Valentine Kisses: A Kiss to Last a Lifetime

by Abigail Drake

  “Maybe she’d like a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with flowers and chocolate.”

  “No, no, no. She’s probably been there, done that,” Roy said skeptically. “Most single people I know hate Valentine’s Day. It’s nothing but a harsh reminder of how bitter and lonely we all are.”

  “Now you’re starting to sound like a country song,” Hank said with a smile.

  “God bless country music,” Roy said with a smile.

  After Effie went back to work at the library, Charlie stayed behind in the booth reading a book. Hank sat at the counter content to watch her long elegant fingers turn the pages of a well-worn paperback.

  She’s so lovely.

  Hank was lost in his imagination until Loretta leaned against Charlie’s table blocking his view.

  “You doing okay, sugar?” Loretta asked.

  “Could I have slice of pie, please?”

  “I think the peach is just out of the oven. That okay with you?” she asked.

  “Sounds perfect,” Charlie said.

  Loretta ducked behind the counter. She flashed a quick smile at Hank and then returned to Charlie’s table with a slice of warm peach pie. As Loretta passed Hank, the air was scented with cinnamon and spices. Hank thought the pie smelled delicious.

  Almost as delicious as Charlie herself.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Charlie stretched, yawned and rolled over. There was nothing she liked better than sleeping in on Saturday mornings. She loved to plan her day off while she was still in a semi-comatose state. First, she was going to make a batch of molasses cookies to take to the library for Effie’s story time on Monday. Then she was going to binge-watch the new season of Sherlock that had been sitting on her DVR for over a month.

  Yes. A shot of Benedict Cumberbatch with a Martin Freeman chaser was just what she needed to lift her spirits. She reached for the remote on her nightstand when she heard a knock at her front door. Charlie ducked her head under her quilted coverlet and held her breath. Whoever was out there would go away soon. She had no doubt.

  She waited, but after a few minutes the knocking didn’t go away. Instead it became more frequent until it was a never-ending annoyance.

  Seriously? Who does that? Who keeps knocking when no one answers?

  Every tap on the door made Charlie even less likely to get up out of bed and see who was out there. Even if Michael Fassbender was standing on her front stoop waiting to sweep Charlie off her feet, she wasn’t getting out of bed. He could be beautifully costumed as Mr. Edward Rochester, and yet—she still wouldn’t be tempted to change her mind.

  Charlie wasn’t leaving her bed until after noon. No matter what.

  Eventually the most annoying person in the world—the person knocking without stopping on her front door—would give up and go away.

  It took five full minutes for Charlie to fully comprehend that she was wrong. Whoever was standing on her front porch had found the doorbell.

  Charlie rolled over and listened to the pattern of the chimes.

  Sweet Baby James!

  It took several minutes but finally Charlie realized the crazy person out there was playing “Here Comes the Sun.”

  Seriously? The Beatles?

  Charlie glanced at her bedside clock. At seven o’clock in the morning on a Saturday?

  This was some kind of crazy.

  Charlie considered calling 9-1-1. Whoever was standing on her front porch deserved to go to jail. At the very least, the person deserved an earful.

  Charlie swung her feet over the edge of the bed. She tiptoed over to the chair in the corner of her room and found her favorite hoodie. She zipped it on over her baby doll nightie.

  Charlie was seriously pissed. Someone was about to get a couple of F-bombs served up for breakfast.

  She put her feet into her fuzzy slippers, which were in their usual place right next to the bed, then blindly searched the nightstand for her glasses.

  Ack! They had to be there. Somewhere.

  If only the world wasn’t a complete blur when she wasn’t wearing them. Blindly searching her nightstand, she knocked something onto the floor. The telltale sound of her glasses skittering across the hardwood gave her a clue as to where they were. She picked them, put them on. She was relieved when her world finally came into focus. Then she stomped down the stairs, and through the living room, swinging the front door open with a surprising amount of force.

  “What the hell!”

  Charlie shouted before she’d had the chance to completely comprehend and focus on the person standing there.

  Hank. Handsome. Smiling.

