Page 23 of Valentine's in Bayberry

“Uh-huh. You keep telling yourself that. Maybe one of these years you’ll start to believe it. Or, you could just tell her how you feel.” Mark didn’t even wait for Jackson to respond before he continued into the building.

He’d almost told her how he felt, but the phone call had interrupted him. Maybe that was for the best. He felt as though he were being pulled in a lot of directions these days. He needed to focus on helping his mother and getting her moved to London so he could be there to help her.

Chapter Eight

She wrung her handstogether.

Carrie watched as Mayor Woodard walked around the shop, stopping here and there to examine the chocolates. The mayor took her time. Carrie didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.

The woman’s snow-white hair was short and stylish. Around her neck was a strand of pearls. She wore a red skirt suit with a white blouse and brown loafers with chunky soles.

Carrie’s opinion of the mayor was that she cared about appearances, but she’d make exceptions out of necessity, as was evidenced by her choice of shoes. The mayor was a fair woman and loved to help Bayberry’s residents.

The question remained of whether the mayor would find Totally Chocolate appealing. It wasn’t perfect. She’d had to cut some corners when it came to the furnishings. Still, she’d given everything a thorough makeover.

The decorations she’d picked up at yard sales and estate sales. Most of the funds she’d been able to save went toward the kitchen equipment and the display cases. The renovations hadcost more than had been quoted, so she had to make up the money somewhere in the budget.

Alice leaned over and whispered, “Does she like the place?”

“I don’t know.” Carrie honestly didn’t have a clue.

Mayor Woodard maintained a stoic expression. Carrie felt as though if the mayor didn’t approve of the shop that her listing on the Happy Hearts would be removed. Brittany would probably be more than happy to comply.

Carrie approached her. “Would you care to sample some of the chocolate?”

The mayor was quiet for a moment before she nodded. “Yes. I would like that.”

Alice rushed behind the counter before Carrie could move there. Alice presented the mayor with a cheerful smile. “What can I get for you?”

The knot in Carrie’s stomach tightened. She should be doing something other than standing there wordlessly, but her mind wasn’t cooperating. She told herself to calm down. She inhaled a deep breath, held it, and then released it. She could do this. She had to do this.

“It’s chilly out,” Carrie said. “Could I interest you in some hot cocoa?”

Mayor Woodard looked at her, and for the first time since walking into the shop, she smiled. “I would like that.” She turned to her assistant, a young man named Tyler Mathers. “Would you like some?”

Tyler nodded.

“I’ll be right back.” Carrie moved behind the counter.

She walked over to the gently-used espresso machine, which she’d purchased to provide her customers with both hot cocoa and mochas. She steamed the milk and added chocolate flakes until she created a creamy, steamy concoction.

When she had two mugs filled, she topped them off with whipped cream and sprinkled them with finely ground chocolate. She moved to the table where the mayor and her assistant had taken a seat. She placed the red mugs in front of them. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

Just then Alice approached the table with two small plates in her hands. She set them on the table next to their guests. Each plate had three chocolates on them.

The mayor smiled. “This all looks wonderful. Thank you.”

Both Carrie and Alice quietly backed away. When they once more stepped behind the counter, the front door opened. Carrie mentally kicked herself for not locking it.

When Jackson stepped inside, her heart beat faster. She dismissed it as nervousness. Nothing could go wrong with this visit from the mayor.

When his brown gaze met hers, she shook her head. Her attention moved to the mayor before returning to him.

Jackson’s eyes momentarily widened when he spotted the mayor. He nodded in understanding and then quietly backed out the door.

The mayor was particularly quiet as she sampled the chocolate and then sipped her hot cocoa. Maybe her quietness was due to the fact that her phone was on the table, and it appeared to be distracting her.

Carrie couldn’t just stand there in anticipation. She grabbed a cloth and cleaned the already clean display cases.

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