7. John
7
JOHN
I sat on the porch, beer in hand, watching the sun sink low, the colors around it vivid. I enjoyed our sunsets, seeing the way the sky changed and darkened. Watching the light glint off the fields and pond in the distance. It was peaceful and calm.
Unlike my chaotic thoughts.
Since I had run from Quinn, she was all I could think about. The feel of her mouth underneath mine. How it felt to hold her. The all-too-brief encounter played on repeat in my head, no matter how much I tried to block it out.
The sound of a car approaching interrupted my musings, and I watched as Laura pulled up and walked over to join me on the porch, sitting in the other rocker.
“Hey,” I greeted her.
“Hi.” She looked at the beer in my hand. “You got more of those?”
“Yep.” I pushed the little cooler I kept outside toward her with my foot. “Help yourself.”
She chuckled and took one, taking a long drink, then resting her head back.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Yeah. Just been a day. I have a new client wanting to buy a house, and she is leading me on a merry chase. I don’t think I’ll find her what she wants.” She paused, taking another sip. “I don’t think anyone can.”
“Ah, one of those.”
She nodded. “I’m her fourth real estate agent.”
I blew out a long whistle. “How many towns had she looked in?”
“Six, so far. She’s from Toronto. Thinks she wants to live in a charming, small town.” Laura made air quotes as she spoke. “But the reality is, she wants the impossible. A huge house with all the modern features, but not new. Small town, but all the conveniences of a big city. Today, she asked me if there was a way of containing the number of fields and cows around here. She suggested that a Costco would be a good investment for the locals.”
I chuckled. “She’ll figure it out eventually.”
“In the meanwhile, she’s wasting my time. I’m going to suggest she look up north.”
“Good plan.”
We rocked and sipped in silence for a few moments. “Where’s Cody?”
“Off riding with his friends, then a sleepover at his buddy Mark’s place. Bob’s on the sofa watching a baseball game. Or so he says. I heard snoring before I left.”
“I see.”
“I went past 221 earlier.”
I tensed. “Problem?”
“No. But I noticed Quinn outside looking at the oak tree. I stopped to chat with her. She wants to put a swing on it for Abby. Nothing fancy, just a simple swing. Apparently Quinn used to have one at her grandparents’ and loved it. She asked if she could have permission.”
“I don’t see a problem, but she needs to make sure it’s safe.” I frowned. “I don’t think building things is in her playbook.”
“I think she’ll hire someone.”
I grunted. “I could do it. I’ve got the perfect piece of wood. Add some sturdy rope, and it would be safe for Abby.”
Laura was quiet for a moment. “I don’t think she’s comfortable asking you. I get the feeling you two don’t get along.”
I snorted in derision. “If you mean I’m an ass when I’m around her, then you’re right.”
“Why?” she asked.
“I have no idea. It just happens.”
“Maybe because you like her and that worries you?” Laura replied, hitting the nail on the head.
I shrugged.
“She isn’t Moira Finlay.”
I snapped my head, meeting her gaze. It was filled with understanding.
“I know,” I said roughly.
“She had an agenda, John. Quinn doesn’t. She’s working on making a life for herself and her daughter. Running a business.” She looked reflective for a moment. “I like her. She is real and upfront. I think she was hurt too.” She regarded me. “I think you two have more in common than you think.”
“The only thing we have in common is that we strike sparks. We can barely hold a civil conversation.”
“Maybe you need to try harder.” She drained her beer. “Maybe a swing for her daughter is a good way to try.”
“Is that why you came over here?”
She smiled. “I heard you ate at the Dill. Tammy says you even ordered dessert, something rare for you.”
I groaned. “Is that what we’re calling it now? The Dill?”
She laughed, not saying anything, but waiting for my explanation.
“I was hungry. Quinn’s kid was there and told me to order the cake.”
“I heard that too. You shared your lunch with her.”
“She just showed up. I couldn’t send her away.”
She stood. “I also heard you and Quinn had an intense moment.”
“Dammit. Someone saw? It was an accident. I didn’t mean to kiss her.”
Laura’s eyebrows flew up. “ Kiss her ? I meant you saved her from falling, but that is way bigger news, brother. You kissed her?”
“It was by accident,” I insisted.
