Sage took center stage again. “All the points have been added, and it’s time to announce who won the Valentine Quest.”
She stepped aside for Tim, who opened a sealed envelope. “The winner is…”
Nevada crossed her fingers. Dustin Decker.
“Dustin Decker.”
Yes. He’d won. That was what he’d wanted.
He walked to the sponsors with an easy grin on his face and a cowboy hat on his head.
So handsome.
He shook each of the sponsors’ hands, and then he clutched a large envelope that Clifford had given him.
Dustin stepped to the microphone. “I’d like to thank the sponsors of the Valentine Quest and all my fellow competitors. This is a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.”
The crowd cheered.
He waved the envelope. “I’d also like to thank whoever donated the grand-prize vacation. That was kind and generous of you.”
Seeing him so happy made breathing difficult. Nevada should get back to the chocolate shop.
“I’d like for Nevada Parker to please come on stage,” Dustin announced. “Are you out there, Nevada?”
“She’s right here,” someone she didn’t know shouted.
“Come on up,” Dustin urged.
With a grimace, she wove her way to the stage and climbed the steps.
Dustin motioned her to come closer.
She didn’t want to, but she wasn’t about to cause a scene in front of so many of her sister’s friends and customers.
“As some of you know, Nevada was my partner for all but the last of these tasks. Without her assistance, I wouldn’t be standing here.” His gaze remained on hers. “Let’s give her a big hand.”
Applause filled the air.
Heat flooded her face. No doubt her cheeks were scorching red. She was going to kill him. No jury would convict her, not after she pleaded complete and utter humiliation.
“There’s something you don’t know about Nevada.”
“Please stop,” she whispered.
“I will, but not yet.”
She bit back a sigh. “At least hurry.”
He nodded once.
“Nevada registered for the Valentine Quest not to win the grand prize for herself, but for her brother, York, who will be leaving the air force in a couple of months. She thought a vacation would be a perfect way for him to reenter civilian life, and I agree.” Dustin handed her the large envelope. “This vacation belongs to Captain York Parker.”
Gasping, she clutched the envelope to her chest. “I don’t understand. You wanted the vacation.”
“I thought I wanted the vacation, and I did, but for all the wrong reasons. I was focused on winning, but only for myself. Doing today’s task without you made me realize I wanted to win for both of us. And I know what I want now.”
She didn’t understand this man. Not at all. “What?”
“You.”
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Give him your heart and kiss him,” someone shouted from the crowd.
“That sounds like a great idea to me,” Dustin said. “But first, I want you to see something.”
He pointed to the backside of the snow sculpture of the three-dimensional heart. The front was smooth, but this side had an I, a heart shape, and an outline of the state of Nevada.
I love Nevada.
Her heart melted, and her insides turned to goo. She couldn’t breathe, but she forced herself to look at him.
“I’m sorry. I was an idiot,” he said. “You told me what you wanted. I knew what the quest meant to you, and I failed you. I’m so sorry.”
She hadn’t expected any of this, but especially not an apology. “Thanks. I needed to hear that.”
“I’ll keep saying it if you want.”
That brought a shiver of delight. “Maybe once more.”
“I am sorry,” he said again. “I was scared. For so long, I ran away from commitment, afraid to make the same mistakes as my parents. But having you walk away from me yesterday helped me to see what I wanted and what I want to give.”
“What’s that?”
“My heart to you. If you’ll give me yours in return.”
The crowd made a collective sigh.
She hunched as if that would allow her to hide. “Maybe we could do this in private.”
“No,” people shouted.
He laughed. And she did, too.
“Will you give me your heart?” he asked.
A million thoughts ran through her head. All the reasons she should hand back the envelope and walk away.
She hardly knew this man who could turn her inside out with a smile or a word. She didn’t understand the feelings he brought out in her. Or why being with him made her feel so special, so good.
But she felt all those things, and she couldn’t walk away. Not without giving this a try.
“Yes.” Nevada straightened. “My heart is yours. I think it’s been yours since that first day I met you in the chocolate shop.”
He tipped his hat. “Don’t you mean when I helped you up?”
“You were a faceless blob.”
Dustin grinned. “But a blob with manners.”
“Kiss. Kiss,” the crowd chanted.
She couldn’t believe this was happening. “Sounds like they’re invested in the outcome.”
He cupped her face. “So am I.”
Nevada kissed him.
The touch of her lips against his stirred her heart and hinted at possibilities for the future. A future she’d once dreamed of happening but had buried deep when it looked impossible.
She heard applause, but she was more interested in the man kissing her back. The man who wanted to give his heart to her. The man who had her heart.
