The Valentine Quest (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 5) Read online

  “I do.”

  Nevada took another sip and then swallowed. “Romantic Love as Bourgeois Myth: A Comparative Analysis of Madame Bovary and Effi Briest.”

  “Quite a mouthful.”

  The corners of her mouth lifted. “Rumor has it candidates get extra points for each word in the title. Figured every little bit helped.”

  Dustin smiled. “Academia humor.”

  “Keeps our offices from feeling like tombs or recycling bins.”

  She had a sense of humor after all. Maybe she wasn’t quite as wary as he thought. “Anyone you know writing a dissertation on The Allure of the Cowboy as portrayed by the works of Louis L’Amour and Larry McMurtry?”

  “That’s a new one to me.” A grin reached her eyes. “Go for it.”

  That made him laugh. “I’d need a bachelor degree first. I didn’t go to college.”

  “Why not?”

  She probably wouldn’t understand his reason, given she’d spent most of her life in school, but she’d asked, and he would answer. “Rodeo was my focus when I was a teenager, not school. I enjoyed reading, but going to college never entered my mind back then.”

  “What about now?”

  He shrugged. “Hadn’t thought about it. I’m a little old for that.”

  “It’s never too late. Not everyone knows what they want at seventeen or eighteen, and as people get older, situations can change due to health issues, layoffs, or finances. I’ve taught students of all ages.”

  Interesting thought, but he’d chosen a different path. The right one for him. “A degree isn’t necessary for what I do.”

  She leaned forward. “What do you do?”

  “You mean besides make the ladies swoon?”

  He flashed his killer smile. That was what Zack Harris, a wrangler at the Bar V5, called it. Dustin liked using that smile with the lovely women at Grey’s Saloon on Friday and Saturday nights when he didn’t have to be up early the next morning to work.

  Nevada’s smile spread. The result was a face-brightening grin. “So the cowboy allure is real?”

  “Yes, ma’am. It is indeed.”

  Her gaze narrowed with a serious expression. She rubbed her chin. “Or could the allure be an extension of the cowboy myth perpetuated by commercial fiction, movies, and television?”

  Now she sounded like a college professor. He pictured her standing at the front of a class. Did any of her students have crushes on her?

  “You tell me.” He stretched out his legs. “You’re the one getting a PhD.”

  “My specialty is nineteenth-century European literature, so Westerns and cowboy stories are a bit outside my knowledge base.”

  He winked. “If you want to learn more, I can help with that.”

  Laughing, she angled her shoulders away from him. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  The alarm on his phone rang. He turned it off.

  “Going somewhere?” she asked.

  He had errands to finish by noon. He’d set his alarm in case he got distracted.

  Like now.

  “The chocolate shop opens at ten,” he said.

  Her nose scrunched. “Didn’t you pick up an order last night?”

  “Those were for the Bar V5. Housekeeping leaves a chocolate on guests’ pillows each night. I don’t want to buy any candy.” He patted his coat pocket. “I want to drop off my entry form for the Valentine Quest.”

  “You’re signing up?”

  He nodded. “Can’t win the grand prize if I don’t. I’m going to be the one heading to Fiji.”

  She sat back in her chair. “Are you that confident or just being cocky?”

  Nevada didn’t sound impressed.

  “Perhaps a little of both.”

  “At least you’re honest.”

  “It’s the truth.” He remembered handing her a brochure yesterday. “Did you enter?”

  “No, but…” She studied him more like a scientist than an English teacher. The only thing missing were glasses or lab goggles. “You might want to dial back calling yourself the winner before the quest has started. You don’t know your competition yet. Others might want to win the grand prize as badly as you.”

  “Maybe, but I’m more determined.”

  Her gaze remained on him. She tapped a finger against her chin. “You have it all figured out.”

  “Pretty much.” Time to go. He picked up his coffee. “It’s been nice chatting, but I should let you get back to your book. I’ll be on my way to the chocolate shop.”

