Love at the Candy Heart Cafe (Chapter One--Lenora Worth)

Love at the Candy Heart Café (Our 2018 Valentine Serial)

Chapter One

Lenora Worth

“Candy, where’s my coffee?”

“On the way, Mr. Lovestock,” Candy Reese said with a smile. Her feet hurt and her back was numb, but this job paid the rent on her one-bedroom duplex down the beach from the Candy Heart Café.

The café had belonged to her grandmother and Candy, named after this quaint little place located on the beach, had inherited it six months ago.

A bitter irony if there ever was one. She’d fallen in love right here sitting in the bright red corner booth, over hot chocolate and a Valentine-shaped sugar cookie. Fallen in love and then lost her heart when she’d watched the boy she loved walk right out the lacy-wrought-iron encased front door.

“You make the best coffee,” Mr. Lovestock said with a sweet smile. “My Tootsie made good coffee, too.”

“I know you miss her,” Candy replied. “She was a good woman.”

“The best,” he said before digging into his pecan pie. “How about you? Big plans for Valentine’s Day?”

Candy scoffed and pulled at her strawberry red pony tail. Two weeks away and nothing on the horizon. “Yeah. I’ll be right here serving all the people who belong in the Lonely Hearts Club.”

Mr. Lovestock shook his head. “Well, you never know. You might get booted from that club when your true love walks through that door.”

Candy didn’t think that was possible. She was dead-broke and afraid she’d have to sell the Candy Heart. This little beach community depended on this place for fellowship and good home-cooking. The sweet treats the café provided gave people a reason to meet and mingle. But it needed serious updates and repairs and she didn’t have the funding. She couldn’t let her grandmother down. She’d find a way.

The front door rattled, the tinkling bells always bringing back memories of working here after school.

Not bothering to glance up from the chocolate shake she was about to pour from the blender, she called out, “Just sit wherever you want. We’ll be with you in a minute.”

“I’ll take the corner booth on the left,” a deep voice said from behind her. “And I’ll have a hot chocolate and a sugar cookie.”

Candy almost spilled the shake in her hurry to turn around. It couldn’t be. But it was. The boy who’d left her sitting in that corner booth ten years ago.

Chad Hershey. In the flesh and looking better than a double-chocolate cream cheese brownie with his silky dark curls and rich brown eyes.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, wishing she hadn’t chewed off all of her lip gloss.

“I came to see you,” he said, looking into her eyes. “I have a proposition for you, Candy.”

“Yeah, and what would that be, Chad?”

“I want to buy this place.”

Mr. Lovestock snorted. Candy huffed a breath. Her customer waited for his milkshake.

“Over my dead body,” she said before stomping off, her ponytail bouncing with determination.

She had no intention of selling out to the now rich and powerful real estate mogul and she certainly had no intention of giving her heart to him again either.

    

What will Candy do? Come back tomorrow for Chapter Two!

Valentine Vacation--Chapter Three--Missy Tippens

Valentine Vacation--Chapter Three

By Missy Tippens

Amelia stood at the end of the boardwalk waiting for her “date.” Her boldness had morphed into anxiety. She’d never been so nervous in her entire life. Not even on her wedding day. Would her children be proud that she was meeting a man—a stranger—to walk on the beach? Or would they think she’d really lost it this time?

She smoothed a hand over her skirt. Tugged at her sweater. Finger combed her wind-tossed hair. Maybe she should—

“Amelia.” His voice carried on the wind, strong and sure. It helped calm her raging nerves as he approached.

“Hi, Colin.” The strength of her own voice surprised her.

He held out his hand. “Shall we?”

The gesture held promise of more than a mere invitation for a walk, and for a moment, she hesitated. Was she ready for this? “You know, I can’t help but wonder if God’s giving me an opportunity to move on with a new phase of my life.”

His blue eyes sparkled in the sun with humor…and warmth. “I think so. God definitely led me here.” His hand remained suspended, waiting for her to take it. He nodded, indicating she should grab on. But then she noticed his wedding ring. And thought of hers, still securely in place on her left ring finger.

Gnawing on the inside of her cheek, she could almost hear her children’s voices, fussing at her, nudging . So she took the leap—took his hand and let him lead her into the powdery white sand.

As they walked, they talked. About life back home, about their families. By the time they reached the pier a mile or so down the beach and turned around to head back to the hotel, she felt as if they’d been friends for ages.

When they reached the boardwalk, and neither of them seemed inclined to end the date, he said, “How about sitting for a while? Then maybe join me for dinner?”

Something flashed in the sand, drawing her attention away. “What’s that?”

He gave her a crooked smile. “You know, you can just tell me no, if you don’t care to join me.”

“I’m serious.” She stepped off the path and carefully picked her way between the sea oats. “It looks almost like a…no, it couldn’t be.”

He came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, stopping her. “Careful. There are also briers. Show me where it is.”

His warm hands on her shoulders, his sturdy chest behind her, and his fresh, spicy scent all drew her, making her lean into him. It had been so long since she’d craved a man’s strength like she craved his now. She couldn’t even answer him.

“Do you still see it?” His breath ticked the hair on the back of her neck.

Forcing some starch back into her spine, she leaned forward, away from him. “Right there. A ring.”

He dodged the plants and reached down to pick it up. “Well, whaday know? It is a ring.”

She gazed into his hand. “It’s a diamond solitaire. And a valuable one at that.”

“Yeah, you better appreciate it. I went to a lot of trouble to plan this surprise engagement.”

Her eyes snapped to his face. When he laughed, she let her breath out on a rush of air. “Oh, good. For a second there, I was afraid you were crazy.”

