A Thankful Heart (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 2)

by Melissa McClone

  “But she’s not sleeping much as a result,” he added.

  “Sleep is overrated when you’re trying to make your dream a reality.”

  “Says the man who takes three naps a day.”

  “Dakota can rest after Thanksgiving. Just like I’m catching up on my sleep after spending most of my life working. Wait until these casts are off. I’ll be ready to go.”

  This was the opening Bryce needed. “Then what?”

  “My life will get back to normal—work and volunteering.”

  “You’ll be lonely.”

  His father’s gray brows drew together, and he made a funny face. “Where did you get the idea I’m lonely?”

  “Volunteering, playing cards, being a regular at the chocolate shop. Look at all you’ve been doing.”

  “Those things don’t mean I’m lonely. It means I’m part of a community and have a life. Friends.”

  “Your friends are coming over because you broke your legs.”

  “I saw my friends as much when my legs weren’t broken, only we didn’t always meet at my house and never during the day unless it was a weekend. They come here now because it’s more convenient for you and me.”

  Bryce tried to figure out if his father was being honest or stretching the truth. “Seriously?”

  His dad nodded. “In case you haven’t noticed, I have more friends in Marietta than your mother and I had in Philadelphia, and we lived there longer.”

  “If that’s the case, you’ll be able to make new friends in Seattle.”

  “I like the ones I have.”

  His father needed to be reasonable. “Marietta is too far away. We need to live closer. I’ve enjoyed hanging out with you this month. I realize how much time we’ve missed together and how much I appreciate you. That’s why Seattle is the best choice.

  “For you, not for me.”

  “You’re my last living relative. Family. I’m right about this, Dad.”

  “You’re wrong, son.” His father’s jaw tensed. “Your mother’s dream brought me here, and I’m so happy I listened to her. You are family, but Marietta is my home. I’m not moving.”

  “But—”

  “Nothing you say is going to change my mind.” His gaze hardened like granite. “In case you’ve forgotten, I buried your mother’s ashes here in Marietta, and there’s a spot waiting next to her for me. Nothing, not even you, is going to take me away from this town, so please stop trying. It’s only going to drive a wedge between us, and that’s the last thing I want when you’ll be leaving in a few days.”

  Hurt sliced through Bryce. Jagged. Raw.

  The air seemed to disappear from his lungs, and he had to force himself to breathe. All he could think about was how he hadn’t been there for his mom. He’d wanted to be a good son, but he’d failed in the worst way. He couldn’t let that happen again with his dad. “What if something happens to you?”

  “You’re my emergency contact.”

  “Dad—”

  “If something happens again, you’ll do what you did this time. You call the airlines and get here as soon as you can.”

  But what if he couldn’t get here in time? What if his dad ended up like his mom?

  No, he would miss his father too much if they weren’t together. Bryce wasn’t giving up. Somehow, he would convince his father to move with him. He still had time.

  *

  After the meeting with the adoption committee, Dakota drove to Walt’s house. She couldn’t wait to update Bryce on the new number of adoptions. Almost giddy, she knocked three times.

  He opened the door. “How many?”

  “Fifty-four. Can you believe it?” She raised a pie box from the Copper Mountain Gingerbread and Dessert Factory. “I brought pie to celebrate, but first I want a kiss.”

  He obliged with a brush of his lips.

  More like a peck. Not how he normally kissed her.

  Maybe he was hungry for pie.

  “My dad went to bed early. We argued about his moving to Seattle.” Bryce closed the door. “Let’s go into the kitchen, so we don’t disturb him.”

  She followed Bryce and sat across from him at the table. Now that there was more light, she noticed lines around his mouth and on his forehead. His face looked tighter, as if he were upset. “Are you doing okay?”

  “I’m better now that you’re here.”

  His words made her happy. That was how seeing him made her feel, but she wished he would drop this plan to move Walt to Seattle. Obviously, his father didn’t want to go.

  Bryce sliced and served the pie. “How did you know I loved apple?”

  “It’s my favorite, and there’s no chocolate.”

  “A win for both of us.” He took a bite and flashed the thumbs-up sign. “Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?”

  That got her attention. She straightened.

  “I’ve been so busy I haven’t made plans yet.” Dakota would love nothing more than to spend the holiday with him and Walt. “How about you?”

  “My dad and I are going to eat dinner at the Graff.”

  That sounded definite, as if reservations had been made. A party of two, not three.

  A bolt of disappointment streaked across her chest.

  Ignore it.

  She shouldn’t be upset. They hadn’t known each other long. They’d been acting like a couple for an even shorter time. Spending the holiday together had never been a given or assumed.

  “You and your dad will be having a fancy turkey dinner.”

  She forced a smile. This didn’t matter.

  Bryce would soon be back in Seattle, a world away from Marietta. The realization hurt more than she thought it should since she’d gone into this with her eyes wide open.

  Casual, fun, known end date.

  “I’ve heard the dinners are amazing.” She’d eaten lunch there and been to the bar for happy hour with Kelly. Each December, Dakota also paid a visit to see Santa and to view the gingerbread houses on display during the Marietta stroll.

