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

by Melissa McClone

  His nickname for her brought a rush of warmth.

  “Well, you, kind sir, are helping me escape that ivory tower.” She curtsied. “I’d be delighted to dance.”

  Dustin pulled her against him. They danced to a slow, romantic ballad. He brushed his lips across her hair. “I like this. And I really like you.”

  Nevada thought about this man who was afraid to ice skate and had grown up poor. She’d never met anyone like Dustin Decker.

  He’d shown her so many different sides—the cocky cowboy who was ready to claim his prize before the quest began, the man-child who hadn’t faced his fear of ice skating, the caveman who liked to tell others what to do, and the adult who still seemed to be letting his past influence him. But underneath those layers, she saw a caring, generous man. He wasn’t perfect, but no matter what words he might say, he wasn’t a lone wolf with self-serving motivations. He wanted to help others…help her.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I’m so glad I came to the ball with you.”

  “Me, too.”

  Beautiful women in lovely dresses surrounded them, but the way Dustin looked at Nevada made her feel like she was the only female in the room. Each glance, each touch, sent tingles shooting through her.

  “And since we’re having such a great time,” he continued. “A longer kiss might be in order.”

  Anticipation surged through her, but before she could say anything or make the first move—something that didn’t terrify her any longer—Dustin leaned forward.

  She met him halfway.

  Lips touched and moved over each other.

  Longing had been building inside her for days. She kissed him back with an urgency and need that surprised her.

  But it didn’t scare her.

  With him, this felt right.

  Here, now, was all that mattered.

  She gave into his kiss, into him.

  She arched to get closer.

  Physical closeness was all she could hope for with a man who didn’t want a girlfriend or anything that resembled a relationship. Today, she’d come to understand him more and his reasons for avoiding commitment.

  Something so casual might not be enough for her, but it was too soon to know that. They hadn’t known each other long, but he’d been honest with her about what he wanted.

  But she didn’t want to think about any of that right now. She wanted to enjoy this.

  Him.

  He showered kisses along the corners of her mouth.

  She tilted her head back, and he left a trail of kisses along her jawline up to her earlobe where he nibbled and made her groan with pleasure.

  His lips returned to hers. Control slipped. If they kept this up…

  He pulled back.

  Her heart pounded like the timpani being played during Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”

  “Where did that come from?” he asked.

  She’d kissed him with sheer abandon, but she wasn’t embarrassed. “Like you said, a longer kiss was in order.”

  “Off to get a room?” A male competitor, who was from a nearby town, snickered. “Figured there had to be a reason you picked her. Now I know.”

  Dustin’s nostrils flared like an angry bull. He stepped between the guy and Nevada. “Watch what you say about my partner.”

  The man, who Nevada thought was in third or fourth place with his partner—a fit-looking woman—held up his hands. “Just joking around, bro.”

  Dustin didn’t back down.

  “I’m ready for dessert.” Nevada wanted to diffuse the tension between the two. She pulled him toward the dessert table. “Let’s try the fondue.”

  Dustin walked away begrudgingly.

  “I appreciate your chivalry, but a guy like that isn’t worth getting into a fight with.”

  “No.” He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “But you are.”

  “Keep that up and I’m going to think this is part of your winning strategy… or you’re starting to care about me.”

  The way she cared for him, but she didn’t dare admit that.

  A mischievous gleam lit his eyes and matched the smile spreading across his face. “Who says it has to be one or the other?”

  No one, but Nevada would have much preferred the latter.

  *

  At six o’clock in the morning, Dustin’s phone pinged. He bolted upright.

  Nevada.

  Was she okay?

  He grabbed his phone and glanced at the screen. A text was there, but not from her.

  V_Quest: We regret to inform you that today’s tasks have been cancelled due to a winter-storm alert. Stay inside and keep warm. We hope to be back on schedule Monday afternoon.

  Dustin blinked, wiped his tired eyes, and reread the text.

