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Secret Valentine by Marissa Dobson

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  Dobson Ink

  Martinsburg, West Virginia

  Secret Valentine

  Copyright ©2013, Marissa Dobson

  ISBN: 978-1-939978-02-8

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously and are not to be constructed as real. Any resemblance to actual person—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Dobson Ink. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  www.marissadobson.com

  Ashlyn Brooks moved back to her hometown of Cedar Grove after a messy divorce. After a month of moping around the house, things take a turn when letters from a secret valentine start arriving at her door.

  Can Ashlyn figure out who her secret love is in time for Valentine’s Day? If she does, is she willing to put her heart on the line and love again?

  “Ashlyn Brooks, look at you! It’s unhealthy to stay cooped up in this house. It’s time to move on, get your life back in order.” My Gran came around the counter and put her coffee cup in the dishwasher. I leaned against the kitchen sink, gripping my container of brownie batter ice cream, and prepared myself for more.

  My reflection stared back at me in the hall mirror. I took a quick inventory; Gran was right. My curly shoulder-length blond hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail with a bright pink scrunchie; my favorite pink pajama bottoms and black tank top hung looser than a month ago. I knew I didn’t look presentable, but the only destination on my agenda was the living room couch with my new best friend Ben’s Ice Cream, to watch a far-from-realistic love story on Lifetime. Not only did Ben not care how I dressed but he wholeheartedly agreed that love never lasts like in the movies. He knew, as I did, that life just doesn’t work that way.

  “I know, Gran,” I said, rolling my eyes. How many times was I going to have to hear that I needed to start living again? No one understood what I was going through. “I just need more time. When I go out, I feel like everyone in this small town is looking at me. Gran, I can’t face people every day, knowing they feel sorry for me since my husband took off.”

  She touched my shoulder lightly. “I understand, child, but this is no life either. You’re young, and love will find you again. You must live and open your heart. Just think about what I say.” She leaned over to kiss my forehead “Goodnight, child.”

  “Night, Gran.” I followed her out of the kitchen, and headed back to the living room with a heavy load on my shoulders. I knew she was right, but at the same time, I didn’t want to face the residents of Cedar Grove. Maybe coming back home wasn’t the best idea, after all.

  As she turned toward the steps, the doorbell rang. “Who could that be this late? Are you expecting someone?”

  This was going to be one of those nights, and I suspected I would never find out how the movie ended. Grumbling, I told her, “No, but go on. I’ll get it.”

  I opened the door to find a kid standing there. He couldn’t have been older than seventeen. “Can I help you?”

  “I have a letter for Ms. Ashlyn Brooks.”

  My mood still wasn’t good. “Is that what teenagers do nowadays, steal other people’s mail? If it’s not your mail you, shouldn’t take it. You’re young, but that’s a federal crime.”

  The young boy stood in the doorway looking scared to death. “I…I work for Pete’s Delivery,” the kid stammered, “over on 5th Street. He asked me to deliver this today along with my other packages. I would have delivered it sooner, but this one fell on the floor. I didn’t notice it until I picked up my girlfriend for dinner.”

  Taking the envelope from the boy, I nodded, and complained. “Get back to your date and thanks for bringing it by. I won’t tell your boss it was late.”

  As he returned to his car, I inspected the envelope, wondering who it could be from. I slid my forefinger under the lip of the envelope, noting that there wasn’t a return address. I found that to be odd, yet interesting. As the envelope came unsealed, my hands shook with nerves.

  Welcome home, Ashlyn!

  I have watched from afar for much too long.

  It’s finally time I told you how I feel.

  I have loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you,

  and shall until the day I draw my final breath.

  When the time is right, I will reveal myself to you.

  I stood by the door in awe, wondering who in the world…

  Did I know him? He must live here, since he knows I’m back in town, but who could it be? I now had more questions than answers.

  Gran was right I needed to get out of the house. I just didn’t know how to move on. I needed a boost, and the best person to do that, was my childhood best friend, Kasey. I snatched my cell phone off the table and began to text. Meet for lunch, say noon at Tony’s Grill?

  * * *

  Something happened inside me when the letter arrived; maybe things weren’t as bad as I thought. Today I planned to make a change. I couldn’t keep moping around the house. So, I got out of bed, bright and early for the first time since I moved back home, and made breakfast.

  “Something smells scrumptious,” Gran said walking into the kitchen.

  “It’s your favorite, buttermilk pancakes with bacon.” I flipped the pancake onto her plate and smiled as I took the sizzling bacon from the pan. “You were right last night, things have to change. I have an appointment to get my hair done with Gracie and then I’m meeting Kasey for lunch. I love you, Gran.” I set the plate down and kissed her cheek.

  * * *

  Leaving Gracie’s Salon, I felt like a million bucks. Gracie could work miracles. She was able to take my dull blond hair and make it vibrant again. She added golden sun-kissed highlights, and gave me a haircut that framed my face. By the time I met Kasey for lunch, I was exhausted. Tossing and turning all night doesn’t produce much sleep.

  As I walked into Tony’s Grill, I spotted her there waiting with a table. One of the best things about being back in town was being able to see her all the time.

