Sweet Valentine
Page 4
She didn’t want to hear his protestations of love again, not here in public. So, she did, but not here, not now. She still trembled inside with the old fear. Stripping off the garment of grief and hurt she’d worn for years felt like donning a whole new self, a transformation of fairy-tale dimensions. She didn’t believe in fairy tales.
“Sí, cariña?”
There he went with the Spanish again. Her heart swelled. But her mouth wouldn’t form words. Their breakfast came. It smelled que rico, from the strong scent of the coffee to the eggy hollandaise sauce.
“This was Papá’s favorite meal every Father’s Day.”
“I remember. He was so proud of you and Ana. He...wrote me. Did you know?”
“No.” She set down her fork, sadness and love constricting her throat. Sipping ice water, she waited for him to continue.
“I knew you didn’t want to hear from me, or I believed that, but I had to let him know. He’d done so much for Dean and me, it seemed wrong to leave things like that. His letter back to me was angry, but forgiving. He still believed in me, in us. I... I shouldn’t have said anything.”
She’d stiffened and he’d felt it. Reaching for his hand, she shook her head. “No, I want to know. Digame.”
“He told me about you, how you were so strong and caring, how you watched over them all, how you were tackling business school and helping Ana too. Supporting her, believing in her dreams, but keeping her grounded. How like your mom you were. How maybe that made him distant sometimes. And how he hoped that someday I’d tell you all this, because he doubted he ever would.”
She swallowed again. “I’d like to see that letter. Do you still have it?”
“Yeah, but it’s back at the ranch. I’ll go out today if you want.”
She squeezed his hand. “I don’t...it’s not safe in this weather.”
He lifted her hand, turned it, and kissed her inner wrist. Her arms seemed to liquify as his warm lips brushed her skin in such an intimate-feeling spot.
“Cutler, do you forgive me?”
He squeezed her hand. “Yes. And you?”
“It was my fault.”
“We both made the situation. It’s not too late.”
“Forgiveness is always on time,” she said, quoting her father.
Letting go of her hand, he nodded and went back to his food. She frowned, not understanding what had just happened, but knowing that now there was no denying that she was as much in love with Cutler Manning as she’d ever been.
Chapter Six
Cutler dug into his eggs. They tasted gummy, but he knew it wasn’t the cooking but his own foolishness. He shouldn’t have told Nora any of that. It was clear she’d taken it hard. What selfishness drove him?
He’d come here to Loving, plowing up all her pain. Seeing her hurt wasn’t on his list of outcomes.
At least she was eating again. Now he understood what it must’ve been like for her, the pain and hurt she’d endured. He’d had an idea, at least where the deaths of her parents were concerned, but he wasn’t the oldest sibling and he had six brothers to share in the sorrow and responsibility. Who had Nora had? A grasping, vain older stepbrother and his equally shallow wife, a younger sister who dreamt more than she acted, and a cousin who’d been far away and had her own worries.
He should’ve been there for—with—Nora, shouldered her burdens with her. Supported her. He’d thought he could fix all that by offering her everything, more than he’d had before. But maybe nothing could ever be enough, because the hurt was too deep. He knew the hurt. They’d shared in it, and now that he saw its real consequences, he wasn’t sure it could be overcome. Sometimes when you stripped the land bare, too far down, it wouldn’t recover in a lifetime of nurturing.
She sipped her topped-up coffee. There were faint worry lines around her mouth. What she’d been through... The full force of it bore down on him like an angry bull. It would rip him apart.
“I should get you home,” he said. “Before another storm.”
“It looks clear.”
“Heard there’s another cold front moving in.”
“Oh.”
He paid the bill while she finished her drink. Mrs. Gallagher sidled up to him.
“I see that look on you, like a bronc rider whose horse is about to throw him. Don’t let that fear throw you off course,” she said in a quiet voice.
“Don’t know what you mean.” He shrugged as if the older woman hadn’t just seen right through him.
“All right, cowpoke. Don’t be a fool twice in a lifetime. You hang onto that gal.”
“She doesn’t want to be held.” Not in the way Mrs. G meant.
Mrs. G glanced at Nora, who looked at them with that little pucker between her brows that meant she was worried and curious. She also appeared forlorn, sitting alone, her eyes still glistening with sadness. A sadness he’d contributed to.
“Bosh! You’re already a fool if you believe that. She needs you as much as you need her. You hurt each other, but that’s in the past. Get down on your knees, young man, and do some true talking and you’ll see.” Mrs. G kissed his cheek, her apple-cinnamon scent reminding him of home.
But home wasn’t what it used to be. He’d thought to fill that hole with Nora, with their love. But she wasn’t some thing he could use to fix things. She was a beautiful, smart, capable, caring woman who deserved a man who would support her, love her with all he had and could be. Was he that man?
He sure didn’t feel like it. He felt selfish. He felt like a coward.
