“But you knew we’d think they were from him. Why on earth would Andi write us anything?”
“It wasn’t intended to be malicious, darling, we just wanted to start the train to get it to the station.”
“What are you talking about grandma? You made me think everyone in Coconut Beach was going to be talking about my years pining away for Rex.”
“But you weren’t pining away for him, Mia.”
“Yes, but no-one knows that.”
“I knew that and of course, Bitsy knew that as well.”
“Grandma, I can’t believe you did this to us. Do you know what you did?”
“Bring you both together?” She responds smartly.
“Grandma.” Mia’s voice is weak and she just shakes her head as she gazes at me.
“You and Luke were made for each other. We have known it since you were young, and you’ve just been spending too much time apart, and it felt like it was never going to happen. You are both too stubborn and so scared of being honest with each other about your true feelings. So, we thought this was the perfect opportunity.”
“For you to scheme?” Mia interjects and the two ladies just laugh.
“We thought this was the perfect opportunity for you both to spend quality time together and and get closer.” Bitsy adds. “We had a feeling the notes would make you both act rashly and decide to go together. Though, we never would have predicted you’d lie and pretend to have been dating for a year. That was even better than we’d hoped. What a fabulous idea.”
“Grandma—” I say. I can’t help laughing.
“So, you guys wrote the rude notes on the invitations?” Mia says, demanding more information. “Every single word? None of it was from Rex? I just want to make sure I’m understanding this fully.”
“Yes, darling. I’m sorry. We didn’t really mean them. We just wanted you both to be so infuriated that you would take some sort of action—and we hoped that action would lead you two to being together.” Her grandma’s voice is sweet. “We hope you both understand.”
“That’s all we wanted because we knew that you were made for each other, and we just needed you both to realize that,” my grandma adds. “We knew if we tried to play matchmaker you’d both run from the idea, but we figured if you guys played matchmaker together, it would lead to something.”
“Dang. We were set up,” Mia says, shaking her head as she laughs. “So, what is at the end of the treasure hunt, Grandma, if it’s not real gold? And please do not tell me it’s candy. If the gold is chocolate coins, I’m going to be mad cos you know they’ll likely have melted by now.”
“It’s something far greater than that,” Lucille says softly.
“The gold we have for you is the most valuable thing in the world,” my grandma adds. “Gold everyone wishes they had.”
“What’s that?” Mia asks and looks at me. “Are there million dollar bills?” She asks and I just laugh as she wrinkles her nose.
“Please do tell us what awaits us.” I add.
“True love,” Lucille answers in a breathy sigh. “True love is rarer than any precious metal or jewel. It is the one thing money can’t buy.”
“You found each other, haven’t you?” my grandma asks and there’s hope in her voice. “You realize now that the special connection you both have is more than just friendship now, right? It’s destiny.”
Mia and I stare at each other, and I squeeze her hand before reaching up and touching the side of her face. My heart flows with love for her. It should feel weird feeling this strongly about her, but it doesn’t. It just feels right.
Oh, so right.
“We have realized we were made for each other and I think I speak for both of us when I say we are desperately in love. Mia is my greatest treasure and you’re right, she is more precious than anything else on this earth.” I kiss the top of her head, then the tip of her cute little nose, and then her soft trembling lips. “I love you, Mia.”
“I love you too, Luke.” She lets out a dreamy little breath. “Oh, Grandma,” Mia’s voice softens. “Thank you.”
“You can thank me when you get married and give me plenty of great-grandbabies.”
“Grandma!” Mia says, laughing.
“What? A woman can wish, can’t she?” Her grandma starts laughing and I lean over and whisper into Mia’s ear. “Do you think your grandma would still be laughing if I told her I very much wanted to impregnate you.” I tug on her earlobe. “The thought of making you pregnant fills me with joy. We can even practice right now.”
