Charmed by Chocolate (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 6)

by Steena Holmes

  He looked at her again, at the way she held the cup of Sage’s hot chocolate between her hands. He’d known her long enough that he should have known to call her back.

  Out of all the women in his past, she was the last one he’d call overly emotional, and yet…even Leah had her moments.

  Like the time he’d sent her flowers for her birthday and they’d been delivered to the wrong apartment. When he’d called to wish her a happy birthday, she’d burst into tears because she thought he’d forgotten. Or the time he’d made her a scarf after being conscripted into one of the craft classes at Kindred Place by Josie, and she’d thrown her arms around him and declared it her favorite scarf. Granted, she’d been sick with a head cold at the time and the meds she’d been on made her a little…odd, but favorite? Even he knew that wasn’t true. The thing had been long and full of holes, but he’d made it with her in mind. Despite living in California, she always complained of being cold. It wasn’t like he expected her to wear it in public or anything.

  Except she did. And was wearing it, even today.

  He put all of his strength into piling more snow on his shovel and throwing it over his shoulder when he heard the honk of a truck behind him.

  Wade turned and lifted his hand in greeting as his best friend, Josh Spencer, pulled up. Wade stepped over the mounds of snow against the curb and stepped close to the passenger door. A wave of hot air hit him as Josh rolled down the window.

  “Almost done?” Josh was one of Marietta’s snow angels and would run through town with the truck he’d attached a plow to in order to help keep the streets clean.

  “Just another pass along the side streets. I’ll hit Kindred Place and your house before heading home.” Josh leaned his crossed arms on the dashboard and gave him a you-won’t-be-thanking-me type smile.

  Wade groaned. “I don’t need another hill in front of my house.” Last time it snowed like this, Josh thought it would be fun to build a tobogganing hill right beside his driveway. “Gonna bring your skates to the lake later? Maybe do a game of shinny?”

  The excitement on Josh’s face was answer enough. “I’ll grab the boys, and you grab the beers.”

  Wade slapped the passenger door and stepped back. “Deal.”

  By the time Wade had finished the sidewalks on both sides of the street, he was drenched in sweat. A few business owners had come out to say thanks, telling him to have a drink at Sage’s place on them. Like he’d say no. Everyone knew how much he loved Sage’s hot chocolate. In fact, he couldn’t wait to head in there…not just for the hot chocolate, but also to sit with Leah and maybe catch up.

  Damn, but he missed that girl.

  He kicked his boots against the stone step before opening the door and calling out a greeting as he peeled off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack.

  “Ready for your mug now?” Sage asked as she stepped out from the back, wiping her hands on her stained apron.

  “You bet. I should have some credit still, right?” When he shook his head, droplets of water went flying everywhere.

  “Wade, you could buy everyone in town a cup of my cocoa and still have enough left over.” She handed him a chocolate melt as he approached the counter.

  That was another he thing he loved about this place. Sage’s chocolate melts. One bite was all it took to fall in love—not that he’d ever admit it or anything.

  “You must be happy to have your girl home,” Sage whispered after handing him his mug of cocoa.

  Wade glanced over to the table where Leah sat.

  Happy? Having his girl home meant more than that, even if Leah were only here for a short time. She might not admit it, but this was where she was meant to be, no matter what she said to the contrary.

  Whenever anything monumental happened in her life, Marietta was where she ran to. Good, bad, or ugly, this was where she came to celebrate, to hide, or just to rest. She might claim to not be a small-town girl, and she sometimes complained about the hick life or her redneck upbringing, but, in her heart, this was who she was.

  Montana born.

  “One day, I’ll convince her to stay.”

  Sage gave him one of her looks. The one that said she’ll-only-stay-if-you-share-your-heart, and he just shrugged. She didn’t know Leah like he did. He’d been there, done that, and went off to lick his wounds in the great outdoors for a solid week. They were better off as friends. At least, that was what Leah believed.

