A Thankful Heart (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 2)

by Melissa McClone

  “It’s a go.”

  “Which part?”

  “All of it. I heard from the benefactor and just left the board meeting.”

  “What?” The word was whisper-quiet. That was all she could muster with her mind racing.

  “The benefactor said any dog in a foster-to-adopt program or in a fospice situation is exempt.”

  Dakota blew out a breath. “What about the Lonely Hearts and dogs who aren’t quite ready, like Rascal?”

  “They count, but that’s less than a dozen, right?”

  “Less than half a dozen, but still…”

  “We can do this, so get canvassing and putting Home for Thanksgiving into action. I need to run by the rescue and talk to the contractor. We’ll talk later.”

  Lori disconnected from the call before Dakota could say goodbye.

  It’s a go.

  Dakota couldn’t believe it. She looked at Scout. “We need to start passing out the packets, and then I can buy my flowers.”

  There was even more to celebrate now.

  Unless, of course, this blew up in her face and she failed.

  Don’t think about that happening.

  But there was someone she wanted to tell. She pulled up her contacts and hit G. Bryce’s name was there, and though he was the first person she’d thought about calling, there was someone she needed to call instead.

  She hit Walt’s number.

  He answered after the first ring. “Hello?”

  “It’s Dakota.” Her emotions ping-ponged between excitement and dread. “You’re never going to believe what’s happened.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Tuesday afternoon, Bryce found himself standing on the sidewalk outside Copper Mountain Chocolates. His father had sent him to buy more. Another one of his misguiding matchmaking attempts, but this time, Bryce was happy to oblige. He hadn’t heard from Dakota since Sunday. He wanted to see how she was doing because he missed her.

  A flyer for an upcoming Whisker and Paw Pals adoption event this weekend hung on the shop’s window. Dakota and the rescue were going all out to try to find the animals homes and get the donation.

  He didn’t know much about philanthropy and significant donations, but this whole situation bothered him. Yes, the benefactor had been willing to compromise on the adoption goal, but the whole pledge felt fake. Maybe Bryce was being cynical. Or protective of Dakota since she’d seemed afraid of failing. Succeeding might give her the confidence to pursue other dreams, not just ones for the rescue, but also ones she had for herself.

  He opened the door.

  A familiar jingle sounded. Three, two, one…

  “Welcome to Copper Mountain Chocolates.”

  He stiffened. That wasn’t Dakota’s voice. He looked to his left.

  The young woman behind the counter wore a ponytail, an indigo-blue T-shirt and copper apron, and an eager smile. She’d been here last week before going into the back.

  “Hello.” He searched the small shop for Dakota. Not there. He ignored the twinge of disappointment. Maybe she was in the back.

  “You’re becoming a regular,” the salesclerk said with a smile.

  A regular was better than a stalker. “My father is Walt Grayson. He’s addicted to your chocolate.”

  The young woman’s smile widened. “Walt is one of the first people I met when I arrived in town. He’s here almost every day. Or was until his accident. How’s his recovery going?”

  “Good, but he needs more chocolate to feel better.” Bryce handed her his phone. “Here’s his list.”

  “Thanks. A list will make my job easy.” She grabbed a bag. “Would you like a sample and a hot chocolate while you wait?”

  “No, thanks.” The black-and-white photographs hanging on the wall caught his gaze. They showed how chocolate was processed in an interesting and artistic way. Whoever captured the images had talent. “I’ll just look around.”

  The shop was cramped with four tables for customers and various displays, but everything blended nicely. Natural colors for natural products. Subtle. Nothing blaring or out of place. The designers knew what they were doing.

  “I have your chocolates,” the salesclerk said. “Is there anything else you’d like?”

  He hesitated. Might as well ask. “Is Dakota here?”

  “She’s in the back.” The woman rang up his purchase. “Would you like me to get her?”

  He handed over his credit card. “If she’s not busy.”

  She gave him a receipt to sign. “I’ll go see if she’s free.”