  Her heart skipped a beat. Her body temperature started to rise. She could feel her cheeks getting pink.

  Hank was dressed for a work out. A waffle-weave thermal stretched across his broad shoulders showed off every muscle and sinew on his body.

  “Hi,” he said.

  The gates to the butterfly preserve in her stomach opened wide and a hundred-million little wings started beating all at once.

  Welcome back, Monarchs!

  Under the cloth of Hank’s shirt, his broad chest hinted at the bunched pectoral muscles and biceps of a superhero. Seriously. Charlie thought, he must crush skulls with his bare hands in his free time. She’d always known Hank was built, but this up close and personal display of male perfection was ridiculous.

  Charlie was taking her time looking over every square inch of Hank’s body until she realized a real man was standing in front of her, waiting for some kind of coherent verbal response.

  Charlie looked up into Hank’s face. His eyes immediately crinkled into a warm smile.

  Oh god! He knows I’ve been checking him out. He’s been waiting for me to finish.

  “Hi,” Charlie said, blushing with embarrassment. “What are you doing here?”

  “Your glasses are crooked,” Hank said. Reaching out, he adjusted her glasses to make them level on her face. The moment he pulled his hands away, her glasses fell back to their previous angle.

  “Yeah,” she said. “These are my sleepers.”

  “Sleepers?”

  “I like to read in bed. A lot. But I tend to fall asleep while I’m reading, so I keep a pair of old glasses around knowing they’ll most likely get crunched under my face. Frequently.”

  Hank studied her face for a long time. It was a lot longer than made Charlie truly comfortable. “It’s probably time to get them adjusted.”

  “Thanks for the tip. Is there anything else? It’s pretty early on a Saturday.”

  You better have a damn good reason for being here. Other than to let me gawk at the hottest parts of your body.

  “Why are you hiding behind the front door?” Hank asked.

  “I’m not wearing pants.” Charlie admitted. She hoped the fact that she didn’t always wear pants would keep Hank from stopping over uninvited in the future. “Oh,” he said. Now it was his turn to blush bright red.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked.

  “I was going out for a run, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?”

  “On a run?” she asked incredulously.

  Was he kidding?

  He had to be kidding. Charlie searched his face. He didn’t look like a man who was making a joke.

  “I—don’t run,” she said. “My idea of a diet and exercise program involves walking to the kitchen to get a Lean Cuisine or two out of the fridge to microwave for dinner.”

  “Yeah. I didn’t think you were a runner, but it’s just such a beautiful day. I thought we could go up to Whaleback. You can walk the path in the woods, and I’ll run some laps around you. It’ll be fun.”

  Doesn’t sound like fun. It sounds a lot like exercise.

  Did he not hear her? Did she not just say she doesn’t run? For any reason other than extreme emergencies. She liked to read books in her free time. Under a cozy blanket with a cup of tea nearby. What about that didn’t he understand?

  “I don’t actually own any
athletic-type shoes,” Charlie explained.

  “Didn’t you wear a pair of Chuck Taylors with your ‘I read past my bedtime’ T-shirt for Casual Friday at the library yesterday?” Hank asked.

  Charlie nodded.

  Hank had noticed what was written on her T-shirt? He’d been reading the lettering on my breasts? Sweet Baby James! That was more than a little naughty.

  The fluttery sweet feeling she’d had earlier returned in a big way.

  “Put them on and come with me,” Hank said. “We really shouldn’t waste a day like this. Warm sunny days like this don’t come along very often, especially this time of year.”

  “It’s February. It’s supposed to be cold and dreary. It’s the dead of winter.”

  “Winter is my favorite time of year,” Hank said.

  “Mine, too,” Charlie said. “Mostly because I don’t have to make up excuses for staying inside and reading a book.”

  Hank shook his head. “March will be here sooner than you’d think. Then winter will come back like a villain and kick all of our asses. We’ve got to enjoy this kind of weather while we can.”

  Hank wasn’t going to give up without a fight. He smiled, and Charlie’s heart melted.

