The Valentine Quest (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 5)

by Melissa McClone

  “Now she’d rather I find a man.”

  “That’s so strange.”

  Nevada nodded. “I wonder what kind of grief York is getting. I hope she’s holding off until he leaves the air force, but who knows?”

  “At least Mom isn’t picking favorites.”

  “For once.”

  They both laughed.

  “I just hope she stops meddling soon,” Dakota said.

  “Me, too.” But not before Mom asked about the last man Nevada had kissed because she wanted to answer Dustin Decker.

  Chapter Ten

  Monday afternoon, Dustin entered the Marietta library with Brooklyn Redstone, who wore a pink jacket over her pink sweater and pants. A pink thermal headband held back her dark brown hair. He carried a stack of books that needed to be returned.

  “Hurry.” She tugged on his arm. “I don’t want to miss anything.”

  “We’re fifteen minutes early, sweetie.” Dustin placed the books in the return slot. “You won’t be late. I promise.”

  He’d volunteered to bring Brooklyn to the story and craft activity in the children’s section so her parents, Meg and Ty, could keep working at the Bar V5. This upcoming weekend had unexpectedly sold out—something rare in the offseason except for Thanksgiving and Christmas—so cabins that hadn’t been used since New Year’s needed to be prepared for guests.

  He was down to one book. “Almost finished.”

  She bounced from foot to foot. “That took less than two minutes.”

  Dustin was sure she could tell him the exact amount of time if he asked. That was how Brooklyn’s brain worked. “Now we can go to the children’s section.”

  “Yay.” She held his hand, and off they went. “I wonder what craft we’ll be doing.”

  “I’d say something for Valentine’s Day. It’s next Tuesday.”

  “Will you be my valentine?”

  “Always, sweetie.” He squeezed her hand. “But you have to be mine.”

  Her smile reached all the way to her warm brown eyes. The color reminded him of chocolate. And that made him think of Nevada.

  Would she want to be his valentine, too?

  “Oh, look.” Brooklyn pointed with her free hand. “Someone else has a pretty, pink coat like me.”

  The jacket hanging on the back of a chair was like the one that Nevada had worn yesterday. She’d mentioned the coat belonged to Dakota.

  Which of the Parker sisters was at the library today? He hoped Nevada.

  He knew how to find out. “Want to go see if the jacket is like yours?”

  Brooklyn’s mouth formed an o. “Please, Dustin, please.”

  “Come on, but be quiet. People are working.”

  She put a finger against her lips and made a shhh sound. “That’s what our school librarian does if we’re too noisy.”

  They walked past rows of books. As they came closer to the pink coat, he saw a loose ponytail. The hair color was too dark to be Dakota’s.

  This was his lucky day.

  He felt like adding a skip to his steps the way Brooklyn did.

  Nevada sat at a cubby full of books, a binder, and a laptop. Deep in concentration, she wrote on a yellow legal pad.

  He read the title on one of the books—Madame Bovary. Unlike the German novel she’d had at the Java Café last week, he’d heard of this one. Might have to see if the library had a DVD version. He’d like to know more about what she studied.

  She was wearing her red glasses. The smart girl looked downright sexy. He would love to sneak up to her and nuzzle against her neck. But she might not want to be disturbed and scream. That would get him in trouble. Something he wouldn’t want, even if Brooklyn wasn’t with him. Best if he kept his distance and didn’t distract her.

  “I like your pink jacket,” Brooklyn said. “It’s very pretty.”

  So much for not interrupting Nevada. All he could do was stand there and smile.

  Turning in her chair, Nevada adjusted her glasses. Her surprised gaze traveled from him to Brooklyn. “Thank you. I see you’re a fan of pink.”

  “I love pink. I’m Brooklyn,” she said. “This is Dustin. He’s like an uncle except we’re not related by blood, just the Bar V5.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Nevada didn’t seem upset that her work had been disturbed. If anything, she appeared pleased. “I’m Nevada.”

  Brooklyn’s lips parted. “We both have pink jackets and geographical names.”

