Page 62 of Make-Believe Match

“The more time we spent getting to know each other, the more we realized something was there,” I said, getting back on track. “Devlin flew back here, and the moment we saw each other, we knew.”

“We were meant to be,” Devlin said, looking at me with surprisingly good phony adoration. “Thiswas meant to be. We eloped three days ago.”

Gran didn’t say anything for a moment. She just stared at the two of us with a look of utter shock on her face. In fact, I was starting to worry that we hadn’t fooled her when all of a sudden, her hands fell away from her cheeks and she beamed. Her expression turned into one of self-satisfaction.

“I knew it,” she said.

“Huh?” I blinked.

“I knew it!” she cried, clasping her hands together. “I could see the chemistry between you instantly.”

“You could?” I was dumbfounded.

“Of course you could.” Devlin nudged my leg with his knee under the table.

“Good chemistry can play tricks on you,” Gran said. “It can make you think you don’t like a person at all because they just get right under your skin. But that’s just a defense mechanism, of course. What you’re really feeling is that intense sexual connection.”

“Gran!”

“Oh, come on, Lexi. I’m eighty-five years old. I’ve been around the block. That’s why I gave you her number,” Gran said to Devlin with a smug little smile. “I was hoping something might come of it. But I never dreamed...” Her eyes grew misty, and she pulled a white, lace-trimmed handkerchief from her purse. “Oh. This is so wonderful. I’m so happy.”

“Thank you, Gran.”

“Of course, I wish I could have been there to see it. I always hoped you’d wear my veil,” she said, dabbing at her eyes. “Remember how you used to try it on when you were a girl?”

“Yes,” I said, guilt stabbing me in the gut. “I wish you could have been there too. And I wish I could have worn your veil.” I caught myself right before I said,Next time.

“Oh well. It’s not that important.” Gran sighed and tucked her handkerchief away again. “What matters is that you two found each other.”

“And we want to work together,” I said, “to save Snowberry. To restore it.”

Gran touched her chest. “Do you think you can?”

“Yes.” Devlin took his arm from my shoulders and leaned forward. “I’m in the process of securing investors now. We’ll have to close for a season, but when we reopen, it will betheplace to visit.”

“Really?” Amazement on her face, Gran looked back and forth between us.

“Really.” I smiled, and without even realizing what I was doing, I put my hand on Devlin’s thigh beneath the table. “All we need is your blessing.”

“Well, of course you have my blessing.”

“In order to get the funding, we’ll also need you to give Lexi power of attorney,” said Devlin. “The sooner the better. The next step will be a deed that transfers ownership of the property to her.”

“You mean to both of you.” Gran smiled.

“Sure. To both of us.”

“I’ll speak to my lawyer right away,” said Gran. Her eyes grew shiny again. “Your grandfather would be so happy, Lexi. Your parents too.”

Devlin took my hand in his.

I felt the squeeze around my heart.

* * *

“I still can’t believe how easy that was,” I said as we drove east toward the highway that would take us to Cherry Tree Harbor. “Gran didn’t even question it!”

“Did you really think she would?”