Page 75 of Valentine's in Bayberry

Today I have one more surprise for you. And then I hope you’ll meet me for dinner.

You can find your surprise at:124Flatlander Way

Love,

Your Secret Valentine

Chapter Twenty-Three

What is he upto?

Carrie immediately recognized the address. It was her grandmother’s house. She smiled. She couldn’t believe her grandmother was a part of this.

As soon as the thought came to her, she reversed it. Of course, her grandmother would be involved. Gran always wanted her to end up with Jackson. She was a big fan of his. Her grandmother always did have good taste.

Not wasting any time, she raced up the stairs. She grabbed a two-minute shower. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to wear. He didn’t say where they were having dinner. Knowing there really wasn’t any formal dining in Bayberry, she chose a nice pair of jeans and a pink sweater.

She blew out her hair before pulling it back in a messy bun. She put on some makeup, and then paused. She was missing something.

And then it came to her. She rushed downstairs to retrieve the beautiful diamond heart necklace her secret valentine had gifted her. Now that she knew it was from the man she loved,she proudly wore it. With one last glance in the mirror, she straightened the pendant. And then she rushed out the door.

When she reached her grandmother’s house, the porch light was on. Carrie rang the doorbell and then tried the door, finding it unlocked. Her grandmother had been waiting for her.

She stepped into the foyer and looked around. She didn’t see her grandmother. “Gran?”

“Back here,” her grandmother called from the kitchen. It was her grandmother’s favorite room in the house.

Carrie hurried to take off her boots and coat. Then she rushed down the hallway to the kitchen. She found her grandmother sitting at the kitchen table.

“Hello, Gran.” Carrie bent over and gave her a hug like she always did when she visited.

“I don’t see you nearly enough these days. You’re always rushing here and there. How are you?”

Carrie stifled her question about the surprise Jackson had left her. Instead, she took time to speak with her grandmother, who was always her biggest cheerleader, even when she’d told her family she didn’t want to go to college. Her parents had not been happy, but Gran had taken Carrie’s side in the heated discussion.

“I’m good.” Carrie sat down. “The grand opening was better than I ever could have hoped for.”

“I’m so happy to hear that.” Gran beamed at her. “I knew you would be a big success.”

Her grandmother’s words meant so much to her. “Thank you for all you did to help me.”

Gran shook her head. “Oh, dear, I didn’t do anything. You’re the one that did all of the hard work.”

“Gran, quit being so modest. Without you as my silent partner, I wouldn’t have a chocolate shop.”

“You don’t have to thank me. From the way I see it, I should be thanking you for letting me in on such a great investment.”

The weight of living up to her grandmother’s expectations and making sure she could repay her settled on her shoulders. “Gran, I don’t want to let you down.”

Her grandmother reached across the table and placed her hand over Carrie’s. “You could never let me down. You’ve made me proud since the day you were born.”

Tears pricked the backs of Carrie’s eyes. She blinked repeatedly. “I love you, Gran.”

“I love you, too, sweetie. But I don’t think you came over here on Valentine’s Day to hang out with your grandmother.”

“Why wouldn’t I? After all, you’re the one who gave me my love of chocolate.” And then she remembered that she grabbed a little something for her grandmother.

Carrie pulled a box of chocolates out of her purse. She placed them on the table and slid them across to her grandmother. “These are for you.”

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