Chapter Eight
LEVI
“ D og cookie in my pocket,” I mutter, sipping the Candy Hearts Punch.
“You have to admit, it’s funny,” Rachel says. I cut a glance her way as she shrugs. “It was a little funny.”
“Hmph.”
“Oh, come on,” she laughs. When I respond by taking another sip, she adds, “You’ll think it’s funny tomorrow.”
But will I?
“Easy for you to say. You weren’t the one pushed down by a dog in front of the whole town. Not only that, but manhandled by a dog.”
“Technically, you were doghandled,” she said before bursting into a fit of laughter.
I can’t help it on that one. The corner of my mouth lifts as I fight a smile.
“I saw that,” she says, bumping her hip to my side.
“You saw nothing.” I try to sound frustrated in my retort, but I find that it doesn’t hold the same frustrated weight I wanted it to. There’s something about being with Rachel that means I can’t stay upset that long. Just being around her makes the weight on my shoulders lighten, and the pang of embarrassment start to lift.
“No, of course not. We wouldn’t want to ruin your tough guy appearance by having some fun at a dog knocking you over. You, a grown man, with a dog treat in your pocket.” She manages to hold her stern face for just a moment before breaking out into giggles.
“Alright, laugh at my expense, it’s okay. My tough guy ego can take it,” I joke back.
She opens her mouth to say something else when Mayor Claus’ voice sounds through the speakers. “Could I please have all the couples of The Love Search on stage for the unveiling of the matches?”
“I guess this is it,” I say, avoiding Rachel’s gaze.
“I guess it is,” she whispers. “What do we do if…”
“If what?” I look over at her, but she’s staring at the stage on the other side of the barn.
“What if we aren’t paired up?” Her voice is small and unsure, as if she’s not sure she uttered the words out loud.
“But what if we are?” I take her hand, linking her fingers with mine. I silently sigh with relief when she folds her fingers around mine.
“I guess there’s only one way to find out.”
We walk through the crowd hand-in-hand as we make our way to the stage. People are starting to crowd around the musicians and their instruments; the men on one side and the women on the other.
“Do we say good luck?” I ask as we get to the bottom of the stage.
“I’m not sure. I can’t say I know what the protocol is about being forced on stage to meet a match that neither of us asked for.” The corner of her mouth ticks up in a smile.
“Fair. Well, I guess good luck.” I give her hand a squeeze before stepping aside and letting her go up the stairs before me .
“See you up there?” she says with a nervous laugh.
“Unless you want to run. We could Thelma and Louise it out of here.”
“Didn’t they die? Plus, which one are you? Thelma or Louise?” she jokes.
“Fine. Bonnie and Clyde?” I roll my eyes in fake exasperation.
“They also died.” She crosses her arms. “You really need to work on your references here. They aren’t selling me on your getaway car.”
“How about Taylor Swift style?” I smile wider.
“You’re hopeless,” she laughs as she walks up the stairs to the stage.
I follow behind her, laughing to myself as we take our places on the stage. I nod to the other men, suddenly feeling very unsure of being up here.
“Can you believe they’re making us do this?” Jacob mutters beside me.
“You mean you didn’t sign yourself up trying to get matched with Cassie?” I jab. I know I’m poking the bear, but if I have to go through this–and possibly end up with someone other than Rachel–he’s going to get a little teasing.
“And like you’re not hoping to get matched up with someone?” He huffs, not taking his eyes off the women across the stage from us. Or, more specifically, one woman.
But he’s not denying it. That’s new.
I don’t answer. Instead, I lock eyes with Rachel as she’s listening to something Cassie’s saying to her, all while her friend shoots daggers at Jacob. I would say that I don’t know why they don’t just admit their feelings for each other, but I’m not exactly one to talk with the way the last day and a half has gone.
“Thank you for joining us here at what we hope is the first annual Candy Heart Creek Valentine’s Hoedown!” The mayor waited a moment while the crowd clapped before continuing. “While our party is just getting started, it’s time to wrap up The Love Search! For those of you who have not been following, all day, these fine people up here have been scouring the town, trying to find their true love. Starting with a box of sugary treats, they’ve followed the sweet trail of clues throughout town, leading them to this very stage.”
I try my best to hide my wince at the over-the-top description of our day.
“Now it’s time to reveal the matches!” The crowd cheers again while the mayor takes another pause. “Sylvie, will you do the honors?”
The older woman, dressed in a red sequined floor-length gown, makes her way to the stage. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her out of her uniform from the diner before–and she’s worked there my whole life. But now, she’s proudly wearing a dress that is nearly blinding with the way it reflects the stage lights off the beads.
