“I’m not criticizing you. I’m trying to understand. You and Al seem so well matched. I just can’t figure it out.”
“It seems like we spend less time together every day. When we first got back from the honeymoon, we were only together for breakfast and supper, other than sleeping together. Now, he’s going into work before me, and he’s staying through supper. I only see him in bed, which…well, I have no complaints about what happens in bed, but I’d like to actually see my husband. He’s become a stranger to me.”
“Why is he working late every night? And going in early? Has he talked to you about it?”
Erin shook her head. “I have no idea whatsoever.” She looked down at her desk calendar, glaring at the date. Valentine’s Day, and she had no plans with her new husband. Her marriage was already falling apart. “I think I’m going to tell him that we should split up when our year is up.”
“Your year? What does that mean?”
“When Dr. Lachele matches a couple, they both have to sign a contract agreeing they’ll live together for a full year. So we have to stay together through Christmas.”
Angela frowned. “Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun? I know you have feelings for him…”
Erin sighed, a tear streaming down her cheek. “I do have feelings for him, and that’s why I’m going to give him his freedom. He’s working more and more to get away from me, and I don’t think he should have to do that.”
“I think you should ask him about it. I’m sure there’s a perfectly logical explanation.”
“Yeah, you said that when Helen was worried about her husband staying out late, and it turned out he was cheating on her with his secretary. Remember that?”
“I guess I just see the best in men…”
“You see the best in everyone, which is what I love about you. I wish I was that way. I’m going to freak out until I offer him his freedom. Hopefully he’ll tell me I’ve lost my mind, but if he doesn’t, then I’ll know I was right.”
Angela glanced at the clock. “Lunch is just about over.” She stood up and hugged Erin. “Don’t do anything stupid. I know you like to have all your cards on the table, but don’t do anything that will ruin your marriage when it’s not absolutely necessary.”
“I won’t,” Erin said, even as she knew she’d carry out her plan. She had to know what was going on with Al, and she didn’t know of a better way to find out.
That afternoon as her students did their demonstration speeches, she couldn’t concentrate. No, her mind was where it always was lately. On her failing marriage. She was going to be the first failure on Dr. Lachele’s record, and she didn’t even know what she’d done wrong.
She got home at her usual time, and after spending a few minutes with Beau, she made spaghetti for supper. She’d hoped to do something special, but obviously her husband didn’t realize it was Valentine’s Day. You’d think working around chocolate, he’d have figured it out by all the extra orders. She knew some men thought of Valentine’s Day as a Hallmark created holiday, but even if it was, he should do something for it.
He’d bring her chocolate, as he always did, but that didn’t mean that he’d remembered. No, he’d bring chocolate because she asked for it as soon as he walked into the door every night. Not after tonight, though. Tonight she’d offer him his freedom.
Chapter Ten
Al was excited and nervous all at once as he pulled into the driveway that evening. He’d decided that Valentine’s was the perfect day for his huge declaration of love to Erin. He’d spent the past few weeks preparing for this special night. He’d forgotten to tell her not to cook, but he could take her out the next night if she already had. He’d have a lot more free time on his hands now.
He was positively gleeful as he opened the front door, calling out to her. “Erin, I’m home!”
She came out of the kitchen, and he noticed for the first time a look of utter and complete sadness on her face. She’d always seemed so happy to him, and he was startled.
“Hi.”
“Are you okay?” He set the box of chocolates he’d brought her on the counter and pulled her to him. “Did something happen?”
She pulled away from him with a frown. “No, nothing happened. I just made some decisions today. We should talk.”
He nodded. “We can talk.” He picked up the chocolates from the counter. “But first, happy Valentine’s Day!”
She looked down at the chocolates in her hands, and for once didn’t want to dive into them. “Thank you.” She set them on the counter beside her.
He frowned at the box. “You have to open them!”
She closed her eyes for a moment, wanting to tell him that chocolates didn’t matter if he didn’t love her. She’d be willing to give up her love of chocolate for him. Instead, she picked up the box and opened it. On top of the chocolates was a heart shaped note.
“My dearest wife, I’ve spent the past few weeks working hard to make some changes in my life. I’ve hired a new manager, who will take all my Saturday shifts and allow me to be home at a decent hour. More importantly, I created the perfect chocolate for my wonderful, beautiful wife. I’m calling it simply, The Erin. I love you more than I could ever express.”
She felt tears prick her eyes as she took one of the chocolates and popped it into her mouth. She leaned against the counter, moaning with the pleasure of the flavors popping on her tongue. It was a hard caramel, covered with milk chocolate, with a dash of sea salt on top. She chewed it slowly savoring every bite. It was absolutely perfect.
As soon as she finished it, she set the box on the counter and threw her arms around him. “I love you so much!”
He laughed softly, his arms closing around her. “I love you too. I’ve known for weeks, but I didn’t give you a perfect marriage proposal—or really any proposal at all—so I thought you deserved the perfect declaration of love.”
She sniffed back a tear as she buried her face in his shoulder. “I was going to offer you your freedom tonight.” She didn’t bother to mention that she’d planned to fight him for custody of the dog. He knew her, so he’d already know that.
“Freedom? What are you talking about?”
“I thought you wanted me to leave. You’re never here anymore. You’ve been going into work before I get up, and not getting home until it’s time for bed…”
Al sighed. “I had a new manager to train, and as soon as she was trained to my satisfaction, I had to work at creating your chocolate. I knew you wanted one with caramel and sea salt, because of your conversation in the candy shop at the airport. And I wanted it to be just right. I guess I should have told you what I was doing instead of working so hard to keep it a surprise.”
