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Defeated, I trudged down the stairs, debating what to do next. Out of total desperation, I called Ryder.
“Hey Ryder, it’s Delaney. I’m looking for your brother. Do you know where he is?”
“Hey, Delaney. He’s not with you?” Ryder’s voice ticked up with the question.
“No. Haven’t seen him since last night when he stormed off without hearing me out.”
“Oh. That doesn’t sound like it went as planned.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, confusion scrambling my brain. I definitely needed more coffee.
“Don’t tell him I told you, but he said he was going to talk to you and work things out.”
“Really? Because that is definitelynotwhat went down. He saw me at the bakery with Holden and lost his shit. He basically said we’re over.” My voice wavered on these words and I bit down hard on my lip, willing myself not to cry to Ryder.
“Huh. Well, I take it you called him and checked his apartment?”
“Yes.”
“Is his truck there?”
Oh, duh. I forgot he had a truck. “Hang on, let me check.” I quickly scanned the lot for Quinn’s truck. “No, I don’t see it.”
“If his truck’s not there, I’ll bet he went up to his cabin.”
“Quinn has a cabin?”
“Yeah, a real nice one, up in the mountains. He renovated it himself. He goes there to be alone. I’ll see if I can find out where he is; if he’s there, I’ll text you the address. My brother is a stubborn old mule. You’re gonna have to go talk some sense into him.”
I laughed at that. “Thanks, Ryder.”
“You bet. Give me five minutes.”
“Great.”
“And Delaney?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t let him fool you—he’s a big softie, he just plays Mr. Tough Guy to get girls.”
I giggled. “Thanks, Ryder. I appreciate it.”
True to his word, five minutes later I had a confirmation text from Ryder with the address of Quinn’s cabin. I hoped Mars already made his morning deliveries because I needed the van for Mission Tough Cookie. My bakery domination plans would just have to wait. Quinn and I had some making up to do.
* * *
Aharrowing hour later, I was at the top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere with cramped hands from gripping the steering wheel so tightly; turns out, I was a sea-level kind of girl, but at least I’d made it.
I pulled the emergency brake on the van—I definitely couldn’t afford for it to slide down the mountain—and jumped out, slamming the door behind me. Quinn’s cabin was nice, really nice. All wood, with a big wraparound porch and a swing, which would be great in the summer. This would be an awesome place to bring the kids.Slow down, Delaney. Right now he’s not even speaking to you, let alone procreating. One step at a time.
I took a deep breath and climbed the steps to the cabin, my stomach churning with nerves. I gave the door a solid one-two-three rap and waited, my heart beating triple-time. A few minutes later, Quinn appeared looking rumpled, dark shadows under his eyes and at least a day’s worth of facial hair. Eyebrows raised, he didn’t say anything, just stood there staring at me.
I shuffled from foot to foot, rubbing my hands up and down my arms for warmth. It was damn cold up on this mountain. “Um, mind if I come in?”
Wordlessly, he opened the door and stepped aside so I could enter.
“I like your place,” I said, glancing around at all the knotty pine and leather. “It’s nice. Very you.”
