My Secret Valentine Page #7

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I had no idea. And here I was

going on about my dad.

No, I'm glad you told me that.

Anyway, um...

I have this pen-pal friendship

with the tenant

who's staying there.

He calls himself Handyman.

That's all I know.

- "Handyman"?

- Mm-hmm.

OK. What do you call yourself?

Um... In Need of Repairs.

OK. So you and Handyman,

you're, uh... you're

exchanging notes?

Yes, but it's no big deal!

I just want to meet him so I

can say thank you for everything

he's done around the cabin.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. I hope

he's getting a discount.

OK, fine. Go ahead

and make fun.

I'm not making fun! I...

I think... I think it's nice.

He's lucky.

Well... it obviously

doesn't matter,

because he's...

he's clearly not showing up.

(sighing)

Hmm.

You know, maybe he, um...

maybe he doesn't think he's

good enough, and he backed out.

You know? Or...

maybe he's hiding

in plain sight.

You know? He, um...

What if he's that guy,

right there?

He just needed some courage,

you know?

Like, a lot of courage.

Four glasses of courage.

What are you doing?

I'm being your wingman.

What about that guy?

Oh, no. That guy

clearly builds

robot sculptures from objects

found in his kitchen.

That's oddly specific.

And what about that guy?

He lives with his mom.

Oh, what about that guy?

A hipster?! Really?

You deserve better than that.

Listen, I... I just

have to say thank you

for making being stood up

so much fun.

That's what a wingman is for.

Uh...

- Um...

- Thanks.

I should probably go 'cause I

gotta make sure everything's set

for the Festival.

But will I see you there?

I... I wouldn't miss it.

Take care.

So, how'd it go?

Is he cute? Tell me everything.

He didn't show.

- Then why are you smiling?

- Oh, I...

I didn't realize I was. Um...

You were gone for a long time.

What were you doing instead?

I ran into Seth.

Seth? Like, the Seth

you hate, Seth?

Like the Seth I...

I may hate a little less

than before.

- Huh...

- No. No "huh."

There's no "huh."

There's nothing to "huh" about.

And you're not at all curious

about what happened to Handyman?

Why? Was there

another message?

Nothing today.

Well, then, I guess

there's really nothing

to be curious about.

Hey, Taylor.

You gonna come join us? I got

a chocolate meringue pie

with your name on it.

You're just trying

to fatten me up, Nancy.

- Hi, Seth!

- Hey. Hi. How are you?

[Seth... Seth?

Are you still there?]

Yes. Yeah, I am still here.

Sorry. I just found a place

with reception.

- [And... pie, apparently.]

[What's the holdup, Seth?]

[We need you back here

with those contracts signed.]

Well, I... I gotta

stay one more day.

The Valentine's Wine Festival

is tomorrow. It's the biggest

event in town. If we're gonna

buy the company, we need to

to understand all aspects

of the business, right?

What happened to two days? It

isn't like you to take so long.

She's just been

more challenging than expected.

["She"?]

[I meant Grange.]

We need this winery,

and if you want that promotion,

you need this winery, Seth.

So... get it done.

All right, Taylor.

I'll let you get back

to what you were doing.

Nice chatting with you.

(tense music)

OK, close your eyes.

Come on, cover your eyes!

I want it to be a surprise.

- OK, OK.

- OK. Just walk straight.

- (woman):
Hi, Chloe!

- Hey! How are you?

Good to see you. OK.

Keep walking straight.

No peeking, Dad! No peeking.

Are you peeking?

- No, I'm not peeking!

I can't see anything!

- Right. Sorry about that. OK.

To the right! To the right!

Go straight!

OK, you can open your eyes.

Ta-da!

- Oh, Chloe!

Oh!

Don't you think Mom

would've loved it?

Oh!

Mom would be so happy.

Thank you.

(Chloe chuckling)

(insects chirping)

(phone ringing)

Oh! Hi, Maggie.

How was dinner service?

[Super smooth!

The menu was a hit,]

[but that is not

why I'm calling. Guess what?]

[I thought about what you said]

[and I talked to my investors,

and they agreed]

[to back me with you

on board as a partner!]

- Wait, they did?

- [I told them]

[how invaluable you are!]

[It's yours

if you still want it.]

Wow. That happened fast.

[Hey, listen. I gotta

jump off. I'll email you]

[the details tomorrow. Bye!]

All right. Bye.

(soft music)

- Morning.

- (Seth):
Morning.

How are you?

I'm good. Good.

It's that time, huh?

Yeah...

I guess so.

You ever been fishing, Seth?

You know, I never

make an important decision

without coming out

in the water first.

I even proposed to Chloe's

mother on a fishing trip.

You're a natural.

I never expected that from you.

I've been getting in touch

with my country boy side

ever since I got here.

- Ha ha ha!

There doesn't seem

to be anything biting today.

I think they can

smell the city on you.

- Ha ha ha.

Why don't you leave

those contracts with me,

and I'll give you my decision

by the end of the day?

You don't need

a little more time?

"More time"? Ha!

I took you as a dealmaker with

a sharper right hook than that.

You know,

I used to have one...

Lately, I don't know

where that guy went.

You shouldn't be spending

Valentine's Day with an old man.

Let's get you out of here so you

can check out the Festival.

Chloe's there,

in case you were wondering.

(upbeat music)

(indistinct speaking)

- Let us know what you think.

- (man):
OK.

- (woman):
We will. Thank you.

- Take care.

Oh, wow! Look at this.

Hey, guys!

- Hello.

Hi! What do you think of our

little Festival? Does it stack

up to your big city events?

- Well, I just got here,

but, uh... it looks

like it stacks up

to all the big city festivals.

- Thanks.

Chloe, you should

show Seth around.

Oh, I can't leave you!

We're too busy.

Jeff? Why don't you

tag Chloe out so she

can take a break?

- Anything for you, Leanne.

- Aww. My Romeo!

Go ahead. Have fun, guys.

We got this.

- Are you sure?

- All right.

Let's go. Thanks, Jeff.

So, I was wondering if you

were gonna show up tonight.

Why, did you miss me?

Like you miss a yapping Yorkie

circling your feet

when you get home.

Oh, a Yorkie!

I thought you would think of me

more as a Doberman:

fearless and well-groomed.

Either way,

you're still a dog.

Last call for participants

to join us for the wine

and food pairing event

happening on the main stage.

The wine tasting competition!

We have to do this.

Come on, Doberman Anderson.

You gotta help me

win this thing!

I doubt that

but, uh, what is this?

It's a competition that tests

your senses and determines

which couple has

the most knowledgeable palate.

Oh, is that it?

Is the big city boy like,

what, are you chickening out?

Hello. Here you go.

- All right.

- Thank you. Come on!

We can do this. Hi.

Hi. Next person.

There you go.

Cabernet sauvignon.

Merlot!

(cheering)

We won?! Ah!

Woo!

- Woo! Thank you, guys.

- Thanks!

- Congratulations, Chloe.

- Hey, Seth! Welcome.

- How are you?

- Hi!

- Oh!

- How are you? Thank you.

- Hi. Congratulations.

- Oh, Dad!

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