Page 42 of Quintessentially

“I want more than an introduction.”

“Give me time.”

“You’ve had six years.”

Kandace steps back and reaches for the doorknob. “I don’t want your money. I also don’t need Ruth playing matchmaker. My life is as full as I can handle right now. I’ve been so worried about the store, but if you promise you’ll sign, it will relieve a bit of my stress.”

“If I said no about Quintessential Treasures, would you let me meet Molly?”

She nods. “I will never use my daughter as a pawn. She’s not a token to be brokered. She’sourdaughter. If you want to meet her, you should. Don’t agree to signing over the store because you’re worried that if you didn’t, I’d be that kind of person.”

Listening to Kandace’s conviction, I remember how amazing she was, and I can see that six years hasn’t changed that. I like her more than I did six years ago. She loves Molly fiercely. I couldn’t ask for more for my—our—daughter. One last time, I reach for Kandace’s hand. “I’ve always known what kind of person you are,” I say before asking, “Where did we go wrong?”

“We didn’t go wrong. We stopped.” She pulls her phone from her back pocket and hands it to me. “Give me your number and I’ll call you.”

I take her phone and send myself a text message before handing it back. “I’m baling with Ricky tomorrow. I can be done whenever you want.”

She grins. “You’re helping bale?”

I turn over my hands, showing the blisters on my palm. “I did today, too.”

“Justin was wrong.”

“He hates me.”

“He doesn’t hate you. He loves me.” She shrugs. “Now you know why he’s acting like a fool.”

“Do you hate me?”

“I never hated you, Dax. The opposite. It wouldn’t have hurt as much when you didn’t come back if I hated you.” She turns toward the door and opens it. Peering over her shoulder, she smiles. “Tomorrow night. Molly loves ice cream. We can meet at the Tastee Freeze. Six o’clock. She shouldn’t be out too late. She has school on Monday morning.”

“Six o’clock.” I smile. “Thank you.”

And with that, Kandace disappears behind the door.

ChapterSeventeen

Kandace

Idon’t look back at Ruth’s house as I walk toward my car, still parked behind the store. With each step, Dax’s and my conversation plays on repeat in my thoughts while the sandwich I ate churns in my stomach. The couple of blocks pass by in a whirlwind as my temples ache and my eyes burn from unshed tears. Before I get to the store, my phone rings. Pulling it from my pocket, I look at the name, wishing it is Dax and at the same time, hoping it’s not.

Chloeis on the screen.

I grin as I answer. “Hi.”

“Don’thime. Did you go? You didn’t change your mind, did you? What happened?” She doesn’t slow for me to answer. “What did you say? What did he say? Are you getting married and living behind a picket fence?”

“No marriage.” I shrug as I unlock the store and get my purse. For a second, I stand looking around the back room with the new reassurance that Quintessential Treasures will soon be mine. The relief is overwhelming. “He said he’ll sign. The store is mine.”

I pull the phone away from my ear as Chloe screams. “I told you. I told you.” Her phrase is on repeat.

Once she quiets, I say, “I was afraid to be hopeful. According to Dax, Ruth set up another stipulation.”

I lock the store behind me and hitting the button to unlock the car door, I get into my SUV. The phone connects to the speakers.

“Come on,” Chloe says.

“Sorry, I missed some of that while I got in the car.”

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