  “Make sure Dakota gives you a sample. She mentioned something about salted caramels this morning.”

  He loved chocolate, but the salt and caramel added to the taste. “One of my favorites.”

  “Mine, too. The combination of flavors works well together.”

  That was just what he’d been thinking.

  His gaze lowered to Nevada’s mouth. Her lower lip was fuller than her upper one. Would her kiss be as sweet as the chocolates?

  Surprisingly, Dustin wanted to find out.

  “Good luck,” she said.

  Huh?

  His gaze snapped to hers.

  Had she guessed his thoughts about wanting to kiss her?

  He must be slipping if she could read him so easily. “With?”

  “The quest. Though it sounds like you don’t need any luck. You act like it’s in the bag.”

  Oh, right. He’d forgotten about the race.

  “I do, but thanks.” Dustin pushed back in the chair and stood. Truth was, he didn’t want to leave, but he had to be back at the Bar V5 for a sleigh ride this afternoon. “Luck can’t hurt.”

  “Neither can a little modesty.”

  He wanted to think she was joking, but her eyes looked serious. Some might be offended, but not him.

  He cracked a smiled. “Yeah, but not my style. I’ve never been a fan of humble pie.”

  “Guess that leaves more for the rest of us.”

  Her, at least.

  And that was too bad.

  She seemed modest enough.

  If he were book smart and spoke foreign languages like she did, he’d be sure others knew. Everyone in town for that matter.

  Not Nevada Parker.

  She was different from the folks he knew, especially the women, and that intrigued him.

  Cowboys, rodeos, and life in Marietta were unknowns to her. He liked that she didn’t know all the names, faces, and stories. Talking to her now made him want to get to know her better.

  “You’re in town for a few months, right?” Dustin asked.

  Two little lines formed above the bridge of her nose. She stared at her book as if to say leave me alone.

  He would but not yet.

  She looked at him. If a gaze could sigh in frustration, hers just did. “Through June.”

  “Then I’ll be seeing you around.”

  He flashed his most charming smile—the one that had the buckle bunnies ready to wiggle out of their sexy thongs without him saying a word. Though he had a feeling a woman like Nevada might prefer granny panties instead.

  Maybe he’d get the chance to find out.

  Guess he was interested in more than talking to her.

  Not surprising really. Nevada only being in town a few months appealed to him. They could hang out, keep things casual, and not worry about what came next.

  The only question was…

  Would the smart girl from New York be interested in a fling with a Montana cowboy like him?

  Probably best to wait until after the Valentine Quest was finished to find out. He wouldn’t let anyone distract him from winning the grand prize.

  And that included the intriguing Nevada Parker.

  *

  An hour later, the noise from the now-crowded coffee shop made concentrating impossible for Nevada. She placed her book into her backpack, put on her gloves, and stood. Satisfaction flowed through her. She’d finished more than she’d planned on doing. No thanks to Dustin Decker for interrupting her. />
  I can help with that.

  She bet he could, but she didn’t need his kind of help.

  Yes, the man was gorgeous and charming, but the potent combination had played out over the centuries in disastrous ways for the women who fell for that type.

  Dustin Decker was a heartbreaker. He’d flirted as effortlessly as he breathed. Despite her experience with guys like him, part of her had been flattered and attracted until…

  I’m going to be the one heading to Fiji.

  What kind of man discounted everyone else who might be entering the race and assumed he would win?

  She put on her backpack straps.

  Confidence was one thing—sexy—but arrogance was a big turn-off to her.

  She walked out of the coffee shop. Something she would have done earlier if Dustin hadn’t left first.

  The cool air brought a shiver. No snow was falling, but the temperature seemed to have dropped since she arrived. She double-checked her coat was zipped to the top and wrapped her scarf around the lower part of her face.

  That helped.

  A hot chocolate would, too.

