Epilogue
Valentine’s Day, one year later
S omething 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.”
“I can’t believe you did this. A surprise wedding? Really?” She shook her head. “Of course, I am totally onboard. The sooner we marry, the sooner we can start our future together.”
He smiled. “I was hoping you’d feel that way.”
“Now, you need to go,” Carrie said. “If my grandmother sees you with me, she might chase you off with a broom.”
He let out a laugh. “I don’t think so.”
“I do. She’s a bit old-fashioned, and you’re not supposed to see the bride before the wedding.”
“Okay. I will see you soon. We have a date at the church.”
“We do.”
And then he was off as snow flurries fluttered, flipped, and drifted toward the ground. It was a good thing she’d picked out a gown with long sleeves.
He was the luckiest man in the world.
Not everyone got to marry the girl next door.
And only a few got to spend the rest of their life with their best friend.
Jackson couldn’t stop smiling as he stood at the end of the aisle. When Carrie walked down the aisle, it took his breath away. She was practically glowing with happiness and love.
Even though the crowded church was decorated with red roses and baby’s breath like the ones in his bride’s bridal bouquet, his attention was drawn to the breathtakingly beautiful woman walking down the aisle toward him. He felt like the luckiest man in the world. She wore a white satin gown with a lace bodice and long sleeves. It fit her perfectly and he knew as long as he lived that he would never forget this moment.
They stared into each other’s eyes as she was escorted down the aisle by her father. His heart raced but it wasn’t from nervousness but rather from excitement. Today he was marrying his best friend and he couldn’t wait to start their lifelong adventure.
When Carrie stepped in front of him and placed her hands within his, his fingers tightened around hers. He had never been more confident that this love—this union—was meant to be. And when the pastor asked if they agreed to take the other in both good and bad, the I do’s were offered without hesitation. He had never been more certain about anything in his life.
However, it was the part about kissing the bride where there was a long pause as he took his bride in his arms. He pressed his lips to hers. It was slow as he strove to impress this very special moment in his mind. And then he dipped her back. There were whistles and applause of their loved ones.
When they exited the church, Jackson leaned over to his wife and whispered, “I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy.”
“I know.” She turned her head and claimed his lips with her own. “And this is only the beginning.”
In a flurry of motion, they ended up at Wrights’ Eatery, which was now decked out with a blend of wedding and valentine decorations. He’d tried to make it festive without going too far overboard. There were red roses on each table. There were red and white streamers crisscrossing the ceiling. And flameless candles were set up throughout the room.
He leaned over and asked softly, “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” She turned to him. “I can’t believe you were able to pull all of this off without me knowing.”
“It wasn’t easy.” That was an understatement. “But I had a lot of help.”
Carrie arched a brow. “It looks like I’m going to have to keep an eye on you. Who knows what you’re likely to surprise me with next.”
He smiled. “Only good things. I swear.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” He kissed her. It didn’t last long as people approached them to congratulate them.
Eventually, they got separated. He wasn’t quite sure how that had happened, but he didn’t plan to be far from his bride that day. And then he spotted her speaking to her parents. Jackson was about to go join her when he got waylaid.
“Congratulations, Jackson.” Mr. Plummer, Sadie’s father and the owner of the Bayberry Gazette, shook his hand. “I know now isn’t the right time, but I’d like to get together to interview you for a write-up about the history of Wrights’ Eatery. Do you think that’s something you’d be interested in?”
Jackson loved the idea. “That would be great. Just let me know what you need for the article. We can get together after the honeymoon.”
Mr. Plummer smiled. “Definitely. How about you give me a call when you get back to town, and we’ll work out the arrangements?”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll let you get back to your bride.” Mr. Plummer strolled toward the dessert buffet.
Jackson turned around, searching the crowd of friends and family. And then he spotted his bride talking to Abby, Sadie, and Kate. He wondered what they were discussing with such intent looks on their faces. Then again, maybe he didn’t want to know.
At that moment, Carrie looked up, and their gazes connected. When she smiled at him, his heart beat faster. He was drawn to her as if by magnetic force. He had just reached her side when he heard a dish shatter followed by a loud thump.
Heads turned. An uneasy silence fell over the room.
“Dad!” Sadie ran across the room.
Mr. Plummer, whom Jackson had just been speaking to, was lying on the floor. Jackson’s body tensed. His initial reaction was to rush to the man’s side, but a number of guests were already rushing to his side. Instead, Jackson reached for his phone and dialed 9-1-1.
Join Carrie and Jackson as they begin their married life with all of its changes and perhaps some surprises!