My Sweet Valentine (23 page)

“Dial 911.” Allen shoved his cell phone into Sara's hands, then he walked over and kicked the knife away from the woman before pulling Beast back two steps. Allen told him to sit and he did, but he didn't stop growling and glaring at the woman.

“Who are you?” Allen asked, hearing Sara talking on the phone behind him.

“That dog attacked me. I'm going to sue.”

“Who are you?” he demanded a little louder.

“
I'm Bethany Mathis, and that dog attacked me on her property.” She pointed to Sara. “I was just walking out the door, minding my own business when he attacked me. Look at my wrist. I think he broke it!” she screeched.

Allen saw the red marks on the woman's wrist. Beast had broken skin, but there was no way he'd broken her wrist.

“I'm leaving. I'm going to go call my lawyer.”

“You'll stay right where you are.” Beast's growling became louder when the woman started to move. “We'll just wait and see what Robert says when he arrives.”

“I don't care what you say. I'm leaving. If that dog attacks me again, I'll have him shot.” She smiled and Allen could see the wickedness in her face.

“They’re coming,” Sara said, standing behind him. He felt her shiver and wanted to tell her to go inside, but he knew she wouldn't leave him. Didn't want to leave him.

“Hold Beast,” he said softly.

Sara bent down and knelt next to her protector. When she started to rub between his ears, his growling stopped. “Thank you,” he heard her whisper into his ear. He smiled when he heard the sirens in front of the building.

“What's going on?” Robert said when he stepped out of his patrol car.

An hour later, Sara and Allen sat in the bakery’s dining room. Beast lay by their feet. He'd lit some candles and placed them all around the room. They sat there alone, eating the picnic he'd packed for their romantic dinner on the beach. The steady rain pelted down outside. Robert had hauled Bethany Mathis away after her confession to Sara had been retold. The woman had denied it up until the point that Robert put her into the back of the patrol car. Then she'd screamed, “I'll kill you yet, you bitch,” sealing her fate.

Allen looked across the small table at Sara. Gone was the weary, scared look he'd seen an hour earlier. Now her eyes sparkled and he could tell she was really enjoying their dinner. “I'm sorry the night didn't turn out exactly as I planned.” He looked across at her and took her hand.

“It's perfect.” She smiled and nibbled on her roll. He'd cooked lasagna, one of her favorites. He'd gotten the recipe from her mother and had spent three hours cooking it today. He’d burned the first one, but he'd had enough time and ingredients to try it again. This time it had turned out perfect.

“I really wanted to do this at the beach. That's where I imagined it all.”

“What?” She took a sip of her wine and set the glass down when he reached for her hand.

“Sara, I know we've only known each other for a few months, but I feel like I've known you…” He cleared his throat and stood up. “This isn't going like I planned.” He turned to her and tried to smile. She sat there and looked up at him. “Listen, I can't think when I'm around you. I had everything planned out, but seeing you in the candlelight, it does something to me.” He stood over her and became more frustrated that he didn't have the right words. “My tongue gets tied, my palms sweat. I don't know what I would have done if anything had happened to you. I almost lost you once and I don't think I could bear it if it happened again.” He knelt next to her. “Sara, I'm trying to tell you that I love you.”

She smiled and took his face in her hands. “I love you, too, Allen.” She laid her lips on his and he released the breath he'd been holding.

E
verything had turned out perfectly, she thought, as she looked up at Allen. He may think he didn’t have the right words, but what he had said meant more to her than any poem.

The soft candlelight, the romantic dinner here at her bakery. When he pulled her up to stand next to him, she pulled away for a moment.

“I have something for you. It's a two-part gift, but I don't see why you can't enjoy the first part tonight.” She started walking backwards. “Stay right here. I'll be right back.” She rushed into the kitchen and pulled out the masterpiece that she'd finished minutes before
Bethany had shown up.

Pushing the door open with her back, she turned and presented her gift. His eyes went huge and he started laughing when he saw it.

There in vanilla and chocolate were his and Beast's faces with the words “I Love You Both” written below.

He walked forwards and took the cake from her. “Wow! Look at this.” He moved it closer to the candles to get a better look. “How did you do this?” He set the cake down and looked at it.

“Practice.” She smiled and stood next to him.