  She looked about to burst when I arrived at the table. “You look fantastic! I love what you did with your hair. I’m so glad to see you out of the house.”

  “Thanks. Sorry I haven’t been much of a friend lately. I just needed some time to myself.”

  “I understand, but that bastard husband of yours isn’t worth your tears. You should have left him long before you caught him cheating.” I went still. She must have noticed because she changed the subject. “But we didn’t meet for lunch to talk about him. Tell me what’s been going on. I have missed you so.”

  It was just like old times with Kasey. She was always so full of life. She had a bubbly personality, and you couldn’t be sad for too long with her around. “I’ve missed you, too.” I gave her my biggest smile. “Things are better. Gran’s wonderful. Thankfully I can work anywhere as long as I have my laptop and Internet access. But something weird happened last night…”

  Kasey’s interest piqued, and she leaned closer, but before I could give her the details the waiter showed up.

  “May I take your order?”

  Kasey sat back and let out a hefty sigh. Talk about bad timing!

  I chuckled before turning to the waiter. “Two of Tony’s specials. Sound good, Kas?
”

  Still in a sour mood, she replied. “Yeah, sounds fine.”

  As soon as the waiter was out of ear shot, she sat back up. “Spill it.”

  “Oh man, I forgot to tell the waiter I wanted…” I turned slightly in my seat to see if he was still around, but before I could raise my hand to get the waiter’s attention Kasey, grabbed my wrist.

  “Oh no, you don’t. You’ll tell me everything now, and then you can order as many of whatever it is you wanted.”

  I let out a quiet laugh. One of Kasey’s less attractive traits was how impatient she was. “Okay. This was weird. Last night one of the workers at Pete’s came by to deliver a letter.”

  She seemed disappointed. “What’s your point? We get letters all the time.”

  “Not like this.” I pulled the letter from my purse and passed it to her.

  Finishing the letter, her eyes grew as big as saucers. “Who you do you think it’s from?”

  “I have no idea. Has to be someone who knew me when I was younger, because he says he’s been watching from afar for too long. I was hoping you could help me figure it out. You know what has been going on around here while I was away.”

  “Umm, sure.” She glanced about. “Let’s eat, and catch up now. How about I stop by your Gran’s place tomorrow after work? I don’t know if we should be talking about this in public. You know how nosey the residents of Cedar Grove can be.”

  * * *

  The next night as Kasey arrived, Gran was just leaving for Bingo. “Bye girls, have a nice time. Dinner’s in the oven.”

  Kasey laid her coat on the back of the couch and we hollered. “Bye, have a good time!” As the door shut, I let out an impatient sigh and asked. “Have you any ideas yet?”

  Kasey wasn’t her normal bubbly self. “No, I was up all night thinking. I came up with a small list but no one I think would do this.”

  “I know,” I added. “I was up half the night doing the same thing. It wasn’t until this morning that I thought to get out our old yearbooks and see if that jogged my memory. Come on, they’re in the kitchen.”

  “Want to hear my best and worst guesses?”

  Grabbing two sodas out of the fridge, I looked at Kasey, “Sure. Hopefully they aren’t the same as mine. I wasn’t too keen on my list.”

  She leaned against the counter and released a short chuckle. “Best guess would be James McDan and worst would be Curtis Adams.”

  “You can’t be serious. You think that cowardly Curtis would do something like this? When I left he couldn’t even make eye contact.”

  She laughed. “Okay, maybe you’re right. He’s still as backward as ever, but he made the list because he’s single.”

  I chuckled and rolled my eyes. “Wouldn’t have guessed he was still single.” I said in a sarcastic tone. We burst out laughing. This was the most fun I’d had since arriving back in town.

  Over dinner we narrowed down the list to our top two suspects. James, who was a doctor at Cedar Grove’s Hospital, and Drew Spencer a firefighter with an amazing body.

  “Now what? How do we figure out who it is?”

  Before we could make a plan the doorbell rang. “You start thinking and I’ll get that.”

  I opened the door to find another delivery man holding a large vase of lilies.

  “These are for Ms. Ashlyn Brooks,” he said and shoved them into my hands.

  As I looked at the flowers trying to find a card, I thought, How rude! Shoving the flowers like that. He didn’t seem to like people, so why would he get a job where he had to deal with people all the time? I was then reminded of my sour mood a few days before.

  Before I could give it much thought, Kasey called from the kitchen. “Who is it?”

  I carried the vase to the kitchen. “A delivery man with flowers for me.”

  She stopped making notes and looked up, her eyebrows arched. “Uh oh. Who are they from?”

  I set the flowers on the kitchen counter and spied the card sticking out of the top.

  In school we were both outgoing.

  Yet I was shy and couldn’t tell you how I felt.

  Now, I’m putting it all on the line to show you how I feel.

  I handed it to Kasey. “I guess that puts out James. He was always quiet and friendly, but I wouldn’t say outgoing.”

  “True, but do you really think it’s Drew?”

  I sat down with a huff. “This is crazy. First thing tomorrow morning I am going to call the flower shop and demand they tell me.”