  Bryce put a five-dollar bill into the tip jar on the counter and picked up the bag. “Thanks.”

  Waiting, he studied the far wall and then glanced back at the retail counter. That back wall offered the perfect place to expand, if the other side was vacant. Ideas exploded in his mind. The maple display shelves would disappear, but those could be added in the new addition. The retail counter and display case on this side of the shop wouldn’t have to be touched. But maybe the shop’s owner wanted this store to be small and no changes were necessary.

  “Bryce?”

  He turned at the sound of Dakota’s voice. Seeing her brought a rush of warmth. “Hey, my dad wanted more chocolate. Thought I’d say hi.”

  “Hi.” Her hair was pulled back in a single French braid, and her smile lit up her face. Chocolate stained the lower part of her apron. “He’s still matchmaking.”

  “I fear him and his lady friends are in cahoots.”

  “You’re a good son.”

  “Trying to be.” But Bryce needed to do better. “You have another adoption event this weekend?”

  She nodded. “It’ll be like this until Thanksgiving.”

  “My dad wants me to help.”

  “You have your proposal to work on.”

  Bryce was surprised she remembered. “I’m making good progress. I’d like to help.”

  “That would be great. I’ll text you the info.”

  “Sounds good.” Except he didn’t want to wait days to see her again. Asking her out on a date was exactly what his dad wanted him to do, but Bryce knew something else they could do together. “If you want help walking the dogs after work, my dad is having dinner with people from church so I’ll have free time.”

  “Rascal would like that.”

  Would she? Bryce wanted to know. “What time should I come over?”

  “I’m speaking with a potential adopter at five-fifteen, so would six work?”

  He nodded. “See you then. I hope the beast is happy to see me.”

  Bryce hoped Dakota would be happy, too.

  *

  For three nights in a row, Dakota walked the dogs with Bryce. That first night, Tuesday, they’d made specific plans, but on Wednesday and Thursday, he’d just shown up at the chocolate shop at closing time and walked home with her. That made her happy in more ways than one.

  The best part was seeing him become more comfortable around Rascal. A sudden bark or movement still made Bryce stiffen, but he recovered quickly. Rascal loved walking with Bryce on the other end of the leash. The two of them would run ahead and then return to her and Scout.

  But walking dogs was all they did.

  Oh, they occasionally touched each other. Accidently. Although twice, Dakota had brushed him on purpose. That had led to a rush of guilt. Feelings for him kept building and growing, yet they were firmly entrenched in the friend zone without ever calling themselves friends. But what else were two adults who hung out but didn’t kiss?

  She wanted another kiss—make that two kisses.

  Not going to happen.

  On Friday, Bryce helped her set up for the weekend adoption event, and then he spent two days volunteering there. Not because of her, but for his father. Walt continued to push them together every way he could. He even watched Pierre on Saturday and Sunday, so the rat wouldn’t be alone.

  Rascal and Scout hadn’t been adopted, but seventeen other animals found forever homes. Not as many as last wee
kend, but four temporary foster families decided to adopt their charges, including real estate agent Maddie Cash who couldn’t bear to part with the cute Clementine.

  That brought the adoption total to forty-one.

  A record in two weekends?

  Dakota would have to ask Lori. The repairs had been completed, and the remaining animals were moving back in this week.

  With everything going so well with the Home for Thanksgiving adoption program, nothing else should matter, but she kept thinking about Bryce.

  And thinking.

  And thinking.

  Last night, he’d stopped by her house to walk the dogs again. Would this continue each night? She hoped so.

  On Tuesday afternoon, Dakota stood behind the counter at the chocolate shop and put together an order of mixed chocolates for the Bar V5 Dude Ranch. The housekeeping staff at the ranch placed a chocolate on their guest’s pillows each night.

  For the first time all day, no customers were in the shop. Dakota relished the quiet. Normally, she thrived when things were busy, but she enjoyed this break.

  Portia wiped off the tables and chairs. “I can’t believe I missed seeing my aunt today.”

