The Valentine Box (The Box Books #3)

January 30

Taylor

I ’m rolling out dough in a white apron speckled with pink and red hearts when I hear the shop door open. It’s early and I’m alone, so I call, “Be right there,” then reach to wipe my hands on a damp towel.

That’s when I exit the kitchen to find Luke Montgomery standing across the counter, as thoroughly hot and hunky as ever. I’m so sure I have flour in my hair. “Good morning,” I say. “Sorry you caught me looking so?—”

“Yummy?” he asks.

I try to suppress my reaction, but the word sends ripples of delight all through me and I’m pretty sure it’s written all over my face. I walk around the display case to stand face to face with him. “I was gonna say messy, but…maybe I like your take on it better.” Whoa, look at me, flirting!

He smiles into my eyes to say, “I can’t stay long—tons to do—but I wanted you to be the first to know.”

My heart nearly seizes in my chest. I don’t have to ask what he’s talking about. “What’s the verdict?”

“I’ve just secured a loan to start a horse park and sanctuary. Mom is investing some money, too—entirely her choice. She loved the idea and offered. And she wants to be closely involved.”

It’s all I can do not to jump for joy. “Luke, this is amazing! What incredible news! I’m thrilled!”

So thrilled, in fact, that I impulsively throw my arms around his neck in a huge hug.

And when I realize what I’ve done, I experience half a second of panic and embarrassment—until his arms close warmly around my waist, and then there’s nothing but the closeness of him, the hardness of his male body against my softer curves, and I forget about anything else for a long, blissful moment.

When we finally part, I go back to feeling a little embarrassed—when I see what I’ve left behind on him. “I got flour on you,” I say softly, reaching to brush at the T-shirt he’s wearing beneath an open flannel shirt. Which means I’m actually brushing his chest. Not on purpose exactly, but it’s nice.

He simply casts me a cute grin. “Well worth it.”

I nibble my lower lip as the heat of a blush climbs my cheek. “Tell me more,” I say. “About the park, I mean.”

He looks so happy that it fills me up inside—I can feel the weight lifted just from the expression on that handsome face. “I’m calling a meeting tomorrow night at the high school to share the news, with some details, but I’m excited about the possibilities for the town. I’m thinking we can carry the horse theme right on to Main Street, with the idea of making the sanctuary and Sweetwater itself kind of synonymous—you think of one, you think of the other.”

I plant my hands jokingly on my hips. “Now wait just a minute, Mr. Montgomery. Hearts are kind of our thing here in Sweetwater.” I motion around me to the hearts all over the shop—from the ones painted on the walls to the baked ones behind glass. They happen to grace Sweet Caroline’s Deli, too, and even the sign for Sweetwater Drugs.

In response, though, he takes my hand and leads me to my own door, which he opens, then glances up and down mostly-vacant Main Street. “I’m sorry to break this to you,” he imparts in a kind, if teasing, tone, “but I’m not sure it’s working.”

“Okay,” I say, smiling in concession, “I guess we can have hearts and horses.”

As the door closes, shutting back out the cold, he asks, “How do you like the sound of the Sweetheart Horse Park and Sanctuary? If you don’t mind me borrowing your name.”

“I don’t mind at all.” In fact, it makes me even happier. Because… “It’s perfect.”

“This is all thanks to you, Taylor,” he tells me, his smile fading to something more circumspect.

And that’s when I realize we stand only a few inches apart and he’s looking at me in that same way he has before, his eyes darkening with want and intention—and I’m so, so ready for it this time, finally.

He reaches for my hand and leans closer—as the front door bursts opens and I instinctively step back from him, turning to see Kyra.

She appears completely focused on her shoes as she wipes them on the heart-laden welcome mat, with no clue she’s interrupted anything. “Morning. Sorry I’m late. My brother wouldn’t get out of the shower.” Only then does she raise her gaze. “Oh, hi. Didn’t realize we had a customer. Sorry.” She smiles her apology, then heads to the back, leaving us alone again.

But only until—I truly can’t believe it—Jeff from the drugstore comes waltzing in. “Morning, Taylor. Think I need a cupcake to start the day. Don’t tell my wife, though—she’s on me about the sugar intake lately. And no rush—I need to look at the wares and decide what I’m in the mood for.”

As Jeff proceeds past us to the display case, Luke grins down at me to softly say, “Foiled again. Why does this keep happening?”

“Seems like our timing is never quite right,” I answer just as quietly.

This time, though, I’m not glad or relieved. This time I wanted the kiss so badly I could taste it.

Which perhaps means…I’ve decided Geneva is right? That I should just go for it, come what may?

“I need to take off,” he tells me, apparently giving up on this for now. “But before I forget…” He steps over to insert a folded piece of paper into the valentine box.

“What’s that?”

“Meeting details.” He offers up another cute grin. “I know I could have just handed it to you, but for old time’s sake.” And with that, he heads toward the door.

“Luke,” I say.

He stops, looks back.

“About our timing not being right…”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t stop trying.”