When they arrived in Littleton, Zed parked on one of the side streets and they exited his truck. As Tasha walked alongside him, she peered west, enjoying the amazing view of the mountains. Glorious, voluminous white clouds dotted the sky over the mountain peaks. The contrast of the dark, navy blue, craggy range made for a beautiful sight.
“I’d say they’re Winsome today,” Zed declared.
“Huh?”
“I give the mountains names, depending on how they look. Today they’re lovely, engaging—Winsome.”
Tasha smiled. “I like that. I may steal your idea.”
He produced a deep-throated chuckle. “No need to steal. I’ll gladly lend it to you.”
Tasha walked in silence, curious where Zed was leading her. Although she was familiar with Littleton, she’d yet to explore all the downtown’s quaint shops and businesses.
When Zed finally stopped in front of a storefront, she nearly bumped into him.
“Here we are,” he announced.
Tasha looked at the sign above the business. It read Chocolate Therapy.
She giggled with delight. “Seriously!”
Zed grinned. “Yes, ma’am. It’s just what the doctor ordered.”
She wanted to dance on the sidewalk with glee, but she reined herself in. As they entered the shop, the varying smells of chocolate nearly took her breath away.
“Pick whatever you’d like,” he said.
“There’s so much! This will be hard!”
“I believe in you.”
“Ha!” Tasha’s eyes roamed the place. She considered her strategy and decided to start in one corner of the wall of candy and circle the place.
She finally settled on a yummy dark chocolate bar with marshmallows. They sat at one of the circular high tables. “You have to try some, too,” she told Zed.
“Sure,” he said. “But first—” He searched his pocket and pulled out what looked like another greeting card. He handed it to her.
The envelope was purple. “What’s this?”
“Look and see.”
She opened the card. Admiring the ornate artwork, she ran her hands over the calligraphy. Her heart trilled at his small gesture of picking such a beautiful card for her. Nobody had ever considered her so thoroughly. And it was possible nobody ever would again.
* * *
Zed held his breath as Tasha reviewed his greeting card.
“May I read it aloud?” she asked.
“Sure.”
Tasha cleared her throat and started to read. “‘Tasha, I hope this “therapy” helps replace the bitter taste left in your mouth from your past dark Valentine’s Day, where you once were led to feel unwanted and unloved. I hope you know the sweet things that make you not only unique, but also special, such as your weird-cute laugh that gives a hyena a run for its money, your large heart that blesses others and deserves to be blessed, too, your love of history, all things chocolate, onesies and retro TV shows, and your beauty, both inside and out. The guy that let you go on this day made a huge, ginormous mistake. I hope my therapy prescription helps heal your ailing heart. Or at least brings a little sunshine to replace that dark day. Happy Un-Valentine’s Day —Zed.’” She locked eyes with him.
“Oh, Zed, it’s one of the most beautiful cards I’ve ever received!”
He was surprised to feel both touched and shy. His father had disdained overly emotional displays, which made it hard, since his mother had always been a firecracker of emotion. His natural inclination was to play down the moment with Tasha. The best way he knew how was to deflect things. He started to hurriedly pack her stash of chocolate. “I hate to rush you, but we’ll be late for our next task for the day if you don’t hurry.”
Tasha seemed surprised at the sudden change of mood, but she complied. She took the itinerary he’d made for her from her purse. “Next up, let’s see—‘Cupcake Brigade,’” she read. She wrinkled her cute little nose. “More sugar?” she asked as they exited the restaurant.
“Not exactly. You’ll see,” he replied.
Once they were seated in his truck, he whipped the vehicle onto Santa Fe, one of the main streets in Littleton. Shortly thereafter, they stopped at Aspen Grove, a huge strip mall of stores.
“I’ll be right back,” he said. He leaped from the vehicle and disappeared into a cupcake shop. Ten minutes later he exited with three large pink boxes.
Zed sat the boxes in the truck bed before reentering the vehicle.
“Three huge boxes of cupcakes. Dare I ask?” she said.
“You’ll see.”
Forty minutes later they were in north Denver. He pulled up to a women’s shelter called Ruth’s Promise. When he cut the engine, he turned to Tasha.
“I know you have a heart for the less fortunate, from the vision you shared when we first met of wanting to use part of the proceeds from your business to help others. Since Valentine’s Day celebrates love in all its forms, I thought you might like blessing some women and their families with gourmet cupcakes to let them know they matter and are special to God, too.
“Plus, by giving instead of just receiving on this day, I hope the joy will replace the sorrow you felt at giving your heart, but never receiving back. I know it sounds like a paradox, but sometimes giving can make us happier and more fulfilled.”
He gazed at her, hoping that he’d guessed right and that this would be an idea she would like. Had he read her right? If he was wrong, the day could quickly tank, which was the last thing he wanted.
Tasha looked stunned. “Thank you,” she said softly. “I love your idea.”
He sighed with relief. “You’re very welcome. Now, c’mon, Tash. I’ve arranged with the director to distribute the cupcakes to the ladies and their kids, too.” As he started to exit the truck, he stopped. “Oh, and I’ve also got some Valentine’s Day cards in the glove compartment. Could you grab those?”
