Page 54 of What Love Can Do

He distinctly remembered leaving it on the nightstand in his room. She must have recovered it for him then sat outside here reading it. And why not? It made for a fascinating story and he’d already told her he didn’t mind if she read it. He scooped it up and thumbed through the pages, internalizing his mam’s handwriting, noticing that someone had marked the pages—the gazebo at the park, the bleachers at the football stadium, the flower shop…all places she had spent time with Dad.

Lilly had marked them, of course.

She was just as fascinated with this voice from the past as Quinn was. After having lived here her whole life, he wondered how she’d felt seeing it through his mam’s eyes. If doing so had renewed her appreciation for life by the Russian River where the land was fertile and the nights were magical. He wondered if once she learned that Quinn was going to settle here, if it would tempt her to return after her internship in Miami was over. Because he was no longer worried that telling her of his plans might unfairly sway her decisions.

He was doing what he wanted to make his own dreams come true. Part of that dream was that Lilly would be a big part of his life, but he couldn’t control that. All he could do was apologize for what happened, tell her he loved her and would always support her, and then the rest was up to her.

Twenty-Two

Ever since she could drive, Lilly had loved taking day trips to San Francisco to dream. She’d enjoyed checking out the competition by ordering treats from different trendy bakeries, jotting down ideas, then brainstorming what her own shop would one day look like and what she would serve within it.

Only difference was, this time, she wasn’t dreaming about opening her first bakery in some big city thousands of miles from Green Valley, or even in San Francisco itself, but a bakery in Green Valley.

After much soul searching the day before, she’d decided it’s what made most sense. A natural interim step to opening a second bakery in a bigger city, and something she’d never let herself consider before because she’d been feeling powerless and trapped, something she no longer did thanks to the fact she’d finally learned to voice her own needs.

Whether she and Quinn reconciled or not, she’d needed to decide what she really wanted to do after Miami. It was only then they’d have a chance of reconciling her dreams with his.

Once her internship in Miami finished, she would have $20,000 of Food Network prize money under her belt, which she could apply toward a new shop. She’d also have the invaluable experience of working with Guy Santoli, not to mention the ten years she’d spent baking for her mother’s bed-and-breakfast. Her mother’s…that was the first time she’d thought of Russian River House as her mom’s and not hers too. She was ready for prime time, and there was no better feeling. She’d start in Green Valley. When she was ready to expand, she’d consider opening another bakery here, in San Fran. From there? Well, the world was her oyster. Or more appropriately, her muffin.

To solidify her plan in her mind, she’d decided to take this morning in the city for herself before she headed back to Green Valley to track down Quinn. And track him down she would. One way or another, she’d make him talk to her, and the beauty of the day merely added to her renewed sense of hope.

The sun was gleaming, the sky was blue, and it was a perfect day for driving with the windows down. The only thing that could’ve made this day any more red-letter would’ve been if Quinn was here, but they could plan a visit soon. Assuming they made up by the time his brothers arrived, Lilly could play tour guide to all of them. They could have breakfast near Ghirardelli Square then set off to find some great spots in town—not too trendy and expensive, but not too out in the boondocks either.

Inspired, Lilly headed to Ghirardelli Square and ordered a café latte with a few chocolate-covered strawberries—two milk chocolate with white chocolate stripes and two white chocolate with milk chocolate stripes. Ben used to hate when she’d start the day with dessert, always telling her that one day, the sugar would catch up to her, but there was no one to tell her otherwise, now, was there?

Quinn would’ve said, “Feck yeah! Start with whatever the fuck you want!” That was something she loved about him—he let her be who she was and never tried to change her.

After breakfast-dessert, she walked some of her favorite neighborhoods, dreaming of the perfect location for her second bakery. There was, of course, Pacific Heights with its multi-million dollar homes, but that was definitely out of her price range. Slightly less expensive but not by much was Cow Hollow, and she parked on a random street and started walking. This particular street had a bread bakery and a cupcake-only bakery but no general bakery where all kinds of goodies might be served.

Entering a boulangerie filled with coffee-scents and toasty, delicious-smelling warmth, she was ecstatic to learn that they still sold their most popular summer muffin, the Peach Cilantro, and she stood in a ten-minute line just to get one. It was fruity and sweet, and the cilantro notes worked perfectly well with the peach. Note to self: create something similar when in Miami with key limes, mango, and rosemary. Couldn’t hurt to try.

She visited about five more stores in five more neighborhoods, including Western Addition, Laurel Heights, and Lone Mountain near the University of San Francisco. The more she searched, the more certain she became that she’d settled on the right path. Opening a bakery in the city would be a wonderful accomplishment. Someday.

But as much as she’d fought it, she was a small-town girl at heart. As much as she loved the big city, it didn’t have the country charm of Green Valley. Maybe it was because she’d spent yesterday taking photos for Quinn’s Mosaic album, or because she’d spent time showing him around, but her appreciation for her hometown had been refreshed. In her heart she knew she’d feel most comfortable starting her business small and gradually expanding. Doing so would also enable her to still have a personal life and build the support team she’d need to ensure that remained true even as her business grew. She felt her stomach tingle just thinking about it.

It was still early afternoon when she headed back home, planning to refresh before heading out to find Quinn. The moment she arrived, her mother was in a mood, exacerbated by the fact that Avery was there, as well, helping her mother file a box of old bills.

“Fine thing to leave us with only fifteen muffins this morning, Lillian,” her mother said.

“I left you with way more than fifteen,” Lilly assured.

“Actually, no. We have that many guests staying here, and you know everyone has to try at least two. So, you think you could have planned your trip a little better before you just took off leaving us short-handed.” Mom pushed papers aside with force and huffed, resting her hand at her forehead, elbow on table.

“Mom, there were more in the freezer, about five strawberry basil and just as many lemon poppy. All you had to do was open it and look. It’s not that hard to do.”

“Those are summer muffins,” her mother reminded her, “and you know by now, they want pumpkin and cranberry.”

“Actually, I just visited a bakery today in Cow Hollow where they were still serving a summer muffin—peach cilantro. Mom, it doesn’t matter. The point is there was more. Besides, as you know, I’m taking the whole day off. I’m just stopping in but I’ll be leaving again in a bit.”

Lilly turned and headed out of the kitchen. This was what she came home to? If she didn’t know better, she would almost wonder if her mom was purposefully trying to drive her away. Either that, or Avery was, and her mother didn’t have the balls to stand up to her best friend.

“Quinn was here,” her mother said flatly.

Lilly froze in the hallway. Her heart stopped beating for a slow two seconds then resumed a steady cadence. Slowly, she faced her mom again. “What?”

“He was here. This morning.”

“What did he want?”

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