Page 19 of Valentine On Palmar Island

"Looking forward to having you on site." He reached for her hand, twining their fingers together. "Though you're a terrible distraction."

"Me?" She affected an innocent look. "I'm completely professional."

"Sure you are." He tugged her closer, until she slid off the workbench and into his lap. "Very professional."

Charlotte's laugh filled the workshop as he pressed kisses along her jaw. "What happened to breakfast?"

"It can wait." But Milo chose that moment to drop his new favorite toy, an old piece of rope, at their feet, making them both chuckle.

"Someone's feeling neglected," Charlotte said, reaching down to toss the rope across the workshop. Milo bounded after it, tail wagging.

Grant watched them, warmth spreading through his chest. Just weeks ago, this workshop had been his private space, filled with tools and projects but empty of the kind of life Charlotte and Milo brought to it. Now it felt different. Everything was fuller, warmer, and felt more like the home he'd always wanted it to be.

"I have something for you," he said, reaching behind him for the carved frame.

Charlotte's breath caught as she traced the detailed carvings. "Grant, this is beautiful."

"Thought that photo deserved a proper home." He watched her face as she studied his work. "Like its subject."

She set the frame carefully aside before kissing him properly, her fingers threading through his hair. When she pulled back, her eyes were bright. "I love you."

It wasn't the first time she'd said it, but the words still made his heart race. "Love you too."

They finished their breakfast as the sun climbed higher, trading stories and plans for the day ahead. Charlotte had a meeting with the historical society, and Grant needed to finish the Thompson house fixtures. But they'd meet for lunch at Mary's, as they had almost every day since Valentine's.

Some might call it routine, Grant thought, watching Charlotte gather her things for work. But to him, it felt like the opposite. It felt like every day brought something new to discover, some new way to fall in love with her.

"Don't forget dinner at Miss Doris's tonight," Charlotte called as she headed for her car, Milo trotting at her heels. "She's teaching me her secret cornbread recipe."

Grant smiled, already looking forward to it.

The late afternoon sun painted long shadows across Palmar Island's beach as Grant and Charlotte walked along the shoreline. Milo trotted ahead, occasionally darting back to check on them before racing off again to investigate interesting smells.

"We could take that trip to Charleston in April," Charlotte was saying, her hand warm in his. "The historical society wants photos of some restoration projects there, and you mentioned wanting to see their preservation techniques."

"Mixing business with pleasure?" Grant pulled her closer as a cool breeze swept in from the water.

"Always." She bumped his shoulder with hers. "Besides, you're the one who kept pointing out architectural details during our last date night."

"Speaking of details..." Grant stopped walking, turning her gently toward the water. "Look at how the light's hitting those waves. Reminds me of that shot you took at Miller's Cove."

Charlotte's laugh was soft and warm. "Now who's the artist?"

"Must be your influence." He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her head as they watched the sunset paint the water in shades of gold and pink. "You've changed how I see everything."

Later, back at his house, they settled on the couch with mugs of hot chocolate. The fire crackled in the hearth, and Milo had claimed his favorite spot on the rug nearby.

"I have something for you," Charlotte said, reaching for her bag. She pulled out a leather-bound book, clearly handmade. “Let’s call it a late Valentine’s gift.”

Grant opened it carefully. The first page held a photograph of the Carroway Building, the place where they'd met. Below it, Charlotte had written, "Where our story began."

"You kept track of everything," he said softly, turning pages. There were photos of their lighthouse adventure, pressed flowers from Indigo Bluff, even a napkin from Novel Sips with a coffee stain in the shape of a heart.

"Miss Doris helped," Charlotte admitted. "She had some snapshots I didn't even know existed."

Grant paused at a candid shot of himself working in his workshop, completely focused on a piece of wood he was carving. "When did you take this?"

"The day you started my Valentine's gift. Not that I knew that’s what you were doing." She touched the image gently. "You were so absorbed in your work, you didn't even notice me."

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