  As Nevada headed toward Copper Mountain Chocolates, red and pink splotches flashed in her peripheral vision. She kept looking forward. The chocolate shop was close enough she didn’t have to let the Valentine decorations waylay her.

  A man in a cowboy hat walked toward her. He was older with weathered and wrinkled skin. His jacket, jeans, and boots, however, reminded her of the clothes Dustin wore. She guessed cowboys dressed the same no matter their age.

  The older man tipped his head and then made eye contact. “Good morning, miss.”

  The hair at the back of her neck twitched. “Uh, hi.”

  “Hope you have a nice day.”

  Looking away from him, she quickened her step and held onto the straps of her backpack.

  After living in New York, overt friendliness raised a red flag. She doubted muggers roamed Main Street, especially during daylight, but for all she knew, the man could be crazy, a psychotic killer. She needed to get to the chocolate shop ASAP.

  As the bell on the door jingled, she stepped inside.

  Safe.

  Even if the older cowboy was just being friendly.

  “Welcome to Copper Mountain Chocolates,” Dakota said without missing a beat from behind the counter.

  Nevada shook her head. “Is the bell your signal to say those words?”

  “I’ve been here long enough it’s automatic now. Except one time when Bryce walked in.”

  “Love at first sight.”

  “Not quite.” Dakota smiled. “The man could be so annoying.”

  That sounded like Dustin. “Could be? You mean, Bryce isn’t still annoying?”

  Dakota smiled. “Either he’s changed or he’s growing on me.”

  “Maybe a combination.”

  She nodded. “How did working at the coffee shop go?”

  “Great until the shop got too crowded and noisy so here I am.”

  Walking to the counter, Nevada left off the part about seeing Dustin. She didn’t want her sister to get any ideas that Nevada was interested in the cowboy.

  “I’d like a hot chocolate and a piece of chocolate.” She peered at the glass display. “What do you recommend?”

  “Everything.”

  “A little guidance would be nice since you work here.”

  “Be adventurous and try a chocolate you’ve never had before.” Dakota turned toward the pot on the stovetop and reached for a mug.

  Adventurous, huh? Nevada couldn’t remember the last time she’d taken a risk. Although in the grand scheme, picking a chocolate had zero consequences other than wasting her money if she didn’t like it.

  She stared at the artfully displayed pieces in the case and read the ingredients. Each looked delicious.

  Dakota handed over a mug of hot cocoa. “Which would you like?”

  Nevada shifted her weight between her feet. She was a status-quo kind of person. She liked what she liked and stuck with that. Boring, but safe. “I haven’t decided.”

  “Close your eyes and point.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Otherwise, you’ll be standing here all day.”

  She frowned. “No, because I have more work to do.”

  “Then why are you taking so long?”

  Maybe her sister had a point.

  Nevada closed her eyes, touched the glass, and then opened her eyes. Her finger pointed to one type of chocolate. “I’ll take a macadamia nut truffle.”

  “Excellent choice.” Dakota rang up the sale, and Nevada paid with cash.

  Using silver tongs, her sister removed a truffle from the display, placed the chocolate on a small, white plate, and handed that to Nevada. “Enjoy.”

  Macadamia nuts sounded exotic and tropical. That made Nevada think of Fiji and Dustin.

  She pushed both thoughts out of her head, raised the truffle to her mouth, and took a small bite. The sweet and rich flavors melted in her mouth. “This is delicious.”

  “See what happens when you try something new?”

  Nevada looked at the brochures on the display case. The Valentine Quest would be something new and completely different.

  Can’t win the grand prize if I don’t.

  Dustin might think he was going to win, but he couldn’t be certain. The grand prize was up for grabs for all entrants.

  One of the requirements was being smart.

  She was, and that gave her an advantage.

  A big one.

  Well, if she entered.

  She ate the rest of her chocolate, grabbed one of the brochures, and read it. “Do you think the race will be dangerous?”

  “Not at all. It’s about fun and community service,” Dakota said. “I heard some tasks are physical, but not all of them.”

