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Her Valentine Promise (The Candy Cane Girls) (Volume 2)

By Bonnie Engstrom

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PROLOGUE
“Ouch!”
“What?”
“You stepped on my toes.”
He said it so matter of factly that Cindy wondered if he was kidding. She looked down at his black patent shoes. Aw, oh. A scuff on the right one. Guess Rob was right. Question was … his fault for not being a good leader or hers for being a bad follower?
“Sorry.”
“S’okay.” He pulled her closer and she felt her body melt into the warmth of his.















CHAPTER ONE
Cindy dug through the cardboard carton. She pulled out fistfuls of old photographs from over twelve years ago. She dug deeper, hoping to find “the one.” Finally, she thought she had it, the black and white one of Rob. How she wished she’d had the money to buy the yearbooks before her own graduation. But, her parents were cash-strapped, and she worked during after school hours as a barista at Starbucks. So, some of those years were lost, at least in photos. It was before everyone had cell phones they could store photos in.
She held the blurry photo up to the light. Was Rob really that handsome then? He looked goofy in the image. But, so did the other guys hugging each other’s’ shoulders. Must have been taken after a track meet. In those days the date of the photograph was noted on the back. Four years before she had graduated.
She found another photo. Oh, my gosh, almost forgot he was voted class king. He deserved it, but he is so humble now. She rubbed her eyes and sat down. She could hardly believe she was dating a former class king of Vista del Mar High School. He had never mentioned it. But, that was so teenage, so juvenile. He was all grown up now. Really grown up.
She’d had a huge crush on Rob when she was only starting into her freshman year. He had never seemed to flaunt his kingship, or any of his academic accolades or sports accomplishments. But, she followed them. She knew.
She threw the photos aside, tossing them haphazardly on her kitchen table. What had happened the other evening at Noelle and Braydon’s wedding? Her Candy Cane best friend had married a florist. The owner of the floral shop that was previously contracted to provide the flowers for Noelle’s original wedding, the one she cancelled because of her former fiancé Clay’s abuse. Last night, almost a year later, was a beautiful event. It was after the ceremony when the couple had been toasted and the small ensemble started to play dance music. That’s when Rob gently grasped her hand and led her to the area by the pond at the entrance of the Sherman Gardens. That’s when she melted in his arms.
He held her close and started to dance, very slowly. His nose nestled in her ear. The little band was playing that old tune “Someday My Prince Will Come” from Disney’s Snow White. The singer was crooning in an old fashioned way. “Cynthia,” he whispered hoarsely. Cindy thought her heart would leap out of her bridesmaid’s gown as red as the taffeta skirt. She snuggled closer.
Suddenly, the band switched to “Santa, Baby,” perfect for this Christmas wedding. But, the faster beat seemed to catch Rob off guard. The song was especially perfect since Braydon the groom had proposed to Noelle in a Santa costume at her parents’ Christmas party last year. What a hoot that had been. He had been very authentic, even though everyone knew it was him. Noelle had been so overcome with joy she laughed and cried at the same time. What a memory. She had agreed to be Mrs. Santa supervising elves and answering children’s letters to the jolly red-clad elf. In perfect English, using her skills as an English teacher.
Cindy shook her head and laughed softly. “What? What did you say, Rob?”
“I said ‘Let’s go to the parking lot where we can twirl.’” He looked at her quizzically. “You okay being with me?”
“Oh, yes. Forgive me. I was thinking about how your brother proposed to Noelle last Christmas.” She pressed closer to him. “I’m sorry, but it was such a treat to see. Too bad you weren’t there. You would have loved it.”
Rob nodded, somewhat unenthusiastically. “Braydon always was the melodramatic one, the clever one, the one who always managed to get into some kind of trouble or do something dramatic.” He sounded jealous, then clasped her hand again. “So, would you? Like to go to the parking lot where we have more room to dance?”
Cindy nodded, then asked, “Should we? Aren’t we supposed to stay with the wedding party? And the guests.” She could see he wasn’t convinced. He was the Best Man, so shouldn’t he be available for the rest of the event?
“I suppose. But, maybe just a few minutes where there is more space, and,” he added with a wink, “where we will be more alone.”