  “Come on Ashlyn, if you do that you’ll spoil the surprise.”

  “Kasey, I don’t know about this. I just got out of a messy divorce. Maybe this isn’t the best time to have a secret valentine. Romance and I just don’t work out. I came back home to escape, not to find love.”

  “Ash, I know. But you can’t hide yourself away and become an old maid. You’re young. Be courageous and live for the moment. Who knows, maybe mystery man is your knight-in-shining armor. Give it a chance and let it play out. That’s all I’m asking.”

  * * *

  The next day when I arrived home from shopping, Gran was sitting in the living room watching one of her soap operas. “Child, there’s a package for you on your bed.”

  Something else?

  “Thanks Gran,” I hollered and headed up stairs, my arms full of shopping bags. I figured, since I was making a life change, why not get a whole new wardrobe? My purchases, however, weren’t the first thing on my mind at that moment.

  I dropped the bags near my closet and looked toward the bed. There lay a small box with no return address. I went to it, and opened it.

  Inside were two letters—the first addressed to me, and a second one that said, Open Me Second, No Cheating.

  In Mrs. Hoffman’s Senior English class, that we had together,

  she made us write a letter to ourselves to open when we turned

  thirty. You’ll find mine in the next envelope. Beside each item

  there’s a check, meaning I completed it—except for two. This letter

  should help you guess who I am.

  I paused for a moment. So, we had Mrs. Hoffman’s English class together. There were only eight students in that class if I remember correctly. That should narrow this down.

  I opened the next envelope.

  By the time I am thirty I will have done the following:

  Becoming a public servant (either a cop of firefighter)

  Go to college and play football

  Travel out of the state, and see some of America

  Tell Ashlyn how I feel about her

  Get married and start a family of my own

  Wow. More pieces to the puzzle.

  This narrowed things down quite a bit. Mystery man and I were in the same Senior English class, and he’s either a cop or a firefighter.

  I grabbed my notebook to make a list. Senior English class was twelve years ago, and if I remembered correctly, Kasey and I were the only females in the class, which left six possible mystery men…

  I made my list.

  Possible mystery men:

  James (But it couldn’t be him because he wasn’t outgoing).

  Drew (He’s a firefighter and outgoing)

  Brian

  Curtis (Again not outgoing, and very shy)

  Julian

  Kevin (My old high school crush)

  The clues were narrowing down but there were still so many unknowns. I hadn’t kept up with my classmates over the years, and wasn’t sure about all of them on the list, but I knew Kasey would have the needed gossip.

  I reached for my cell and sent a text: After work, can you stop over? Think we made a breakthrough.

  * * *

  While carrying two large trash bags of clothes for Goodwill out to my car the next day, the Cedar Grove Police Chief truck pulled up into the driveway.

  Out of the truck stepped, Kevin, my high school crush. I immediately thought of ‘the list’ and swallowed hard. Would Kevin…? No, it coul
dn’t be…

  Back in high school, I regularly daydreamed about him in his football uniform, but that didn’t hold a candle to how awesome he looked now. There he stood, all 6’2” and 190 pounds, looking as if he just stepped out of a GQ photo shoot. His auburn hair, cut short in military fashion, the uniform shirt pulled tight across his obviously toned chest, and his bulging biceps peeking out from the short sleeves. If I thought Kevin was a heart-stopper back in high school, he was a Greek God now.

  “Hey Ashlyn, let me help you with those.”

  Admiring how yummy he looked in uniform made me glad I changed into one of my new outfits, and had added a little make-up before running the bags down to the car. “Oh, thank you.” After he loaded the bags into the trunk, I risked giving him my brightest smile. “I can’t be in trouble already, I just moved back. What are you doing here?”

  The same lighthearted chuckle from high school filled my ears. “No, your Gran offered to bake some cookies for the police officer’s Valentine’s dance. Just stopping by to pick them up.”

  “Umm, she isn’t here at the moment, but come on in and let’s see if I can find them. Would you like some of Gran’s famous iced tea?”

  “Wouldn’t mind if I do. It’s been a busy day and I haven’t had time to grab a drink or stop for lunch yet.”

  He stepped up beside me as we made our way up the walk. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. “If you have time, I can make you a sandwich to go with that tea.” My heart pitter-pattered at the thought.

  “Only if you will join me.” Kevin said, as cocky as he was in high school.

  Ten minutes later, we were having lunch on the back deck. “Police Chief now, huh? Interesting job. I thought you were getting out of this town and never looking back?”

  He took a bite of his sandwich before answering. “That was the plan. Funny how life doesn’t work out the way you want. You can work at it, but something always seems to go wrong. Dad passed away right before I graduated the police academy, and I felt bad leaving my mom all alone. I planned to just be here a little while, until she was okay, but six months later she was killed in a car accident. I don’t know why but I couldn’t leave then. I feel rooted here.”

  Looking out over the expansive backyard, I nodded. “I know what you mean. While I was away I missed this place. Now that I’m back, I wonder why I ever left.”

  “Now that you’re back, you can make up for lost time. Your Gran really missed you.”