Love & Chocolate: Valentine's Day (Holidays In Hallbrook Book 4)

by Elsie Davis

  Amanda turned the sign to closed on the front door as the last customer left. She moved slowly; the weight of the action significant. He knew she was closing the place for the last time. People would find out the truth soon enough.

  He was glad he hadn’t told her about submitting the recipe to his friend. He wasn’t sure she could handle the double rejection in her attempts to save her mother’s business.

  She shook her head, her eyes misted over with tears. “I still can’t believe you kept this place running.”

  “I wanted to show you how much I cared about you. I was a fool to think I could ignore what is happening between us.” He took her hands and drew her near, glancing over at the girls to confirm they were still occupied with Cupcake. “I know I’ve asked some things of you that shouldn’t have been asked. You’re a light in my life, and I was wrong to try and hide the light behind a curtain. I was a fool. I’m not good with words but trying to help you…that I could do.”

  A soft ray of dawning hope lit her eyes, but just as quickly, it was gone. “I’m just sorry it was for nothing.”

  “It’s not for nothing if I still have you by my side. What do you say? Will you give me a second chance? We can weather this storm of yours together.” He reached up to cup her face gently.

  “I’d like that; honestly I would. But I really counted on winning the contest, and now that it hasn’t happened, I don’t know what my future holds. Other than vast amounts of debt. I can’t expect you to take that on with me. And what about Victoria?” She shook her head, the weight of the world on her shoulders and in her expression.

  “Your future holds Cupcake, and me, and the twins, if you’ll let us be a part of your life. And as to Victoria, her and I talked. Thanks to you, we’re in a good place. I wish there was something I could do to save the bakery, but us being together is more important. That can’t change, not if you feel the same way as I do, and I’m hoping you do.” Kevin was putting his heart on the line, but Amanda was worth it.

  “I’m okay with together.” She nodded, a shy smile lighting her face—a welcome change, one that gave him hope this might all work out in the end. “I’d like that. I was prepared to visit you and make sure you knew why I canceled our date and to let you know how much I care about you, too. I wasn’t walking away without letting you know the truth.”

  Kevin grinned, breathing a sigh of relief. Amanda cared, maybe even loved him. “I don’t care why you canceled as long as you’re here now and letting me make amends for my stupidity.”

  “Apparently, you’re not the only one afflicted by that particular condition. Which is what I need to tell you since we’re clearing the air.” She shrugged.

  He furrowed his brow in confusion. “What do you mean?” Not that anything she said would change his mind about her, but he would listen.

  “I saw you with Victoria at Sally’s. I didn’t know it was her, and I thought you were seeing someone else. You two looked pretty cozy, and I got jealous. I’m sorry. I should have talked to you about it.”

  Kevin zeroed in on the one word that made his heart race. Jealousy was another indicator of deep feelings. “Jealous? There’s no reason to be. Victoria has always assumed I’d be there for her if things didn’t work out with her career. It’s why she’s tried hard to control my personal life. But here’s the thing, I let her because I wasn’t interested in starting a new relationship with anyone. She gave me the easy excuse to hide behind. Until you.”

  “So, what’s actually changed between the two of you?” Amanda gazed up at him in earnest, wanting to hear the answer.

  “I told you I talked to her. It was long overdue and needed after I began to realize how much I cared about you. It’s hard to deny that special feeling I get when you walk in a room, or how alive it makes me feel. I told her the truth about you and my hopes to get to know you better and to have you in my life. We reopened the custody discussion, and I conceded a few visitation issues you made me see differently. From there, we were finally able to reach another agreement.”

  “What issues?” Amanda asked, not following him.

  “The part where you told me the girls need their mother and how important it is for them to spend time with her. I’ve agreed to let them visit Paris whenever Victoria has downtime that coordinates with their availably from school.” It had been a hard decision, but he’d come to the realization Amanda was right. It had also been the turning point for Victoria and him in their conversation. She’d come to realize he was serious about moving on, and she been thrilled when he’d finally agreed to let the girls go to Paris. It had been a big step for them both in the right direction.

  “I’m so proud of you. Don’t worry, Victoria will take care of the twins. The girls love her, and I trust their judgement. So should you.” Her soft smile made him believe every word. It was always this way with her.

  “I do, thanks to you. What changed your mind about me?” He couldn’t help his curiosity, but it was also a need for reassurance that they were on the same page moving forward. Putting his heart on the line again had left him a little insecure apparently.

  The corners of her eyes crinkled as she grinned. “Grandpa. I talked to him, and he made me face my feelings and trust what I knew. He knew what I was too blind to see or acknowledge. He’s been singing your praises ever since the two of you met, and even some before that. Grandpa made me realize I was a fool for not giving us a chance or telling you how I feel. He told me regret comes from the road not traveled.”

  “Tell me now—how much you care, that is.” He stepped closer, wanting, no needing, to hear the words.

  “I care this much,” she said, her smile warm and radiant. Amanda opened her arms as wide as they could go.

  “And I care more than that.” He shook his head, not wanting to be outdone. Not to mention, he loved to tease her.

