Crazy Heifer (The Valentine Boys 2)

Candy rolled her eyes. “If you’re going to make cakes in time for dinner, you might want to get started.”

I looked at the clock and realized that she was absolutely right. It was already one o’clock in the afternoon, and not only did I have to make the cakes, but I also had to find tables, order some food, and call everybody.Chapter 17Tears of my brothers.

-Coffee Cup

Callum

“Are you sure about this?” Banks asked as he stood next to me in the jewelry store.

I looked at the rings that sparkled and shined, and knew without a doubt that I was making the right decision.

“When I mentioned getting married the other day, she didn’t even flinch,” I said softly, hoping to be quiet enough that I didn’t draw the salesman’s attention again.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want the man to help me out—eventually—it was just that I wanted Codie’s and Banks’ opinions before he showed me how much the price for the rings were.

“Desi loved her ring that her grandmother gave her,” Codie said. “But honestly, I think that it’s best to stay away from that style, just in case it reminds her of Mal.”

I agreed.

I didn’t want to get anything like that other one.

“What about that one?” Banks pointed.

I squinted at ‘that one’ which happened to be blue, and definitely not a diamond.

“I don’t think that’s an engagement ring,” I admitted. “Though I’m not sure that I would have a problem with a different colored stone. But I’m not even sure Desi likes blue.”

Speaking of the devil.

My phone rang in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see a text from my girl.

Desi: Do y’all think y’all can come help me move some stuff in and stock everything? I’ll supply food, beer, and cake???

“Y’all want to go help Desi stock her bakery?” I asked. “She wouldn’t have asked if she didn’t need help.”

“That’s the truth,” Codie mumbled. “That woman hardly ever asks for anything. When she asked me to run that Spartan race with her, I thought she was going to cry. I’m just glad that she has you to run it with her now.”

I looked down at my soon-to-be sister-in-law and shook my head. “You’re still doing it.”

Codie sighed heavily. “I know. I just don’t have to stay with her. I can walk and do the lazy thing.”

I snorted.

“Ace won’t let you dilly dally. He’s running it with us, too, remember?” I asked. “And these things are better with teams. When you have people to help you over the obstacles and keep pushing you, it’s a whole lot more fun,” I told her.

Codie sighed. “I think that’s why she’s wanting to do it today, anyway. If she gets it done today, she won’t have to do anything tomorrow. She can take the whole day off before the race.”

I winked at Codie, then replied.

Callum: What time do you want us there? Banks and Codie are in. Which means that Ace will be in.

Desi: I’m making cakes right now. Give me at least another two hours. I have to let them cool and then ice them. So around five. I want y’all to test out a few before I put them up for sale next week. One’s a low carb one so don’t get excited. Also, I heard from Mal today. Apparently, his father is ‘under the weather.’

Grinning, I sent her one last text message that said ‘okay’ and then shoved my phone back into my pocket.

“Is there anything else that I can assist you with?” the salesman came back, despite being asked to leave us alone so I could look.

I hated pushy salesmen.

“No,” I said, and it came out a little more terse than I was intending.

The girl at the end of the counter, the one that looked much younger than the rest of the men working the floor, snorted delicately.

That was when Darby honed in.

Darby who’d been on his phone for the entire duration of being in the store. Darby who I wasn’t quite sure had even bothered coming with us.

“Why, hello.” Darby batted his eyes at the young woman.

The young woman rolled her eyes and went back to what she was doing, which was ignoring everyone and everything.

“I’ll just be over there if you need me.” The salesman indicated the back wall.

I grunted out an ‘okay’ and went back to perusing the wares.

None of them caught my attention in the least.

Shit.

“She’s not a flashy kind of person, but if I had to guess, I would think the diamond solitaire would be best,” Codie finally said, agreeing that nothing here was ‘Desi.’

“Have you checked out the estate section?” the woman at the end of the counter muttered, not bothering to turn and look at us.

That was when I realized she was playing on her phone.

Candy Crush.

My lips tipped up at the corner.