Over the next twenty minutes Zed was happy to witness how grateful the women in the shelter were at his and Tasha’s small gesture. It brought many of them to tears, including Tasha.
“That was so precious,” Tasha said when they returned to the vehicle after distributing the treats. “I think you made those ladies’ day, week, maybe even year.”
“They deserved to know they are seen and valued,” Zed said.
She observed him for a long moment, seeming touched by his words, but then she returned her attention to the itinerary. “So next is a break for the afternoon, then dinner plans, but you don’t say where we’re going for dinner.” She cocked her head to one side and wrinkled her nose in apparent curiosity. “Are you taking me to Shanahan’s, where I was stood up on Valentine’s Day, to make up for it?”
“Time will tell,” he said.
“What should I wear?”
“Clothes would be good,” Zed quipped.
“Zed, be serious.”
“Dress attire,” he replied.
“Okay.” She watched the passing landscape before turning back to him. “You realize it’s our last holiday as a married couple.”
Did he hear wistfulness and melancholy in her voice? Had he gone a little too overboard? He still needed to keep his distance so that they could make a clean and easy break when their arrangement ended.
Later, when Tasha appeared at the top of the steps for their dinner date, she wore an emerald green full-length dress, with glittery dewdrop diamond earrings and shoes that matched the dress.
“Wow,” he said.
“Right back at you,” she said. “You spit-shine pretty good in that tux there, mister.”
He chuckled, offered his arm and escorted her to the truck.
Mrs. Talmadge, their elderly next-door neighbor, was on her porch as they walked toward the car. She gave a hardy whistle.
He smiled and graciously dipped his head in response.
/>
When they finally were in the truck and on the way to their destination, Tasha tried to get out of him where they were going. It didn’t work.
As he drove, he snuck quick peeks at her when he thought she wasn’t aware of his scrutiny. He tried to keep his cool. He wanted to drink in her loveliness slowly, like a sumptuous meal. Although she wasn’t a traditional beauty, she had a unique, quirky loveliness that took his breath away. The kindness, compassion and humor that gleamed from her dark eyes, the sweet smile that reflected her generosity and kindness, all added up to something amazing. The green dress she wore complemented her warm brown skin and dark brown hair with sandy highlights, which she’d piled on top of her head so that it fell in a cascade of curls. He liked how she’d added wispy tendrils around the nape of her neck and ears.
I’ll miss her. The rebel thought caught him off guard. Where had it come from? He grit his jaw in stubborn determination against the idea. He hadn’t needed anyone since his mother died. And he didn’t now.
“Is something wrong?” Tasha asked.
Man. She can read me like nobody else.
“No. I’m fine,” he said. He turned on the radio, hoping the music would distract him, and concentrated on how Tasha would react at their dinner date location. It would certainly be interesting. It would either be great or a total bust.
Just after a traffic light, Zed put on his right turn signal and entered the parking lot of the restaurant.
Tasha’s dark eyes turned into wide orbs of amazement. “Zed. Seriously? What’s going on? A fast-food restaurant?” Tasha cried.
Zed grinned. He parked, exited and opened her door for her, then offered his arm to escort her again.
Tasha’s straight-ahead stare told him she was purposely attempting to ignore some snickers as they walked into the restaurant looking like Ken and Barbie headed to the Oscars.
“The sky’s the limit. Order whatever you’d like.”
“Big spender,” she replied.
To his amazement, although she was surprised, she didn’t seem offended or upset. That told him a lot about her. He’d dated women that would have been furious at his move. But Tasha was being a good sport.
She’s one in a million.
Tasha ordered a Happy Meal. She patted the little box when she got it. “This way I’ll have a memento of this day,” she joked.
He ordered a quarter pounder with cheese meal, with a strawberry shake.
They found seats. A few toddlers, supervised by their parents, ran with abandon down the restaurant aisles. One kid saw them, stopped with his mouth agape and pointed them out to his parents.
A wistful expression rolled across Tasha’s face. “When I was a kid, our big treat was to eat out once a month. My mother would always ask where I wanted to go. Why she did so, I’ll never know, because I always said the same thing,” she said.
“A fast-food place?” Zed asked.
“How’d you know?”
“I have my ways,” he said. “Secret intel.”
“I’m thinking more an educated guess.”
Zed chuckled. “Busted.”
They laughed and joked through the meal. When they were done, he produced her final Un-Valentine’s card.
“Why, thank you,” she said. She opened the card. “Should I read it aloud?”
“Your choice,” he said.
She cleared her throat and started. “‘Tasha, I’m guessing this wasn’t the gourmet meal you were expecting. But since this is Un-Valentine’s Day, and we’re undoing your past Valentine’s Day disaster, I wanted to take you somewhere normal. Because it’s not just about celebrating someone on a certain day. You deserve to be celebrated every day, not only with fireworks and expensive meals, but in the simple, plain times and moments. Times that are real and true. You were stood up at a fancy restaurant and made to feel less than nothing. I wanted to dress up and take you somewhere simple and make you feel like the queen you are. You are worthy of knowing you’re special all the time—’”
Crystal tears spilled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she cried.