  He’d convince her otherwise, one day, but until then, he’d be the best friend he could be, as much as that sucked. And sucked it did.

  He wanted more from her. Not just best-friend status, but lovers as well. Husband and wife, soul mates, better halves, and everything that entailed. He wanted it all. Until she could give it, he’d take what he could get.

  He was a patient man.

  “Well, you’re not going to convince her by standing here talking to me.” Sage gave a pointed look toward Leah and Josie before she headed back into her kitchen.

  Wade breathed in deep, placed a smile on his face, and pulled the empty chair at the table out and sat.

  “It’s about time you joined us.” Josie placed her hand over his and squeezed. “I thought for sure you were planning on shoveling the whole town before joining us for a cup.”

  “And miss a chance to sip this cocoa? Never.” Wade knew he was staring at Leah as he responded to her grandmother, but that didn’t stop him. He liked to see the blush grow on her face while she studiously avoided his gaze.

  Leah pondered her empty mug, as if she could read her future in the remaining droplets of cocoa.

  All he wanted was for her to look him in the eyes, so it would let him know things were okay between them.

  If there was one thing Leah was, it was stubborn. When she didn’t look his way, he leaned back in his seat, stretched out his legs, and purposely nudged Leah’s feet.

  She looked up at him for a brief moment, her brows married together with…annoyance? But she didn’t move her feet.

  Interesting.

  “What’s on the schedule for the rest of the day?” The laughter in Josie’s voice was unmistakable.

  “Dylan says it’s gonna clear up, so I’m planning to play a game of shinny or two later with a few of the boys.”

  The look on Josie’s face at the mention of her grandson’s name was priceless. It was a look between family pride and parental embarrassment.

  “It would be nice if that boy got one day of weather right this week at least.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Wade said. “My daily winnings keep going up each day he’s wrong, so I’m okay with it.” He’d put himself down for a two-week stretch of Dylan getting the temperature wrong by three degrees. So far, he was on a roll.

  Leah leaned forward. He knew he’d grabbed her attention—finally.

  “You’re winning, huh?”

  Wade gave a relaxed shrug of his shoulder, attempting to pretend it meant nothing that she remembered their deal.

  “How much are you up?” He could see her mentally calculating the amount in her head.

  “Enough.” He kept a straight face, forcing his lips not to make so much as a minuscule move, despite the fact he was roaring with laughter on the inside.

  Leah leaned in closer. “How much?”

  She had a tad bit of a competitive streak in her, which she let out every once in a while.

  “Close enough.” He’d let this ride a little while longer.

  “What are you two talking about?” Josie asked.

  Leah sat back and crossed her arms. Her lips turned into one of those sulking scowls he liked to tease her about.

  Wade waited to see if Leah would explain.

  “I’m waiting.” Josie tapped her fingernails on the table, the tap-tap-tap sound only increasing the fierceness of Leah’s glare.

  “Our girl here doesn’t much like it when I bet on her brother. I offered to take her to dinner in exchange, but when she found out how much I won last year, she u
pped the odds. She’s a little demanding, this one,” he nudged her with his boot, “and wants a weekend vacation rather than just a good steak dinner.”

  He wasn’t sure if he’d ever seen Josie’s brows rise so high.

  “Where on earth would you go for a weekend away?” Josie looked from Wade to Leah.

  This time, he groaned while a smile bloomed on Leah’s face. He’d let her have this one.

  “I’m taking the country boy to Napa for a weekend of wine and relaxation. And when I say I’m taking, I really mean he’s paying.” The way Leah’s eyes sparkled… Man, she took his breath away.

  There was silence, and then Josie hooted. When that woman laughed, it came from the depth of her belly. The sound of it was something between an owl and a croupy cough, and it filled the room.

  “I’m not sure which is funnier.” Josie wiped her eyes after catching her breath. “The idea of Wade relaxing or seeing him at a wine-tasting event.” She reached out and squeezed Leah’s arm. “I like it either way.”

