Page 85 of Bear Creek Valentine
Dash broke down and wept. Harv had always resisted the idea of getting married, claiming it wasn’t necessary—a human tradition shifters should ignore. After eleven years together, had he finally realized it would mean something to Dash? Harv wouldn’t have offered if he wasn’t serious, and they’d missed it by a hair. Would he have agreed? Hell, yes, but what difference did it make now? Dash eventually pulled himself together and spoke one more time.
“I’m glad you finally got around to it. You had the worst timing of anyone I ever met. Sorry it took so long for me to open these, but to answer your question, yes, I would have married you. You’d have looked good in a tux, babe. I wish... there are a lot of things I wish, but you’re gone and I have a new mate. Once you stopped growling, I think you would have liked him. I miss you, Harv.”
Dash returned everything to the box and took it back to the spare bedroom closet. He’d deal with it some other day because right now he had someplace else to be. When he reached the basement, Aiden looked up, closed his book, and opened his arms. Dash settled into them gratefully, with a few simple words.
“I love you, too, mate.”
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Monday, the grand reopening
The production lines had been running continuously since seven a.m., churning out chocolate sweets and bars at a brisk pace. Speed was necessary if they were to catch up with a backlog of online orders and supply both shops. Adding more machines meant Leo, Skip, Hudson, and Cooper were all making products at the same time. Aiden had arrived long before they did to get his office in order and to make sure the registers, computers, and postal scales were working properly. The new display cases,both taller and deeper than the old ones, were now arranged in a U-shape, providing plenty of room for new items or best-sellers. He’d already topped them off and checked their supply of boxes, bags, labels, and everything else the team might need on what promised to be a very busy day.
The only fly in the ointment was a required ribbon-cutting to take place a half-hour before they opened at nine. DeeDee promised to have the media there to record it and give a select group the opportunity to observe the production line in operation. The locals were especially curious to see what had become of the old craft shop and former grocery store, though the space looked nothing like it used to. Aiden only agreed to it because the publicity was good for business, and the community was excited to see Delicious bounce back after months of vandalism and a tragic fire. He only wished they could do all of this some other day when he wasn’t so damn busy!
Serena, Blanche, and Toby arrived at eight-fifteen and donned their uniforms. Thankfully, Toby had a late class and could help during the early craziness. Just before the festivities were to begin, Leo and his crew joined them at the shop doors. Their uniforms comprised black pants and shoes, a white polo shirt and apron, and the same newsboy cap the others wore. Outside, a mob had assembled, which now included the good mayor and a gaggle of reporters and cameramen. Aiden straightened his apron, rolled his eyes, and provided a final exhortation before opening the door.
“Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!”
They gathered behind the wide red ribbon, and Aiden spotted Dash in the crowd. The sweet man had other things to do and yet showed up, anyway. Oh, he was going to get it tonight, several times in fact, and Aiden’s lecherous thoughts threatened to produce an embarrassing boner. Good thing hisapron covered the evidence. They wouldn’t have time to talk, but Aiden tipped his cap and Dash winked back. Message received.
DeeDee made the usual comments about Bear Creek and howDelicioushad overcome many obstacles to have reached this milestone. The crowd applauded when Aiden, Leo, and Serena cut the ribbon, leaving a scant ten minutes for the selected media tour. Aiden met them around back, handing out clean aprons and caps before they took another step. With his luck, the Health Department inspector would show up and disapprove of the whole dog and pony show.
By the time he brought them through the break room to the production area, Leo and his crew were all busy producing sweets. They got close-ups of everything, along with a few quick interview snippets, before Aiden herded them all out to the alley to answer questions. With that done, he hurried up front to find it jammed with customers.
There was a fair bit of confusion as they got used to the new layout. Bear Brownies were about the only thing in the same general area, and the crew constantly reached for something in the wrong case or on a different shelf. They managed all right, and customers didn’t seem to mind as they took in the differences between the old shop and the new.
There were now two doors in the front, and new bay windows on either side, with display space and padded benches underneath for waiting customers. An easy-to-read menu board hung above the register area, and the number system contrived by Blanche had been automated and digitized. The reader board showed who was being served and who was up next, based on their ticket number. White and stainless steel were the predominant colors, though Aiden had added lime green wall frames for promotional posters or announcements. Serena’s seasonal decorations took care of the rest, with Valentine-themed splashes of color everywhere you looked.
Business was slower by the time Toby left for class. He’d return later and Aiden would assign him to the kitchen if they weren’t too busy. Poor Blanche faced an enormous backlog of orders stretching to last Friday. Aiden jumped in to help her between serving customers, but it wasn’t enough. She suggested bringing their Christmas temps back for a couple of weeks, or at least until Valentine’s Day was over. He agreed and asked her to find out if any of them were willing and available. Within the hour, Violet and Howard reported for duty and took some of the pressure off.
With extra hands on board, Aiden retreated to his new kitchen—enlarged and designed for efficiency. Their supply of shifter treats was running dangerously low already, and he gathered the ingredients to make Bear Brownies and Cub Snax. When he had the time, Leo would experiment with the new machines to see if they could handle the thick recipe without jamming up the works. Until then, they’d have to be made by hand.
With one ear on the front end, his thoughts returned to Saturday night’s cuddle on the family room couch. Aiden could tell Dash had been crying, but his experience with the box of gifts must have exorcised the pain and replaced it with acceptance. The man seemed at peace with himself and eager to make some new memories with Aiden. After some back and forth, they decided to keep things simple and observe Valentine’s Day by exchanging traditional gifts and cards as tokens of their love.
This year, however, Dash wanted to make their first Cupid’s Holiday just a little special and called to reserve the resort’s best suite for Sunday, February twelfth. Aiden liked the idea, as it came between the anniversary of Harv’s death and Valentine’s Day. If they made it their own, it could replace the painful memories and angst of years past with something much morepleasant. Besides, he’d gladly take a romantic getaway with his mate, with or without an official holiday.
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Meanwhile, in Dash’s office
Dash handed Ryder a to-do list and watched as he scanned it. His scent revealed intense interest, amusement, and a hint of anxiety.
“I can do it, but these last-minute arrangements will step on toes and cost a pretty penny. I assume this is meant to be a surprise, but it could backfire on you.”
Dash huffed a few times and leaned back in his chair.
“I know, but it will be worth the effort even if the whole thing flops. Make my apologies to the staff and pay them double time, but get this done for me—and mum’s the word.”
Ryder simply grunted, happy to see that his friend had turned a corner after their last conversation.
“You got it. I’ll keep you updated as I go.”
Ryder left the office and Dash picked up the phone. The man in question probably wasn’t available, but he could leave a detailed message and go from there. Dash’s head swirled with all the particulars he needed to nail down in a short time, but thanks to a visit by the ghost of Valentines past, he knew exactly what to do for February fourteenth this year.
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The following week, downtown Bear Creek