  “Sage had to be at Savannah’s school for a meeting so she left an hour earlier.” Dakota added more chocolates to the box. “She asked me about the November event. She wants to start selling tickets.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it. The Dark Magic Chocolate and Wine Tasting was so fun. I loved dressing up in a costume,” Portia said of last month’s Halloween event at the shop. “Nothing Thanksgiving-themed, however, is calling out to me.”

  Dakota sighed. “Thanksgiving doesn’t exactly bring to mind chocolate candy. I’ve been trying to think of something other than molded turkey and pilgrim hat chocolates. Though it’s hard to concentrate on anything other than rescue animals and adoptions right now.”

  And Bryce, but that was better left unsaid. Both Portia and Sage had been asking questions about Walt’s son. Rosie would be joining in if she hadn’t cut back her shifts.

  “You have a lot riding on that.”

  “Not just me.” Bryce believed Dakota would succeed with the adoptions. That gave her a big boost of confidence, but at times, she wasn’t sure she could pull this off. “The entire rescue shelter needs this to go well. I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”

  Portia grinned. “A good thing you have Bryce to relieve some of the pressure.”

  Heat crept up Dakota’s neck. “It’s not like that.”

  “Not yet anyway.” Portia’s smile hinted at what might be coming.

  “So the event.” Dakota wanted to change the subject. “We need to get this on the calendar.”

  Portia dropped the rag in to the bucket. “We’ll have to figure this out now.”

  She walked around the shop, examining each display from the glass case to the window to the shelves along the far wall.

  Her lips formed a perfect O. “What if?”

  Dakota straightened. “I’m listening…”

  “Make Your Own Chocolate Cornucopia night,” Portia announced. “I watched Sage put some together. People could do that and then fill them with their choice of chocolates.”

  Dakota could visualize the event. There wasn’t much space in the shop, but if they moved the display racks, brought in tall tables where people could stand, it would work. “I like that idea, but we need something else for people to do similar to the wine tasting.”

  “Are there any businesses we can team up with like we did with the Two Old Goat Wine Shop?”

  Dakota tapped her chin. Thanksgiving meant turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pie. That was it.

  P-I-E.

  And she bet that was something Bryce might eat since he didn’t like chocolate. “We could talk to Rachel Vaughn over at the Gingerbread and Dessert Factory and see if she’d let Sara Maria make pies for a tasting.”

  “Apple, pecan, pumpkin.” Excitement filled Portia’s voice. “Pie would fit the Thanksgiving theme.”

  Dakota nodded. “Maybe once people determine their favorites, they could pre-order their Thanksgiving pies at the tasting. We’d have to talk to Rachel about that, too.”

  “That would be great. I can’t imagine she wouldn’t want pre-orders.” Portia shimmied her shoulders. “Who doesn’t love pie?”

  “I do.”

  “What about Bryce? I’ve never seen him take a chocolate sample. Does he have allergies or something?”

  “He doesn’t like chocolate.”

  Portia gasped. “Who doesn’t like chocolate?”

  Dakota shrugged.

  “Then it’s a good thing you’re not dating him.”

  She nodded, but not enthusiastically.

  Portia’s lips parted. “I have another idea for the event. What if we buy Thanksgiving and autumn-themed decorator picks and coordinating ribbon from the craft store in Bozeman? People can decorate the box to give the cornucopia as a hostess gift, if they wanted.”

  “Any more ideas?” Dakota asked. “Because you are coming up with brilliant ones.”

  If only things at the rescue were so easy to figure out.

  Portia beamed. “Let’s hope my aunt agrees.”

  “How can she not?”

  “I…” Portia glanced out the front door. The blood drained from her face. Ghost pale, she backed toward the kitchen. “If the guy across the street comes into the shop, please tell him I’m not here. Please.”

  She ran into the kitchen. Another door—the back door?—opened and closed.

  “Portia?”

  No answer.

  Dakota looked in the kitchen, but she didn’t see Portia. The bathroom door was open and the light off. Portia’s cubby, where her personal items were kept while she worked, contained her purse. Her jacket still hung on the coat rack.

