Page 17 of My Mismatched Valentine

“If he doesn’t click with any of these women, I might be out of options.” I could sugar coat it, but I decide it’s best not to lie to Glamma. She seems like a pro bullshit detector. And I still have an overwhelming, albeit irrational urge, to win her approval. After tomorrow, we might never see one another again except in passing. She’s made it quite clear she has no interest in moving to Alaska.

“I think he’s definitely clicked with one of them, babe.”

“Who?”

Glamma levels me with a firm stare. “Don’t play dumb, Maggie. You’re better than that.”

“It can’t be me.”

“How long are you going to keep telling yourself that lie?”

I snuggle the groggy puppy in my arms, all too happy to have her lick my cheek. The tickling sensation briefly distracts me from the tangled knot in my stomach. “You’d really keep him from his dad’s business if he doesn’t marry tomorrow?” It’s a bold question, but one that needs asking.

“The marriage isn’t optional if he wants to keep the company. That’s written into the will. Nothing I can do to change that. But I’m also not about to let my grandson marry someone he doesn’t love. Or someone who doesn’t love him.”

“But there’s only one more day left to find her.”

“Youareher.” Glamma pats my arm before answering Grandma Olive’s hail, leaving me alone with these heavy thoughts.

“Maggs, you okay?” Kash asks, also wrangling two puppies in his arms. I’m still surprised to see him and his new love outand about. He didn’t even respond to my text invitation until this morning.

“Just have some things to sort out is all.” I look to Charlotte who’s standing with the gaggle of giggling women surrounding by puppies. “She going to stick?” I ask, already certain I know the answer. I haven’t seen my brother smile so much in years.

“I’m headed to Fairbanks in a couple weeks to help trailer her stuff to Caribou Creek. She just needs to put in her notice.”

“I’m happy for you,” I say, meaning it.

Kash nods toward Dustin. “You deserve to be happy too, you know.”

CHAPTER 12

Dustin

Ipull up to Maggie’s house, unsurprised to find the lights on and Karl lounging in the window. The moment we got back to town from the husky puppy event, she made some excuse about allergies and left the rest of us atRose’s Dinerto eat without her. She promised to call me after she laid down, refusing my offer to take care of her.

When I made a move to go after her, Glamma clamped down on my wrist to stop me.Not yet.

Now that it’s been hours without a response, I’m done waiting. Done letting her be afraid of what’s happening between us.

I knock on the door several times before she finally answers with puffy eyes.

Maybe the allergies weren’t a made-up excuse? But that doesn’t explain why she’d plan an event around dozens of dogs if she were allergic to them.

“Why are you here?” she asks, sniffling. A tear drops down her cheek. She quickly brushes it away with the back of her hand.

Never mind.Allergies were definitely a lie.

“You know why I’m here, Maggie.” Karl lets out what I can only describe as a welcoming meow, beckoning me inside.Maggie seems so surprised by it that she steps back and allows me inside. “I knew we’d be friends,” I say to Karl, reaching into my pocket for a plastic ball with a bell inside. Grandma Olive—who’s at my house with Glamma—handed it to me before I headed over. The two of them were nibbling onbrownies and batting a couple other cat toys around my kitchen island giggling like fools. I didn’t ask questions.

“Dustin—”

“I love you, Maggie.” The words I’ve sat on since the moment I saw Maggie in the lodge a few days ago blurt right from my mouth. I’ve suspected I felt this way the night we met, but it wasn’t until I saw her again in Caribou Creek that I knew for sure. I don’t care if I’m being too forward, and it has nothing to do with the ticking clock. I’m done pretending this isn’t something real.

“Y—you do?” she sniffles, wiping away tears with the side of her hand.

“Don’t pretend you’re surprised.” I draw her into my arms and she collapses against me, head tucked against my chest. I embrace her tightly, damned if I’m going to let her go now that she’s finally dropped one of those giant fucking walls. “How could Inotlove you? You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”

“Go on,” she teases, sniffling once more.

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