1-800-CUPID_A Sweet Contemporary Romance Novella

by Josie Riviera

“Box up what’s left,” Candee said to the waitress. “Teddy, you can have the leftovers for a midnight snack.”

  He laughed. “Since I professed my love for pizza earlier, I therefore have a good excuse for eating most of it.” He gazed at Candee, who was twirling the ends of her thick red hair. He knew he was monopolizing her weekend, but she had been utterly enchanting while she’d handled the animals, treating every dog with respect and compassion, sensitive to the different breeds. She’d walked the dogs alongside him, hips swaying, her tall willowy figure provocative, laughing out loud at his knock-knock jokes.

  Finally, he’d met someone who appreciated his sense of humor.

  He loathed giving her up quite yet, and he planned to ask for a coffee refill when the waitress came back.

  As the waitress went around the corner to box up the pizza and flirt with the pizza tosser, Teddy leaned forward. “Why do you love beagles, Candee?”

  She broke eye contact and shrugged. “Long story.”

  “I’m a good listener.” He scuffed his chair closer to the table. “Last night you mentioned your ‘forever’ family. I’m assuming the two stories go together. Care to elaborate?”

  She cupped her hands around her coffee cup as the waitress set the boxed pizza by Teddy. He waited while Candee sipped coffee and fixed her gaze on the crackling fire in the fireplace. Setting the cup down, she said, “The Johnsons encouraged Desiree and me to attend college.”

  “They sound like good people. Are you still in touch with them?”

  “Six years ago, they moved to Chicago. I haven’t seen them since I graduated from college. We still email, and I hope to visit them someday.”

  “What about your other foster families?” he asked gently. “You mentioned there were five families altogether.”

  She waved a hand dismissively. “Why would you be interested in hearing the sad story of my childhood?”

  “Because I’m interested in you and everything about you.”

  She blushed and slowly exhaled. “Desiree and I encouraged each other every time we moved, assuring each other everything was fine, but it wasn’t, you know? Between the ages of twelve and seventeen, we’d lived in four foster homes. New parents were complete strangers to us, and every house had its own set of rules—where to sleep, how to dress, what to eat, chores that had to be done.”

  Reaching out, he traced his finger along the curve of her cheek. “Those must have been very hard and scary years for two teenage girls.”

  The smile she offered quickly faded. “I always felt like a misfit. We didn’t do anything normal teenagers did. No sleepovers, no driver’s licenses—only a continuous series of knowing we were outsiders wherever we went.”

  She paused and stared down at her coffee. She’d hardly drunk any.

  He took her silence as consent that she’d continue, and waited.

  She gazed out the window at a cluster of clouds sitting low in the sky, then shifted her gaze to his. “Looking back, the hardest part was the beginning. I can still visualize my sister and me packing all our belongings into green trash bags the day we were taken from our home. I was twelve at the time. Desiree was fourteen.”

  “May I ask why you were put in foster care?”

  She stared past him. “Our parents were declared unfit, and the state deemed it necessary for my sister and me to live in a safer place.” She fidgeted with her gold earrings. “Although I didn’t understand at the time, in hindsight I see there was no other choice. Our parents died soon after we were removed, and the doctors blamed their deaths on substance abuse.”

  “I’m sorry.” He took her cold, fidgeting hands in his. “And now you’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. From my brief glimpse of your sister, she seems to be doing well. She’s a lawyer?”

  “And a good one, advocating for children’s rights,” Candee responded brightly. “I’m committed to making a difference in children’s lives too. I have a plan that includes a rambling property with five acres, where children can safely go after school and learn music and play with dogs and finish their homework and eat healthy snacks …” Her voice trailed off.

  “I applaud you.” He grinned approvingly and glided his thumbs over her hands. “What’s your plan?”

  It was just like her to want to help others, he thought. He imagined her as a kind and caring mother—a perfect mother for Joseph.