“No apologies needed.”
She swiped her eyes with her hands. “This is the best Un-Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had. And this meal is more special to me than dining at a five-star restaurant. Because of you.” Tasha’s sable eyes bore into him. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say more. She paused, as if trying to decide something. “I see what your mom and aunt meant about you.”
He broke eye contact with her and dramatically sucked the last of his shake, like an overeager child. Had he made a mistake? Was she getting too close to him? He’d wanted to make her day special. Had he gone too far?
They finished up and headed out to the truck. On the way home, Tasha was lit up like a Christmas tree. He tried to keep his eyes on the road, but when he took quick glances her way, her beauty and effervescence gleamed like a diamond. She chattered like a magpie. He was glad for that. It gave him time to think. He’d wanted to bless her, but Zed worried she might have misinterpreted his actions to mean more than they did.
When they got home, Tasha suggested they change into their pajamas and make popcorn balls. She said it was a quirky fun thing her mother did for Valentine’s Day when Tasha was a kid. Tasha shared the recipe with him of mixing corn syrup, popcorn and M&M’s to form balls.
After they were done eating the sweet treat, Tasha stopped him as they headed up the stairs. The moonlight, shining through the stained-glass window, caressed her face. “Thank you,” she said, clutching her chest over her heart, “for one of the most amazing days of my life.” Her lips quivered.
Zed’s heart pounded in his chest. All this time, while he’d wondered whether she’d fall for him, she wasn’t the one he should have been worried about. He felt as old as Moses and at the same time like a young, scared boy. “It’s not fair, you know,” he whispered.
Tasha gave him a curious look. “What?”
“That the moon’s even trying to compete with you. ’Cause it’s a lost cause. No contest.”
He gently cupped her face in his hands. Her skin felt like satin under his fingers. Alarm bells went off in his head. He shouldn’t have touched her. He attempted to back off, but some invisible force, like a magnet, drew him closer. Her full lips called to him. He bit his lip against the invitation. However, with dismay, he realized the moon wasn’t the only one possibly fighting a lost cause. His mouth covered hers.
* * *
Tasha awakened to the sweet, salty taste of the popcorn and the memory of Zed’s kiss from the night before still on her lips.
For a moment she wondered if she’d dreamed the wonderful day before, as well as Zed’s kiss. Upon realizing it was real, she marveled. Had last night’s events been a game changer for her and Zed? The way he’d kissed her, with utter tenderness, yet determination, as well, spoke volumes. She watched birds sing, flutter and dance outside her window, feeling as if she had wings, too.
She wanted to open up to Zed, to show him every part of her heart and who she was. A sharp pain pinged in her chest. Memories of when she’d done so before and ended up with a broken heart invaded her thoughts.
Zed might not have confessed his feelings aloud, but could his kiss have communicated that he felt something for her? If she was vulnerable and confessed how she was feeling, would she be putting their new connection in jeopardy forever? Was Zed different or was he just like all the other men that ultimately didn’t feel as she did and abandoned her?
She wrestled with her thoughts during breakfast. When Zed joined her for cereal, he informed her he’d be holed up in his makeshift office most of the day. He told her about the challenge of dealing with students and community protests over the university’s consideration of tearing down a beloved historic building, Lincoln Hall. He’d been charged with coming up with a proposal to address the issue to present t
o the chancellor.
“The thing of it is, I get the students’ perspective. I’m a big historic architecture buff. It’s part of the reason I became an architecture professor. Lincoln Hall certainly is beautiful and has a wonderful legacy at the school. But it’s old and the continual repairs are costly. I understand the community and students. Vista Peak is a special place. We’d like to keep the charm and small-town feel.”
Tasha considered his quandary. While she wasn’t an architect, she had a similar love for historical structures. Zed’s purple Victorian had ignited her love for old buildings.
“Have you thought of the idea of maybe marrying the past and present?” she asked.
“How so?”
“Maybe you could save a facade, or portion of the historic building, to honor the past, while integrating a newer, modern section.”
A look of surprise exaggerated his features. His eyes lit up. “Tasha, you may be onto something.”
She suppressed a smile, not wanting him to know how much the idea that she’d helped him pleased her.
Neither of them broached the topic of the kiss before heading their separate ways. Though it had jettisoned her over the moon, it also confused her. Had he just been carried away by the romantic holiday? Had it really changed anything? She’d misread guys’ signals before, jumping to conclusions and assuming what their actions meant, only to be let down and left heartbroken.
While he spent most of the day working on his project, she worked on her personal business plan and marketing ideas for the New Year. As she worked, she wrestled with the idea of when to tell Zed about her mother and his dad. She decided she’d make an amazing dinner, with candles and music, where she’d bring up the subject.
That evening, when she was done cooking, Tasha looked around the Victorian, admiring her handiwork. Candles flickered in the living room and dining room, creating a warm ambience. She’d put Milo in his favorite spot, sequestered in a cubbyhole in his bed in the finished attic. She hadn’t wanted him to go on one of his erratic bends and leap on one of the tables, topple the candles and possibly burn the place down.
Claiming His Christmas Inheritance Page 15
