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

by Melissa McClone

  As another minute ticked off, he typed a quick text.

  DD: Where are you?

  No reply came. Dakota didn’t work at the shop on Saturdays, so he couldn’t ask her.

  He stared at his cell phone.

  Nothing.

  Concern ratcheted. He wanted to chalk up the feeling to the race and not having to do the first task alone, but he was worried. Nevada should be here.

  He sent another text.

  DD: Are you coming?

  His phone buzzed. Thank goodness. He stared at his screen.

  Nevada: 2 minutes away. Cat got out.

  The cat was the problem. Nevada was fine.

  The knot in his chest loosened.

  A minute later, the bell on the door jingled. He glanced over.

  Nevada waved at him.

  Warmth spread through his chest and out to the tips of his fingers and toes.

  Sage rang the bell. “Are you ready for day four of the Valentine Quest?”

  The participants cheered.

  Nevada clapped and smiled. That pleased Dustin. She appeared ready to have fun. He was.

  “This morning you’ll be doing a physically challenging task, but one we hope will also be emotionally fulfilling. This activity will take several hours and be the only one you’ll do. Bottled water and a boxed lunch will be provided.”

  Dustin had no idea what that meant, but emotionally fulfilling sounded like another service project.

  “Be sure to pick up an envelope on your way out so you know where to go,” Sage added. “Have a wonderful time.”

  Nevada was the first one out of the shop. She waved a red envelope in the air as if to tell him that he wouldn’t need one.

  He liked the way his alliance partner thought.

  And kissed.

  Dustin met her on the sidewalk. He reached out to her but then lowered his arm. No sense starting rumors when nothing was going on between them. He didn’t want the small-town gossiping to bother Nevada.

  “Hey.” He took in her jeans, the tails of her plaid shirt hanging out the bottom of a thick sweater, and the pink jacket. “You look great.”

  “I had to change, and this was clean. No inside out for me.”

  Grinning, he motioned to his truck. “How’d you get dirty?”

  “Kimba slipped outside and went into the crawl space. Dakota was on the phone with Lori asking for help, so I went after the cat.”

  He wasn’t about to tell Nevada about the multi-legged or slithering creatures that probably lived under there. At least in the late spring and summertime. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.

  “How did the cat escape?” he asked.

  “Kimba snuck between the dogs’ legs and went out with them to the backyard, but fortunately, Dakota noticed right away. I’m not sure I would have.”

  Nevada hopped into the truck, opened the envelope, and pulled out a piece of paper.

  He sat in the driver’s seat and fastened his seat belt. “What’s our physically challenging task today?”

  She read, “Gifts of cards, candy, and flowers are given on Valentine’s Day as a celebration of love for another. Today, you’ll be delivering presents to individuals in the Marietta area.”

  “That sounds like fun.”

  Nodding, she continued. “Drive to the address listed below. There you’ll package presents, and then deliver the gifts to the recipients.”

  “That doesn’t sound too challenging.”

  “It almost sounds too easy.” Her tone was full of disbelief. She lowered the paper. “I have a feeling something’s being left off.”

  “We’ll find out when we get there.”

  He drove to the address provided—a nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of town.

  Dustin had been this way many times, but he’d never noticed the driveway and the address sign by the side of the road. Other competitors had already arrived.

  Nevada leaned forward. “What are they carrying?”

  “Boxes.”

  “A cardboard box is the gift?”

  “Let’s find out.”

  They exited the truck and made their way to Emerson and Clifford, who stood behind a table draped with a heart-shaped flag. No mimosas this time, but they were drinking what looked to be fancy coffee drinks out of clear glass mugs.

  “Greetings, questers,” Clifford said while making a flourish with his arm. “You’ll be given a list of items to pack into each box. Not all will be the same so pay attention. Once the contents are verified and the boxes sealed, you’ll load them into your vehicle.”

