Be My Valentine Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Helen Plum holds her head in her hands. Once again her younger daughter became the center of unwanted attention. Once again all kinds of outrageous rumours, irresponsible lies and exaggerated stories fly around the city. Once again she feels the irresistible urge to whack her head against her dining table and ask God, "Why me?". What has she done wrong to deserve this? Helen wants to know. She just wants Stephanie to have a steady and normal life. She just wants Stephanie to stop chasing dangerous people and tempting death. She just wants Stephanie to be safe and come to her senses. Why can't Stephanie quit her job and settle down with Joseph? She's already in her thirties. She has had a failed marriage. She can't make a decent living. She has no goals and ambitions. She and Joseph have been playing the cat and mouse game for ages. Why can't she think things through and do something with her mess of a relationship? Why can't she walk away and find someone else if Joseph is not the right man for her?

Helen exhales a tired sigh. She's not going to live forever. Who's going to take care of her Peter Pan of a grown-up child when she's gone? Who's going to call Stephanie and ask her if she's alright when her car or apartment is firebombed? Who's going to wash and iron Stephanie's clothes when she runs out of clean clothes? Who's going to bake Stephanie pineapple upside down cakes when she's upset? Who's going to take Stephanie in and cook her meals when she needs a place to stay? And who's going to run over the bad guy in the rabbit suit when she's in danger?

Helen Plum crosses herself and says a silent prayer. Once again she prays that her prayer will be answered and her younger daughter can finally find true happiness.

Emily Hasting sings along with everyone else and keeps a pleasant smile on her face. She has straight shoulder-length light brown hair and a sweet innocent voice. She has secret dreams and desperate hopes. She has two knives, a gun and three time-bombs in her car. She prays a silent prayer as she sings the beautiful hymn. She too prays that her prayer will be answered and the man she loves will love her back.

Joe Morelli coldly casts a glance at Ranger and focuses his attention back on Stephanie Plum.

Stephanie leans in closer to Ranger's side and looks at Morelli in his darkened eyes. She's a bit nervous. She's never good at confrontation, and she knows Morelli is upset. Narrowed eyes. Clenched fists. Tightened jaw. The hidden anger in his posture is so easy to detect. Maybe he will feel hurt and humiliated after hearing what she has to say. But whatever they have between them has to end. It's never really alive. And now it's finally and officially dead. She's in love with Ranger. And she can't keep on lying to herself. She has tried marriage once and it failed like a farce. She thought she could settle for someone handsome and familiar but she was wrong. And now she prays she will finally find true happiness. With the man she really needs and truly loves.

Even if his love won't come with a diamond ring.