Before we leave, I help him arrange the items I gathered to pull everything together. The new multipurpose coffee/cappuccino maker—another gift Braxton and his siblings went in on together. And the gorgeous, glass containers I picked out to hold everything from coffee beans to K-cups.
Charminghisandhers mugs hang from a matching mug tree on the small kitchenette cabinet. Bottles of flavored syrup stand beside it. Last year, Braxton added a patio to the couple’s second-story balcony—a sunlit spot of heaven where the two often enjoy their morning coffee. Now, they won’t have to trudge downstairs in their slippers and robes to get their morning brew.
“You’re still holding Valentine’s weekend for me, right?” Braxton asks as he rubs my back. Warm sunlight pours over my skin, adding to the pleasure of the moment. I have a boyfriend who wants to introduce me to his family and friends at his parents’ anniversary party. One who wants to spoil me on Valentine’s Day, too. It’s wonderful. I plan to spoil him as well; he doesn’t know it, but I ordered Braxton a new toolbelt with a special inscription inside: ‘Sky’s the limit, baby!’
“Yes,” I assure. There’s not so much as a hint of reservation. We may not have used theL-wordyet, but I can see myself getting there. I’m certain that my days of uncertainty are a thing of the past. I lift his large hand, coarse from hard labor, and bring it to my lips. Scents of fresh wood cling to his skin.
I press a soft kiss to each of his knuckles, and then I hug his fist to my chest and sigh. “There’s no one else I’d rather spend the day with.” Hopefully, he feels the same way.
Braxton
I step out of the dressing room in a freshly tailored tux, checking the hem length on my pants.
“Dios mío, estás tan guapo, hijo!”Maria trills as she rushes toward me with the measuring tape draped around behind her neck.
“Gracias dulce María,” I say. “Haces un trabajo magnifico.”
Maria blushes and swats my arm. “You know I’m a sucker for when you speak my language.”
“I’m afraid those are about the only words I know,” I admit. My family and I have been coming toMaria’s Suit and Tuxshop since I was a kid. She claims the Wheaton boys are her favorite, but I’ve got a sneaking suspicion she makes all of her customers feel like that. Maria is special that way.
She inspects me with a twisted lip before tugging my cuffs, adjusting my collar, and then stepping back to look at me once more.
“Bend your arms.”
I do.
“Flex your muscles out to the side.”
I do that, too.
She tugs the jacket of my suit coat and grins. “There, relax.Perfecto. Muy guapo.”
“Gracias hermosa amiga,” I reply with a nod.
As I check out, Maria asks about my brothers, saying all butLuke have come to pick up their suits for the upcoming engagement party.
“So you and Beau are the only ones keeping the suits through Valentine’s Day. Does that mean you have a date with a special someone, too?”
“I do. Her name’s Maggie. She’s beautiful, intelligent, ambitious…” I sigh, feeling my face warm as I admit how crazy I am about her. “She’s really funny too, and strong, and resilient.”
Maria prints out the receipt and hands it to me. “Sounds like you might like her a little bit.”
“Yeah,” I say with a laugh. “I don’t know how often you make it to the boardwalk on the beach, but she owns the Coffee Loft out there. You know, the old train station?”
“Idoknow that one. With the train car addition?”
I know I’m beaming like a cheeseball, but I can’t help it. I’m dang proud of Maggie and her accomplishments. “There aretwotrain cars now. I refurbished the second caboose. That’s how we met.”
Maria claps her hands together. “I’m so happy for you, Braxton.”
I tell her about the storytelling events, the date prize in Richmond, and about the tickets I secured for Valentine’s—a dinner cruise experience that Maggie won’t forget.
“How magical,” Maria says.
“If you come to the anniversary party,” I say, “I’ll introduce you to her.”
“Oh, I’ll be there,” she assures. “And I’m looking forward to it.” She gives my cheek a pinch. “Maggie is one lucky woman.”