  Nevada’s eyes twinkled. “I bet we have more in common than that.”

  Dustin imagined that was true. Had Nevada grown up being the smartest one in her class? Not all of Brooklyn’s classmates understood her love of learning new stuff, but she also loved princesses, dolls, board games, and horses so she had other interests to share with friends.

  “I like your glasses, even though they’re red.” Brooklyn’s nose crinkled. “If you add white to red, you get pink. So, in a way, your glasses are a darker shade of pink.”

  Nevada’s grin widened. “I like how you think.”

  He liked how considerate she was being after they’d interrupted her. This was going to make Brooklyn’s day. The little girl enjoyed meeting people and had charmed many a guest at the Bar V5.

  “Brooklyn is always teaching us wranglers something,” he said.

  “Quid pro quo.” Brooklyn spoke the Latin words as if they were a part of every eight-year-old’s vocabulary. “You’re teaching me how to ride and be a cowgirl, so it’s only fair.”

  Nevada looked like she wanted to laugh. “I bet you enjoy reading.”

  “I love books. I also like math, science, and art,” Brooklyn said. “We’re going to do a craft in a few minutes. Do you want to come with us?”

  Dustin placed his hand on Brooklyn’s shoulder. “That’s nice of you to ask, but Nevada might have work to do.”

  She nodded. “I do, but I’ll peek in if I finish early. Sound good?”

  “Yes.” Brooklyn looked at the clock hanging on the wall. “We should go so we’re not late.”

  “Nice seeing you.” Dustin wished he could stay and talk to Nevada, but he was responsible for Brooklyn. Being late to her was almost as bad as not getting one hundred percent on a school assignment. “I have to get her to the children’s section.”

  “I understand more than you know.” A wistful gleam was in Nevada’s eyes. “You were right about a certain someone being whip smart.”

  He nodded. “I hope I see you later.”

  “Me, too.”

  His mouth went dry. That was more than he expected to hear. “Get back to work.”

  “I will.” Nevada shooed them away. “Go have fun.”

  Brooklyn wiggled with excitement. “Oh, we will. Dustin is the best at crafts. Even better than Mommy, but please don’t tell her I said that.”

  “I won’t,” Nevada said.

  As he walked away with Brooklyn holding his hand, Dustin glanced over his shoulder.

  Nevada was watching them.

  He smiled at her.

  She smiled back.

  His pulse went from a trot to a gallop.

  Interesting. Maybe he should start hanging out with Brooklyn in libraries instead of with Eli at Grey’s Saloon.

  *

  Nevada returned to her dissertation, but her concentration was broken. All she could think about was Dustin and Brooklyn. Talking to the young girl was like stepping back in time. Nevada saw so much of herself in Brooklyn.

  A chapter was waiting to be revised, but Nevada had accomplished more than she expected by working in the small cubby. She could call it a day and be satisfied with her progress, even though she was still behind. She would rather pack up her things and see what was going on in the children’s section than keep working.

  Yes, she had more to do, but seeing Dustin made her happy.

  Nevada put everything into her backpack. She followed the signs toward the children’s section. Young peals of laughter sounded.

  She peered inside a wi
de doorway.

  Dustin was reading a storybook, and the children sat enthralled. She was impressed by the way he used different voices for the characters and emphasized the dialogue with facial expressions.

  A natural storyteller.

  Some kids leaned forward. A couple of them stood.

  Brooklyn sat in the front and smiled.

  “The end.” Dustin closed the book.

  Applause and cheers sounded from his rapt audience that included a few moms who seemed a tad smitten with the cowboy, too.

  He bowed, the motion exaggerated for his young audience.

  An older woman wearing a library apron stood. “Thanks, Mr. Decker, for that wonderful tale. Now it’s time for a craft. We’re making Valentine’s sun catchers. Walk to a spot at the big table.”

  The kids scrambled to their feet and ran to the table, despite the direction to walk. Dustin followed behind them.

