Page 1 of My Mail Order Valentine

Prologue

Hunter

I'm sitting in my truck, eyeing the entrance to the grocery store. How many people are in there right now that I know? Probably a lot. Working for the Hope Peak Fire Department, I am pretty familiar with everyone in town.

There's cooing beside me, and I look down at my new daughter.

She's beautiful and has a good disposition. I can't take credit for that, only for what's to come. I take a deep breath for courage, gather her in my arms, and get out of my truck. When I enter the premises, the chimes on the door make a melodious sound, and I swear all eyes turn to me.

I know I'm being self-conscious, but the cashier is looking at me, eyes wide.

"Good morning, Hunter. Who have you got here?"

I walk over to her and introduce my daughter.

"Hi Lisa, this is Evie, my daughter."

"Your…your… daughter?"

"Yes, I need some diapers for her. You wouldn't happen to know what size I should get, do you?"

"I got you, sweetie.” She nods. “Follow me."

Lisa helps me find several things I'll need, and she doesn't ask me many questions. Or rather, I changed the subject whenever she asked about Evie's mother. It's not a secret, but I'd rather not talk about it yet, as the wound is still raw.

When I think I've successfully made this trip without any major issues, Mrs. Brown, one of the town's old biddies, steps in front of me, blocking my way out.

"Hello, Lieutenant Granger."

"Mrs. Brown, it's good to see you. How's your husband doing with his sciatica?"

"Fine, fine. Doc is taking good care of him. Don't distract me. Whose baby is this?"

"This is my daughter Evie."

She crosses her arms. "I don't remember hearing you got married."

"Still single, ma'am."

"Where'd she come from?"

I let out a long sigh. "It's a long and sad story, Mrs. Brown, and I’d rather not get into it right now. All you need to know is that Evie is mine, and I'm going to be raising her."

"Then we need to get you a wife. Don't worry, me and the gals will take care of it."

She literally starts to roll up her sleeves. I break into a panic. One of these old gals is enough to cause trouble; if they all get together and plan something, I'm going to be in heaps of trouble.

"You don't need to do that, Mrs. Brown. I can take care of my daughter by myself. I would accept offers of babysitting if any of you can handle it, but other than that, I'm good."

"Nonsense. You can't raise a little girl on your own. She'll need a woman's touch so she can become a proper lady. Don't you worry. We can do this. I think I know just the thing."

Just the thing?

Finally, she gets out of my way, but she's left me with a lot to think about. Do I need a wife to raise my daughter properly? Everything happened so fast, and now I'm a dad. I'm too busy with my work and now have a baby to raise. There's no time to find a wife.

Armed with all the essentials I just picked up, I strap Evie into her car seat, admire her plump red cheeks, and kiss her upturned nose.

"It's just you and me, sweet pea."

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