Page 82 of Valentine's in Bayberry

“What’s that?”

“How are you going to top this Valentine’s Day next year?”

Epilogue

Valentine’s Day, one year later

Something was going on.

She just couldn’t put her finger on what it was.

Still in bed, Carrie thought about how much her life had changed in the past year. She would never forget last Valentine’s Day. It had been very special.

Although, she suspected Jackson was up to something this Valentine’s Day. This past week there were all of these secret phone calls and messages on his phone at all hours of the day and night. When she’d ask him what he was up to, he had insisted it was just business for Wrights’ Eatery. He’d opened the restaurant this past June, and it had been a huge hit. And best of all, he seemed truly at peace with his decision to change his career trajectory.

And then she’d received a phone call from the bridal boutique. They said her wedding dress was in early and that they wanted her to come in for a fitting. Their wedding wouldn’t take place for a few more months. When she asked if it was too early, they assured her it would be fine. And if she should need any other minor adjustments before the big day, it would be free of charge.

Knock. Knock.

When Carrie reached the door of her apartment, there was no one there. However, when she glanced down, she found a pink envelope with a big red heart sticker on it. A smile had pulled at her lips. It was a reminder of the prior Valentine’s—a Valentine’s that had changed her life.

When she opened the envelope, there was a handmade valentine made of purple construction paper. It was so sweet that he’d gone to so much bother that it brought happy tears to her eyes.

Inside it read:

Because you are the love of my life, I have planned a very special valentine’s day for you. Your first stop is Up In Curls beauty salon. Don’t ask any questions! You don’t have time. Get moving!

Your Not So Secret Valentine

She had no idea what had gotten into Jackson, but she was game. She rushed to get showered and dressed. Then she was out the door. She wasn’t sure about this. What was she even supposed to say when she got to Up In Curls?

But she quickly found that there was nothing to worry about. They had been expecting her. They presented her with another valentine’s card and a long-stemmed red rose, just like last year.

She opened the card and it read:

I have the most special of surprises for you today. Do you trust me?

She nodded her head in response until she realized he wasn’t there to see her. And then she kept reading.

Today is going to be the most special day of our lives. I’ve planned a surprise wedding for you—for us. Surprise!

Carrie gasped. She couldn’t believe Jackson had gone to this much trouble.Wow!And now some things she wondered about made sense, like the rushed gown fitting and nailing down the details of their big day.

You don’t have to worry about a thing. Well, unless you changed your mind about marrying me. Please say that isn’t so. You are my sun and moon. I love you so much. Now, let yourself be pampered and later I’ll meet you at the end of the aisle.

I love you,

Your Not So Secret Valentine

Just then Kate, Abby, and Sadie walked into the salon. When Carrie asked them if they were once more a part of Jackson’s plan, they grinned and nodded. Then she was ushered into a chair and the pampering began.

From there, she and her three friends went to her grandmother’s house to finish preparing for the wedding. Her friends were in the kitchen with her grandmother when Carrie realized she’d left her phone in her purse, which was with her coat in the foyer.

She’d just located her phone when there was a knock at the door. She opened it to find Jackson standing there. He was freshly shaven, and his hair had been trimmed. He looked really handsome, but instead of smiling, he looked worried.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. “Is something wrong with the wedding plans?”

“All of the plans are fine. I had to see you. I had to be certain you were onboard with the wedding today.”

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