Page 32 of Valentine's in Bayberry

“Hey, Jackson,” Mark said. “We’re making quick progress. Have you decided what you want to do with the walls?”

Jackson rubbed the back of his neck as he continued to look around. He honestly didn’t know what to do with the place. “When do you have to know?”

“How about yesterday? We need to order supplies once we know how you want to finish the place.”

Jackson knew the smart thing would be to sell this place as-is, along with his mother’s house. His mother could move to London with him. She wouldn’t have to worry about anything, but she wasn’t warming to the idea. And he couldn’t leave her there alone, not again.

Jackson took a drink of coffee that was now only lukewarm. “Give me until tomorrow. All right?”

Mark nodded. “Sure. So, how are things with you and Carrie going?”

“Not so good.” Needing some advice because he felt as though he didn’t know what to do where she was concerned, Jackson mentioned the kiss and her rebuff. “So, I think maybe I should listen to her.”

“And what? Just be friends?” When Jackson nodded, Mark asked, “Did she kiss you back?”

Jackson immediately nodded.

Mark smiled. “Definitely don’t give up. Maybe you just need to do a grand gesture to show her how much she means to you.”

“I don’t know.” She’d rejected him twice.Twice.He wasn’t sure he was up to a third rejection.

Mark shrugged. “It’s up to you. Besides, she won’t be alone long. Rumor has it that Archie Crosby—”

“Who?”

“Archie Crosby. We went to school with him. He was always dressed up and had a pen tucked behind his ear. Anyway, the guy now works for a delivery service, and he’s interested in her.”

“Archie, huh?” He remembered the guy from school. Archie was more interested in himself than anyone around him. He highly doubted the man had changed much. “There’s no way she’s interested in him.”

Mark shrugged. “Don’t know. But she’s not going to stay single forever.”

Mark didn’t wait for his response before walking away. Jackson was left to ponder the situation on his own. He hated that his friend was right. He was running out of chances with Carrie.

Maybe what he had to do was get her to see their relationship—to see him—in a different light. It shouldn’t be so hard. After all, Valentine’s Day was right around the corner. What better time to sweep Carrie off her feet?

But first, he had to do a little bit of damage repair. He looked down at his now-cold coffee. After disposing of it, he headed out to get another one. As he walked back to the Steaming Brew, a plan began to take shape.

Chapter Eleven

She was worried.

Carrie had been distracted all morning as she replayed the events of the prior evening in her mind. Had she made the right decision to hold Jackson at arm’s length?

The younger version of herself would have jumped on the opportunity to be held in Jackson’s strong arms and to feel his lips pressed to hers. But her more mature self knew what it was like to have a long-term relationship end. She knew what it was like to have her heart broken. That reminder strengthened her resolve. They’d been friends too long to mess it all up now.

As though her thoughts of him conjured him up, Jackson appeared at the back door. “What are you doing here?” The spontaneous words passed by her lips before she could filter them. Immediately regretting them, she said, “I’m sorry. I’m just surprised to see you. I thought you’d be busy next door.”

“I had some business to deal with first.” He held out a latte. “This is for you.”

His thoughtful gesture brought a smile to her face. “Thank you. That was kind of you.” Then she stepped back and allowed him inside the kitchen. “Come in out of the cold.”

As he passed by her, he handed her the coffee. When she took a sip, she was once again surprised. “You remembered my favorite coffee order.”

He turned to her and smiled. “Why does that surprise you?”

She shrugged as she led the way into the heart of the kitchen, where she’d been creating chocolate-dipped pretzel sticks. “It’s just been a long time since we had coffee together.”

“Perhaps too long. We’ll have to work on it.”

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