  Perfect for Joseph and perfect for him. He scowled at himself, surprised the idea had drifted into his mind of its own accord. With a long sigh, he acknowledged the truth. Candee was an extraordinary woman, compassionate and warm-hearted. At thirty-two years old, he’d never felt such an instant attraction to a woman. After knowing her for only a few days, he was already half in love with her.

  Perhaps fate had brought them together.

  “You might as well know all the facts, Teddy,” she was saying.

  His thumbs froze on her hands in midstroke. He made himself resume, collecting his thoughts before asking, “What facts?”

  She pulled her hands from his. “I should have addressed the situation and told you everything on Friday.” Her voice was so low, he strained to hear her.

  “Tell me what?” He leaned in closer, promising himself that whatever these facts were, it didn’t matter.

  For a fleeting moment, she closed her eyes, but then she pushed her shoulders back and squarely met his gaze. “The twenty-thousand dollar bid on the Victorian? It’s my bid. I’m planning to live there and renovate the downstairs space, making it an after-school day care for disadvantaged children.” Her voice caught. She paused before her words rushed out. “Therefore, I’d appreciate if you took your money elsewhere, preferably Miami, because the Victorian is taken.”

  Chapter Seven

  Taken? The Victorian was taken?

  Teddy jerked off his vest and threw it on the worn oak chair in his hotel room. He approached the window and gazed out at a thick black sky. In the distance, the twinkling lights of shops in the town square beckoned. Somewhere near, a church bell tolled the hour.

  He tapped his hands together and spoke softly to his brother. “Really, Christian? Candee bid on the irreparable property in Roses that I’m interested in?”

  With a heavy sigh, Teddy shoved his hands into his jean pockets. There were few moments in his life when he recalled being at a loss for words, but he definitely hadn’t known what to say when Candee announced her plans. He’d mumbled something about having no idea she’d wanted the property, paid the restaurant bill while acknowledging her ‘thank you,’ then matched her swift steps as he walked her to her car.

  At first, he’d been angry. Why hadn’t she simply told him? True, he’d been insistent about seeing the property. However, if the Victorian meant that much to her—which it apparently did—she should have never taken him to see it.

  His anger had evaporated on his drive back to the hotel. In retrospect, her intentions explained her hesitancy, her efforts to talk him out of buying it himself. And if he hadn’t been so intent on purchasing a bargain, he would have spotted what was clear in hindsight—she loved the house. He’d clearly seen her wistful gaze when she’d held his hand and stared at the property with him.

  He shook his head, berating himself. Here he thought she was the world’s worst realtor. Instead, she was trying to protect her investment, and perhaps her heart. Her life had been filled with trauma and transience, yet in what he recognized already as true Candee style, her aspiration was to transform the house into a safe environment for disadvantaged children.

  His head-strong, courageous Candee.

  He recalled the night before, the candlelight living room and her amused, “You want to dance—now?” After the music started, she’d snuggled close, her soft curves pressed against him. She’d felt warm and responsive, and the mere touch of her hands on his shoulders had heated his pulse. Just thinking about the tumultuous highs of the past three days made the short time they’d spent together all the more significant.

&n
bsp; He sensed she was beginning to care for him too. Nonetheless, common sense warned that love had no place in his life. He owned a thriving real estate business in Florida and had a nephew who needed him there.

  There was no reason he couldn’t continue seeing her, though, his heart encouraged. All that stood between them was the house and a distance of over seven hundred miles. Both easily remedied, he assured himself, between phone calls and Skype, although his conscience nagged about how he didn’t do well in long-distance relationships.

  With a low exhale, he turned away from the window.

  Before they’d departed, he’d pressed a kiss to her forehead and informed her he intended to talk further in the morning. She hadn’t agreed, although she hadn’t disagreed either. Nonetheless, he’d seen the resistance in her green eyes. It had taken the last grain of his self-control not to bring her to his chest and placate that resistance with soft assurances and numerous kisses.

