1-800-CUPID_A Sweet Contemporary Romance Novella

by Josie Riviera

  “I’m tearing it down, remember?” He walked to the fireplace held the pilot button down for a couple minutes. A flame flickered, and the fire soon glowed, warming the room.

  She sighed. “What else is in your knapsack?”

  “Soy candles.” He brought out a tidy boxed candle set along with a book of matches. He lit the candles and placed them on the fireplace mantel. “The box described these candles as part of the ‘jasmine and cedar wood atmosphere collection.’”

  “Well then, they’re perfect,” she said, amused.

  He sat beside her, opened his takeout box and held up a massive hamburger. “Ah, dinner by candlelight.”

  “No dessert? I love caramels coated in chocolate.”

  “I’ll bring caramels next time. Dark or milk chocolate?”

  “Dark.” She chortled. “Bring those, and how could I refuse?”

  “Hopefully, you can’t refuse anything I offer.” His teasing laugh was potent, and his affectionate appraisal made her heartrate rise. Along with the aroma of the cedar candles, she inhaled Teddy’s clean scent, all male, and the air around them heated.

  They fell into companionable silence, as she shared his crispy fries and had a bite of his hamburger. On top of the dinner she’d already eaten, she was consuming more calories than she normally ate in two days.

  When they were finished, Teddy picked up the napkins strewn beside them. “What do you do when you’re not selling real estate?” he asked.

  “I volunteer at the Roses no-kill animal shelter every Sunday.” She wiped her fingers on a napkin. “And I work part-time at the hardware store in town, since I like making things out of wood. My foster family’s business was working with wood.”

  His hands stilled. “Your foster family?”

  “When we were teenagers, my sister and I were removed from our home and placed into the state welfare system as foster children.”

  Once she blurted out the words, Candee chided herself. What had compelled her to divulge so much information? If she’d blinked, she would have missed the kind interest clouding Teddy’s face before he replaced his expression with a teasing grin.

  “And what do you make out of wood? Should I book you a spot on the home improvement channel?” he asked.

  “I’d wait about fifty years if I were you. I’m not ready for my own television show.” She fixed her stare on the burning gas logs in the fireplace. “I made a detailed dollhouse once with my foster father, complete with a rocking chair measuring three inches.” She paused as tears threatened. “I still have that chair.”

  He kept his gaze on her face. “Care to tell me about your foster family?”

  “Which one?”

  “There was more than one?”

  “We were shuffled to five different families.” Her throat tightened as the memories washed over her. “The agency urged each foster family to keep us, and then the family would decide not to adopt.”

  Two teenage girls with no parents hadn’t been worthy of love or a stable home.

  Teddy was watching her closely. “Go on,” he said quietly.

  She swallowed. “The last family Desiree and I were placed with ended up being our ‘forever’ family.” Candee commended herself on her steady tone. “We attended church together, and in the evening we often sang hymns around their old upright piano while I attempted to plunk out the tunes.”

  “I’m impressed.” He considered her with open admiration. “You make dollhouses and play the piano and volunteer at a no-kill animal shelter. That is, when you’re not selling real estate.”

  He’d turned the conversation away from her past, and she was appreciative. Most days, she secured her childhood memories in a protected compartment in her mind. Sitting with Teddy, who seemed so attuned to her, she felt comfortable and safe.

  She half smiled. “I don’t do any of those things remarkably well, except volunteering at the animal shelter. Animals love you no matter who you are or your background.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve never had time for animals.”

  “Doesn’t your four-year-old nephew live with you?”

  “Yes, although it’s only been for the past few months, and we’re still getting used to each other. Rob’s watching him now while I’m away. Joseph rides horses on weekends at an equestrian center near Miami, and now he wants a horse.”

  “He’ll probably beg for a dog at some point, too.”

  Teddy chuckled. “He already has asked.”

  Get him a rescue dog, preferably a beagle, she wanted to encourage. Although, seeing the closed expression on Teddy’s face, she didn’t pursue the subject.