  Different boys called for his help, but he first made sure Brooklyn had what she needed. His love for the little girl was apparent in every look and touch.

  Dustin seemed so carefree and a bit of a lone-wolf type that Nevada understood his lack of desire to settle down. But seeing him with the children, he was the antithesis of a hot cowboy playing the field. This was a family man, or rather, he could be one.

  Something fluttered in Nevada’s stomach. She leaned against the wall and made herself comfortable. She wanted to watch him.

  As the minutes ticked by, Dustin helped as many kids as he could. He never sat.

  Whereas some kids talked over the librarian, Dustin commanded attention. When one child dissolved into tears over a ripped sun catcher, he saved the day by helping the boy make a new one.

  The man might herd cattle and cats, but he should add kids to the list. He was a natural. That made her wonder if he’d considered teaching beyond giving riding instruction.

  Brooklyn noticed Nevada and waved. “Come see.”

  Nevada removed her backpack and set it inside the stack of cubbies on the nearest wall. She walked over to the table.

  “Everybody.” Brooklyn looked at each of the kids and then pointed at Nevada. “This is my friend. Her name is Nevada. She likes to wear pink, too. Show her your sun catchers.”

  The little girl wasn’t shy like Nevada had been growing up. That would serve Brooklyn well.

  As if on cue, the children on that end of the table held up their heart-shaped sun catchers made with clear contact paper, tissue paper, and markers.

  “They are lovely.” Nevada complimented each child. She remembered how important that had been when she was younger.

  Who was she kidding?

  She still liked being complimented for her work.

  The librarian handed Nevada a pair of scissors and asked her to cut more tissue paper into small strips.

  Dustin came up behind her. “Wish you were hanging out with Madame Bovary and Gus instead?”

  His breath against her ear sent her temperature soaring. He wasn’t touching her, but heat emanated from him. Every part of her body keyed in on Dustin and sent her insides haywire. She tried to remain cool and collected on the outside. “No, I’m right where I want to be.”

  “Good, then you can join Brooklyn and me for cookies at the bakery after this.”

  Dustin walked away before giving Nevada a chance to say no.

  Not that she would have said that. She loved cookies. If they were anything like the pie Walt had served the other night, she was in for a treat. But his telling her what she was going to do rather than asking didn’t sit well. She didn’t like anyone—male or female—telling her what to do. Although hadn’t she done something like that to him at Miracle Lake?

  “Is something wrong?” Brooklyn asked.

  Perceptive child. “No, I was just thinking.”

  “I do that a lot myself. Are you having cookies with us?”

  “Yes.” What could happen over cookies with an eight-year-old chaperone who likely had a genius level IQ? Nothing. “I can’t wait.”

  *

  Nevada had only seen the Copper Mountain Gingerbread and Dessert Factory through its front window filled with items themed to that month. Inside, however, was an even more charming little shop that smelled delicious and was filled with unique décor.

  A glass case displayed cakes, pies, cupcakes, cookies, pastries, and tortes. Prices were written on a chalkboard that hung behind the counter. Nearby was a seating area full of different-sized tables—round, square, rectangular—and mismatched chairs. The odd assortment of styles was comfortable and homey. Very welcoming.

  Their order of cookies had been served on vintage china. The drinks came in mason jars with lids and straws.

  The extra touches added to the delicious baked goods. “I’m going to have to come back to try more things.”

  “You should.” Brooklyn pointed to a room with glass doors. “There’s the party room. I had my eighth birthday here, and it was so fun. Wasn’t it, Dustin?”

  “Best birthday ever.” He bit into a molasses cookie.

  “Aunt Rachel is the greatest.” Brooklyn slid off her chair. “I’m going to say hi to her.”

  The little girl ran into the kitchen.

  So much for their chaperone. “Who’s Aunt Rachel?”

  “Rachel Vaughn. She’s the sister of one of the Bar V5 co-owners and the wife of the other. She also owns this bakery.”

  “Oh. I didn’t realize that.”