“It's perfect. I can't believe it. I've never seen anything like this before.” He reached into his pocket and snapped a picture with his phone. “I've got to send this to someone. I mean, there ought to be an award.” He smiled down at her.
“Well, it was easy. The two of you are such easy models.”

He laughed. “Right.” He turned to her and pulled her closer, placing a kiss on her lips. She held him close, not letting him pull away.

“Mmm, more.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he deepened the kiss. Then he started walking her backwards, towards the kitchen.

“Allen,” she laughed, “where are we going?”

“Kitchen. There are too many windows here. Too many people that might walk by,” he said against her lips.

“Really?” She laughed when he pulled her into the kitchen and pushed her against the wall, his hands running over every inch of her.

“I have to have you. I love you, so much.” He repeated it over and over as he rained kisses over every inch of her. She'd never stood naked in her kitchen before, never imagined she'd be doing so, but now they were both naked and out of breath. Just before she crested, she brought her mouth to his ear and whispered, “I love you, Allen.”

The next morning the bakery was crowded. Everyone had heard what had happened the night before. Some came hoping to hear the details, some came just to have a warm breakfast. But almost everyone in town stopped by.

Her Valentine’s baskets had been such a huge hit that she'd run out and had had to purchase small baskets at the local hardware store to replace the ones she’d special ordered.

Half way through the day, Zach showed up. He shuffled his feet, looking down, and apologized for New Year’s. She hadn't seen him since that night and asked him where he'd been.

“AA.” He looked embarrassed. “After New Year’s, I decided it was about time I got some help. I overheard at the Golden Oar what happened here last night and I just wanted to stop by and make sure everything was alright.”

“Yes, thank you. I'm so glad you did.”

“Well, I'm really sorry about New Year’s.”

“It's okay. If you want, there's a box of Valentine cookies. You're welcome to them.” She pointed to the small box on the countertop.

“Thanks. I better be going. Thanks for the cookies.” He walked out and she smiled at his back, happy that he was getting help.

When Josie came back into the kitchen half an hour later, she looked like she was on cloud nine. She danced around and even took hold of Sara's hands and twirled around the room.

“What's gotten into you?” Sara stopped her from spinning again.

“
Larry. Larry Hamill. I'm in love with Larry Hamill!” She screamed.

“Really?” Sara laughed. “So quickly?”

“Sure. If you can fall for Allen fast, why can't I fall for Larry faster?” Her friend frowned and Sara laughed. “He's caring, funny, smart, and so very romantic. What did you think would happen with me and a guy like that?”

“I don't know. I've known Larry my whole life. I guess I've never thought of him that way.”

“Good.” Her friend squinted her eyes at her and gave her a look, trying to scare her. “You've got your own man. Leave mine alone.”

Sara laughed. “I promise. I will never fall in love with your Larry Hamill.”

Josie smiled. “Good, then I guess we can remain best friends.” Sara laughed and hugged her best friend.

At lunchtime her mother stopped in. She was dressed up and looked wonderful. It was the first time in a long time that she'd seen her mother wearing a dress and lipstick; she was shocked.

“
Where are you off to?” She smiled and hugged her. “You look wonderful.”

“Oh, well, thank you dear.” Her mother messed with her hair a little. “I'm just meeting an old friend for lunch.”

“Really?” Sara leaned back against the counter and smiled. “Do I know this person?”

“
Yes, well, Eugene Leachman has been a family friend for years.”

Sara coughed. “Doctor Leachman?” When her mother nodded, she smiled. “You bagged a doctor.”

Her mother shook her head. “Really, where did you learn such language?” Her mother smiled.

Just then Becca walked in from the front room, smiling. “Did you hear that mom bagged a doctor?” Sara looked at her mother and they broke out laughing.

Epilogue

The Sunday after Valentine's Day, the sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Allen leaned back against the large driftwood and smiled at Sara and Beast playing in the surf. He knew the water was probably very cold, but they splashed around like neither of them cared.

The large picnic blanket and empty plates around him would have to be packed up soon, judging by the level of the sun, but for now he smiled and laughed at his two greatest loves playing in the water.

Mr. Mathis had been released when his wife had confessed to stalking Sara. Allen had been told by Robert that the woman was being evaluated at the local hospital for mental stability. Apparently, she'd been posing as a prospective home buyer in Pride. She'd been going around town telling everyone she was moving in soon.