  “Do you read music?” she asked.

  “I’m no Beethoven, although I can keep a steady beat on a timpani drum.” He stood and gathered their trash in the carryout bag. “I’d like to go with you to the animal shelter—if I’m properly invited. You volunteer every Sunday?”

  “Immediately after church.”

  He paused, then winked. “I’m waiting for an invite.”

  She couldn’t help laughing. “The shelter needs all the help it can get, although volunteers must first attend an orientation, give references and then commit to a certain length of time.”

  “Can you vouch for me? I’ll be living in Roses for the next few weeks.”

  “All right.”

  “Flexible hours?” he asked with amusement.

  She grinned. “Absolutely.”

  “Then I’ll assist in any way I can.” He pulled a battery-operated transistor radio out of his knapsack. Turning it on, he fiddled with the dial until he found a crackly station playing 80’s music. “Would you like to dance, Candee?”

  “You want to dance—now?”

  “You’re still shivering a little.” He offered a playful smile. “It’s better to move around when you’re cold.”

  “I’m not shivering,” she informed him. “And I haven’t danced with a man in forever.”

  Any further protest died on her lips as he pulled her to her feet.

  “I can’t remember the last time I danced with a woman, either.” He placed his arm around her back. “Although I remember I liked it.”

  Candee silenced another protest. Why not dance? The entire evening had a one-of-a-kind, storybook quality to it.

  “Unchained Melody” came on.

  “I love the Righteous Brothers,” she announced.

  Teddy smoothed his fingers across her shoulders and pulled her closer. “I noticed when we were riding in your car yesterday.”

  They swayed in step to the enchanting words of the ballad about lonely rivers flowing and sighing.

  The glow of the fireplace, dancing slowly with this strikingly handsome man, made her forget the previous two years of heartache and aloneness and dateless evenings.

  “This music is in twelve eight time,” she said.

  He kept his fingers joined with hers. “It’s beautiful.”

  With a quiet sigh, she submerged herself in the melody of the timeless song. The minutes passed and she lost track of the following medley of classic songs. She simply relaxed against Teddy’s chest and allowed herself to experience the reassuring presence of his solid body against hers. His heart thudded in a steady meter and her own heart felt strange, beating oh-so-fast.

  “Candee?” He lifted her chin. “If I was that guy with the same first and last names, I’d have rented a snowplow to meet you at the country club tonight.”

  His deep brown eyes darkened. Her body warmed with anticipation as his hands drifted down her shoulders, pressing her nearer.

  It was there, an invisible thread drawing them together.

  Her mind warned: It couldn’t be, not after knowing him for a day.

  But it was.

  She knew he was going to kiss her, and she met his insistent lips with an eagerness she’d never known. He kissed her slowly, thoroughly. The strength of his powerful body molded intimately to hers, bringing her to life. The longer the kiss went on, the more
she responded, straining to be nearer him.

  The doorbell rang.

  Teddy broke the kiss. “Are you expecting dinner guests?” He tipped up her chin. Affection and desire smoldered in his gaze as his thumbs stroked her heated cheeks.

  Her hands flattened against his polo shirt and she rested her head on his chest. “Not unless they brought chocolate.”

  He laughed. “It must be the wind.”

  The odd chime of the doorbell ringing a second time prompted her to pull from his arms.

  A moment afterward, the front door opened sending a blast of cold air into the living room.

  “Anyone home?” a gruff voice called out.

  A pair of heavy footsteps tromped down the hallway, and an elderly man with gray hair appeared in the living room doorway. With one hand, he pushed up a pair of thick glasses. With the other, he raised a sizeable wooden baseball bat.

  “Who are you two?” he demanded.

  Candee retreated a step. “Mr. Dunworthy?”

  “Candee Contando? What are you doing here?” The aging man hobbled into the room, using the baseball bat as a cane. “I saw candles flickering and smoke coming from a chimney. I figured it was teenagers up to mischief and decided to walk down here to see for myself.”