He backed away. “I love you.”
The air whooshed from her lungs. Nevada needed a moment to catch her breath. Once she did, knowing what words to say came easily. “I love you, too.”
Dustin brushed his lips against hers. “My turn.”
She laughed. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
He wrapped his arm around her. “Happy Valentine’s Day to you.”
As she leaned against him, a feeling of contentment settled over her. She glanced at the giant cupid made of snow. This was one arrow she was grateful she hadn’t dodged.
Maybe Valentine’s Day wasn’t overrated after all.
Although this town was called Marietta, Nevada would always think of it fondly as Cupidville.
Dustin pulled her closer. “What are you thinking?”
“That this has been the best Valentine’s Day ever.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Our celebration is just getting started.”
Nevada stared up at him with a heart full of love and anticipation to see what tonight—and the future—held for them. “I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Epilogue
February fourteenth was the start of something special with Nevada—something lasting. Dustin didn’t want the day to end. He parked in front of Dakota’s house. Only the porch light was on.
He hopped out of his truck and walked around to the passenger side. The temperature was below freezing, but he hadn’t felt cold all evening. Not on stage earlier or after eating at the Main Street Diner.
Was that what love felt like? All over warmth?
As he opened the door for Nevada, her smile brought both relief and gratitude that he’d been given a second chance. She was everything he hadn’t known he needed. He wasn’t about to screw this up.
“Thanks.” She slid out of the truck. “Would you like to come inside?”
“Yes, but you have a class to teach tomorrow.”
“It’s not that late.”
That was good enough for him. He reached behind her seat and grabbed a heart-covered gift bag.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“No peeking. You’ll see soon enough.”
Her face dropped. “I bo
ught you a card, but I didn’t get you a present.”
“You’re here with me. That’s the best gift of all.”
She rewarded him with a kiss.
Inside, they removed their jackets and gloves. Nevada let the dogs out of their crates and asked Dustin to wait as she ran upstairs.
He lit a fire and then sat on the couch.
Logs crackled in the fireplace. Two small dogs laid on a large pillow and gnawed on bones. A white cat slept on a chair.
There was no place he’d rather be.
A few minutes later, Nevada sat next to Dustin and handed him a red envelope. “This is for you.”
He opened it and read the card. The words and sentiment touched his heart. He hadn’t thought he could ever be this happy. “I will be your valentine. Today, tomorrow, and fifty years from now.”
She nodded. “We can be just like Adele and Harry.”
“Yes.” Dustin wasn’t about to tell Nevada that the couple from Kindred Place had eight children, but one of these days, he would. He handed her the gift bag. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
As Nevada removed sheets of tissue paper, anticipation had him inching closer to her.
“It’s a book.” She pulled it out. “Pride and Prejudice.”
He thought she’d like a book better than chocolates or flowers. “You’ve probably read this one, but Lesley said it’s a classic romance. A keeper. I thought what better way to start thinking in terms of happily ever after than by reading romantic literature to each other.”
Her lips parted. “You want to read this aloud?”
He nodded.
“And happily ever after?” she asked.
“Nothing less will do.”
Nevada’s eyes gleamed. “I used to hate Valentine’s Day, but thanks to you, it’s my new favorite holiday.”
“Mine, too.”
She threw her arms around him. “I love you, Dustin Decker.”
As he hugged her, his whole body felt like it was smiling, including his knee. “I love you, Nevada Parker.”
She kissed him—a kiss full of longing and dreams. Not just hers, but his, too.
An unfamiliar sense of contentment settled over him. He knew it was due to Nevada.
Dustin had nothing to prove to anyone, including himself. The Valentine Quest had helped find his heart and his future. That was the true grand prize—one he and Nevada could share.
Forever.
The End
You’ll love the next book in…
Love at the Chocolate Shop series
Book 1: Melt My Heart, Cowboy by C.J. Carmichael
Buy now!
Book 2: A Thankful Heart by Melissa McClone
Buy now!
Book 3: Montana Secret Santa by Debra Salonen
Buy now!
Book 4: The Chocolate Cure by Roxanne Snopek
Buy now!
Book 5: The Valentine Quest by Melissa McClone
View the entire series here
Book 6: Charmed by Chocolate by Steena Holmes
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Book 7: The Chocolate Comeback by Roxanne Snopek
Coming soon
The rest of the Love at the Chocolate Shop is coming soon!
Find out about the rest of the series here
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About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author Melissa McClone has published over twenty-five novels with Harlequin and been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house. For more on Melissa’s books, visit her website: http://www.melissamcclone.com/
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The Valentine Quest (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 5) Page 19
