Curvy Valentine Match

“You’re just making me feel worse, Chris.”

He laughed. “The truth ain’t easy, my friend.”

I nodded at the truth of his words. “You got any advice to go with that wisdom?”

“Yeah. You need to win back her trust, and the best way to do that is to thank her.” He smiled, chest puffed out like he’d figured out the answers to the universe.

“Thank her? For what?”

“For the sacrifice she made for you.”

I shook my head. “Are you crazy? That makes it sound like I wanted her to do it, and I definitely didn’t. Had I known, I wouldn’t have let her.” I would never have asked her to sacrifice her future for mine, we were a team.

“None of that matters, Xander. It’s already done, the sacrifice was made and you’re a Sheriff and a veteran. You became a success, and it’s because of her. Whether you wanted her to do it or not, you owe her for that. She could have easily said it was both of you who did whatever you did, and ruined both of your lives. She didn’t. She protected you, and because of that, you’re the man you are today.”

“Shit.” My knees buckled and I sat on the grass, arms wrapped around my legs as some emotion I couldn’t explain rippled through me. Mara was a big part of the man I was today, and I wanted her to see that man, to know him and love him again. But more than that, I wanted her to see that her sacrifice wasn’t made in vain. “Thanks, man.” I stood and dusted the grass and dirt off my butt. “Now come on, this treehouse won’t build itself.”

We got to work on Lila’s treehouse. By the time the sun sank below the horizon, we were almost done. “Come back tomorrow and I’ll have beer and pizza to go with my sage advice.”

I let out a huff of laughter and shook my head. “With the knowledge you just dropped on me, I think I’m bringing the pizza and beer tomorrow. Good beer at that.”

“Even better, man. Even better.”

Mara

“What the hell is a cherry latte?”

Liam stood towering over me at the register, a dark frown on his face that did nothing to intimidate me. I stared up at him, letting him know that I wasn’t amused by his tone.

“Exactly what it sounds like. You want one or not?”

“Nope. I’ll have a regular black coffee for me and one of those cherry thingies for Olive.” His frown softened a little at the mention of his wife and Liam shrugged. “And some of those beet sugar cookies. And a mixed six pack of donuts.”

“The Valentine’s donuts?”

“Yeah,” he grumbled and shoved his hands deep in his pockets.

“There’s nothing wrong with romancing your wife, Liam. I promise not to tell anyone.” It was sweet, really, how reluctant he was to publicly show off his love when he would clearly do anything for her. “I’ll be back with your order.”

“Yeah, thanks.” He waited impatiently for the coffee and the latte, as if anyone in the shop would dare judge him for buying girly things when he had a wife and a newborn daughter at home.

The door opened just as I handed Liam’s order to him, and three cheerleaders pranced in with pompons and high ponytails, smiles on their faces as they bypassed everyone in line and spoke as one. “Mara Landon, you have a special delivery!” The middle cheerleader beamed at me and handed over a construction paper heart. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

“Uh, thanks.” I accepted the card because what else could I do with a bakery full of people watching my reaction.

“Open it up, girl!” I recognized Mirabelle’s voice through the loud cheers and shook my head.

“Thanks girls. Do you need a tip or something?”

“Nope,” the brunette cheerleader giggled. “It’s all been taken care of, Ms. Landon. Enjoy.” They pranced out with as much energy as they’d pranced in, leaving me alone with more than two dozen onlookers.

“Next!” I found it best to just keep working when the crowd got too rowdy about gossip, and if that didn’t work, a well-timed glare worked just as well.

Eva and Sophie were next in line and I barely suppressed the urge to groan at their proud smiles. “Don’t keep us in suspense, woman, open up the Valentine!” Eva had no problem bossing people around or nosing into their business.

“I will. Later.”

“Or,” Sophie sang with a wide, almost knowing smile. “You could do it now, while you have emotional support in case it’s so sweet your knees buckle. Or you cry.”

I rolled my eyes skyward and folded my arms. “Unlikely.”

“Perfect, then you can open it up. Now.” Eva wore a grin that was pure mischief.

They were two of the most determined women I knew, which meant there was only one way out of this situation if I wanted to get back to work. Open the damn Valentine.