Page 15 of Valentine's in Bayberry

Jackson lifted his head and looked toward the back door. It was there he found another old friend. “Mark, what are you doing here?”

Mark stepped farther into the room. “A little birdie told me you were back in town.” He looked around. “I just hadn’t heard that you’d changed professions.”

Jackson straightened. He dusted his hands off on his jeans. “I’m just getting the job started. I’ll be bringing in professionals to finish it.”

Mark walked around, taking in the demo work. “And what exactly is this place going to be when you’re done?”

Jackson shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m going to put it up for sale. It can be someone else’s problem.”

Mark nodded. “And you didn’t want to leave the demo work to whoever buys it?”

Jackson shook his head. “There were some people that had looked at it and were turned off by the poor condition. Not that I could blame them. Time and a leaky roof has done a number on the place.”

Mark continued to walk around, taking in the amount of work awaiting someone. “Seems like a big job for one person. Do you want some help?”

“Thanks.” He really appreciated the offer. “But I know you have work of your own to do.”

“And normally you’d be right, but I had a last-minute cancellation—a medical emergency—so I’m available for the next few weeks.”

“Really?” He studied his childhood friend, making sure this was for real. When Mark nodded, Jackson said, “If you’re sure you want to do this, I’m not going to fight you.”

Mark gave him a big smile. “Nobody ever claimed you were a fool. Then again, there was that thing about you not asking Carrie out on a real date.”

“I told you, we were friends—are friends—nothing more.” Though, there was always this part of him that wondered what it would be like if they were to take their relationship to the next level. “Besides, I’m sure she’s already seeing someone.”

Mark shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

The thought of asking Carrie out on a date was tempting, but after their last couple of run-ins, the chances of her saying yes were slim to none. It was probably for the best under the circumstances.

Needing to change the subject, Jackson said, “If you’re serious about taking the job, how much do you think it’ll cost?”

“Nothing.”

He shook his head. “I can’t have you working here for nothing. There’s a lot work to be done."

Mark hesitated. “I thought you were just doing a little bit of demo.”

“Look around.” Jackson waved his hands around at the damaged walls. “This place needs some serious work. It’s more work than just you and I can do.”

Mark nodded. “Okay. Tell me exactly what you have in mind.”

And so Jackson told him his ideas about replacing some of the floor that had rotted from the leaky roof. He wanted to put in all new wiring and definitely a breaker box that was separate from the chocolate shop. And then some can lights and new walls. Mark suggested new plumbing. It was a lot, but it would make this place a desirable location for a new business.

Mark pulled out his phone and made some notes. He couldn’t give him an exact amount until he ran some numbers, but he gave Jackson a ballpark range.

“I can do that,” Jackson said.

Mark nodded. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll contact my guys, and they’ll be here in the morning.”

“Really?” Jackson couldn’t believe he was this lucky because he really was in over his head with this project.

Mark stepped up next to him. “My crew will fix this place. Don’t worry.”

Jackson knew it was the right decision, but he was going to miss banging around this place. It had really helped him, but he did have other things he needed to do, like meet with Brittany Scott, whom he’d recently learned was his mother’s real estate agent.

In a couple of days, he would be able to visit his mother. Hopefully, by then she wouldn’t be so angry with him for interfering in her life when he was only trying to help her.

And then there was the thought of trying to right things with Carrie. Surely there must be a way to make it up to her for the trouble he’d caused her. He had to give it some more thought.

---