  “Honestly, Hank. I don’t know what to say. There are plenty of outdoorsy girls in Good Harbor that would be thrilled to be chased by you through the woods.”

  “But I’m not asking them. I’m asking you,” Hank said. “I want to share this beautiful day with you.”

  Charlie ignored the fluttery feelings she was having to focus on discouraging Hank. “I’ll have to get dressed.”

  “Yeah. You should put some pants on before you hit the trail or people will talk.” Hank couldn’t keep the eagerness out of his voice.

  “It’ll take a little while,” she said, attempting to discourage him. “To find an outfit that’s appropriate for being out in the wilderness.”

  “No problem,” Hank said, looking quite pleased. “I can wait..”

  Hank was right. It was a beautiful day.

  Charlie kicked up snow as she walked through the woods on the little path that turned and twisted through the forest. She giggled gleefully as she tipped back over into a snow pile and moved her arms and legs to make a snow angel. She hadn’t done that since she was a little girl. This was so much fun.

  Behind her, Charlie could hear Hank’s footsteps getting closer. She forced herself not to turn around, afraid her mouth would drop open at the sight of Hank running. And then, she was afraid she’d start to drool.

  Hank had taken off his thermal shirt at some point. His plain white T-shirt had become plastered to his body by sweat. The form-fitting sweats he was wearing almost caused her to stop breathing. He was the epitome of male beauty in action.

  Hank must work out. All. The. Time.

  His body truly is a work of art.

  Charlie took a deep breath. The sweet clean Lake Michigan air filled her lungs. It smelled like water, pine needles...and sweaty Hank. ‘Sweaty Hank’ was fast becoming one of her favorite scents. It was almost as good as the aroma of her favorite peach pie at Cuppa Joe’s. Almost.

  Charlie smiled. Her heart felt so light every time Hank smiled at her. Her troubles faded and all she could think about was him. Her worries had been overshadowed by a beautiful walk in the woods with Hank.

  Charlie listened to the rhythmic sound of the waves rolling onto the sand in the distance. It was so peaceful and calming. She tried to memorize all of it for when she was upset or lonely or afraid. She would remember this time and this place. It was magical.

  ***

  Hank was feeling pretty good. He hadn’t gone for a run in over a week and he’d been afraid he’d feel tight and wheezy. Instead, he was enjoying the challenge of pushing himself as he picked up the pace on a hill. Hank had an incentive, knowing that Charlie would be on the other side. Just seeing her in the woods ahead of him made him run a little faster.

  As Hank picked up his pace, he headed through the trees on the path that would take him toward Lake Michigan. He took a moment to enjoy the beautiful winter morning. Everything smelled fresh, the crisp scent of pine mingling with the ever-present lake air to create an aroma he was addicted to, like a drug addict.

  He came to the top of a ridge and entered into a thicker part of the woodland. The sunlight didn’t cut through the trees here. The ground was only lightly dusted with snow. He could hear his own footsteps treading on the moss and twigs that covered the path.

  Up ahead of Hank, Charlie shuffled through piles of snow.

  She took forever to get ready this morning, but it was worth the wait. She was wearing skinny jeans rolled up at the bottom, a caramel-colored jacket and a red-plaid scarf. Her hair tumbled in rosy golden waves around her shoulders. Soft wisps tucked behind her delicate seashell-shaped ears beckoned for him to nibble. She had finished her look with a pair of cat-eyed sunglasses that made her look like a movie star.

  Hank had advertised their outing as a walk in the woods, but Charlie had taken the time to put on her signature red lipstick. As if he needed another reason to stare at her full mouth. He was constantly fantasizing about kissing. He wondered how her lips would feel on his and if she would taste of sugar cookies too.

  Hank wasn’t even aware of his physical exertion. He was floating on top of the ground. He could run for miles. He was so focused on doing another lap of the path and coming up behind her to watch her ass moving in front of him. She was his fantasy come to life. If only, she didn’t think he was a stupid construction worker. He had no idea how he would make her think of him as anything more than man meat.

  As he ran past her, he smacked her on the ass. She squealed. His hand stung where he had touched her perfectly rounded ass cheek.