  Cancelled.

  Dylan Morgan at KCMC had said the weather would be chilly, but clear all weekend. No sign of snow, not even flurries. The weatherman was wrong. Again.

  A winter-storm alert meant Dustin wouldn’t be leaving the Bar V5 today. He’d need to watch out for the livestock and help with the guests since the place was sold out. He wouldn’t be able to see Nevada.

  Another text arrived.

  Dad: Heard a bad storm is hitting. Stay safe and dry. Don’t be a hero.

  Dustin laughed. He typed a reply.

  DD: No worries. Not paid enough for heroics. Got time for a quick call?

  Dad: Always.

  Dustin called his dad, who picked up after the first ring.

  “Is the weather hampering the quest?” Dad asked.

  “Everything’s cancelled today.”

  “Still in second place?”

  “First after yesterday.” Staying to help the gift-box recipients had earned them bonus points. Although they hadn’t known that would happen. They’d just been doing a nice deed.

  His dad whistled. “Congrats.”

  “Thanks.”

  “How’s that partner of yours working out?” Dad asked.

  “Better than I expected. She’s…”

  “What?”

  “Nevada’s not like any other woman I’ve met. I really like her.”

  “It’s about time.”

  “What do you mean?” Dustin asked.

  “You’re thirty years old. I’ve been wondering when you’d meet a girl worth mentioning to me.”

  Hadn’t he told his dad about Daisy? They’d dated a year, but Dustin couldn’t remember. “Nevada’s getting her PhD at Columbia.”

  “Sounds like a smart woman if she’s interested in my son.”

  “Dad…”

  “I know your mother and I weren’t the best examples when it came to having a successful relationship, but don’t let our mistakes ruin your chance at love.”

  “Like, Dad. Just like. We hardly know each other.”

  But as Dustin said the words, they didn’t ring true. Doing the quest and being open was letting him get to know her in a deeper and faster way than usual.

  His dad laughed. “If you say so.”

  Dustin clutched his phone. He wasn’t sure what to think, but he did want his dad’s opinion on something. “Nevada thinks I’d make a good teacher.”

  “You’re one of the best riding instructors in that part of Montana. You could do more with that if you lessened your workload at the ranch.”

  “I’m a wrangler with a bum knee.” His hand rubbed said knee. “Dakota meant more than me giving riding instructions.”

  “Does that interest you?”

  “I don’t know, but it’s something I never thought about. I think I could be a good teacher.”

  “I have no doubt about that,” his dad said without any hesitation. “There are many kinds of teaching opportunities around these days. Not all are inside a classroom. See what your options are.”

  “Maybe I will.”

  “If you decide you want to go to school, I have a little money saved up that could help with tuition.”

  “Dad—”

  “You took good c
are of me when you were lighting up the leader board bull riding. Been saving some of that money just in case you needed it.”

  Dustin’s throat tightened. He’d never expected his father to do that. “Thanks.”

  “Anytime, Son. Be careful with the storm.”

  “Will do.”

  His dad disconnected from the call.

  Dustin dressed. Today was supposed to be his day off because of the quest, but the storm changed that. He would ride out to check on the cattle and see what else needed to be done.

  And once his work was finished, he would come back here. The bunkhouse computer would be a good place to find out what his options might be. He also knew a certain ivory-tower princess who might have a few ideas for him.

  That wasn’t an excuse so he could call Nevada. After sharing secrets and an amazing kiss last night, he didn’t need a reason to call her. Knowing that made him very happy.

  Chapter Twelve

  Nevada made the most of the snow day by working on her dissertation. By Monday afternoon, the snowstorm had passed, and the Valentine Quest was back on schedule. Today’s task brought competitors to the Marietta hospital. Nevada sat in a large room with children who were patients there. Blank cards, stickers, crayons, and markers lay on tables surrounded by kids in chairs and some in wheelchairs.