  “Mr. Dunworthy.” Teddy came forward. “Candee was showing me the house.”

  “At this hour?” Up close, the dark age spots on the man’s face showed prominently. He squinted and stared at Teddy. “You live around here?”

  “No. I’m from Florida actually. My name is Teddy Winchester. I live in Miami and I’m an investor.” Teddy extended his hand.

  Mr. Dunworthy placed the baseball bat on the floor and the men shook hands. “I’m Charles Dunworthy. I live two doors down and I’m your basic nosy neighbor.

  Chapter Six

  The following day, Candee attended church services. Upon returning to her apartment for a quick lunch, she checked her cell phone. Teddy had texted her.

  Happy Sunday, his text read. Planning to volunteer at the animal shelter this afternoon?

  She glanced at her watch—half past noon. Yes, she texted back. On my way now.

  Can I join u?

  Teddy was persistent and apparently interested in her. He was so good-looking and not at all arrogant. His manner was compelling, gentle, yet with an aura of control. She so regretted that Mr. Dunworthy had interrupted their one kiss.

  She suppressed a grin and texted back. All hands are welcome.

  She sent him the address and then changed into a plaid flannel shirt, old faded jeans, black leather boots, and a light navy jacket. After pulling her hair into a casual pony tail, she tied the green paisley scarf around her neck. Despite the freezing weather the previous evening, the sky was a brilliant Carolina blue, the sun efficiently melting any sleet left on the ground.

  Candee recognized Teddy’s pickup as soon as she drove into the shelter’s parking lot. Lounging against his truck, he displayed an easy charm, looking exceedingly handsome wearing dark jeans, his olive-green vest zipped over a black T-shirt. He was ruggedly fit, his arm muscles taut and hard.

  He strode to her car, his boots crunching on the graveled parking lot, and had her door open before she’d taken her key out of the ignition.

  “Did you attend services this morning?” His slow, lazy smile made her shamelessly wonder how it would feel to kiss him again.

  As she got out of the car, she drew a long breath to steady her fluttering pulse and focused on the simple wood-sided entrance door. “Yes, and the sermon was amazing. The pastor spoke about how grace is the way to heaven and faith is the route we choose to take. Do you attend a church?”

  His nodded. “A contemporary church in Florida. They stream their services online and I watched on my computer early this morning before I called my nephew.”

  “How is he?”

  “He sounded happy. I’ll fly to Miami next weekend to see him. He’s having a good time with Rob.” He peered past her at the modern concrete and brick building. “How long is our shift?”

  “Four hours. And an application is required.”

  “Done,” he said. “I attended the orientation already and used your name as a reference. Was that okay?”

  “Of course.” She paused. “When you texted me, were you already at the shelter?”

  He shifted. “I guess I was.”

  “You guess? You blithely did nothing while I texted directions?”

  He raised a hand. “Guilty as charged. Last night you invited me to join you, remember?” Grinning, he took her hand. “Shall we go inside?”

  She liked his easy-going sense of humor. In the spirt of friendly bantering, she teased, “Do you want to clean the crates, walk the dogs or stuff envelopes?”

  “I have a choice?”

  She chuckled. “It depends on whether you want to sit or stand. I prefer walking the dogs and love being outside.”

  He gazed down at her and squeezed her hand. “I’ll go wherever you go.” His words hung significantly in the crisp January breeze.

  The next four hours passed amidst amiable sparring and chatter, with Candee teasing Teddy that he was supposed to be walking the dogs—the dogs weren’t supposed to be walking him.

  Dusk had fallen by the time Teddy was placing the last dog back in its enclosure as Candee explained the shelter’s protocol and safety procedures to help limit the transfer of disease. For the next fifteen minutes they assisted last-minute customers with animal visitations.

  As they got ready to leave, Candee called out a jovial good-bye to Agnes, another volunteer.

  “Will you and your boyfriend be back here next week?” Agnes asked.