  “Small town means an even smaller world.” He raised his glass of milk. “I’m glad I saw you at the library.”

  “Me, too.” This seemed as good of time as any to say what had been on her mind. “You’re good with kids.”

  Dustin shrugged. “Brooklyn is family.”

  “I meant all the kids,” Nevada clarified. “The way you read that story and helped with the craft shows skill and experience with children.”

  “I do that kind of stuff at the ranch during the summer months. Need to make activities fun and interesting for the guests, no matter their age.”

  “You do.” She raised her oatmeal raisin cookie. “Ever thought of teaching?”

  “I teach riding lessons.”

  “I meant more.” Nevada didn’t want to push him as she had at the lake, but she wanted him to understand. “Like school or after-school classes.”

  He leaned back in his chair as if to put distance between them. “I told you I never went—”

  “To college. I know, but you could go now. The semester has started at the university, but you could see if there’s another school or community college that runs on the quarter system and enroll in the spring.”

  He shook his head. “Look, I appreciate the thought, but I’m a cowboy. A wrangler. I belong on the back of a horse, not in a classroom.”

  “You could do both.”

  He laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

  “I have a feeling Brooklyn is going to grow up to be a lot like you.”

  Nevada stared into her milk. “Poor kid.”

  “Lucky kid,” he countered. “You’re an amazing woman, Nevada Parker. And as soon as the Valentine Quest is over, you and I are going on a date.”

  A thrill shot through her, except he hadn’t asked her out. Disappointment took over. She didn’t like the way he told her what they were doing instead of giving her a choice. “What if I don’t want to go on a date?”

  He raised a brow. “After that kiss on the gazebo, why wouldn’t you want to go out?”

  Heat rushed up her neck. Guess he felt something too. Good. But… “It’s nicer to be asked than to be told what to do.”

  He thought for a moment and then shrugged. “Works for me.”

  “What?”

  Dustin leaned over the table and placed his hand on top of hers. His skin was rough, but warm. “After the Valentine Quest is over, would you like to go out with me?”

  Tingles erupted along her skin. “Yes, I would.”

  “Then i
t’s a date.”

  A date. Nevada’s insides shimmied. A weird reaction considering going on a date was the last thing she wanted to do, but something about Dustin made her want to forget the past and live in the moment. He’d also given her a reason to look forward to Valentine’s Day arriving. Something she never thought would happen.

  Using the pad of his thumb, he rubbed her skin.

  Heat emanated from the point of contact.

  If you ever wanted to take a slight detour from your plans and have a fling, he would be your guy.

  Her sister’s words echoed through Nevada’s brain. She had no idea what she wanted with Dustin, but maybe it was time to open herself up to something new. She only hoped going out on a date didn’t blow up in her face or…end up breaking her heart.

  *

  The days passed slowly for Dustin. He hadn’t seen Nevada since Monday afternoon. He’d been too busy at the Bar V5. She’d been working on her dissertation and teaching.

  Teaching.

  He couldn’t believe she thought he’d be good at that. The more he thought about teaching, however, the more he liked the idea. But that wasn’t possible, was it?

  A part of him wanted to find out, and maybe that would get Nevada off his mind. He’d been thinking about her, not the quest.

  Saturday morning, he stood in the chocolate shop with the other competitors. He held a hot chocolate, but barely tasted his favorite item on the Copper Mountain Chocolates’ menu. Instead, he kept glancing at the door.

  Nevada should be here any minute.

  Anxious to see her, he tapped his foot against the floor. Only a few more days—four counting today—until Valentine’s Day and then…

  Date night!

  Asking Nevada out had been a spontaneous act simply because he liked being with her. He also appreciated the attention she’d given to Brooklyn. If he hadn’t wanted more kisses before, he would want them now.

  Beyond that? He didn’t know.

  In Eli’s eloquent words, Dustin was screwed.

  And he had a feeling that was the case with Nevada Parker.

  He glanced at the time on his phone and then at the door. Nevada wasn’t late, but she usually arrived first.

  Where was she?