  “How would you know if it’s more or less? she asked, placing her hands on her hips as she questioned his comment.

  “Because I care this much.” He spread his arms wide, knowing his arms were longer than hers.

  Amanda laughed. “That’s not fair.”

  “I love you.” Kevin pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her.

  “I love you, too. It will be difficult to close the bakery, but knowing you and the girls are in my life will make it bearable. Thank you.”

  He leaned in, lowering his mouth toward hers, kissing her with every ounce of emotion he’d been feeling. It was a moment he wanted to remember forever.

  “When did the bakery become a make-out ally?” Macy teased. She’d come to stand next to them.

  Kevin stepped back, embarrassed to be caught necking by his daughters.

  “Does this mean you’re finally going to admit you like each other?” Lacy asked.

  “I think so.” Kevin winked.

  The twins turned each other, exchanging a big high five. “Yay!”

  “I guess it means you two girls are okay with me dating your dad?” Amanda asked. It was a fair question given the history.

  “We’ve been trying to tell you that for almost two weeks. Geez. Adults can sometimes be thickheaded.” Macy shook her head, hands on her hips.

  Kevin and Amanda laughed as he moved to stand behind her, pulling her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her.

  “I think when it came to the twin trouble you two were busy causing, I was better off playing it safe,” Amanda teased.

  “Us? We weren’t that bad.” Macy grinned.

  “Let’s just agree to disagree on that one. But I’m glad you changed your mind about me.” Amanda leaned down, pulling the twins into a group hug.

  “And we’re glad you changed your mind about our dad.” Macy laughed.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  A tap on the glass of the front door of the bakery caught their attention, and Amanda moved to open it. It was after hours and the guy looked like a city banker, the combination of the two thoughts settling like a rock in her stomach, g
rowing heavier with each step she took. Once upon a time, she’d tried to keep the business afloat by refinancing locally, but they’d turned her down flat, citing her risk factors after inheriting the business and the debt. She’d been left dealing with a guy who didn’t care one iota about her business or the memories that came with the place. The only thing he cared about was the money.

  She opened the door only a crack, preferring not to let the man inside. “Can I help you? The bakery’s closed.” It was hard enough to come to terms with losing the place, without having the others around to witness the exchange. The man would have to come back tomorrow when she would be alone.

  “My name is Mark Mitchell. I’m hoping to catch up with a woman by the name of Amanda Tillman.” His dark brown eyes never left her face, the man knowing full well who she was, and daring her to deny it.

  “You’ve found her.” Amanda swallowed hard, biting back the urge to tell him to get lost. She wanted to ignore his outstretched hand but couldn’t make herself be mean.

  “Wonderful. I normally would have called first, but I thought a surprise visit might be a nice touch and give me a chance to catch up with Kevin. Is he around?”

  “Kevin?” she repeated, dumbfounded when the city slicker dropped his name. She glanced back at Kevin, only to find him coming toward her. Amanda pushed open the door, glaring at the two men, determined to find out what was going on.

  “Mark? Is that you?” The two men shook hands as though they were old friends.

  “Great to see you again. Are you missing the city yet and ready to come back?”

  Amanda frowned, not liking the implication of the bank man and Kevin being such good friends.

  “Not a bit. I, um, have other interests keeping me occupied these days.” Kevin took her hand and held it firmly, unwilling to let her go when she tried to pull away.

  Mark grinned. “I see. Lucky guy.”

  “I’m surprised to see you here. I never heard back from you and thought maybe you weren’t interested or were too busy. Come on in.” Kevin ushered the man inside, taking over the situation much to Amanda’s dismay.

  Mark removed his coat and hung it on the coatrack. “Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, that’s why I’m here.” He laid his briefcase on the closest table and popped open the locks.

  “Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” Amanda looked back and forth between the men, totally confused.

  The bank man looked at Kevin, one eyebrow shooting upward in a look of surprise. “You didn’t tell her about this?” Mark took a folder out of the briefcase and waved it in the air.

  Kevin shrugged. “I didn’t see the point at the time. It was just a feeler.”

  “That sort of presents a problem.” Mark shook his head and looked directly at her, his expression questioning and concerned.

  Amanda stepped closer, her gaze zeroing in on the folder Mark held. Sweeter Side of Life was written across the front. She glared at Kevin. “What’s going on? Did you go behind my back and talk a friend of yours about buying my business?” He’d stepped over the line on this one, and it hurt. More than she wanted to admit. Talk about misplaced trust.

  Mark coughed. “Buy your business? Hardly. My company wants to buy your recipe,” he explained as if the comment should shed light on the entire conversation.

  “My recipe for what? I don’t understand.” She drilled the man with a hard stare, wanting answers, but angry enough with Kevin she didn’t want them from him. He’d have plenty of explaining to do later.

  “Amanda’s Depression Cake.” Mark and Kevin spoke at the same time.

  “What in the world is Amanda’s Depression Cake?” she asked disdainfully, close to throwing both men out of the bakery. Kevin’s betrayal was too much on the heels of her grandfather’s surgery and hospital stay.

