Southern Charm
A short story with Samuel Ashford and Dakota Mitchell
Takes place after the Southern Charm grand re-opening
Since
the grand re-opening of the restored and upgraded Southern Charm B&B in
Shore Breeze, Florida, Samuel Ashford found himself working harder than ever
when he was in his family’s corporation. Sent to simply check out an aging
B&B and decide to save or restore it, Samuel fell in love with the small
town set on a spit of land in the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola. He also fell
deeply in love with the head chef, Dakota Mitchell, of the B&B’s popular
restaurant, Southern Delights.
Pushing hard to make sure the Valentine’s Day weekend meant
the Charm’s rooms were booked solid, Samuel was grateful it was over. He faxed
the positive memo and early numbers from Chandler about the successful weekend
to his family. With the last business finished, he shut everything down and
went to find his lover.
The kitchen was darkened with Dorian and another helper
doing the last of the cleaning.
“Hey, Dor, where’s Dakota?” Samuel asked.
“Home,” Dorian said. “He’s waiting for you.”
“Oh. Thought he would wait. Night!”
Leaving the Charm through the back door, he strolled across
the expansive patio. He breathed in the night air, still holding a crisp chill
in the breeze from the latest cold front. He had been afraid the cooler weather
would cause people to cancel, but compared to places in the North, they flocked
to the Panhandle. He figured clear weather in the chilly 60s was more pleasant
than shoveling several feet of snow.
He followed the quiet path from the Charm, through the
natural landscape their friend, Reece, created to surround the Owner’s Cabin
restored and expanded. Samuel designed the new layout with an architect and
their contractor, Sully. It was home. His home with Dakota.
Stopping at the base of the stairs, Samuel lifted his gaze
to study the raised home. It was a smaller version of the Charm, but a little
modernized with a vast expanse of windows and more open floorplan. He never
felt more at home than this place. It was nothing compared to the sterilized
feel of his old hotel suite.
Climbing the stairs, Samuel paused to stare at the large red
satin bow attached to the door. As he drew closer, he saw a white envelope and
pulled it free. Bemused, he opened and tugged out the note.
Happy Belated
Valentine’s Day
A surprise you will
find at the end of the red ribbon.
Follow it and the
clues.
Gather the roses.
Seek and you will
find your true love.
Curious as all hell, Samuel plucked the long-stem rose from
the bow, opened the door and stepped inside. He discovered the wide red ribbon
stretched across the floor. Kicking off his shoes and letting his jacket slide
off, he followed the ribbon as it led to the expansive opened kitchen.
The ribbon wandered up the island and another bow sat next
to a small plate with two chocolate covered strawberries, a glass of champagne,
and a single red rose. Another card propped next to the gifts.
Happy Belated
Valentine’s Day
Ooh. Look. A
chocolate delight. A bubbly drink.
The aroma of a red
red rose.
Seek to find the next
gift.
Chuckling at the horrible attempt of poetic words, Samuel
moaned with pleasure as he bit into the massive red berry. He adored when
Dakota created his own chocolate. To have it covering fresh strawberries was
one of Samuel’s favorites. He ate both within seconds, licked his fingers
clean, and washed everything with the glass of champagne. He picked up the
rose, smelled the rich blossom, and continued on the ribbon path.
It led outside next where he found another bow, a rose, and
a message.
Happy Belated
Valentine’s Day
The smell of the ocean.
A brisk breeze
touching your face.
The grit of sand on
your feet.
Upon this beach, I
discovered my love.
Seek to find the next
gift.
Samuel wondered if Dakota could get any cornier. He couldn’t
believe how much time Dakota spent on this and if he had any help. Turning, he
followed the ribbon’s next destination. It was back into the living room and by
the flat screen TV. It was attached to a smaller bow situated by the collection
set of movies along with the rose and a note.
Happy Belated
Valentine’s Day
Cuddling on the sofa.
Laughter filling the
room.
Snuggling with you.
Best way to spend my
days.
Seek to find the next
gift.
Chuckling at the memories of the hours they spent watching
the movies, with Dakota and others giving him and Chandler a proper gay’s man
education in film. Mostly it was all about farts and sex jokes with a few
things going boom.
Rising as he sniffed the three roses, Samuel followed the
ribbon’s next destination and saw it climb the stairs to their master suite.
With a hand on the smooth bannister, he climbed the stairs and saw a large bow
awaiting on the top.
Turning to enter the suite, he found Dakota standing in
tailored pants, a crisp white shirt, barefoot, amongst hundreds of petals
scattered around him on the hardwood floor.
“Dakota, this is… I can’t believe what you did. How long did
this take?” Samuel asked as he stepped forward.
Dakota lifted a hand to make Samuel stop. “Did you enjoy the
little journey?”
“Yes. It was beautiful.”
Clearing his throat, Dakota stared at Samuel. “Since the
first moment we banged the ever living hell outta one another in the hallway,
to finding you on the beach, to watching your sleepy expression and
determination to follow me at the crack of dawn, and discovering your love of
my beloved Charm and quaint little town, I’ve… never been the same man. You
changed me for the better, Samuel Ashford. You not only restored my beloved
Charm, but my battered heart.”
Samuel listened to Dakota. Tears welled in his eyes.
Dakota dropped to one knee amongst the petals and held out
his cupped hands. A blue velvet box nestled between them.
“Samuel Ashford, I love you from the deepest part of my
heart and soul. Will you grant me the honor of becoming my husband?” Dakota
opened the box to reveal a pair of platinum bands with delicate rainbow chips
of jewels in the center.
“Dakota… Oh… Dakota…” Samuel couldn’t get the words on his
lips.
“Is that a yes?” Dakota asked, his voice shaky.
“Yes. Hell, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes!” Samuel threw himself
against Dakota’s frame. He let the roses drop as he wrapped his arms around
Dakota’s shoulders and covered his face with kisses. Planting his mouth on
Dakota’s lips, he felt them rock back until Dakota got control and kissed him
back.
Twisting them around, Dakota let Samuel lie back on the rose
petals. He slid one band on Samuel’s finger and let Samuel place the matching
band on his hand. He lifted Samuel’s hand and kissed the band and Samuel’s
knuckles.
“I love you. Happy belated Valentine’s Day, my love,” Dakota
whispered as he swooped in for another kiss.
Samuel knew this was by far his favorite Valentine’s Day.
Even if it occurred five days later.