  “Don’t mind him,” Emerson said. “He sees being a sponsor of the quest as being named supreme ruler of the universe.”

  Clifford nodded.

  Emerson shook his head. “After the boxes are loaded, come back here to get the addresses where each box must be delivered. If you have questions, we’re here to answer them.”

  Clifford tsked. “They’re the minions today, not us.”

  “There are no minions.” Emerson sighed. “Not today. Not any day.”

  Trying not to laugh at the men’s antics, Dustin walked away from the table.

  Nevada followed. “I’m trying to figure out what’s the catch, but I can’t see one.”

  “Maybe this is all about packing and delivering boxes.”

  He walked into the warehouse and then froze.

  Boxes were piled high in rows that looked like a—

  “It’s a life-sized maze,” Nevada said.

  “An impossible one,” Carly, the pixie with dimples, said. Her face was red as if she’d been exercising. “This is our third time through trying to find what we need. Dan’s ready to give up.”

  Nevada blew out a breath. “Guess we found the catch.”

  An hour later, Dustin loaded their second verified box into the back of his truck. Each one of his muscles ached.

  Not to mention his joints. His knee burned so badly he could barely stand without grimacing.

  Knowing he couldn’t continue much longer, he sat on the truck’s tailgate to rest his leg. “They weren’t kidding when they said this would take all day.”

  Nevada carried their third box and placed that into the truck next to the other two. She touched his arm. “You’re hurting.”

  “A little.” He was having a hard time pretending to be okay. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Rest. I’ll do the next one.”

  His mouth slanted. “Aren’t you supposed to ask me if I’d like to rest?”

  “When pain is involved, telling’s allowed.” She winked.

  That made him smile. “Appreciate it.”

  “Be back soon.” She headed into the warehouse.

  Dustin rubbed his knee.

  Emerson brought over a bottle of water. “It’s not frozen, but it’s cold. Might help.”

  “Thanks,” Dustin said. Guess he wasn’t fooling anyone.

  Twenty minutes later, Nevada emerged from the warehouse. Her face was pink, and she struggled with the weight of the box in her arms.

  She looked ready to topple over.

  He stood and took the box from her.

  “Thanks.” She wiped her face with the back of a gloved hand. “The other box is verified, but I can only carry one at a time.”

  She was amazing. He wanted to kiss the tiredness from her eyes, but he didn’t dare. Not until they were alone and on their date. “I’ll get that one.”

  “I can handle it. I’m not sure I can carry all the rest on my own, but I’ll try my best.”

  He had no doubt. “Resting is helping my knee. We can trade off so we both get breaks.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” She exhaled, and the condensation from her breath hung on the air. “I don’t get the contents of these gift boxes. Food, toiletries, office supplies, toys, and socks.”

  “They’re not random.” Memories from his childhood flashed through his brain. “These are items that people need, but often can’t afford.”

  H
er forehead creased.

  He continued. “These aren’t simply gifts. They’re care packages for families in need.”

  “I had no idea.” Her voice was low, but full of emotion. She stared at the boxes in the truck. “Gives a new meaning to this task.”

  He nodded. “Giving to others feels great.”

  But the words sounded hollow to his ears. He couldn’t forget how little he and his dad had at times. The nights he hadn’t had much to eat or had no place to sleep except the old camper on the back of his dad’s truck.

  “You okay?” Nevada asked.

  Another nod.

  “I’ll get the other box,” she said.

  As she walked away, Dustin stared at the three boxes in his truck. He knew exactly what these packages would mean to the families who received them.

  A lump burned in his throat at one specific memory.

  He and his dad had received a similar box once. They’d struggled for years. In plain sight. However, no one seemed to notice other than the “there’s the poor kid” remarks in the hallway at school.

  How had his dad managed all those years?