  Kevin stepped closer. “I can explain. Mark is a friend of mine from the city. I sent him a copy of your chocolate cake recipe to see if they would be interested in it for their company. Mark owns a food corporation and is always on the hunt for the next big thing to add to their production line.”

  Amanda wasn’t sure what to think…or feel, for that matter. Talk about being blindsided. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because you were tied up at the hospital with your grandfather and had enough to worry about. Plus, I thought if you won the contest, you might not need to sell it. I was just trying to find a backup option.” Kevin let out a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I should have told you, but honestly, I didn’t think anything would come of it, but I felt compelled to help.”

  “Backup option?” She knew the answer before he said it as she tried to wrap her brain around the implications.

  Kevin took her hand and tugged her close. “To save the bakery.”

  She couldn’t believe it. Kevin may have gone behind her back, but it was with the purest of hearts and best of intentions. No wonder she was crazy about him.

  Amanda glanced at Mark. “Just how much does someone pay to buy a recipe? She tamped down all seeds of hope that tried to sprout, unwilling to let herself get excited, only to have her hopes dashed. A few hundred dollars, or even a few thousand, wouldn’t change her situation.

  Mark named a sum of money that made her eyes go wide. Hope sprouted like it had wings and there was no way to call it back. “Are you serious? Why would anyone pay that much money for one recipe?”

  “Yes, I’m serious.” Mark laughed. “As to why, you’d be selling us all rights to the recipe. We mass-market produce the dessert and sell it all over the country. We tested it out, and it scored perfectly for what we need. It can be reproduced in large quantities, can be frozen, and tastes great. Plus, we love the marketing aspect of a Depression Cake. Very nostalgic, and it should appeal to a large segment of our buyers.” Mark handed her the folder. “The terms are all here.”

  “Wow. You’ve really thought this out. I still find it hard to believe you’re serious about the offer. I don’t know what to think.” She looked down at the folder in her hand.

  Mark smiled and shrugged. “Just say yes. I’m came here personally to meet you in person, present the offer, and get you to sign. Plus, it was a great excuse to get out of the office and see this crazy guy again.” He nodded toward Kevin.

  “You can trust Mark. We go back a long way, and he’s one of the good corporate guys.” Kevin’s reassurance made her feel better. After all, he was the one who’d set this up for her in the first place.

  Amanda’s brain raced with the possibilities. It was a short-term fix to save the bakery. The money would run out eventually, and she’d be right back where she was today. It still didn’t give her the marketing edge she needed to make the Sweeter Side of Life viable long-term.

  “Okay, but on one condition.” She hoped she wasn’t ruining her chance for the blessing dropped in her lap, but she had to try to fix things. Permanently. “You give me exclusive rights to buy and sell the cake from the bakery in addition to what you offer to markets across the nation. The name recognition and online sales could be the boost I need to put the bakery on the map and save the Sweeter Side of Life.”

  Mark’s brow lines deepened as he considered her suggestion. Seconds felt like minutes when he didn’t answer.

  Kevin took her hand and smiled but didn’t say a word. She appreciated that he hadn’t stepped in to take control of her decision. And she loved the idea he’d gone to all this trouble to help her. It was her business, and although he’d initiated the deal, this was entirely her decision.

  “Okay,” Mark nodded. “I need to run it by the board, but I don’t see it as a problem. The confidentiality agreement prevents you from ever disclosing the ingredients, and I think I can sell the idea to the board based on increased name recognition. People will like the real-life connection.” He held out his hand.

  Amanda shook on the deal. “Thank you. I accept.” She hugged Kevin in her excitement, and then turned to hug Mark. The two men were friends and there was
no reason to stand on formalities.

  The Sweeter Side of Life would stay open. A true miracle. Thank you, God.

  “My pleasure.” Mark grinned.

  “Does this mean you saved the bakery, Daddy?” Lacy approached them and slid her hand into her father’s.

  “No, honey. I didn’t. You girls and Amanda saved it. It was her recipe and your help with the recipe.” He pulled the twins in to hug them, love shining in his eyes. It was a proud-parent moment for sure.

  “I’d say that makes it all of us because you’re the one who sent it to Mark,” Amanda interjected.

  “Fair enough. We all did.”

  “We make a great team,” Amanda added, joining in on the hug.

  “Would you like to join us for dinner tonight to celebrate?” Kevin asked his friend.

  Mark nodded. “That sounds fun. It’ll be great to catch up.”

  “How about meeting up at seven at O’Malley’s Charm? It’s an Irish pub and restaurant just down the street.”

  “Sounds great.” Mark snapped his briefcase closed and head for the front door. “See you all then.”

  Amanda locked the door behind Mark, then turned back to the others, letting out a squeal of delight. “We did it.” She was so glad she hadn’t pushed Kevin away. Everything in her world was perfectly right because she’d opened herself up to new possibilities.

  “Woof. Woof.” Cupcake sat down next to her, nudging her hand and thumping her tail on the ground furiously.

  The twins jumped up and down, joining in the excitement of the moment. Grandpa was right, she would have been a fool to miss out on all this, no matter what the future held.

  Epilogue

  One year later