient,” John asked them. Other townsfolk were gathering around, lining up to sample the winning chili for themselves.

“Yeah! What’s the secret ingredient?” someone shouted out.

Heyes held up a hand for silence. “I learned the recipe from a sweet gal down in San Antonio. They sell chili there in the town square and hers was always the best. She used Mexican chocolate in it.”

“Chocolate!” John shook his head. “I never would have guessed. It’s delicious.”

“Yeah, we had to swear the grocer to secrecy,” Heyes said. “We were just lucky he had some to sell us.”

“But it took almost our last dime,” Curry pointed out.

“Well, now you’ll have the prize money,” John said. He held out his hand to shake Heyes’ “Merry Christmas. Well deserved.” He slanted his eyes sideways and leaned forward to ask quietly, “You won’t be back again next year, will you?”

Heyes laughed. “I doubt it.”

John smiled. “Mind if I borrow your secret ingredient?”

“Not at all.” Heyes smiled back.

John walked off, still smiling, no doubt plotting his comeback for the next year.

Curry stared after him. “The chocolate isn’t really what won, you know.”

Heyes was confused. “Why do you say that?”

“Don’t you remember what Grandpa Curry always said about Grandma’s cooking?”

Heyes thought about it a moment then the light dawned. “Ah. The secret ingredient was always love.”

“Yup.” Curry nodded, slapping him on the back. “Still is.”

Artwork by Montana