She presses the engagement ring into my hands. “I think you know what you need to do. You and Minna are meant for each other, and every minute that passes with her here as your fake bride, not your real one, is a minute wasted. Go find your girl.”
Palladio barks, as if he’s chiming in with his opinion, and we both laugh. I take the ring and head to the dining room, where a waiter prepares a breakfast tray for me. I put the ring under one of the metal domes used to keep the food warm. I take the tray myself, going up to our room and trying to be quiet as I open the door, in case she’s still asleep.
The curtains are still drawn, so I set the tray down and turn to the bed. There’s no one there, the sheets still rumpled from last night. My heart thumping, I knock on the door to the bathroom, then open it wide when there’s no response. She’s not in there, either.
I call Daniel’s number, taking the ring from underneath the metal dome and sticking it in my pocket.
He answers on the first ring. “Hello, Mr. Harrington.”
“Ask at reception if Minna has left. Quick, Daniel. It’s important!” I distractedly drink some coffee as I stare out of the window. Where has she gone? Out for a walk? I look around the room. Her bag is gone too. My stomach sinks.
Daniel calls me back.
“Miss Dawes took a taxi over an hour ago.”
I run my hand over my stubble. “Where to?”
“The receptionist doesn’t know. She must have ordered it herself.” Daniel's voice is sympathetic.
“So we don’t know where she’s gone…unless…”
“The contract? I haven’t shredded it yet.”
“Yes. Her address should be on it. Page 10. I’ll meet you in your room in three minutes.”
Once Daniel’s found Minna’s address, I run down the stairs and jump in my car. Maybe I’m being an idiot here. She’s got the money in her account and perhaps she wants a clean break. But I can’t believe after last night that she wants that.
Even if she does, I have to tell her how I feel. To see if there’s anything I can do to convince her to be mine.
I take the winding mountain road to Snowflake Falls. I visited this small town as a child and loved it. Minna’s name keeps repeating over and over again in my head. I don’t know if I can survive without her by my side as my bride. These last few days have been the happiest of my life and the idea of being apart from her sends a cold chill down my spine.
Minna lives in a small, blue-painted house at the end of a long road. The peaks of the white-capped mountains rise in the background and the scent of flowers blows with the wind. It’s quiet, apart from a dog barking in the distance.
I walk up to the porch, the stairs creaking with each step. I smooth my hands over my hair before I knock on the door. The door creaks open slowly, revealing Minna standing there with a surprised look on her face. Her eyes widen and she shakes her head, a tear rolling down her cheek.
“Kade, what are you doing here?” Her voice is sad.
“I had to find you, Minna. Where did you go? I mean, why did you go?” I say, stepping closer to her.
She takes a step back. “I honestly don’t understand why you’re here.”
“Of course I’m here, goddess.” I reach out but she moves away.
“Please don’t call me that. I know how you feel…” her eyes are downcast.
“You do? And you don’t feel the same?” I ask.
“No. As nuts as it sounds, I want to be with you. For this whole thing to be real. But I heard you telling Daniel to rip up the contract and tell me the money was in my account.”
“I wanted you to know that money was there–”
“I don’t care about the money!” Her cheeks are flushed. “And I know I’m being silly, hoping we could…I don’t know.” Her eyes meet mine.
“I think you may have got the wrong impression. Ripping up the contract was because I can’t bear for anything false to be connected with our relationship. And I wanted you to know the money was yours in case you needed it to pay the vet for your cat.”
“Oh.” Her voice is soft.
“And I’m here for a good reason. I love you, Minna. From the first time I set eyes on you, I knew. That I wanted you beside me every day. As my wife.”