Still chuckling at her reaction, he took her right hand, placed the ring on her ring finger, for safekeeping, he said. Then he helped her out of the dunes. “Come on. Let’s have dinner together and figure out how we’re going to locate the owner of this ring.”

Her heart thrilled at the idea of dinner together. And at the fact he was honest, wanting to do the right thing. The extremely large diamond on her finger flashed in the sun, winking at her. “I can’t think of any way I’d rather spend my evening.”

Twelve Days of Christmas--Part Four by Missy Tippens

Dear Daniel,

I have a confession. I'm feeling blue today--disappointed. I've been thinking so much about our first twelve days together that today, when I heard a bird calling, I thought maybe, just maybe, you'd come home to surprise me and were making bird calls outside the window.

I know, silly of me. And actually, I have to admit it ended up being a good day. Since the Mayor declared the village Christmas theme in your honor, everyone in town has been so sweet. Today, the Lipscomb family surprised me by bringing lunch. And yes, they had remembered the story of our fourth date and were outside making the bird calls. We ate together and talked about you all afternoon. Were your ears burning?

Do you remember how you embarrassed me on that date by blowing that silly bird whistle each time the audience applauded at the concert? Then as soon as people would start looking around to see where the noise was coming from, you'd hide the whistle? I know people thought I had done it because my face had to have been beet red. You were so funny and made me laugh again.

Oh, I miss your humor so much. I miss the silly things you always do. And yes, I even miss those embarrassing moments, because I know you were stepping outside your comfort zone, trying to win me over.

You had won me over for sure by that night. And even though I was already falling in love with you, I couldn't resist teasing you, telling you that birds--such as partridges and French hens and turtle doves and calling birds-- were not the way to a woman's heart. That jewelry would be much more effective. And you looked into my eyes, so serious, took hold of my hand, and told me you couldn't possibly consider such an intimate gift until the fifth date. I don't think I've ever told you how your touch made my heart stutter. Daniel, dear, you'll always take my breath away. Even when we're old and gray and Seth is grown with his own children, you'll be the one who makes my heart beat faster.

Oh, Daniel, I'm so proud of you, but please stay safe. I can't wait until we can be together again. I know it's going to be difficult to deliver Seth while you're so far away. But I pray for the moment I can see you with our baby in your arms.

All my love,
Joy

Lyn Cote's Summer Gift to Readers!

On my personal blog, Strong Women, Brave Stories at http://bit.ly/N4yOf I've posted my short story, "Watermelon Cowboy" as a summer gift to my readers. I posted the first half on Friday, July 2nd and the finale on Tuesday, July 6th. So scroll down to the 2nd and then up to the 6th to read the story in order. This short story was first published in Women's World over a decade ago. Let me know what you think of my "Watermelon Cowboy?" GRIN

An Easter Story - Part Two by Lisa Mondello

AN EASTER STORY
Part Two by Lisa Mondello

This one was going to be tough. Of course, Jeff couldn't really blame Sammie for being a bit miffed at the world right now. Losing her husband and having to pick up her life and move back home had to be rough. Yeah, Dan had done well for himself and Jeff was sure he'd provided well for his family when they lived in the city. But Dan Clark Sr. had let it slip about how Sammie was left with a mountain of debt to settle from his son's business dealings before Sammie and Greta moved back home to Sunrise. Although it had all the makings of something wonderful, this cottage she'd just purchased was a far cry from the kind of high-class home she was accustom to living in before Dan had been killed.

Jeff followed Sammie as she walked toward the front porch.

"I don't know where you want to start," she said. "They call it a cottage, but it's a big house and there's a lot of work that needs to be done. By the way, what exactly do you do?"

"What do you mean?"

She turned back to him, her chestnut brown hair swinging over her shoulders with her movement. She had wide brown eyes with golden flecks that came to life as she answered. "In the house? Are you just a carpenter? Or do you do more?"

He couldn't help but grin. "I don't clean. That's your job. But I can tackle anything that needs tearing out and rebuilding. Even some minor plumbing. And I can paint or stain anything that needs to be finished. I'm pretty much a Jack-of-all-trades."

She nodded and started walking back to the house. Greta was playing in the grass that has just now started to get its green color back after the harsh winter they'd had. As the little girl ran around, her blond curls bounced up as if on fire from the sun. Her periwinkle blue eyes sparkled as she ran.

"I suppose we can start in the kitchen. It's quite old. We can move on to the bathrooms and then get the rest of the house in order."

Pausing at the screen door, she stared at him as he hung back on the top step of the wide porch.

"Are you listening to me, Jeff?"

Samantha Clark was indeed a pretty girl and Jeff could easily see how Dan Clark had fallen for her. He had been listening to what Sammie had been saying, but he'd also been admiring the woman, too. And he'd gotten caught doing it.

"Are you looking to restore the house or rip out everything and start new? This place has some custom carpentry in the living and dining rooms that you won't find anywhere else. And the woodwork throughout is quite unique. You won't find anything like that around here. It'd be a shame if you toss all that charm and beauty away and put something modern in its place."

Sammie cocked her head to one side. "You do know the house well."

"I told you. I've had my eye on it for some time. Always thought one day I'd get the chance to restore it to its original beauty."

She stared at him a moment before offering up a smile. It had him taking in a deep breath to keep from making a fool of himself. He cleared his throat and glanced at Greta before asking, "Where'd your daughter get her blond hair? She doesn't look at all like you or Dan."

The flash of pain that immediately crossed her face had him regretting his question. But as she glanced at her daughter, whatever he saw was immediately replaced with joy and pride. "I've always wondered myself. Dan and I adopted Greta when she was just a baby."