Fetching Nora, he led her to his truck and helped her in. Her petite delicateness belied her strength. Who had he thought he was, that a woman like her needed him? As full of himself as she’d said, that’s who.
He drove in silence. Mrs. G didn’t know. What could he possibly say that hadn’t already been said? He’d told Nora he loved her, forgave her. She’d forgiven him, but hadn’t said anything about love.
The sun was too bright against the brilliant white of the landscape as he pulled into Maya’s driveway.
“How is it, being at Maya’s?” he asked.
“Fine. The house is big enough for the three of us, and Maya spends a lot of time at the bakery and Dean’s, so we all get some privacy.”
“Good.” Really, he was glad for them, that they made it work, that they had each other, like he had his brothers.
He opened her door for her and walked her onto the porch.
“Thanks,” she said, fidgeting with a stray strand of hair.
He ached with the longing to hold her, wanting to make it all okay, wanting to love her. But it felt too late—too little too late.
“Anything for you.” His words came out choked, hoarse.
She touched her fingertips to his cheek, brushing down his jaw line. Before he could lean into her touch, before he could kiss her, she pulled away and stepped back.
“Promise me you’ll bring me the letter?”
“I swear it.” He’d never let her down again, not if he could help it.
She nodded and closed the door. Standing in the cold, he vowed to be the man she’d thought him to be all those years ago, one with integrity and goodness. The man she’d loved. He touched the spot over his heart, feeling the ring, her ring. He would be the man for her, the one she deserved. If only she loved him still.
Chapter Seven
Nora moped around the house, not really doing anything. Re-wiping the already clean counters, checking the fridge, straightening and fanning the books and magazines on the coffee table, dusting the walls and furniture, and vacuuming didn’t diminish the feeling of restlessness and sadness that haunted her.
Cutler. Why had he left? She supposed she hadn’t been welcoming, but it seemed he hadn’t needed her to be so before. He’d burst in and tackled her doubts and opened her up to loving him all over again.
“Oh, Papá,” she whispered. Then she prayed and the peace that came with knowing entered her. The risk of loving Cutler was worth it. And that her belove
d papá had approved put her certainty over the top. But she did want to see the letter for herself. Papá had made a lot of mistakes, but he’d been a good judge of character.
Still, she wasn’t ready to run after Cutler. She needed something from him. Needed him to make another move showing that he still wanted her in his life. Because she also knew what she wanted and that was honest communication, commitment, and love. She wouldn’t settle for less, not even from her one real love, Cutler Manning.
She ran upstairs and reorganized her room for the second time. Wouldn’t it be something if Cutler did want her to marry him, like he had when they were young? She still wanted that life with him, still wanted to make a new life with him. Changing into a dress, tights, and winter gear, she realized it was lunchtime. She ought to check in with Maya and Ana, so she’d drive into town. The plow had been through now, so she could make it okay.
About twenty minutes later, after a very slow drive to town—she wasn’t used to snowy driving conditions, and they scared her, after what had happened to Papá—she drove up Main Street. Coming in the opposite direction was Cutler’s large silver SUV. She parked near Gallagher’s Café and hopped out, standing where he could see her.
He parked the truck on the opposite side of the road and jogged to her.
“You’re here,” he said.
“Yes.” She smiled at him.
“I was bringing the letter to you.”
“You drove all that way and back?”
“Anything for you.” He handed her the letter.
She opened it and read the words her papá had written to the man she loved. Tucking it into her pocket, she reached for Cutler’s hand.
“Thank you. I hoped to see you again.”
“You did?” His brow crinkled.
“Why would you doubt it?”
“I made you sad again.”
“Who said? Don’t start that old foolishness again. You’re good for me, and the only man I want. I’ve been afraid, but now I know, and I want to face the scary things with you.” She moved closer to him and caressed his jaw, loving the way his stubble tingled against her fingertips. “I love you, Cutler Manning.”
He leaned into her, enclosed her in his arms, and kissed her. Kissed her firmly and tenderly, so that knowing bloomed throughout her limbs and core. She loved this man and he loved her. They were meant to be.
“Nora,” he said, his forehead pressed to hers, “you are my sweet valentine, my only love, mi vida. I want to be there for you, with you, always.” He dropped to his knees, right there in the snow and she laughed and tried to pull him up. “Nope, not until I do this right. Elenora Delgado, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
He held her hand and presented her with a diamond ring.
“Yes, if only to get you out of the snow,” she teased.
He slid the ring on and rose, kissing her again while clapping and hoots rang out on the quiet street. They turned to see Mrs. G, Maya and Dean, Ana, and some other townspeople who’d been in the café, smiling at them from the doorway. Cutler chuckled and gave them a thumbs up.
She leaned up to whisper to him, “Don’t ever doubt our love again.”
“I promise.”
They entwined their hands and walked to greet their friends and family. Their sweet Valentine story would last a lifetime right here in Loving.