  Today’s task instructed them to help the children make Valentine’s cards for the other patients at the hospital. A wonderful thought, but Nevada couldn’t say she was completely comfortable. She’d never spent much time around kids—healthy or sick. But based on the smiling young faces around her, this was fast turning into one of her favorite tasks.

  “When I grow up, I want to be a cowboy.” A young boy named Leo sat between her and Dustin. “Cowboys are cool.”

  Smiling, she raised her gaze to meet Dustin’s. “They are cool. Hardworking and good with animals.”

  “And kids.” Leo stared up at Dustin with hero worship in his eyes. “Cowboys like Dustin come to see us. Especially during rodeo weekend.”

  That might explain why Dustin was so at ease around Leo and the other children. “Really?”

  Leo nodded enthusiastically. “Cowboys are the good guys.”

  “You’re one of the good guys, too.” Dustin pulled out a red bandanna from his pocket and loosely tied it around the boy’s neck. “All cowboys need one of these.”

  “Wow. Thanks.” The boy touched the bandanna as if in awe. “I can’t wait to ride horses. Mommy said I have the good kind of cancer, so I’ll get the chance.”

  Nevada’s breath caught. As if cancer or any other life-threatening illness could ever be considered good, but the little boy impressed her.

  “Even if it is,” Leo continued. “I don’t like getting medicine. Chemo for Leo is what my mommy calls it. I feel icky afterward.”

  “I’m sure you do, kiddo.” Dustin gently touched the boy’s thin shoulder. “But cowboys do what they must do to get better, so stick with it.”

  “I will.”

  “Good,” Dustin said. “Because once you’re feeling better, we’re going to teach you to rope a calf. We’ll start with you standing. Once you have that down, we’ll move to a horse. How does that sound?”

  The boy sucked in a breath, and then he nodded furiously.

  “There’s nothing like roping your first calf.” Dustin leaned closer to Leo. “Your heart beats like a snare drum roll. Sweat drips down your face, but you don’t care. Timing is all that matters. Because if you get that wrong…”

  “You get a cowboy speeding ticket,” Leo said.

  “That’s right. And ten seconds is hard to make up, but when you get it right… man, is it the sweetest feeling in the world.”

  Nevada watched, mesmerized by Dustin. She understood why Leo was, too.

  Passion shone in Dustin’s eyes and in each word. Love for the rodeo, too. He might be a former champion, but this was more than a job for him. It was his life. Who he was.

  Or had been before his injury.

  Leo rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait.”

  “Me, either,” Dustin said. “So, listen. There’s no rush. Take your time getting better. The Bar V5 will be there when you’re ready. We have cattle, horses, and barn cats.”

  Leo looked ready to pack his bags now. “Any dogs?”

  “Yep. A cattle dog named Dusty.” Dustin’s smile widened. “Want to hear a funny story?”

  “Yes!” Leo shouted.

  Nevada appreciated the boy’s enthusiasm because she wanted to hear the story, too.

  “When I was growing up and when I was on the rodeo circuit, everyone called me Dusty. But this old cattle dog named Dusty had been at the Bar V5 first, so I go by my full name Dustin. That way, no one gets confused.”

  A puzzled expression formed on Leo’s face. “Who would confuse you with a dog?”

  “I told the foreman the same thing,” Dustin said. “But he said no to my using Dusty.”

  Nevada had no idea if that was a true story, but Leo held on to each word. As Dustin had with Brooklyn at the library, he acted more like a father figure with Leo than a flirty, hot cowboy looking for a fling.

  Nevada could imagine what his children might look like. Blond, with sparkling blue eyes, the kids would wear jeans, T-shirts, and cowboy boots, have smiling faces, leave sticky handprints on the walls, and track dirt everywhere. They would be, in a word, adorable.

  Like him.

  Picturing Dustin as a father sent her pulse sprinting. He would be the kind of dad who chased kids around the yard in games of tag, carried them on their shoulders on long walks, and taught them to help others.