“Or maybe I should have asked you what was going on instead of assuming that you didn’t want to be around me.” Erin sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “I’m sorry I thought the worst of you.”
“I never would have let you think that. I love you too much to put you through that kind of pain. If I’d had any idea, I’d have told you what I was doing.”
“Why did you always work Saturdays? You could choose your days off, and I never understood that!”
“Saturdays have always been our busiest day, and the only day that we needed two managers on duty. I always felt like I had to be there. Now that Tabitha knows what she’s doing, I won’t worry about it though.”
“Tabitha? Is your new manager a cute little blonde who would make me want to vomit with her perkiness?” Erin looked up at him, wondering if she needed to go have a talk with said perky blonde.
Al laughed. “Don’t get jealous now! She’s actually Misti’s mother-in-law. Now that Misti is working overnights, she’s home with the girls all day, and her former babysitter is free to work for me during the day. She’s wonderful with the customers, but I had to teach her a lot about fudge-making.”
“And she’s doing well now?”
He shrugged. “Let’s just say that I have told her to
let the employees handle the fudge-making, and she can handle the customers.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
“I need to be okay with it. I have a well-trained staff, and I need to spend more time with my new wife.”
She smiled, stepping closer to him. “I made supper.”
“Whatever it is, it smells good.” His hands stroked over her back. “I was hoping I could take you out tonight, but I should have communicated that to you. I’m sorry I made you feel like I was trying to stay away from you.”
She looped her arms around his neck, the twinkle back in her eyes. “I’ll forgive you…this time. Don’t let it happen again!”
He laughed. “I’ll do my very best!” He raised an eyebrow. “Will supper spoil if it sits for another hour?”
“No, but I might get hangry…”
He groaned. “I guess we can save the hanky-panky until after supper…”
“And after chocolate.” She leaned close, her lips on his ear. “You know your chocolate always puts me in the mood.”
“What did I do before you came into my life, Erin Krol?” He cupped her face in his hands, looking deeply into her eyes.
“Erin Frank. I’m going to officially change my name.” Now that she knew he loved her back, it seemed the only thing to do.
“Really?”
She nodded. “I love you. I want our children to carry your name, and I want to have it too.”
“Children? Are you…”
“Not that I know of. Hopefully soon!”
“I guess we should let your sister enjoy her pregnancy before we try to steal her thunder…”
Erin shook her head. “Not at all. We’ve talked about it. We’d love to have babies that were close in age. Your first best friends should be your siblings or your cousin.”
“Well, then we’ll just have to try harder. Even if it doesn’t work right away, it’ll be a win-win.”
She laughed. “I guess it will.”
Epilogue
Erin looked down at the display on her phone as it rang, answering immediately. “Hey you!”
Jean’s voice sounded both nervous and excited. “Dr. Lachele found me a match. Wedding is first Saturday in April.”
“Really? That’s only a couple of weeks! Are you excited?”
“Very! You’re still coming, right?”
“Of course I am! And if Al doesn’t come with me, I’ll bring Megan as my date. She asked to come, because she wants to see you go absolutely insane as you try to figure out how to get out of it.”
“Tell your sister she’s not my favorite friend anymore!”
Erin laughed. “She never was. It was always me!”
“Yeah, it was always you. I can’t deny it.” Jean sighed. “Tell me it’s all going to be okay, and he won’t kill me in my sleep.”
“It’s going to be wonderful. You are going to marry the man who will make all your dreams come true.” Erin smiled as she patted her belly. “Like Al made mine come true.”
“He made all your dreams come true?” Jean asked. After a moment, she squealed. “You’re pregnant!”
Erin laughed softly. “I am. I just found out yesterday. Al is walking on air. He’s determined it’s a girl. I keep telling him if it is, I’m naming her Sally and calling her Sal. I won’t really, but it gets his goat.”
Jean laughed. “You should be nicer to him. Who’s going to get you pickle flavored ice cream in the middle of the night if you make him mad?”
“Oh, you know he’ll do anything for me. Want me to bring you some Frank’s Fudge when I come down for the wedding?”
“You know I do. I want some plain fudge, some peanut butter fudge, and make sure you bring me The Erin.”
Erin felt a thrill run through her as she thought about the special chocolate Al had named after her. It was his bestseller. “I will bring some of each. I can’t wait to see you!” In her mind she was already thinking about which substitute she wanted to cover for her at work. “I’ll fly down after work on Thursday. We should do a spa day Friday.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be less nervous if I have you there to hold my hand.”
“Are you sure you should get married at the beginning of April? Isn’t that still tax season?”
“I won’t be able to take any time off, but I’ll make it work. I always do.” Jean sounded hesitant.
“I hope you don’t get into fights over that. At least it’ll only be a couple of weeks before your workload lightens up.”
“Yeah. And then I’ll live happily ever after, just like you and Al and baby Sal.”
Erin giggled. “Oh, I wish he’d heard you say that!”
Jean laughed. “You really should stop tormenting the poor man!”
“Probably. But will I? No way!” Erin put her feet up on the coffee table in front of her. Meeting her husband at the altar was the smartest thing she’d ever done, and she knew Jean was making the right decision too.
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Wooing In Wyoming (At The Altar #11) Page 8