  Candee blinked.

  She was coming to value Teddy’s friendship … but boyfriend? No, no, no. She wasn’t ready to open her heart to another relationship—because Teddy would leave, like her parents, like the foster families, like George. Absolutely, she wanted to build a social life for herself again, but not at the expense of another heartbreak.

  She took a steadying breath, resolve firmly in control. “Teddy and I met three days ago, Agnes. I’m his … realtor.”

  “Oh.” The woman studied them. “You two just look like you’re together. I assumed you were a couple.”

  From the corner of her eye, Candee noted Teddy’s quirked eyebrow, although he said nothing. She glanced at her hand in the crook of his arm. It felt natural, although she didn’t remember placing her hand there.

  As they walked away, Teddy whispered in her ear. “Well, that opens up a landslide of potential for us, doesn’t it? Now will you join me for dinner?” Leaning over, he opened her car door.

  “I’m at my realty office by eight o’ clock on Monday morning.” She bit her lip, debating his invitation. “In the afternoon, I work at the hardware store.”

  “I promise to get you home early.” His grin was wide, his gaze glinted with merriment. “Say yes, because we’re a couple now. Just ask Agnes.”

  “I never said—”

  Lightly, he kissed her forehead. “We’ve been on our feet for hours. Don’t you need nourishment? Eating a few slices of pizza won’t take long.”

  Her hand hovered uncertainly above her car keys before she agreed. “I’m starved, actually.”

  The sun was descending as they arrived at Tony’s pizzeria on Main Street. They parked their cars near the entrance, and Teddy came around to open her car door.

  She smiled as he complimented her, citing how magnificent she was with animals and how much he prized her nurturing manner.

  He gestured to the entrance of the pizzeria. “I made reservations. I didn’t want us to sit around waiting for a pager to go off. Especially since you go to work early in the morning.”

  The soft tenderness in his deep voice took her breath away.

  Was it wrong for her to enjoy being well-treated? she questioned herself. Teddy made her feel special—listening attentively while she spoke, sensitive to her moods and attuned to her emot
ions. He obviously cared, showing initiative and planning ahead so she’d have a decent night’s rest.

  He took her hand as they walked into the pizzeria.

  Mouth-watering scents of freshly cooked pasta, pizza, garlic, and oregano drifted through the darkly-lit restaurant. A portly woman, looking just like an Italian grandmother, escorted them to a table near a cheery fireplace. The woman was dressed in pressed black slacks and a turtleneck sweater, with “Tony’s” stitched in red on the collar. A spiked-haired pizza maker stood in front of an open brick oven tossing pizza dough in the air and then covering the circle of dough with tomato sauce, pepperoni, and cheese.

  Candee took in a deep breath. “Italian is my favorite food in all the world.”

  “Mine, too,” Teddy agreed. As he pulled out a chair for Candee, he took in Tony’s traditional decor—red and white checkered tablecloths, Italian statues and grapevines, the muted atmospheric lighting enhanced by votive candles at each table.

  He took a seat, and they accepted menus from the waitress, a sandy-haired teen who seemed far more interested in the pizza tosser than in her customers.

  Teddy perused the menu. “I love anything with the word pizza.”

  “Tossed salad is a nutritious alternative,” she said.

  After they were both served, Candee tucked into her salad while Teddy loaded up his plate with three slices of Margherita pizza.

  “Do you have a favorite dog?”

  He stopped in midchew to consider her unexpected question. “I came across many breeds today and it’s hard to say. You?”

  She smiled, but there was a hint of sadness to it. “I love beagles.”

  He was about to ask why when the waitress appeared. “More water? Coffee?”

  “Black coffee for me,” Candee said.

  “Two cups, please,” Teddy said.

  A few minutes later the waitress set steaming cups of coffee on the table, cleared their empty plates, and encouraged them to order dessert.

  “You haven’t eaten any pizza yet,” Teddy said. “There are two slices left.”