  The images in her mind appealed to her more than she thought they would. Especially since that was the last thing he wanted.

  What was she thinking?

  His kisses made seeing straight impossible. She must be suffering the aftereffects from the ball on Saturday night.

  Dustin handed Leo a sheet of stickers. “Want to use any of these?”

  “Maybe.” Leo held up his card. “What do you think of my horse?”

  At the sight of the brown horse, Nevada’s heart lodged in her throat. Tears welled in her eyes. “Oh, Leo, that’s lovely. You’re so talented.”

  The boy beamed. “Thanks. I have a lot of time to practice.”

  Of course he did. But she knew enough to recognize a budding artist. “If you change your mind about being a cowboy, you could be an artist.”

  “Why not be both?” Dustin asked. “Never limit yourself.”

  She hadn’t expected him to say that, but she agreed. “Listen to what Dustin says.”

  He leaned closer to Leo and placed his arm around the boy. “You know, that horse reminds me of one I rode way back when I first started on the rodeo circuit. I was a few years older than you are now.”

  Leo’s eyes widened. “Wow.”

  “Wow is right. His name was Tank, and that described him perfectly. If you didn’t watch him close, he’d barrel right over you.” Dustin winked. “At least, he did that to me.”

  Leo laughed, and the sound filled Nevada’s heart with warmth. Something inside her ached. It was small and unfamiliar, but there.

  What was going on?

  She had put her dream of having a family aside. For good reasons.

  Getting her dissertation and tenure would allow her to have a permanent home and share her knowledge. Nothing would stand in the way of her plans, especially a cowboy from Montana. Yet…

  Being here today—just being in Marietta–was making Nevada realize there was more to life than her dissertation and school. The interaction between Dustin and Leo touched her heart in a way she hadn’t imagined.

  Nevada couldn’t wait for the race to be over, so they could go on their date. But she also wanted to do something else. She wanted to ask Dustin to be her valentine.

  Maybe he would want to be.

  And maybe, just maybe, he would want to be…

  More.

  R
ealization hit like cupid’s arrow to the heart.

  She was falling for Dustin.

  Falling hard.

  For so long, she’d kept the idea of falling in love buried so deep inside. Being with Dustin was bringing those secret longings to the surface. She still wanted the future she’d planned and dreamed about for herself, but those things no longer seemed enough.

  And she knew why.

  Doing the quest with Dustin had shown her something she hadn’t realized was important to her…

  She wanted someone to be a part of her life.

  Nevada had never felt this hum of awareness with a man, the heightened senses, and being part of something bigger than herself.

  She had no baseline for a comparison of her emotions. She just wanted to be with him. And when she wasn’t with him, he was on her mind and in her heart.

  But were her feelings real? Could affection grow into something lasting after knowing someone for such a short time?

  Nevada hoped so.

  *

  While he drove them back to the chocolate shop, Dustin glanced at Nevada sitting in the passenger seat. “You’re quiet. Everything okay?”

  She nodded. “This afternoon’s task wasn’t what I expected, but I enjoyed myself more than I thought I would.”

  He understood. Images of the children played through his mind. “Those are some great kids. Especially Leo. Sucks they are sick or injured.”

  “It does, but they had fun today.”

  “Smiles all around.” Including hers.

  She had the best smile. Well, everything about Nevada was great—from the way she threw her all into tasks to her sportsmanship. He couldn’t wait for another kiss.

  After the race ended tomorrow, they would be able to spend more time together. He’d made reservations for them to go out to a nice Valentine’s dinner.

  “You seemed to enjoy yourself,” she said.

  “I did. I’ve also done some volunteering with Buck’s Place, a support group for kids with sick siblings, but this was different.”

  “You’re excellent with kids. If you’re not interested in teaching, counseling is another option.”

  He shot a glance her way. “I thought about what you said. On Sunday, I did a little research about teaching, but the bottom line is that I’m a cowboy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to be.”