Page 11 of All Because I Found You

“I’m going to bring him over a contract to sign, negotiate the pricing, and get to work on turning the barn into a picturesque setting for the perfect wedding.”

“When is the wedding?”

“Two weeks from tomorrow.” Raelyn’s teeth clenched, the veins in her neck tightening.

“If anyone can pull it off, I know it’s you. Let me know if you need any help. You know I’m always good for wrapping favors and putting together table settings.”

“I’ll definitely be calling in a favor. Keep your schedule open for me.”

“Will do.”

“Give Juju a kiss for me. I’m almost there. I got to go.”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks.” Raelyn disconnected the call and pulled her car to a stop outside the old barn and behind a beat up red pickup truck. She had texted Ryder earlier that morning, asking him to meet her here. She didn’t want to waste timing going to his house when she could get the contract signed and dig right in.

She grabbed the container with a few slices of pie and a tray of coffees she picked up from Pie in the Sky on Main Street and headed for the doors that were already opened.

“Hello?” she called as she stepped into the barn.

Sunbeams shone through the window, highlighting the deep and light tones of the natural wood. It was truly beautiful. The smell, on the other hand… well, it was rustic. Very rustic. A tinge of rust and straw mixed with a hint of mildew. Nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a little airing out. God only knows how long the doors have been closed and this place had been sealed shut.

“Hey.” The deep voice startled her, and she jolted, almost sending the tray of coffees flying through the air.

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph.” She flopped the arm holding the pies against her chest. “A little warning would have been nice.”

“You said hello, I said hey back.”

Her eyes rolled up toward the rafters. “Here, I brought us pie and coffee.”

He eyed her suspiciously when she held the bag out to him.

“I’m not going to bite. Take it.”

“Why do you have four coffees? Are more people showing up?”

She couldn’t miss the underlying fear in his tone or the way his body language changed to become more guarded. “Not today, no. I just like coffee. I got four kinds. You can pick whatever you like best, and I’ll drink the rest.”

“You’re going to drink three cups of coffee?”

“You say that like it’s a crime.”

“That’s a lot of caffeine.”

“Do you think this bubbly personality of mine is run on sleep and youth only? No siree. I need my caffeine, thank you very much. Now pick one.” She shoved the tray toward him. “Top right is a regular coffee, Columbian with a dash of milk, and I have sugar in my bag. Top left is an Americano. Bottom left a caramel latte, and bottom right is a red eye, which I hope you don’ pick since it’s my favorite, but if you must, I will respect your good taste in coffee.

He reached out and grabbed the cup from the top right.

“Oh thank heavens. Though, I should have known you’d be a traditionalist.”

His dark eyebrow arched as he took a sip from the cup. “And why is that?”

“You just seem like the type is all. And don’t go and take offense from it because that’s not my intention. If anything, it’s a compliment, so be grateful.”

“Do you always tell people how they should feel?”

She pressed her lips together, swishing them. “Do you always question people?”

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