  Nevada’s gaze zoomed in on the words risk taking. That wasn’t a part of her vocabulary or DNA. Just look at how she’d had to pick a piece of chocolate. She couldn’t make a choice with her eyes open. That didn’t bode well for an adventure.

  “Are you thinking about entering?” Dakota asked.

  Nevada shrugged. She had no idea what she was thinking.

  “Entering might be a good way for you to meet a guy,” Dakota joked. “It is called the Valentine Quest.”

  “The only quest I’m on is to win the vacation for our brother. I don’t want anything for myself, especially a valentine.”

  “You don’t have to decide now,” Dakota said. “The forms don’t have to be turned in until Friday morning.”

  “That’s tomorrow.”

  “Which is why you have time to think about whether you want to do this or not.”

  Nevada scanned the brochure. The words adventure and outrageous fun jumped out. Neither appealed to her. Truth was, they scared her.

  She hated feeling out of control in a situation. But she needed to think about this logically. What was the worst thing that could happen in such a small town in February?

  Not much.

  That realization gave her hope.

  As she read more, her doubts didn’t disappear, but her desire to do something for her brother grew.

  Yes, she was uncertain. No one had ever called her brave, but something told her entering the quest was the right thing to do. Not for her, but for York.

  She took a breath and another. “I don’t need time to think about it.”

  Dakota’s nose scrunched. “You’re going to enter?”

  The disbelief in her sister’s voice was clear, but Nevada wouldn’t let that stop her. Neither would an image of Dustin Decker with his hands in the air as he shouted he won.

  “Yes. I’m going to enter.”

  With a trembling hand, Nevada removed a pen from her backpack. She’d better fill out the form before she changed her mind.

  Chapter Four

  Friday night, Nevada stood outside Copper Mountain Chocolates. Her heartbeat roared in her ears. Not loud enough, howeve
r, to drown out the doubts that had doubled during her walk here.

  Go inside.

  She should. The kickoff for the Valentine Quest began in twenty minutes, and she had goose bumps from the cold. Still, her feet wouldn’t budge.

  What was the worst thing that could happen?

  Embarrassment, injury, death.

  She balled her gloved hands.

  Okay, she wasn’t going to die, but the first two were possibilities—distinct ones. She wanted to win the vacation for her brother, but perhaps a secondary, albeit more realistic, goal would be to finish the quest.

  In one piece.

  With no blood loss or broken appendages.

  That would be doable. Or should be.

  Perhaps York would be proud of her for trying something new, challenging, and totally beyond her capabilities, even if she didn’t win the grand prize.

  Her shoulders sagged as if the island of Fiji rested on her back. Maybe she should go back to Dakota’s and forget the whole thing.

  “Are you going inside or staying out here?” a familiar male voice asked.

  Nevada’s already tense muscles bunched. She didn’t have to glance behind to know it was Dustin Decker. She recognized the playful tone and rich timbre of his voice. “Going in.”

  She forced her feet forward and opened the door. The jingle of the bell grated on her tense nerves.

  He followed her. Six feet of hotness and sex appeal in a pair of boots.

  “Why were you standing outside in the cold?” he asked.

  She didn’t dare tell him she was about to walk back to her sister’s place. Someone like him would never understand. “Thinking.”

  That was the truth. Had she noticed the additional pink and red decorations in the shop before, she would be heading to Dakota’s right now.

  The place looked different. She glanced around.

  The rectangle tables that held boxes of chocolate had been replaced by smaller tables surrounded by chairs. Red and pink foil-covered, heart-shaped chocolates lay on the table tops. Paper hearts hung from the ceiling.

  Hearts and more hearts.

  Her stomach clenched.

  Don’t let the decorations get to you.

  “Sure looks festive,” Dustin said.

  “If you like this sort of thing.”

  “You don’t?”

  This was a Valentine-themed event. Hearts and lovey-dovey items were to be expected.