“It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it. I just don’t know what to even feel. I guess I’m nervous. Excited. But scared too.”

“What about it scares you?” he asked.

“If this person is really related to me, then my whole life changes today. I want to know where I come from, but now that there could be something concrete, I don’t know if I’m ready. Change has never been easy for me. To tell the truth, someone has always stepped up and done the hard stuff for me.”

“You’re braver than you think, Quinn. I mean, you up and bought a house an ocean away from everything and everyone you know. You came here, and you took control and made a plan. And one with compassion, I might add. Give yourself some credit. You can do this, and if this person is someone you don’t want to claim, then walk away with your head held high, but at least you will know something one way or another.”

“You’re right,” she said. God, he was so right.

“I would offer to come with you, but I heard you have a sassy redhead holed up in there,” he said, nodding toward the cottage.

Quinn laughed. “Yes, and I want you to meet her. Maggie is my best friend but also the closest thing to a sister I’ve ever had. She’s a take-no-lip kind of girl, and I think she’s just what I need beside me. I have a feeling every question I’ve planned to ask will disappear from my train of thought, and Maggie will be able to step right in and take over.”

He nodded. “Good. I heard she took the red-eye over here just to make sure she’d make it in time. That’s a great friend to have.”

“Yeah, she’s something. But I appreciate your offer. Or, um . . . the sorta offer.”

“Anytime, Quinn.” He stood and headed for the main house. “I hope you’ll let me know how it goes.”

“Of course,” Quinn said. “That is, unless the coconut wireless informs you first.”

She loved the sound of his laugh as he disappeared through the kitchen door. He had an uncanny way of saying just a few words and making her open up. Though she was glad Maggie was there, a tiny part of her would’ve been happy to take Liam with her to her meeting too. He just gave the kind of quiet support that was so rare these days. No judgment. No opinions. Just support.

With an hour to go until they needed to leave, Quinn was so nervous about the meeting that she made Maggie crazy with her pacing around the cottage.

“I’m going to take a quick walk down to the beach,” she said, sliding her feet into her sandals. “I’ll change when I get back.”