  “That’s what I’ve been told.” Bryce scooped up another forkful of pie. “The Graff was my dad’s idea. He didn’t want any of his lady friends to feel obligated to cook dinner for us.”

  “That’s thoughtful, though I doubt any of his lady friends would mind.” She would have gladly cooked for the two Grayson men, but she’d been too busy to think about the holiday yet.

  “My father is thoughtful to everyone except his own son.” Frustration laced Bryce’s words. The corners of his mouth turned downward. “I don’t know what to say that’ll make him see that moving to Seattle is the right choice.”

  “That’s your father’s decision, not yours.”

  Bryce pushed his plate toward the center of the kitchen table. “I’m going to keep trying, even if it ruins Thanksgiving dinner.”

  None of her business. She’d planned to stay out of it, but she cared about Bryce and Walt. She didn’t want their holiday ruined over this.

  “Please don’t. Not saying anything for one day won’t matter,” she urged. “The word ‘thanks’ is part of Thanksgiving for a reason. It’s a day to be thankful, not to argue.”

  “I’ll be thankful when my dad is in Seattle and far away from this place.”

  His harsh tone suggested he hated Marietta. That must be emotion talking, not him, right?

  She set her fork on the plate. “There must be a few other things you’re thankful for.”

  “Such as?”

  “I’m thankful for my family, friends, jobs, house, animals, and chocolate.”

  And Bryce. But she wasn’t ready to say his name aloud in front of him.

  “You can rattle off a list because you have a thankful heart,” he said. “All of those things mean something to you.”

  They did. Especially him.

  Oh, no.

  Another bolt zigzagged across her chest. Not disappointment.

  Love.

  She felt as if a frozen turkey had been dropped on her head.
>
  She was falling for Bryce. Falling hard.

  Dakota swallowed. “What things would be on your list?”

  Me.

  She desperately wanted him to say her.

  “I know one,” Bryce said. “I’m thankful for my dad.”

  “That’s good. Anything else?” She forced the words out her dry throat. “Special times? Or a special person?”

  “Not really.”

  His words stabbed her heart like a dagger. “Are you sure?”

  He nodded.

  Neither she nor the time they’d spent together meant anything to him. Her shoulders sagged.

  “I do know something I could be thankful for,” he said finally.

  She perked up. “What?”

  “I’d be very thankful if my dad knew what was good for him.”

  Not what she wanted to hear. Maybe she was reading too much into this. Bryce was upset at his father. That could color what he was thinking and saying. He was being irrational and stubborn about wanting to move his father.

  “I know you want your dad in Seattle, but maybe Walt does know what’s good for him,” she said.

  Bryce’s gaze jerked up from the pie to her. “What do you mean?”

  “Walt’s created a life for himself in Marietta. The location may be inconvenient to you, but it works for him.”

  Dakota needed to say this for Walt’s sake and Bryce’s, too.

  “What is this move really about?” she asked. “You or your father?”

  “My dad.” The words tumbled out.

  “Sure about that?”

  “Yes.” Bryce sounded adamant.

  “Then shouldn’t your dad’s happiness be the most important thing?”

  “It is. He lives alone.”

  “Your father lives alone, but so do I and lots of other people. You live alone in Seattle.”

  “That’s different.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s me. My father needs help.”

  “Someday, Walt might need around-the-clock care and assistance now, but once his legs heal, he’ll be fine on his own.”

  “If something happens—”

  “He’s surrounded by people who care about him,” she interrupted. “Yes, you’re his son, but others like me can hold down the fort until you arrive. Just like we did a few weeks ago.”

  Bryce hesitated. “So I should go home. By myself.”

  “Unless you want to stick around Marietta longer.”

  There. She’d said it.

  Dakota held her breath.

  He flinched. “Why would I want to stay here?”

  Sharp claws pierced her heart way deeper than the dagger had gone. Guess he had managed to keep any feelings for her from developing. That was what she’d hoped to do, but still…

  She raised her chin and released the breath she’d been holding. “To spend more time with your dad.”

  “I suppose I could come back at Christmastime.”

  Okay, maybe she hadn’t fallen for the wrong guy again. She crossed her fingers. “That would be wonderful.”

  Bryce nodded. “It would give me more time to talk my father into moving to Seattle.”

  Unbelievable. Bryce acted like a nice guy. He’d done nice guy things for the past three weeks. But he wasn’t nice. He was selfish. And arrogant. He wanted what he thought was best, not what might be best for his father.

  Frustration prickled. “Have you not heard a word I said?”

  “Yes, but…” Bryce leaned over the table. His eyes lit up. “You can help me.”

  “How?”

  “Convince my father that Seattle is the best place for him. You’re his friend. He’ll listen to you.”

  She scooted back in the chair. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  She might as well say it. “Because I don’t think Seattle is the best place for him.”

  Or for you.

  “I thought you were on my side.”

  “Why does there have to be sides? We both want your dad to be happy.”

  “Or do you not want to lose your free handyman at the rescue?”