  First thing in the morning, he’d arrive at her realty office and check off the first part of what was keeping them apart. He had decided to visit her office on Monday anyway, although now his reasons were different.

  He glanced at the clock, dreading the lengthy night awaiting him. At least there were leftovers, he mused.

  He uttered a soft curse as he looked around his room. In their quick departure, he’d forgotten the leftover pizza at the restaurant.

  More importantly, he’d forgotten to ask Candee why she loved beagles.

  Tomorrow. There was always tomorrow. For her sake and for his, he intended to straighten out everything. Tomorrow.

  After calling his nephew and speaking briefly to Rob, Teddy arrived promptly at Candee’s realty office at nine a.m. His arms were laden with four boxes of chocolate-covered caramels he’d bought at a local supermarket and a carryout bag from the trendy coffee house in town: two espressos topped with steamed milk, a dusting of cinnamon, and dark chocolate curls. A peace offering.

  He rapped on Candee’s realty door and walked in, smiling his approval at the tastefully decorated sun-lit office.

  Candee sat behind an uncluttered desk with her laptop open, clicking rapidly on the keys. It appeared she’d taken extra care with her appearance, wearing a light-pink blouse and tailored black slacks. Her luxurious red hair was pulled back from her face and fastened with a floral-colored barrette, the rest of it falling to curl naturally around her shoulders.

  His heart stopped. She was so beautiful.

  She didn’t seem quite as enraptured to see him. Her greeting consisted of a curt nod.

  He held the candy toward her. “These are for you. I realize it’s a little early in the morning for chocolate.”

  “It’s never too early for chocolate.” A slow smile came across her face as she stood. She accepted the candy and placed the boxes beside her laptop. “Thank you, although I can’t eat all this candy.”

  “I can help you.” Encouraged by his success, he pulled up a chair and set the coffees on her desk. “I assume you expected me, and I have four reasons for coming.”

  She sat back down in her chair. “Teddy, I … The Victorian …If you knew how much the home means to me.”

  “That’s the main reason I’m here.” An odd lump formed in his throat at her vulnerable yet unwavering expression. “I have no intention of bidding on the property anymore.”

  She pressed a palm to her heart. “You don’t?”

  “Absolutely not. Prompted by the right incentive, of course.” He paused. When she didn’t respond, he continued, “Besides, I certainly wouldn’t want to go against you in a bidding war.”

  A determined glint shone in her gaze. “Considering you know I’d do anything to win?”

  “Considering that fact and everything else, I won’t even try. When you’re bent on a course of action, I believe nothing can stop you.”

  “You’ve come to know me well in four days.” She leaned back in her chair and grinned. “Besides, my twenty-thousand-dollar bid is all the money to my name, and I wouldn’t have the funds to bid against you.” Without warning, her grin turned into a sob.

  He went around her desk and knelt, sliding his arms around her. Turning into his embrace she cried harder, murmuring between sobs about how relieved she was, and how she knew the house could be salvaged with hard work and diligence, and she planned to use the acreage for a small working farm.

  When her tears waned, she stayed where she was, her head resting against his chest.

  He offered a napkin from the coffee bag. “Everything better?”

  Self-consciously, she dabbed at her eyes and composed her features. “I haven’t allowed myself to cry in years.”

  “I haven’t cried in a long time either,” he admitted. Rising, he skimmed a kiss across her temple.

  She offered a rueful grin. “What are the other reasons you’re here?’

  “Well, the first was to bring you coffee and chocolates, and the second was to inform you I won’t be bidding on the Victorian.”

  “But you mentioned a ‘right’ incentive. What might that be?”

  “I’d like a thank-you kiss in return for preferring to be your ally, not your adversary.”

  She smiled.

  He lifted her from her chair and pulled her into his arms. Gently, he brushed his lips over hers. Her tongue swept across his lips, and he welcomed her, his body shamelessly hungry in its response. His fingers tightened possessively to draw her closer, and an eternity passed before he lifted his mouth.