Just as she begins handing out envelopes to the women, Tag jumps up on stage and sits in front of Jacob and me.
“Tag, what are you doing?” Jacob asks, scratching the head of our latest bachelor.
Tag looks up and gives us both side eye, which is impressive for a dog, before he utters a yip and looks across the stage. Sitting calmly in front of Cassie and Rachel is a female German Shepherd that I don’t recognize.
“You have got to be kidding me,” I chuckle.
With the women all holding their envelopes, Sylvie makes her way to our side. “Alright now, gentlemen. Don’t open your envelopes until you’re instructed to.” She gives each of us a red envelope, matching those we have received all day. She hands me mine with a knowing smile, patting my hand as I accept it.
Interesting.
She moves on to Jacob and gives him his, winking as he takes the envelope from her hand .
Tag gives a yip as Syvlie passes him.
She stops and looks down, giving him a pat on the head. “You know full well who you’re paired up with, Mister. Plus, what would you do with an envelope, anyway? Eat it?” With a final pat, she turns and gives out the rest of the envelopes.
“As everyone already knows each other in one way or another, with this being a small town, there’s no need for introductions. One by one, I’ll call up these lovely women here, followed by the gentleman they are paired with. Once matched, you will come up and escort her down to the dance floor for your first dance. The envelopes contain a special surprise for each couple. Do not open them until after your first dance.”
My hands are sweaty, and my collar starts to feel too tight. I refrain from pulling at it, trying not to look as nervous as I feel.
What are the odds that Rachel is my match? I mean, it would make sense with how we ended up at all the same locations. Maybe someone saw us the night of Holly and Rex’s wedding and thought we were a good match for each other.
Because we are, aren’t we?
“Amanda Mercer,” Mayor Claus says, and the crowd claps as she makes her way to the front of the stage. I recognize her as the library assistant at the library in town. She’s a few years younger than me, so I don’t know her well, but she’s always been kind when I’ve stopped in at the library.
Unlike Marion.
“Quinn Newman.”
The young man slowly walks forward, his floppy brown hair falling over his eyes but not nearly hiding his shy appearance. Amanda looks behind her, her cheeks pink, and a smile crosses her face as her match meets her next to the mayor .
My eyes meet Rachel’s again as the couple makes their way to the dance floor.
“Cute,” she mouths, giving me a shy smile.
I nod, thinking how cute she looks. Under the bright lights, her cheeks have a hint of pink, and her hair shines with streaks of blonde and red.
Couple after couple goes up and join the others on the dance floor. There are six of us now. Jacob and I are left with Zach Tanner. We wait, looking over at Rachel, Cassie, and Samantha Kinley as they wait just as impatiently on the other side.
“Cassie King,” Mayor Claus announces, and Jacob sucks in a breath.
“There’s no way he’s matched with anyone other than Cassie. The two of them have been back and forth from being friends to enemies so much that some of the women around town have called them ‘enemies to lovers,’ whatever that means. They’ve also ‘shipped’ them together. Not sure what ships have to do with either of them as they don’t sail at all, but that’s what I’ve heard around town.
Cassie takes her place at the front of the stage and looks over her shoulder at us. Her face is doubtful, as if she’s unsure which of us would be a better option.
I know not to take that personally. Cassie and I have never been anything other than friends, and Zach is a little younger and never ran in our circles.
“Jacob Winters,” the mayor announces.
“Ugh,” Cassie says at the same time Jacob mutters, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Jacob walks intently toward Cassie, taking her arm and leading her down the dance floor. They quietly exchange words–and by the look of it, not happy ones–as they reach the bottom of the stairs and out of sight.
Jacob’s got his hands full tonight, that’s for sure.
Looking across the stage, Rachel covers her mouth with her hand as she laughs. Her shoulders shake, and her eyes twinkle, probably thinking similar to what I did.
“We’re down to the final two couples!” the mayor announces, turning to us. “How exciting!”
I can’t take my eyes off Rachel, and I can see Zach and Samantha doing the same from the corner of my eye.
“Rachel Bennett.”
I watch as she takes a deep breath and makes her way to the front of the stage.
The knot in my chest tightens. Even though I’m pretty sure I’m her match, I can’t help but get nervous all the same. The envelope in my hand feels like lead, and I’m sure I’m sweating a stain on the red paper of the envelope.
I watch as Mayor Claus lifts the mic back up to his mouth.
“Zach Tanner.”