  “Pick up the pace,” he panted. “You’re falling behind.”

  “Maybe you should slow down,” she retorted. “You’re breathing really heavy.”

  “I have a condition,” Hank said holding his hands over his heart.

  “You’re crazy,” she said. “It must be a mental health issue, you might want to have it checked.”

  “Meet you at the overlook,” he said, panting a little now.

  “Overlook? What overlook?” Charlie asked, looking confused.

  Hank pointed ahead. Charlie nodded. She picked up her pace and walked a little faster. She wanted to see whatever Hank said was over the next hill.

  At first, it was just a few breathtaking glimpses of dark blue water through the trees, but when she came to the overlook, there it was in all its glory.

  Big Blue. Lake Michigan. Dark blue water was covered with bright white-capped waves. It was simply spectacular.

  Hank smiled. “Every time I think I should move away from here. This is what makes me stay.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Charlie said.

  Hank and Charlie stood there for a while. Aware of each other, but relaxed enough to just watch the waves roll onto the shore without any words spoken.

  “You ready to go?” Hank asked after a few minutes of shared silence.

  “Wait,” Charlie said, putting a hand on his arm. “I want one last breath.”

  Charlie took a deep breath, filling her lungs. Hank did, too. The winter air was fragrant with the sweet smell of Lake Michigan and the spicy scent of pine.

  Charlie smiled up at him. She was standing so close. Hank’s lips were close enough to her ear that his breath stirred her hair. His hands lingered on her shoulders for a moment. When his fingers touched her skin, it was like a live current sending a jolt of electricity through him. Hank pulled his hands away, but not before wondering if Charlie could feel it, too.

  “You hungry?” Hank asked.

  “Always,” she said. “You can count on me. You don’t even have to ask.”

  Hank grinned broadly. Something else they had in common. “Then let’s go and find some breakfast.”

  Charlie followed Hank up the path to the clearing where he had parked his truck. Hank
stopped just before they reached the clearing. He thought about kissing Charlie. He was feeling emboldened in the woods with the clean scent of pine in the air, but just as he was feeling confident,, they came face-to-face with Nels and Dina.

  “Charlie,” Nels said. He looked even more surprised to see Hank and Charlie, than they were to see them. Dina was standing right behind Nels, dressed in yoga pants and a tight spandex top. She had long dark hair and straight white teeth.

  “What are you guys doing out here?” Charlie asked.

  “We just got engaged,” Dina said, flashing her engagement ring. "During the sunrise."

  “Congratulations,” Hank said.

  “It’s a beautiful ring,” Charlie offered.

  Nels looked embarrassed. He couldn’t maintain eye contact with Charlie. Hank doubted he was helping the situation, using his body as a wedge between Charlie and Nels.

  “Charlie? Have you met Dina Travers? Her family lives on Juniper Trail.” Nels said.

  “The big blue house?” Charlie asked.

  Dina nodded.

  “That’s the one,” Dina said with a smile.

  “I know your mom,” Charlie said. “She’s a regular at the library. She loves mysteries.”

  “She can’t put them down,” Dina mocked. “She’s a card-carrying book geek, and she doesn’t care who knows.”

  Charlie smiled.

  “We were just on our way to get breakfast,” Hank said. He put his hand under Charlie’s elbow and pushed her toward his truck.

  “We just went for a run,” Charlie said.

  Nels looked surprised. “Charlie? Running? You can't be serious. “

  Hank glanced at Charlie, expecting her to be offended, but she just laughed off Nels' remarks.

  “You working as a personal trainer, Hank? Now that your dad's business tanked?” Nels asked.

  “No,” Hank said tersely. “I'm not.” He turned and walked up the path.

  “I guess we're going,” Charlie said. She hurried after him.

  Hank helped Charlie into the passenger side of his truck. He glanced over at her once or twice, when they were back on the road into Good Harbor. He didn't even care that Nels had attempted to insult him. He was focused on Charlie. He kept waiting for her to dissolve into tears or have some kind of negative reaction to the news her ex-boyfriend was engaged to somebody else.