  This time when Leah looked at him, there was no hesitation. No awkwardness. Just a bright, clear smile he knew and loved.

  Loved. Before, the thought of loving Leah would hit him in the core and leave him scared as a new colt out on the ranch, but now, the idea was comforting, natural. He loved Leah and always would. Even if she didn’t feel the same way.

  Except, he knew she did, in a sense. The love between them was warm and worn, like a comfortable blanket wrapped around a lap on a snowy day. They were best friends. Once, he’d tried to see if they could expand their friendship and be more than just friends…but Leah had made it more than clear she loved him as a friend and only a friend.

  “I relax.” Wade pretended to be offended.

  Both of their brows rose at his remark.

  “I relax,” Wade reiterated. He took a gulp of his hot cocoa, enjoying the warmth as it slid down his throat.

  “What was the last book you read?” Josie asked.

  “I picked up the new outdoor guide from the bookstore.” Good book, too. He’d discovered some new hiking trails he needed to try out in the next few months. He could add them to his website for day trips.

  Leah rolled her shoulders. “That’s work related, Wade. You are a hiking guide, so you need to read those books. What was the last one you read for simple pleasure?”

  That one was easy.

  “The last Brams Linn book.” Brams Linn and James Rollins were his favorite authors. He had a whole shelf in his living room with their books. There was nothing he loved more than to sit in front of the fire at night and read through them, enjoying Linn’s thrillers or making notes of all the latest scientific nuts and bolts Rollins threw into his stories, checking them out himself to see if they were true.

  They always were.

  “You never read the gossip magazines in the grocery line either, right?” Josie’s words were slightly muffled as she held her mug of cocoa in front of her face.

  Leah inhaled sharply, and Wade knew right away what Josie was hinting at.

  He searched Leah’s face and knew now wasn’t the time to talk about the latest gossip he’d read.

  “Why would I read that garbage? I’ve got better things to do while I wait in line…like help little old ladies count their pennies.” He purposely goaded Josie, giving Leah a chance to regroup.

  “Why, I…” Josie flustered as she sought for the right words to counter him. “I do not count my pennies.”

  He shrugged, not bothering to argue with her. She counted her pennies, but only so she could make sure there was enough to buy a sucker for Linda Rowe, her neighbor. Linda loved suckers, but she refused to buy any since she was on a tight budget.

  Leah’s cell buzzed. Wade didn’t think much of it until he caught the tightness of her lips and the way her hand hovered over the phone, as if hesitating to pick it up.

  “Answer it if you need to,” Josie said.

  “It’s just Betsy.”

  “Good, let me talk to her.” Josie held out her hand.

  Leah hesitated but hit the call button and handed Josie the phone.

  “Betsy, it’s Josie, love. How are you? You know I’m not too happy with you, right? Not after that stunt you pulled with my granddaughter…uh-huh…yes, I fully expect you to make it up to her…that’s a good girl. Now, why don’t you call her back later? Good. Oh, and Betsy…it’s been too long since you’ve been up here for a visit. Time to change that, right? You’ve got my number, so use it sometime.” She winked at Leah as she said it.

  Josie listened in for a few moments and Wade pretended not to listen, focusing on Leah instead.

  Leah just stared at her grandmother with a mixture of annoyance and… He couldn’t quite read the other emotion.

  “Are you okay?” he asked with as much gentleness as he could muster as he reached for her hands.

  “I’m fine,” she mumbled before she withdrew her hands from his and placed them in her lap. She carried a look in her eyes that was similar to a deer in headlights.

  “What’s wrong, love?” Josie handed her back the phone.

  “Nothing.” Leah pocketed her phone and pushed her chair back, jumping up. “I could do with some more chocolate. What do you think?” Without waiting for an answer, she fled toward the counter and focused on the treats Sage offered.

  “What was that about?” The wrinkle lines in Josie’s forehead deepened as she watched Leah leave.

