My Funny Valentine (Jasper Falls 5)

She handed her the large basket filled with muffins and other baked goods. “I’m sorry we missed the funeral. I’m sure you have plenty of food from everyone else stopping by, but I wanted to bring you something. I know, when I’m sad, sweets are the best comfort food. I hope you’re not allergic to nuts. I put them in the brownies.”

Erin blinked, the weight of the basket sinking into her arms and anchoring her into this strange reality. Was she dreaming?

She and Skylar had once worked together for Rhett Buchanan, the Jasper Falls mayor, now Skylar’s husband. Erin hated how hard Rhett fell for her, and Skylar hated Erin for her own reasons. In the end, Skylar convinced Rhett to fire her.

Last year, just before Thanksgiving, she’d run into Skylar on Main Street. She’d said some nice things, apologizing for the way things had turned out, but it felt too much like charity and Erin had said something snide and walked away.

She glanced at her stomach. “You’re pregnant?”

Skylar smiled. “The baby’s due in April.”

“Congratulations.” She shifted under the heavy basket.

“Well, I’m sure the last thing you need is more company, so I won’t keep you. We just wanted you to know you were in our thoughts.”

Was this a political thing? “Thanks?”

Skylar hesitated then turned to leave. Erin watched her drive away before shutting the door.

She placed the basket on the kitchen table and grabbed the broom. Once she swept up the mess on the floor and threw it away, she pulled back the plastic wrapping and bow.

“Sending love and condolences. The Buchanans.” She set the card aside and frowned over the homemade goodies.

The basket smelled incredible but the gesture was bittersweet as it reminded her how citizens typically acted in small towns. When people passed away, neighbors sent food.

Aside from Skylar, no one had been by. They all loved Ward, but he was gone. They put flowers at the hardware store because no one wanted to visit her.

She unwrapped a plate of cookies and bit into the soft, buttery dough. Her eyes rolled at the heavenly flavor and she dropped into a chair.

She tasted everything, then wrapped each delicious item up so they would hold their flavor and freshness. Maybe that basket had been just a political gimmick, but it wasn’t from the bakery. It was from Skylar’s home, and that meant something to Erin. She could taste the care that went into every treat.

Rummaging through the junk drawer, she searched for a pen and paper. As soon as she found a notepad and pen, she sat back down to write out a thank you.

Her pen hovered over the blank sheet. She wanted to tell her how much she appreciated the basket and how much it meant that they not only thought about her but took the time to make her such a personal gift. Sweets, like Skylar said, were the best comfort food.

She wanted to say thank you and mention that this went above and beyond, considering how awful she’d been when they worked together. She wanted to apologize for coming off as a bitch. She wanted to confess some of the terrible things she’d done because Skylar’s easygoing cheerfulness triggered Erin’s insecurities, and she hated working alongside someone who made everything look so easy.

But she didn’t write any of that. She couldn’t even bring herself to scribble the words thank you because thank you wasn’t enough. Saying less would cheapen the gesture and sound insincere. Saying more would cost her emotions she couldn’t afford. So she set down the pen and left everything in her heart unsaid.

Erin closed up the basket, tying the bow back around the pretty wrapping but unable to make it look as perfect as Skylar had. She didn’t expect any more visitors and she wanted to make the basket last as long as possible. She wanted to savor this rare kindness and remember how it felt.

Slipping off her shoes, she sat with her stocking-covered feet pressed into the cold floor and smiled at the basket. Maybe Skylar knew how much this meant to her, the same way Finn knew, after all the terrible things she’d done to him, that she wasn’t a completely horrible person.

The doorbell rang again, and a sharp jolt pierced her heart. Her mind ran through the possible people it could be and her gut said it was Harrison coming back to apologize. She was sure of it when she saw the tall, broad figure through the sheer curtain covering the door.

He was so weird, ringing the bell. “Just come in.”

The door opened and she froze as Giovanni stepped inside. “If you insist.”

CHAPTER 12

She had obviously been expecting someone else and Giovanni tried not to let that bother him, but a spike of jealousy shot through him at the possibility that she might be waiting for a guy. “You alone?”