  His father had never asked anyone for help, not even during the lowest of times, but once, a box had shown up at the door to the camper where they’d been living. A box full of food, clothes, toilet paper, cash that his dad used to fill the pickup’s empty tank, and school supplies and a backpack for Dustin. His dad had cried like a baby because they’d only had a meal or two of food left.

  Dustin had been so moved by the person’s generosity that he’d spent months trying to track down where the care package had come from, but he’d never been able to.

  Would someone feel that way today?

  Most likely.

  He was still grateful for the box they’d received.

  One reason he’d jumped at the job at the Bar V5 was knowing room and board were included. He wouldn’t be homeless or go hungry while he worked there.

  That was the kind of job his dad tried to find. Sometimes, he’d succeeded. Other times, he’d failed.

  That was being a human, but after leaving the rodeo circuit, Dustin knew he could take care of himself, but he didn’t want the responsibility of providing for a wife and child.

  What if he wasn’t good enough and couldn’t?

  Going hungry sucked.

  He never wanted to put another person, especially his own family, through that.

  He couldn’t.

  Dustin didn’t want others to see him as a loser and judge him. That was something the barn cats or rescue animals didn’t do. They just wanted love and attention.

  Who he was or where he came from didn’t matter.

  He liked that.

  Dustin placed the water bottle against his knee again. He needed to do this task whether his knee cooperated or not.

  Nevada carried out another box. She moved slowly. Her steps were uncertain and wobbly.

  He jumped off the tailgate and met her halfway. “I’ve got it.”

  He slid the box into the truck and then looked at Nevada.

  She struggled for a breath, but wasn’t sitting or leaning against the truck. “I can get one more.”

  “No.” Dustin fought the urge to reach out to her. He couldn’t let himself be distracted. “It’s your turn to rest.”

  Nevada’s arms wrapped around him.

  Her hug shocked him and seemed to surprise her as well, but she held on a little longer and that gave Dustin strength. Just as his ivory-tower princess had done at Miracle Lake.

  She backed out of the embrace. “Thanks.”

  A slight nod was all he could manage with so many thoughts filling his head.

  He walked to the warehouse.

  Each step sent a knife jab of pain through this knee, but he ignored it. Sitting this task out wasn’t an option, and he wasn’t about to let Nevada down. It was his turn. Teamwork would see them through.

  And gratitude.

  He owed it to whoever had helped him and his dad so many years ago. The kind, generous people who’d given them hope when there didn’t seem to be any left. People who, he imagined, were a lot like Nevada and Dakota Parker.

  Chapter Eleven

  Hours later, Nevada sat in Dustin’s pickup on the way to deliver the care packages. Muscles she didn’t know she possessed hurt, and her back ached. But this task gave her a feeling of purpose—a feeling she was making a real difference.

  That felt amazing.

  Being sore was a small price to pay for helping others. She was worried about Dustin. He’d been quiet at the warehouse and during the drive to their first stop.

  He turned off a two-lane highway onto a snow-covered driveway. “This is it.”

  Snow drifts surrounded the small house located in the middle of nowhere. A rundown barn looked like it needed to be torn down. There were a few other sheds nearby, but no livestock that she could see.

  Dustin parked and then carried the box to the porch. His limp was more pronounced.

  Nevada hated seeing him in pain. She would carry the rest of the packages when they stopped.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “I’m fine.” His gruff voice suggested otherwise, but she pressed her lips together to keep from probing more.

  He knocked.

  An older woman wearing a jacket, hat, and gloves opened the door. “Yes?”

  Emerson had told Nevada what to say, but nerves threatened to get the best of her. She had no idea what these people were going through, but she couldn’t stand here all afternoon.

  She cleared her dry throat. “Hi. I’m Nevada Parker, and this is Dustin Decker. We’re participants in the Valentine Quest and have a gift for you.”

  The woman drew back. Lines creased her forehead. “A gift? Are you sure you have the right person?”

  Nevada glanced at the name on the box’s card. “Are you Sharla?”

  “Yes.”