Cindy wasn’t so sure, but it was hard to deny this man. Like his brother, Braydon the groom, he was handsome, but different. Instead of blue eyes like Braydon’s, his were hazel, the kind that turned subtle colors – pale brown, even green sometimes. Depending on the light. His face wasn’t sculptured like Braydon’s, but it was definitely handsome. Especially graced by that full head of luxurious brown hair. Why was she comparing him? It was hard not to because the brothers were so different in stature and coloring. She had expected Robinson to look like a twin to Braydon. Yet, he never had in high school. Maybe she was having a memory lapse.
She took his offered hand and held up her red taffeta skirt so she wouldn’t trip. When they reached the parking lot lined with cars, she realized he was right. There was a huge area in the middle. They danced.
She wasn’t sure what song was playing because the music barely drifted that far. But, he lived up to his promise, and they twirled. And twirled more, until she was almost dizzy. It was almost magical. She had never expected this somewhat humble and sometimes shy man to be such a marvelous dancer. Definitely a hidden talent. Until now.
Breathless, she laid her hand on his arm. “Rob, I have to stop.” He looked at her with a question in his eyes. “I have to use the bathroom!”
“Oh.”
“Sorry. Meet you back at the reception. K?”
He nodded. She raced up the low steps holding her skirt again. He followed slowly.
###
The reception was winding down. It was almost midnight. A few guests had left, leaving empty spaces at the round tables. Suddenly, the band played a loud drum roll. The leader approached the microphone and laughed. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is time. Time for all the fun stuff. The groom will toss the garter, if he can find it, and the bride will toss her bouquet.” He looked around and snickered. “All single men form a circle around Braydon.”
About twenty men and boys shuffled forward. Cindy pushed Rob who protested. “But, I’m his brother. I shouldn’t be there.”
“You’re single, right? Or, am I mistaken?” She pushed him again. Reluctantly, he tried to fade into the group.
The band did a staccato drum beat. Braydon made a big show of trying to find Noelle’s garter. Cindy knew it was below her knee because Noelle was embarrassed even having one. But, being a good sport, she played along. Braydon fumbled and pretended to search for it. Noelle giggled when he lifted the skirt of her gown and stuck his head under. He groped, she kicked. Was she going to kick him in the face, the face under her skirt? Finally, he held a blue garter above his head with an impish grin. He swung it around on a finger. Twenty plus pairs of male hands waved in the air. His eyes locked on one, and he aimed. Right at his brother.
Rob had no choice but to catch it. It practically flew into his hands. His face burned crimson, but he held it tight against his chest. A few of the men moaned, but many clapped him on the back. “Your time, buddy. Congratulations, guy.” Cindy grinned.
More drum beats, another announcement. “Now, ladies, form a circle. The bride is going to toss her beautiful bouquet.” The announcer stopped. “Oops, sorry. She wants to preserve her real bouquet. But, the one she is going to toss is special. Reach to catch.”
Cindy was glad Noelle wouldn’t toss the gorgeous bouquet Braydon had designed just for her. However, she noticed the one in Noelle’s raised hand was also outstanding. That Braydon. He would be sure every floral offering from Love In Bloom Floral would be beautiful.
Cindy hung back behind the excited group of single girls, mostly teen and college age, and the other four Candy Canes, of course. But, they and she were more mature and didn’t jiggle and giggle and act crazy. She raised her arms and waved her hands, more obligatory than really expecting to catch. She was watching Doreen. What a gift it would be for her to catch the flowers. Or, Natalie, who struggled financially with her small independent health club, or Candy, divorced and job seeking. She sought each one with her eyes, hoping for them. Not that catching the proverbial wedding bouquet really held the promise tradition claimed. But, it would be nice for any of them to have the special moment. Where she wondered was Connie? The designer of Noelle’s gorgeous wedding gown.
She heard cheers and screams and felt something in her hands. Two girls who she didn’t know hugged her fiercely and jostled her. What! She hadn’t even tried, but the bouquet of red striped Candy Cane roses was in her hands. She felt her face heat up. How did that happen? Noelle’s back was to the group as she flung the bouquet over her head. But, Cindy knew even if she had been facing the group of women, she couldn’t have planned it . She was a great swimmer, but a notoriously bad aim in softball and basketball. What did this mean that she had caught the bouquet and Rob the garter?
 

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