  Why would she take off like that?

  Dakota dialed Portia’s cell phone. A ring sounded in the cubby.

  Not good.

  The bell on the door jingled. Dakota hurried back into the retail area.

  She had no idea what was going on with Portia, but she also had a job to do. “Welcome to Copper Mountain Chocolates.”

  A young man closed the door behind him. Tall and thin, he wore scuffed boots, faded jeans, a long-sleeved shirt under a jean jacket, and a cowboy hat. He carried a gorgeous bouquet of flowers.

  Scanning the shop, he removed his hat with his free hand. “Good day, miss.”

  “May I help you?” she asked.

  Gaze narrowing, he surveyed the shop. The corners of his mouth turned down. “I’m Austin Bradshaw.”

  Portia’s ex-boyfriend was named Austin. Was this him?

  A hundred different scenarios spun through Dakota’s mind, but she kept her smile in place. “I’m Dakota. Would you like to sample a macadamia nut white chocolate truffle?”

  “No, thank you.” He bit his lower lip. “I came to see Portia. Is she here?”

  “No, she isn’t.” Not a lie. Dakota was grateful for that. She only wished she knew where Portia was.

  Hurt flashed in his eyes. “Do you know when she’ll be back?”

  “I don’t.”

  Which, again, was the truth, but Dakota’s concern was growing by the second. She kept listening for the back door to open. It hadn’t. She needed to find Portia, but first Dakota had to get rid of Austin.

  She kept a smile on her face. “Would you like me to give her a message?”

  “Please.” The young man straightened. “Could you give her these flowers? Tell her they’re from Austin and to please call me?”

  His heartfelt tone sounded genuine, but then again, the guy could be a good actor. Dakota didn’t know the young couple’s story, but Portia’s face had lost all its color. From fear or surprise? Dakota hoped the latter.

  Portia might not be ready to see her ex-boyfriend or she might not be over him yet. There could be so many reasons for her reaction, including protecting her heart. But the back door hadn’
t opened again, which meant she still hadn’t returned to the shop. That worried Dakota.

  “I’m happy to give the flowers to Portia and pass on your message.”

  That would give Portia time to decide how she would respond to Austin Bradshaw.

  “Thank you.” With a forlorn look, he handed over the beautiful flowers and trudged out the door.

  Dakota tried to think. She needed to find Portia, but someone from the Bar V5 would be coming to pick up their chocolate order before the shop closed at five. She glanced at the clock. That was twenty minutes away.

  The bell rang. Bryce entered the shop.

  Relief surged. “Thank goodness you’re here.”

  His gaze locked on the bouquet in her hands. “Nice flowers. Decorations for the shop?”

  “No.” Dakota watched the cowboy head down Main Street. “They’re for Portia, but she ran out of here without saying a word. She left her purse, phone, and jacket. I have no idea where she is. I’m afraid something is wrong.”

  “Is she in some kind of trouble?”

  “I think guy trouble.” Dakota didn’t want to close down early and lock Portia out if she came back. “I can’t leave the shop, but I need to find her. Could you please—”

  “Which way did she go?” Bryce didn’t hesitate.

  “Out the back door. Thank you.” Of course Dakota should have known he would help. Affection for him grew. Not anything new. “If you can’t find Portia in the alley, you might want to check down by the river. There’s a group of rocks off the path through the park where she might be.”

  “Why would she go there?” he asked.

  “It’s a good place to sit when you’re mending a broken heart.”

  *

  Bryce didn’t see Portia in the alley or on any of the side streets. He quickened his pace and headed to the park.

  One thought echoed through his head.

  It’s a good place to go when you’re mending a broken heart.

  He wondered if Dakota had gone there after her wedding had been canceled or if a friend had told her about the spot. He hated the idea of her being hurt by anyone.

  Bryce scanned the area. No sign of Portia. He heard the sound of water flowing in the distance. Must be the Marietta River.