What Love Can Do: O’Neill Brothers (Home to Green Valley Book 1)

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?”

“He was looking for you,” Avery chimed in, sliding receipts toward her then shoving them into a file folder.

“And you told him I’d gone to the city and would be back later today, didn’t you, Mom?”

Her mother huffed, studying Lilly in the eye, almost as if debating what to say or how to say it. Lilly’s stomach sank when she saw the guilt and yes, even regret, in her mother’s expression. “I told him you were gone. I think he took that to mean you were gone for good.”

The words knocked the air out of Lilly’s windpipe, so much that she had to swallow to keep from choking on dry air. “You think he did? And you didn’t bother to tell him otherwise?”

“It’s for the best, Lillian.” Avery gave her an obviously fake sympathetic pressed-lip look. “Isn’t that right, Pen?”

Her mother said nothing. From the looks of it, her mother almost seemed unhappy about this, like she understood she’d gone too far and regretted hurting not only her daughter, but Quinn too. But right now, Lilly was too upset with her to feel much compassion.

“Mother, how could you?” she whispered, then turned away.

“You’re not upset, are you, Lillian?” Avery called. “You didn’t really think of him as anything more than beefcake, did you?”

This made Lilly slow down.

She had a choice—she could march herself right over there and put that horrible woman in her place, cause a commotion near the guests, and upset her mom, who seemed to be on her side for once. Or…she could turn the other cheek. It didn’t matter what Avery said to irk her—Lilly knew that Quinn, though handsome and boasting an athletic body, was, in fact, beefcake-quality, he was much, much more than that. He was funny, sweet, smart, charming, and even had a good head for business. Sexy as hell too.

Lilly took tentative steps towards the foyer. Then a few more, until she flat-out faced Avery Benson and her plump, cheeky face. “I don’t know what Neil’s leaving did to you,” she said, using fire to fight fire. “But it’s not pretty. You haven’t spent one minute with Quinn O’Neill whereas I spent two weeks. So guess what? You’re not qualified to have an opinion. So I suggest you shut your trap before you stick your foot so far in your mouth…”

“Lillian,” her mother warned. “You’ve made your point.”

“…that it comes out the other side,” Lilly finished.

Avery’s face dropped. The receipts fluttered to the desk. Forcefully, she plucked her sweater off the back of Mom’s chair and wrapped it around her body. “That was completely uncalled for. Penny, out of respect for our friendship, I won’t give her the time of day. She’s your daughter. But I will say this. I wasn’t going to say anything, but Bernie saw that Quinn boy coming out of the flower shop today with a full bouquet.” Avery sneered a victorious grin. “Then she saw him entering Mulligan’s later on with the same flowers. I wonder, if he knew that Lilly wasn’t in town, why he’d be buying flowers. Hmm. Looks to me like he found someone else to give him a goodbye shag, since you weren’t available, Lillian.”

Lilly watched her mother’s jaw drop open just before she whipped around to face Avery. “Oh, stick a sock in it, would you, Ave? Jesus Christ.”

Stunned, Avery stared a moment at Penny, then throwing on her sweater, she picked up her purse, plucked her keys out, and entered the kitchen to leave the back way. “See y’all later.”

Lilly seethed, her blood boiled, and eyeballs hurt from how badly she wanted to scream. She stormed out of the foyer, charged down the hall, raced up the secret stairs, and stumbled into her bedroom, slamming the door. God that woman was infuriating! Throwing her crap down on the bed, Lilly burst through the French doors and didn’t stop until she reached the edge of her balcony railing.

There, mustering up every cell of frustration in her body, she let loose the mightiest yell, which echoed across the valley. Dogs barked, and doors unlatched, as folks peeked their heads out.

“Everything okay?” someone called from somewhere, possibly a guest down below sitting in their neighboring vineyard.

“No,” she whispered, then she frowned and said much more loudly, “But it will be.” Just as soon as she found Quinn. It sucked, knowing what her mother had done, but she didn’t believe for even one second that Quinn had been bringing flowers to another woman. He loved her and despite their fight, he still did, just as she loved him.

A sound from inside her room made her look up, and then her mother stood at her French doors, holding something in her hands. Stretching them out in a gentle offer, she said, “This came for you today. Lillian, I’m sorry about everything Avery said. I don’t agree with her. Well…not completely. I know how much he means to you. I know you two formed a strong bond in a short amount of time and I know you’re going to go looking for him. Most of all, I know he loves you too. I saw it for myself in his expression when he was looking for you and when he’d thought you’d gone for good. Hell, maybe you’ll move to Dublin after Miami!” Her mouth quivered even as she handed Lilly the package. “But the point is, it’s your life, not Avery’s and not mine, and I want you to know that, as scared as I am of losing you, you have my full support.”

Lilly could hardly believe that after everything, her mom was finally trying to do the right thing. Lilly walked over to her mom and hugged her. “Thanks, Mom.”

“It’s true. I love you so much. You’re one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.”

“You’re one of the best things that’s ever happened to me too,” Lilly replied, genuinely meaning it, though she could now add a certain Irishman to the mix.

“So you can understand how sad and scared I am knowing you’re going to leave me with Avery.” Mom giggled against Lilly’s shoulder, her laughs turning into half-chuckles, half sobs. “Anyway, I have to get back. And I know you have a certain Irish lad to find.” She reached out and pinched Lilly’s cheek.

Lilly smiled, watching her mother traipse through her room and out the door.

The package was still in her hand. Looking at it, she knew exactly what it was, and her heart tore open once again. The Mosaic photo album. She ripped open the envelope and pulled out the square, hardcover book, flipping through the photos she’d named “Where Life Began,” because it was true. From the moment Maggie Phillips met Grant O’Neill, life had begun for her. Without knowing it, life had begun for Quinn too. Without his parents, there’d be no Quinn, no Con, no Brady, and no…what were his twin brothers called again?

Sean and Riley. The wee ones.

And without Quinn’s parents, there would be no Quinn and Lilly either.

Keeping hold of the photo book, Lilly turned to grab Maggie’s journal, frowning when she didn’t immediately see it where she’d left it. Had her mother taken it? And if so, what had she done with it?

Panic began to swirl through her right until she saw the piece of paper that was lying where the journal had been. With a trembling hand, she picked it up.

And smiled.

Heading downstairs, she raced to her car and took off, driving the five minutes it took to get to the bridge, where Quinn had asked her to meet him. It made sense. It was, after all, the place he associated most with his mother, the first place he’d wanted to visit when he arrived in Forestville. It was also the place where he and Lilly had made their own memories, talking, getting to know one another, and declaring their love for one another before making love in the shed. She imagined him waiting for her, dangling his legs in the river. But when she arrived, he wasn’t there.

Disappointed, she walked down the path to the bridge.

Then she saw it.

Lying on the wooden planks, in the spot where they’d sat together talking about life and laughing, was a bouquet of daisies. Tucked into the ribbon, a piece of paper fluttered in the breeze. Lilly pulled it out and unfolded it.

I love you, Lil. No matter what. Wait for me.