My Charming Valentine Read Online Free

wallet back into his pocket. “Now,
there’s an idea.”
    Phoebe blushed when she felt his hand
move to give her bottom a squeeze. “Let’s just say that’s not exactly what I’m
searching for.” The couple left as Ange wished her good luck. Walking down the
street, hands clasped in each other’s, Phoebe leaned her head against his arm.
“I still can’t believe you went to all this trouble.”
    “Having fun?” he asked, leaning down to
drop a kiss on top of her head.
    “It’s been incredible,” she said, lifting
her arm to gaze at the bracelet.
    They were both smiling as they entered
Auntie Q’s Antique shop. Its owner, Quincy Lauder, was a woman in her sixties
whose passion was not only things of old, but also all things kinky. Her shop
had a huge selection of antique paddles. The collection, strewn about the store
on old dressers, stools, chairs or hanging against the wall, might have caused
a few raised eyebrows outside of the Bend, but were both a source of amusement
as well as chagrin when purchased by the town’s residents.
    Quincy stepped out from behind an antique
wardrobe as the door opened to let in a gust of frigid air. “Good morning,” she
called. “What a nice surprise to see you both. Have anything particular you're
looking for?”
    Patrick didn’t answer, watching his
wife’s face as she attempted to conceal the fact that maybe she’d guessed
incorrectly. Not being greeted as if expected, had her looking up at him, her
eyes showing a glint of doubt. Letting her off the hook, he gave her a smile
and a nod. She had such an expressive face, it was obvious when she stopped
worrying about her behind and began thinking about what she needed to find.
    “That’s not funny, Quincy,” she said, as
she walked to the woman to give her a hug. “You almost had me running to avoid
a penalty.”
    “Whatever do you mean?” the older woman
teased as she hugged Phoebe. “Heck, what’s the fun in playing if there aren’t a
few risks?”
    “Easy for you to say,” Phoebe teased
back, one hand dropping to rub her backside. “My dear husband keeps warning me
of penalties and I must say, your merchandise would make it far too easy unless
I gave him a good run for his money.”
    “I’m quite sure he wouldn’t mind chasing
you,” Quincy said. “And I’m almost just as sure you wouldn’t really mind being
caught.”
    Patrick laughed from where he’d been
leaning against the counter, drawing his wife’s attention back to him. He held
up his wrist and tapped his fingertip against the face of his watch. He figured
Quincy was just a bit surprised when her customer did run –but only to the back of the store where
several trunks were displayed.
    Following her, the two watched as Phoebe
opened one after another in search of her next clue. Patrick shook his head in
amusement as her frantic search slowed when she opened a trunk to find it
filled with old books, the slightly musty smell not keeping her from picking up
volume after volume to read the titles. Given the amount of books in the trunk,
and her intense love of reading, he feared they could spend all day in the
store before she’d checked out every title.
    “Honey, you
might want to check your clue,” he suggested.            
    Putting down the book she had just
opened, she seemed to remember why they were here. “That doesn’t count as a
hint does it?” she asked as she lowered the lid of the trunk. “You didn’t say
there was a time limit looking – just guessing.”
    Patrick shook his head again. His wife
had a way of attempting to twist things around a bit but he had to admit she
was right. “No, not a hint, just a suggestion. Take all the time you want, as
long as you don’t complain when we’re trudging through the snow in the cold and
dark later.”
    His wife sat back on her heels, her eyes
once more scanning the store. Having looked into most of the trunks, she
finally stood. “Excuse me,” she said politely as