Chapter Thirty #3
“I don’t believe that. We all have strengths and weaknesses.
You might not like numbers, but there’s nothing you can’t do.
You have the most strategic marketing brain of anyone I’ve ever known.
The shop wouldn’t be half of what it is without your ability to harness the masses on social media.
The ideas you come up with make people seek us out.
I could never do that. They probably told you to let me do the accounting because I’m a numbers girl, and I’m happy crunching them.
I thought we’d get old together and be the gray-haired ladies who’ve run Divine Intervention forever.
We’d bring our babies to the shop, and they’d grow up knowing the community. ”
“I want that, too.” Tears slid down Birdie’s cheeks. “If you still want to be a partner, I’ll go right in there and tell Marie. And I don’t blame you if you hate me for lying.”
“I could never hate you,” Quinn said, her voice cracking again. “But I hate that you felt like you couldn’t tell me and that you’ve been acting like everything’s fine when you’re clearly not.”
“Lying to everyone is killing me. Acting like it doesn’t take everything I have to keep from shouting from the top of my lungs that I’m with an amazing man is a daily struggle.
In that way, I’m not okay. But I’ve never been happier than I am when I’m with him, and there’s no way I could’ve learned how to do the accounting at all if it weren’t for him.
He understands me in a way no guy ever has, and he doesn’t just accept me, Quinn.
He truly likes who I am. All of me. Even when I’m a firehose, which I am sometimes. ”
“Sometimes?” Quinn teased, and wrapped her arms around Birdie. “I love all of you, too, and I’m sorry for my judgy face.”
“I’m sorry for lying and hurting you,” Birdie said. “I love you so much.”
“It’s okay. I get it.”
Birdie’s breath hitched. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. If you’re happy, I’m happy.” Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “But he still has to pass the bestie test, so we need to find a way for that to happen because we all know sometimes our hearts confuse our heads.”
“Mine isn’t confused like that. He’s one of the best men I know, but we’ll find time.
I promise. You’ll love him. I know you will.
” Birdie filled her in on the things he’d gone through the night of the accident and how close they’d become, and Quinn softened, tears springing to her eyes again. “He’s my Ragnar, and I’m his Trouble.”
Birdie pulled up her sleeve, showing Quinn the bracelet. “He gave me this.”
“Sunflowers. Whoa, Birdie, that’s beautiful. It’s so you. Did you tell him about the sunflower theory?”
“Yeah. Look.” She opened the sunflower charm, showing her the tiny silver disk.
Quinn read the inscriptions and put her hand over her heart. “That’s incredibly sweet, and any guy who will let you call him Ragnar is definitely your kind of guy.”
Birdie was swamped with relief, grateful for the levity.
“I’m telling you, Quinn, it’s like the universe knew we needed each other.
” She looked up at the house, and her stomach sank again.
“What am I going to do about my family? Dare is such an ass to him, and I don’t know if that’s ever going to change. ”
“That’s a really hard situation. But given how much your family means to you, if you’re lying to them, Crew must really be special, so I’ll put my thinking cap on.
I’m sure we can figure something out.” Quinn pointed at her.
“But no more shutting me out, okay? I’ve been a mess about this for weeks. ”
Birdie nodded, wiping her tears. “I won’t. I promise, and I’ll talk to Marie about you joining us as a partner. I know she’ll be thrilled. She loves you.”
They hugged again, whispering I love yous.
“We’d better pull ourselves together and get inside before they notice we’re gone,” Birdie said.
They headed over to Quinn’s car and used her emergency makeup case to clean themselves up. “I’ll bring this inside,” Quinn said. “That way if anyone asks where we were, we can say we decided to give everyone makeovers.”
Birdie’s heart squeezed. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Yes, you do. Remember when you asked me if Cutter and I got together the night he drove me home from Bar None before we were a couple?”
“Yeah.”
Quinn winced. “We did, but I was afraid to say anything because I wasn’t sure if it was a onetime thing for him.”
“I knew it!” Birdie exclaimed.
“You did not.”
“Yes, I did. Ask Cutter! He denied it, too, but I told him that my bestie senses said otherwise, and if he hurt you, I’d kill him.”
“See? That’s what besties do.”
“That and plan bachelorette parties,” Birdie said as they headed up to the house.
Quinn bumped her shoulder. “No strippers at my bachelorette party, okay?”
“I hear you, but I make no promises.”
BIRDIE’S HEADLIGHTS SWEPT across the porch as she pulled into her driveway, and her heart leapt. Crew was sitting on the top step, his elbows resting on his knees, his broad shoulders curved forward like he’d been there a while. She hadn’t expected to see him tonight.
He pushed to his feet as she climbed out of the car and hurried over to him, a smile lighting up his eyes. “How’s my girl?”
“Better now.” She hugged him tight, not caring if anyone saw. After the night she’d had, she needed him. “What’re you doing here? You should’ve texted. I would have left earlier.”
“I didn’t want to interrupt your night.” He pulled an envelope from his back pocket and said, “This came from my mother. I didn’t want to read it without you. I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s better than okay.” In that moment, as excitement and trepidation billowed inside her for what that letter might contain, it didn’t matter that nobody knew about them but Quinn, because being the person he came to, the one he trusted with his big, brave, tender heart, was everything.
“Mind if we sit out back to read it?” he asked. “I have a feeling I might need the fresh air.”
They went around back and sat on the steps leading up to the balcony. His chest rose with a deep inhalation, and he glanced at her, his eyes full of as much worry as hope.
She put her arm around him, snuggling closer. “No matter what’s inside that letter, she took the time to write back, and that means something.”
He nodded and opened the sealed envelope, pulling out a single piece of lined paper.
His gaze moved over it as he read aloud, his voice laden with emotion.
“Dear Crew, thank you for writing. I think about you every day.” He paused and cleared his throat.
“Redemption Ranch sounds like it’s been good for you.
Healing. I liked hearing about your girlfriend.
I’m glad you’ve found someone who sees how wonderful you are and that you’re safe and happy.
That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. I hope you’ll write again. ” His voice splintered. “Love, Mom.”
With tears in her eyes, Birdie hugged him, her heart as full for him as it was of him.
He pulled her across his lap and buried his face in her neck, holding her so tight, his heart thundered against her.
“She loves you so much,” Birdie said through fresh tears.
He held her tighter, his breathing ragged.
“Maybe one day the ranch can be a healing place for her, too.”
A hopeful sound fell from his lips, and he murmured, “Maybe,” his voice breaking.