Page 42 of Valentine's in Bayberry

A smile pulled at the corners of his lips. “I thought you’d like it. What do you want to drink?”

She shook her head. “Nothing right now. I just had a coffee.”

This is the point where he expected her to say something like thank you, or it was thoughtful. And yet she washed her hands and then sat down at the kitchen table. She was being unusually reserved. It wasn’t like her.

“You’re awfully quiet today.”

“Sorry. I guess my mind is elsewhere.”

“Anything you want to talk about?”

She took a bite of sandwich and swallowed. “I got a valentine today.”

The way she stated it was strange. It was almost like she didn’t know who it was from. Of course, he didn’t sign his name. He just thought she’d automatically know it was from him. Perhaps that was a strategic mistake.

He swallowed hard. “It is that time of the year.”

She nodded. “It was very sweet of someone.”

“Someone?”Oh no.“You don’t know who it’s from?”

She shook her head. “They didn’t sign it.” She turned her head and looked directly at him. He felt certain she’d just figured it out, but then she said, “For a moment, I thought it was from you, but then I realized you wouldn’t do that after we talked about just being friends. So, I’ve been thinking about who else it might be from.”

Ouch.He didn’t like being so quickly dismissed. “Are there that many possibilities?”

She shrugged. “Bayberry has grown a lot since you lived here. Now that the candle factory is taking off, they are hiring people all of the time. So, there are a lot of new faces in town.”

“I see. So, have you narrowed down the list of candidates? Maybe it’s one of your friends?” He couldn’t believe she’d so quickly dismissed him.

His mind raced with what to do now. Should he confess? It was obvious the gesture wasn’t nearly big enough to convince her that they belonged together. So, where did that leave him?

“Jackson?” Carrie waved her hand in front of his face. “Hello. Did you hear anything I just said?”

He blinked and focused on her. “Sorry. I have a lot on my mind.”

“I was telling you that my friends definitely aren’t behind the valentine.”

He took a bite of sandwich to give him a chance to gather his thoughts. After he swallowed, he said, “How can you be sure?”

“Because in addition to the card, there was a latte and a red rose.” A little smile pulled at her pink lips.

“Ah... I see. And from the looks of it, you liked the rose.”

Her smile broadened as she shrugged. “It was a nice touch, but now I don’t know who to thank. Why wouldn’t they sign their name?”

“I don’t know.” His mind raced for an appropriate response.

“And get this… Whoever it is convinced Abby not to reveal his identity?”

“Obviously, he must be a good guy.”

“Why? Do you know who it is?” Her gaze narrowed in on him.

“Calm down. All I’m saying is that he must have your friend’s stamp of approval if she’s keeping his identity a secret.”

“I guess. I can’t believe she won’t tell me. And why the secret?”

And then a thought came to him. “Maybe he isn’t finished.”

---