Epilogue
Nora squeezed Cutler’s hand as they sat at what had become their table at Gallagher’s Café. He kissed her forehead and pulled her closer.
“You’re sure about this summer wedding thing?” he asked again.
“I know you want to do it sooner, but I want a church wedding, so yes, summer.”
Mrs. Gallagher appeared at their table. “I can tell you two are talking wedding.”
“Please, join us.” Nora had come to appreciate the straight-talking older woman. While she wasn’t as close to her as Ana had become, she wanted Mrs. G to be a part of this event. Just in the last few weeks, their upcoming wedding had seemed to bring people together and talking about love and happiness.
Mrs. G sat opposite them and smoothed her silvery bob. “Ana tells me she’s to be maid of honor?”
Nora nodded. Who else could it be but her romantic sister? Despite their differences, she and Ana were sisters, and close ones at that.
“And best man?” Mrs. G continued.
“Not sure,” Cutler said. “I thought maybe Dean, but he prefers to stay in the background, and he and Maya are busy with her new business and his new ventures.”
“What about Brandon? You two were thick as thieves when you were young.”
Cutler shrugged, but Nora felt the uptick of tension in his shoulders. Nora leaned into him and rubbed his hand in reassurance. He let out a breath. “Hasn’t been the same since he joined up...and came back.”
“He’s still your brother. And of course he’s different. Serving in the military and suffering loss will do that to you.”
Nora knew about the latter, and so did Cutler. He kissed her hand. “What do you think, sweetheart?”
“I think it would be good to include as many of our loved ones as possible. Do you want him to be the one to stand up with you?”
“Yes, and Dean. Mrs. G, you’re right again. I’ll call Brandon later and see if he’ll be my best man.”
“Good.” Mrs. G nodded. “Do you have an event planner yet?”
Nora smiled. “We hoped you’d lead the team, Mrs. G. Ana says you’re the best.”
“Not to toot my own horn...” The older woman put up her hands as if she fingered an imaginary trumpet. “Yes, I’d love to help. We’ll get the whole town, just about, in on the fun.”
Nora thought she’d mind this big event/group mentality, but with her newfound certainty, Cutler’s love and support, and her loved ones, both old and new, surrounding her, she practically glowed with anticipation. Most importantly, she’d be Cutler’s wife in six months. After that, a lifetime of togetherness. Just weeks ago, she’d felt lost and alone, but now she knew she just hadn’t seen what was there all along: love. Love would never leave.
Mrs. G rose, waved, and went to greet other customers. Cutler cupped Nora’s cheeks and kissed her firmly and tenderly.
“I love you, Nora.”
“And I love you, Cutler. Always and forever.”
“Siempre jamas.”
She touched his cheek, rough with stubble. “Sí.” She said yes to Cutler, yes to love, yes to life. And it was sweet.
Acknowledgements
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this book, please help by leaving a review and recommending it to others. You are appreciated!
Special thanks to: Jessica McBrayer and Marik Berghs for reading and sharing stories of Montana; Marilyn for the Montana tips; my family and friends for their support; Cheryl for the beta reads; and Holly at Evil Eye Editing for her helpful comments.
About the Author
Reina M. Williams writes cozy, heartwarming fiction. When she's not writing, editing, or spending time with her sons, you're most likely to find her watching a period drama or classic movie, walking in a park or library, baking, or reading with a cup of tea nearby. A California native, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Look for all ten books in the Montana Matchmakers series!
Other sweet contemporary romance:
North Beach Bakery series
Escape in Love series
Petals, Pride, and Persuasion: A Jane Austen in California Collection
California Fairy Tales series
Sweet Historical Romance:
A Gentleman’s Daughter trilogy
Love at Pemberley (four novellas of Pride and Prejudice)
Reina loves to hear from readers! Connect with her:
Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest
Want Reina’s book news and specials? Sign up for her newsletter!
Don't miss out!
Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emai
ls whenever Reina M. Williams publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.
https://books2read.com/r/B-A-NPFE-QXBDB
Connecting independent readers to independent writers.
Also by Reina M. Williams
A Gentleman's Daughter
A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Choice
A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Folly
A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Love
Escape in Love
Greek Getaway
Paris Interlude
Italian Honeymoon
Jane Austen in California
Petals, Pride, and Persuasion: A Jane Austen in California Collection
Love at Pemberley
Most Truly: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Miss Darcy Decides: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Miss Bennet Blooms: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Misunderstood: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Love at Pemberley
Montana Matchmakers
Sweet Christmas
Sweet Valentine
Sweet Spring
Sweet Summer
Hello Dolly
Sweet Fall
One Moment
Sweet Winter
Sweet Easter
Sweet May
North Beach Bakery
Valentine Kisses
Spring Kisses
Chocolate Kisses
Autumn Kisses
Mistletoe Kisses (Coming Soon)
Christmas Kisses (Coming Soon)