  His words hit her like a slap to the face. She flinched. “Is that what you think?”

  “Why else would you want my dad to stay here?”

  Her heart splintered. Her breath hitched. She touched her chest. It didn’t stop the pain from spreading through her.

  Stay calm.

  She knew he said things when emotion got the best of him. He’d done it twice before with her. Could that be why he was doing this now?

  “Is that what you think about me?” Her eyes implored Bryce. “Really?”

  He said nothing. But he didn’t need to speak, his facial expression said enough.

  Dakota wanted to make him understand that he was wrong. She opened her mouth to state her case, but pressed her lips together instead. She shouldn’t have to defend herself.

  If he knew her the way she thought he did, he would have never said those words. And if he cared about her, even a little bit, he would be apologizing.

  But he didn’t.

  Hadn’t.

  Wouldn’t.

  “Well, then.” She stood. “There’s nothing left to say except goodbye.”

  With as much dignity as she could muster, she walked out of the kitchen, through the living room, and out the front door. The temptation to glance over her shoulder was strong, but she didn’t dare.

  Nothing she said or did would make a difference.

  Not with Bryce.

  Her tight chest made breathing difficult. A lump burned in her throat. Tears stung her eyes, but she wouldn’t cry. She’d shed too many tears the last time she’d had her heart broken.

  Dakota had only herself to blame. She’d let herself fall for him, even though she’d known better. In spite of wanting to be smarter this time, she couldn’t control her feelings and emotions. Once again, she’d fallen into the same trap and repeated the same pattern by going out with another Mr. Wrong.

  All because she’d wanted…love.

  That mythical four-letter word.

  She would have been better off sticking to chocolate and her foster animals.

  What a fool she’d been for thinking they shared something special. Thinking he knew her. Thinking he cared.

  Bryce hadn’t.

  Everything had been in her mind, fueled by a romantic imagination and a longing for a happily ever after. When would she learn unicorns didn’t exist and rainbows were a scientific phenomenon? Nothing more.

  She didn’t feel in control enough to drive, so she walked past her car and quickened her pace to get home faster.

  Face it. She’d been nothing to him other than someone to pass the time with while he was in Marietta—a place where he knew no one but his father. What they’d shared—the time together and the hot kisses—hadn’t been special or meaningful.

  And that meant she hadn’t been that to him, either.

  Tears burned. She blinked them away, and then ran.

  Dakota didn’t care who saw her. She needed to get home now. Before she lost it.

  Big time.

  *

  Goodbye.

  Bryce stood on his father’s front porch. The cold night air surrounded him and gave him goose bumps, but he didn’t move. He kept waiting for Dakota to come back, to call him out on what he’d said, but she hadn’t and likely wouldn’t.

  Is that what you really think about me?

  The hurt in her eyes had matched the anguish in her voice.

  He’d said the words in the heat of the moment, but apologizing had never crossed his mind.

  Because in the midst of arguing with Dakota, he’d realized this was happening for a reason—so he could distance himself from her. He hadn’t done that on purpose, but now he didn’t have to worry about leaving her after Thanksgiving. Sure, he felt like a bigger jerk than he had the two times he’d said the wrong thing to her. But this time, his mistake was a good one.

  Dakota woul
d thank him for this.

  Not today, tomorrow, or next week. But someday.

  She might look like an angel, but she was more like a devil tempting him with her sweet kisses and making him want more. He wasn’t in a position for more.

  Not when he was going back to Seattle.

  Saying goodbye was for the best.

  For him.

  For her.

  A little hurt now was better than a lot of hurt later.

  And that was where this was headed if they continued seeing each other through Thanksgiving.

  Now they would avoid an awkward, painful goodbye when it came time for him to leave.

  No wondering what might have been or futile attempts at dating long distance.

  Yes, breaking up now was for the best. And not just to make their goodbye easier.

  What she’d said about his father pissed Bryce off.

  No one knew what was better for Walt Grayson than his own son. Dakota should want to help, not stand in Bryce’s way of getting what he wanted.

  Scratch that—what he needed to happen.

  He walked inside and closed the door.

  For the best.

  He repeated the words.

  Now she wouldn’t miss him after he left. He would be able to stop caring and wanting more with her. He could focus on his father. That had been the original plan anyway.

  But that didn’t stop a weight from pressing down on Bryce as if he were carrying bags of cement powder on each shoulder.

  But maybe he would feel better in the morning.

  Things could look better in the daylight.

  Dakota had said that the day they met. She’d been correct then. He hoped she was right this time, too.

  *

  Not even chocolate helped Dakota feel better. Nothing did.

  She filled a box of assorted chocolates using silver tongs. Her smile was forced, but she didn’t have a choice. Sage expected the staff to provide customer service with a smile.

  “Have more animals found homes?” Rachel Vaughn picked up a toy her baby daughter had dropped from the stroller. Rachel not only owned the bakery in town, but she was also married to one of the co-owners of the Bar V5 Dude Ranch. Her brother, Ty Murphy, was the other owner.