Chapter Sixteen
Denver
Denver pushed around the cut-up pieces of pancakes on his plate. His book was late. His appetite was nonexistent. And he’d scared off the only woman he ever truly loved.What a mess. It was much too early to be awake, eating breakfast with his brother at Moosecakes. Had it not been for his promise to pick up Caroline, Denver might’ve slept until it was time for the parade.
“What’s eating you?” Ryder asked from the opposite side of their booth. “You look like a sad country song.”
Even Denver’s laugh seemed weak. “I assure you, Sherlock’s very much alive despite how dead he looked this morning. He’s got a rivalry with a rabbit.”
Ryder reached for his black coffee and took a hearty sip. “Today’s the day, right?”
“Something like that.” In a few hours, Sophie would give him an answer that would forever change the course of their lives. Deep down, he knew she loved him. She was attracted to him. They worked well together—well, when Denver wasn’t keeping massive secrets from her. Still, he should feel more excited than gloomy.
The odds didn’t feel in his favor.
“What did you do?”
Denver dug through the creamer packets in search of caramel.Even the coffee is disappointing today. He dropped his voice and leaned toward the table. “I had to do it, Ryder. I had to find out what happened to her ex. He dropped off the map, and she depends on that money. Or she did.”
“So, you what? You hired somebody?”
“Yeah. She got answers. Closure. But . . .”
Ryder shook his head.
“I was going to propose. Today.”
“You bought her a ring?”
“You could turn it down a notch, you know.” Denver scanned the packed diner, searching for eavesdroppers before he went on. “I told you I was going for it. I’m not prepared to walk away without going for broke first.”
Ryder let out his heavy, disapproving sigh. “Doesn’t seem wise to pop the question until she’s not so upset with you, does it? Or maybe her reaction to you trying to help was a sign to abort.”
“She has a right to be upset. She asked me not to interfere and I did anyway.”
“So, what’s your plan?”
His plan was shot full of holes. “Doesn’t matter anymore.”
“What happened?” Ryder sat back, his arms folded. Denver considered stalling. Eventually Ryder would have to start his shift. Festival weekends were always his busiest. Denver still had to pick up Caroline. “Denver, just say it.”
“I was going to propose to her at the finish line. That was my plan. It was a good plan.” Denver stirred another packet of caramel creamer into the coffee he likely wouldn’t drink. “But when she found out about the PI, I may have showed her the ring.”
Ryder waved at the server for the check. “You were really going to drop down on one knee after she rantwenty-sixmiles? When her legs are Jell-O and she can’t breathe? Were you planning to marry her or hospitalize her?”
“It was agoodplan. A proposal she’d remember for the rest of her life.”
“Yeah, maybe in one of the chick-flick romantic movies. Not for real life, man.”
“Still a better plan than what happened.” Denver attempted a sip of coffee, but shoved the mug to the side.
Ryder waved away Denver’s attempt to pay, pulling out a card from his wallet and handing it over. “There’s more to this train wreck?”
“I, uh, gave her an ultimatum.”
“Before her big race?” Ryder slid out of the booth. “What were you thinking? You’re lucky we’re in public with too many witnesses, or I’d choke you out like I did when we were kids.”
Denver waited until they were outside to answer. The downtown streets had been roped off to cars but were filled with people. Runners making their way to the start line hours early. Volunteers ensuring everything was in order for the festival. Vendors setting up booths. This was supposed to be the happiest weekend of his life. “I thought I was taking action. Taking a stand.”
