Page 14 of Just Let Go

Calvin sat in the small chair across from them. “Where else?”

“Did you talk to Mary-Margaret, Calvin?” Quinn eyed him from where she sat.

The man—one of the shyest she’d ever met—looked away. “She made your cake, yes.”

“And?”

“And didn’t she do a nice job?” Beverly tugged on Quinn’s arm. “The wax is going to start dripping all over the frosting if you don’t hurry up.”

“Okay, okay.” Quinn closed her eyes. Her wish would be the same as it had been since she’d gotten the idea that she could buy the flower shop in the first place.Please let me win Best Design at the Michigan Floral Expo. And please let her be there to see it when I do.

She blew out the candles. She knew it was ridiculous—a childhood fantasy, really—but that wouldn’t stop her from hoping.

“Did you wish for some handsome fellow to come sweep you off your feet?” Beverly practically gushed.

“My daughter?” Gus let out a laugh. “You know that’s the last thing on her mind. Especially now that her dream has come true.”

Quinn sighed. “Well, it hasn’t come true yet, Dad. I’ve still gota ton of work to do before I can reopen the flower shop. You know I love Mimi, but she let everything get so outdated.”

“We’ll help where we can,” Judge said. “And I’m sure we can round up some great volunteers. This town loves to support its local businesses.”

“Hey, maybe you should add helping at Quinn’s shop to that skier’s community service,” Beverly joked.

At least Quinn thought she was joking.

“That’s not a half-bad idea,” Judge said. “Then something good would come out of his little mishap last night.”

“No, thank you,” Quinn said. “That’s about the last thing I need. My plan is to stay as far away from that guy as possible.”

“Can we eat?” Her dad stood, tugging his jeans up as he did. His striped button-down was neatly tucked into his pants, and he wore a pair of loafers Quinn had begged him to get rid of for at least the last five years.

“Yes.” Beverly also stood, then moved across the room. “The table’s already set, so hurry on in. We made spaghetti and meatballs with salad and garlic bread. Hope you’re hungry.”

Judge’s recliner snapped back to an upright position, and he pushed himself out. “You don’t have to tell me twice.” Quinn had learned a long time ago that he loved to eat. His wife had died ten years prior, leaving a gaping hole in these kinds of gatherings. Eventually, they all settled into a new pattern, though Quinn knew he still thought about her every single day.

The sadness behind his eyes, even when he smiled, gave him away.

She walked into the dining room, the others following behind. “Why are there six places set?”

As she said it, the doorbell rang. “Who else is coming?”

“Your father’s big heart strikes again.” Beverly glanced at him with those big, round I-love-you eyes. Her father didn’t seem to notice.

Instead he walked out of the dining room toward the front door. “Get settled. I’ll be right back.”

Seconds later, she heard his voice mixing with another male’s. She glared toward the door. “Promise me this isn’t a setup.”

“Oh, nooooo.” Judge shook his head. “I can promise you that is not what this is. This is the opposite of that, Miss Quinn, so get that out of your head right now.”

“Then who is out there?”

“Another one of your father’s charity cases.” Beverly sat down in her usual chair, then motioned for Quinn to do the same.

“Like someone from the halfway house?” Quinn kept her voice low as she followed Beverly’s unspoken instructions.

“Not this time.” Judge took a seat at the end of the table, Calvin at his left, leaving the only open chair at his right, beside Quinn.

Obviously her father had clued everyone in on their mystery guest before she arrived, leaving her hopelessly in the dark.

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