  Dustin stepped forward with the large, heavy box. “Then this is your care package from friends in Marietta.”

  The woman’s eyes widened. “I don’t know many people there.”

  “They know you, Sharla.” His caring tone made Nevada’s heart skip a beat. “Want to see what’s inside?”

  Nodding, Sharla motioned them into her living room. The temperature inside the house was only slightly warmer than outside.

  Dustin set the box on the floor and rubbed his knee. Something Nevada had seen him do after a physical activity or when he looked in pain.

  He stared at the unused fireplace. “While you ladies see what’s inside the box, how about I bring in wood and get a fire going?”

  Sharla’s expression turned to one of relief. “Oh, please. I haven’t been able to make it out to the woodshed with the snow.”

  “Happy to do that for you,” he said with a smile. “I’ll bring in extra so you don’t run out right away.”

  Sharla covered her mouth with her hands. Her eyes gleamed. “T-t-thank you.”

  Dustin went outside.

  “Let’s see what’s in the box,” Nevada said.

  Sharla ripped off the tape, opened the flaps, and gasped. “This is all for me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, bless you.” As Sharla removed items from the box, she was quiet, but her smile kept widening. She opened an envelope full of gift cards. Tears streamed down her face. “It feels like Christmas.”

  “Happy Valentine’s Day.” Those weren’t three words Nevada usually said, but she had no trouble saying them now. “Would you like help putting things away?”

  “I’d rather just look at everything if that’s okay.”

  “That’s fine.”

  Dustin carried in wood and stacked logs next to the hearth. A few minutes later, flames danced and wood crackled in the fireplace. “The living room will warm up shortly.”

  Sharla’s arms wrapped around her stomach as if she were hugging herself. “I’m speechless.”

  “But you’re smiling, so th
at’s good,” Dustin said in a lighthearted tone. “Is there anything that needs fixing around here?”

  “Know anything about faucets?” Hope sounded in Sharla’s voice.

  “A little.” Dustin flashed her a charming smile—the one that made Nevada’s heart dance a jig. “Let’s see if that’s enough.”

  Fifteen minutes later, the kitchen faucet no longer gushed water and worked correctly.

  Sharla clapped. “Oh, thank you. I’ve been washing dishes and filling pots in the bathroom sink.”

  “You can use the kitchen sink now.” Nevada wished Dustin could see that he was a man of many talents with a generous heart.

  “Anything else need fixing?” Dustin asked.

  “No, I’m good.” Sharla stared at the box with a look of awe. “Thanks to you and my Marietta friends.”

  “Then we’ll be going.” Dustin’s smile never wavered. “We have more deliveries to make.”

  Sharla hugged each of them. “Drive careful. The roads can be slick.”

  “We will.” Dustin looked around the house one last time as if taking inventory. “Take care.”

  “Nice to meet you, Sharla.” Nevada followed Dustin out of the house. She waved before climbing into the cab.

  He got into the truck and turned on the ignition.

  Sharla went back inside.

  The front door closed.

  “Wow.” As the truck pulled away, Nevada glanced back at the house. “I’m not sure if I should be happy for helping or crying for not doing more.”

  “Be happy. This made Sharla’s day in more ways than you realize.” His jaw was tense as if he’d had a hard time with the visit. “It’s hard not knowing where your next meal is coming from or not being able to afford to fix something when it breaks.”

  “That was so nice of you to bring in firewood and fix the faucet.”

  “Least I could do. I remember…” Dustin pressed his lips together.

  “What?”

  He didn’t answer. His gaze darkened.

  Something told Nevada this was important. “What do you remember?”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed. “What it’s like to not have enough food to eat or have a place to live.”

  She inhaled sharply. The raw emotion in his voice hurt her heart. She touched his forearm. “You and your dad?”

  He nodded.

  She had no idea about his past, but this explained his reactions at the warehouse and the way he pushed himself so hard despite his knee.