  “Your wrinkles are showing.” Wade knew he shouldn’t tease her, but he wanted to break up the tension created by the phone call.

  “Dear boy.” Josie’s attention was back on him. “You should know by now never to mention a woman’s wrinkles.” She tsked and shook her head.

  “There’s a lot of things boys aren’t supposed to mention about girls. For instance, the things you read in those gossip magazines.” He leaned forward, elbows on the table, and gave Josie a disapproving look. “What did you mention that for, anyway?”

  Josie sighed, a very deep and very long sigh that said he should really know better by now.

  “My granddaughter has a habit of running from things she can’t handle. You. This town. Now the things being said behind her back. If there’s anything I’ve learned in my seventy-odd years, it’s this…running away only creates new problems. It doesn’t solve any.”

  “You can’t make her face something she’s not ready for.” Wade understood Josie’s logic. In fact, he even agreed with it, but that wasn’t how Leah dealt with things. Making her face something she wasn’t ready for did no one any favors.

  “You pretending you don’t know what’s going on won’t help either.” Josie’s finger wagged as she scolded him.

  “I’m not pretending, Josie. I heard the nonsense—saw what they put online. I’m biding my time. There’s a difference.” He stopped himself from saying anything further because Leah was headed back their way, a large box of chocolates in her hand.

  “I couldn’t pick just one or two, so I figured what the heck,” she said as if that explained anything.

  For the next few minutes, awkward silence reigned between the three of them.

  “Listen, ladies.” He nudged his cup toward the middle of the table and stood. “I should head back to Kindred Place and make sure the walkways are clear before I head out for my game. Leah…” He waited until she looked up at him and gave her a soft smile. “You good to walk Josie back?”

  She nodded.

  He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Josie’s head before doing the same to Leah’s. “I’ll see you later?” He directed his question to Leah, sure she’d agree and tell him to come by whenever he was free.

  Except she didn’t. She shook her head and mumbled something he couldn’t quite hear.

  “Pardon?” He leaned down to her.

  With her head bent toward her chest, she again mumbled something that sounded awfully like she was busy.

  “So, that’s a yes then? Great. I’ll text you.” He
pretended he hadn’t heard what she’d said. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer. That awkwardness between them bothered him.

  “I said no.” She cleared her voice and spoke a little too loudly.

  He stepped back. He wanted to pull her up and make her look him in the eye. Force her to explain what was going on, but he knew she’d only retreat further. And retreating was exactly what she was doing.

  Those stupid magazines called her Lonely Leah. Yeah, he’d read them. He’d seen all the latest gossip and knew she was probably embarrassed as hell right now.

  Too bad. Suck it up, buttercup was what he wanted to say.

  “I see. I guess I’ll catch up with you later then.” Let her retreat. Let her think he was going to give her space.

  Wade didn’t know how long she was in Marietta.

  He also didn’t know the true story behind those gossip magazines.

  There were a lot of things he didn’t know when it came to Leah.

  But he did know one thing. He was going to find out. He was going to do his best to not only help shield her from whatever she was hiding from, but also do everything in his power to make it right.

  There was no way the things those magazines claimed were true. Leah didn’t drink. Period. Nor would she have claimed something she’d never felt unless there was a reason. She wasn’t in love with a country boy from Marietta. She also didn’t hate the small town she’d grown up in, which were the things the media claimed she’d confessed while drunk.

  “Wade?” Leah called out as he stepped away from the table.

  He paused, covered his head with his hat, and took a deep breath.

  Leah licked her lips, and he could see the struggle to find the right words in her eyes.

  “Thank you.”

  He nodded. He wasn’t sure if she was saying thank you for cleaning her walkway, for bringing Josie to her place, or for giving the space she needed.

  “Anything for you,” was all he said. He meant it, too.

  Chapter Five

  Wrapped in her grams’ hand-knitted blanket, an almost empty box of chocolates in front of her, Leah bawled like a baby as the credits rolled from the latest chick flick she’d found on TV.