Curvy Valentine Match

Helen ordered raspberry cheesecake bites and a dozen lonely hearts truffles. “You made them, didn’t you?”

“Yep. Everything you see here was made by me and a part-time assistant.” It was my one and only achievement in life. “I learned to bake in juvie.”

Helen rolled her eyes. “You were baking long before that, Mara. Stop selling yourself short.” She sighed, gave me time to refute her words, but I learned long ago that arguing with Helen Landon was a losing battle. “You never visit,” she said, hurt in her voice.

Audrey’s expression was unreadable, but she probably thought I was a cold bitch, avoiding the woman who’d been nothing but kind to me. I shrugged.

“It feels like things would be better if I just stay away.”

Helen snorted and folded her arms across her chest. “Better for whom?”

Me. “Everyone.” Helen lived in a small town, Tulip, and my appearance in town would only remind people of my mistakes, and recycle gossip there was no reason to revisit.

“Baloney.” Helen’s blue eyes glanced around the half-full bakery before turning back to me. “Do you have time for a chat with an old woman?”

“Sure. Where’s the old woman?”

My words made her smile, which felt like another accomplishment since I was nothing but trouble for her. “Funny. God, I’ve missed you, Mara.”

I missed her too. “Let me take care of these customers and then we can talk.” I took my time with the customers so I could slow down my heart, so I could push my emotions deep down and prepare myself for an overdue chat with the woman who’d treated me like her own child. And I repaid her by missing curfew, skipping school and getting in trouble before, finally, getting sent to juvenile hall.

“Thought you might slip out the back,” Helen said when I dropped down in the seat beside her.

“I don’t run anymore,” I told her. “Did I scare Audrey off?”

“No, she took Sierra to the park to play so we could have some privacy.” Which meant she was about to lay an epic guilt trip on me, which I deserved. “You know, Mara, you did your time and created a new, productive life for yourself. You can move on from that and stop hiding away.”

It wasn’t that simple, but Helen loved with her whole heart and she would pretend the town gossip didn’t get to her. But I knew it would.

“I have moved on. I have a good job and a place to live. I pay my own bills and keep my head down. It’s a good life, one I never thought I’d have, and that’s because of you.”

She smiled and laid a sympathetic hand on top of mine. “That’s where you’re wrong, Mara. It’s because of you. I just gave you love and a safe place to sleep so you could see your potential.” She looked around the bakery. “And you’ve done that. The folks here seem to love you and your baking. I’m proud of the woman you’ve become.”

Her words caused my eyes to sting with tears I refused to shed, and I shook my head, flashing a nervous smile. “That’s all I ever wanted Helen, was to make you proud. I never wanted you to regret opening your home or your heart to me.”

“Never. What you did, taking the fall for that boy, it showed me that I was right to love you. To help you. Even if it was foolish.” Helen shook her head with a wistful smile. “Young love isn’t meant to make sense, I suppose. But the fact that you don’t come around when you’re so close, makes me wonder if I could have done more.”

“You did more than anyone else in my life ever has, Helen. I stay away to avoid stirring up old gossip. That’s not how I want to repay you.”

“Silly girl, you don’t owe me a damn thing. Except maybe the occasional visit. And I wouldn’t say no to another grandchild or two. Or three.” She laughed when I groaned at her words and gathered my hands in hers. “It’s not as complicated as all that, young lady, and I miss seeing your face.”

“I miss yours too,” I admitted.

“Good. Then you’ll come around more. I try to do family dinner once a week since Will and Audrey live in town. A few others stop by when they can. You could too.”

I nodded, smiling at the mention of Will, who’d been like a big brother to me. Gruff and overprotective. “I’ll think about it. I promise.”

“That’s all I ask.” It was such a small thing to ask after everything, I knew I had no choice but to show up. But first I needed to gather my own courage to accept the open invitation.

“Ms. Landon? I thought I recognized that laugh.” Xander’s tall frame cast a long shadow over the small table, his wide smile replacing the light he blocked.