  “The reason you came to Roses was to find a property and now you’re giving it up,” she murmured. “You would do this for me?”

  He gazed into her glistening eyes, brimming with happiness.

  “I would do anything for you,” he answered thickly, surprised he’d spoken his thoughts aloud. “Although I truly believe the Victorian is beyond renovation.”

  She pulled out of his arms. “I’m a fairly good carpenter.”

  His gaze narrowed, although he didn’t want to spoil the moment by informing her the house needed at least a dozen carpenters working around the clock—not to mention plumbers, electricians and roofers.

  The silence lengthened. His heart gave a lurch at the resolve in her gaze.

  “And do you know what I’ve learned from being a carpenter?” she asked. “Good old-fashioned perseverance and staying power. Even my simple three-inch rocking chair demanded endless hours and a lot of care.”

  “Making a rocking chair for a dollhouse is a lot different from tackling a five thousand square foot house that’s been abandoned for years,” he said.

  “I’m not impatient. I’ll focus on the process and—”

  “I’ll support you.” His quiet tone stopped her from continuing. “However, from my knowledge as a contractor, sometimes you need to move on. Bringing the house up to par with city and code requirements will take a lot of capital.”

  Adamantly, she shook her head. “I’ll never give up my dream.”

  He noted the guarded hope in her voice and carefully chose his words. “I have an offer for you. Your plan for after-school care is a good one, and I’d like to invest in it. Make me part of your equation.” He lifted the coffees from the bag and handed her a cup. “Will you consent to viewing other properties in Roses that might also suit you dream?”

  She opened her mouth, presumably to argue.

  “Keep an open mind,” he reminded.

  “I can’t accept any money from you, Teddy.”

  “Consider it a loan, then. I’ll even throw in my free expert advice.”

  She managed a wan smile before sinking into her chair and thoughtfully savoring her coffee.

  He glanced around the room. “Your mother owned this business?” He congratulated himself on changing their conversation’s direction.

  “Those were the days when my mother wasn’t drinking. By the time I graduated from college, this office had been boarded up, so I earned my real estate license and opened using her name.”

  “
Which is the reason I called you and not your competitors,” he said. “I assumed you’d been in business for many years and knew the area well.” Fate again, he thought.

  “I wanted to continue my mother’s legacy in some way. She wasn’t a terrible parent, just terribly misguided.” Candee absently touched her gold earrings. “And of course, the drinking and the drugs …”

  “I’ve noticed you wear those earrings every day. Are they from your mother?”

  Sadness flickered across her beautiful face. “It’s all I have left as a remembrance. She bought them at a consignment shop for my twelfth birthday. It wasn’t long afterward that Desiree and I were moved to our first foster home.” A hint of a smile wavered. “Now you’ve given me three reasons.”

  He grinned. She didn’t miss a thing.

  “I’m flying to Miami in a couple weeks to consult with Rob and see Joseph,” he explained. “Joseph’s a wonderful kid. I think I mentioned that on weekends, he goes to a horse training therapy facility.”

  “Do you have custody of your nephew?”

  “Hopefully soon.” Teddy exhaled a deep breath. “My brother was killed in an automobile accident a few months ago, and I should be granted guardianship of Joseph fairly soon. It’s so hard for him right now … For us …” Teddy glanced out the window and knuckled an unexpected tear. She waited in silence while he cleared his throat before turning back to her. “I’d like you to fly down to Florida with me to meet Rob and Joseph. You alluded to a working farm for disadvantaged children and you might want to expand the concept and include animals as therapy.”

  “It sounds like a wonderful idea, although I can’t go. I have too many commitments in Roses.”

  “We’ll be gone from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening and you’d have almost two weeks to prepare for the trip.”

  “What about my real estate business?”

  “Your one client is sitting across from you.”

  She hesitated. “I’ve never seen Miami.”

  “Bring shorts and flip-flops. You can stay at one of Rob’s places. He owns apartments above several of his businesses, and one is a five-minute walk from my condo.”