Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Valentine’s Day
It was not one of her favorite holidays.
Abby didn’t hate Valentine’s Day. That was definitely too strong of a word. But she didn’t particularly love it either.
Maybe it had something to do with her last boyfriend forgetting about the day altogether. I mean, who forgets Valentine’s Day when they’ve dated someone for over two years?
But she wasn’t going to waste her time dwelling on the past. Instead, she would focus on the day’s brisk and steady business.
She noticed people who normally ordered one coffee were instead ordering two coffees.
It appeared a great number of Bayberry’s population were getting coffee for Valentine’s Day.
Abby certainly wouldn’t complain about their choice in Valentine’s treats. It would help pay for the expensive espresso machine that she would be making payments on for a long time.
Abby turned from filling two large caramel lattes when she spotted Carrie walking in.
A smile lifted her lips, and she nodded, since her hands weren’t free to wave.
It was always nice to see a good friend.
Although she was a little surprised to see Carrie that morning, since next to Christmas and Easter, this was Carrie’s biggest day of the year.
She wondered what reason had dragged her away from her candy making.
Carrie got in line. Even though there were three of them working the line that morning, they still couldn’t keep up. Abby was filling orders with Mia while Jimmy was working the checkout.
When Carrie reached the counter, she said, “Can I get a caramel latte?”
“I’ll get it.” Mia walked away.
Abby arched a brow as she looked at Carrie. “What are you doing here?”
“I told you. I want a latte.” Her words were a little rushed as she glanced everywhere but at Abby.
Her friend was up to something. “So, how’s business at Totally Chocolate?”
“It’s really busy. I think it’s our busiest month since we opened. If this keeps up, I might be able to hire some additional help.”
“That’s great. I plan to stop by later today and get some of your turtles.” They were her favorite.
Mia placed the latte on the counter and walked away.
It was only then that Abby realized Carrie had her hands behind her back. She didn’t reach for the coffee. That was strange. What was she up to?
“Maybe you won’t have to stop by today.” Carrie produced a red rectangular box with a big white bow. She held it out to her. “This is for you.”
Abby sent her a puzzled look. “You brought me chocolates?”
Carrie shook her head. “I’m just the delivery person. The chocolates aren’t from me. There’s a note.”
Abby looked down at the giant white bow and saw the corner of a little envelope sticking out.
Before she could reach for it, she was distracted when Carrie held out some cash.
Abby shook her head. “It’s on the house. Consider it a tip for you so kindly bringing me chocolates. Wait.” She glanced at the box before looking up at her friend. “There are chocolates inside? Right?”
Carrie smiled and nodded.
“Any turtles?”
Carrie sent her an innocent look as she shrugged her shoulders. “You’ll have to find out. Happy Valentines.”
After Carrie left, Mia walked over. “Who’s the chocolate from?”
“I don’t know.” It was true. She hadn’t looked at the card yet. But she definitely had a suspicion.
“I think everyone knows who it’s from.” Mia grinned at her.
She wasn’t comfortable having her private life become such public knowledge.
When her gaze moved to the seating area that was about a third full, she saw Esther and Marla staring directly at her.
They didn’t even make the slightest attempt to act like they were minding their own business.
Sometimes, it would be nice to live someplace where everyone didn’t know her business.
She thought of taking the box back to her office and opening the little card there, but she was too anxious.
And it wasn’t like there was anything to hide.
Even if the chocolates were from Brad, it wasn’t like there was anything going on between them.
Then the memory of that kiss flashed in her mind.
But that was a long time ago, and nothing like that had happened since.
She pulled the small white envelope from the box and opened the flap. She pulled out the card with two little candy hearts printed on the lower right corner.
The handwriting was familiar. It was Carrie’s.
Happy Cupid’s Day!
Enjoy, B
Bas in Brad. She was touched that he’d thought of her and sent her candy. She was a little disappointed that there wasn’t more to his message. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she gave herself a mental shake. Why should there be more than a friendly note? It was very thoughtful of him.
She raised her head and saw the two gossips still staring at her. She smiled at them before she opened the box of chocolates. Inside were chocolate turtles. Her mouth watered. Her favorite.
She put the lid back on the box. She would definitely enjoy them later. She’d put them in her office for safe keeping.
Before she took more than two steps, the front door opened. She glanced over her shoulder to find it was a delivery person.
Abby turned around. The blonde with a perky ponytail sent her a friendly smile. “I’ve got a delivery for Abby Clark.”
“That’s me.” Abby stepped forward.
The delivery person placed a big cardboard box on the counter. Abby wasn’t expecting anything. So, after she signed for the package, she checked the address. It had the name of some card shop in Chicago.
Abby couldn’t help but smile. What had Brad done this time?
Not in the mood for an audience, she carried both boxes to her office. Mia raised her brows at the sight of the big box, but she didn’t say a word.
Abby told herself she shouldn’t be as excited as she was, but this was totally unexpected. What had gotten into Brad?
Once the office door was closed, she placed both boxes on her desk. The cardboard box was large, but it was surprisingly light—so light that she wasn’t even sure there was something inside of it.
Grabbing a pair of scissors from her desk drawer, she sliced through the packing tape. She pulled back the flaps. Three balloons popped out.
A big smile pulled at her lips. The pink, red and white balloons were tethered to something. She peered inside. She blinked, not sure what she was seeing.
She reached inside and withdrew the tether. It was a pink, purple, and red dinosaur. She let out a laugh. The body was red with purple horns on the top of its head and another horn on its nose. And it had pink and purple heart-shaped spots.
She immediately knew where he’d gotten the idea. She recalled the dinosaur they’d seen in a shop window when she’d given him a tour of the town. At the time, she’d told him that the dino was “kinda cute.”
So, what was she to make of his gifts? She wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like he’d said anything romantic. Was this some sort of friend’s gift?
There was a part of her that wanted there to be more feeling behind the gifts. Was that wrong? She wasn’t sure. She was certainly confused.
She put the dinosaur on her desk and sat down. She pulled out her phone and started to type.
Thank you!
A couple of minutes passed with no response. He must be busy. She wasn’t sure what to do with the balloons and dinosaur. In the end, she decided to put them back in the box and take them home.
Chime.
For what?
For a moment, her heart leaped into her throat. Had she made a mistake? Was there another B that she should be thanking?
Then her gaze moved to the box that was sitting next to the door. She went through everything she knew, from the little card on the box of chocolates to the return address being in Chicago on the box of balloons and dinosaur. Everything is most definitely from Brad.
Chime.
Brad: Are you still there?
Abby: Stop messing with my mind. I know the gifts are from you.
Brad: Busted. Hope you like them.
Abby: A Valentine’s dinosaur? I wonder where you got that idea.
Brad: I think it’s a new holiday trend.
She laughed. She loved how he could make her laugh. He was fun. She just wished he wasn’t so far away. A pang of longing came over her.
Abby: Do you think they’ll have dinosaurs with bunny ears for Easter?
Brad: Is that a challenge?
Abby: What? No. Of course not.
Brad: I don’t know. It sure sounded like a challenge to me.
Abby: Brad, no!
Brad: Gotta go. I’m late for a meeting. Enjoy the chocolate!
And then he was gone once more.
In that moment, she missed him. Missed his smile. Missed his warm laugh. Missed the way his blue eyes would light up when he was telling her a story.
She assured herself it didn’t mean she was falling for him. But it was all right to miss a friend. She never thought she would say that, but they were definitely friends. After all, no one but a good friend would get her a dinosaur for Valentine’s Day.