She started to laugh. “Your lips jumped off your face onto hers?” She began walking away. “Oh boy, denial ain’t just a river in Egypt, John. Make that swing and go see her. Man up.”
She was still laughing as she climbed into her car. “Maybe you’ll have another incident. Lord knows what might happen if your pants accidentally came off.”
I glared as she backed up and drove down the driveway.
My pants were never coming off around Quinn.
Although the thought of that made my dick twitch.
Wasn’t happening.
Saturday afternoon, I pulled up in front of Quinn’s house. My hands felt clammy, and I wiped them on my jeans, watching as Quinn pushed a lawn mower across the front lawn. It was a fairly big yard, and I frowned, wondering if she was managing it okay.
I climbed from the truck, heading her way. She was busy, focused on her task, and she startled when I came into her view. She frowned as she shut off the lawn mower, wiping at her forehead.
“Mr. Elliott. Is there a problem?”
“John,” I corrected. “And no, there isn’t one.”
She frowned. “You’re here because…” She let her words trail off.
“I heard you wanted a swing for Abby on the oak tree.”
“I thought she would like it. I can watch her from the porch. If you say it’s okay.”
“It’s fine. I’m here to put it up.”
She blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“I’m here to put up the swing.”
“I haven’t bought it yet.”
I swallowed. “I made her one.”
For a moment, there was shocked silence.
“You made her one,” she repeated.
“Yes.”
“You made a swing for my daughter.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re here to put it up.”
“Yes.”
She looked around. “I feel as if I’m in an alternate universe.”
I felt a grin pull on my lips.
“I wanted to make sure it was a good swing and hung properly.” I paused. “So the tree wasn’t damaged.”
“So the tree wasn’t damaged,” she repeated. “That’s why?”
“She’s a good kid. I liked making her a swing.”
A tender smile broke out on her face. “She is a good kid. And I thank you, John. Really.”
I tried to ignore the way it felt when she said my name. I liked it far too much. “Is she around?”
“No, she was invited to a birthday party this afternoon. She was so excited. I was worried, you know? A new place, new people. I thought she’d be nervous, but she just waved me off and joined her new friends.” She laughed self-consciously. “I had a hard time leaving her, but she was fine. I checked in twice, and Mandy’s mom told me she was having a great time. I pick her up at four.”
I saw the love for her child shining in her eyes. Heard it in the words as she expressed her worries. It helped unlock the small doubts I carried with me. Quinn was real. What you saw was what you got.
“Well then, let me get this installed, and she can have a surprise waiting for her.”
“I can help,” she offered tentatively.
“Great. Many hands, light work,” I responded.
Her smile was unexpected. It was like a burst of sun after a storm. Bright, full, warm.
I wanted to bask in it. Make her smile for me again.
I was so fucked.
She held the ladder as I climbed up to the perfect branch.
“Will it hold her?” Quinn asked, a worried tone in her voice.
I swung myself onto the branch, swaying back and forth. “If it holds me, it’ll hold Pumpkin.”
She gasped. “John—careful. You might fall!”
Laughing, I dropped to the ground, standing in front of her. “See? Everything is fine.”
She swatted my arm, and I winked at her. “That had the same effect as you kicking me. We need to work on your strength.”
She blushed, the color on her cheeks doing something to me. My body tightened, and I had to fight not to react.
“I shouldn’t have kicked you. I’m sorry.”
Her words helped lighten the air around us again. “Not a problem. It was more as if a fly landed on my jeans than your foot.”
She rolled her eyes. “I was having an off day.”
I chuckled and stepped back. “Have another go then, darlin’.”
She frowned. “That isn’t fair. You’re prepared. I need to get you when you least expect it. Catch you off guard so you fall like a dead tree.”
I stared at her a moment, then began to laugh. Long, belly laughs that almost hurt. They hurt more than her foot could.
“Okay, Quinn.” I wiped my eyes. “You prepare your secret attack.”
She grinned, and we shared a light moment, our eyes meeting, her beautifully colored irises gleaming in the sun. She was stunning in her amusement. The sunlight caught highlights in her dark hair, casting a red and gold hue around her. She looked relaxed and comfortable. Happy. It was a good look on her.
“I’ll try not to leave permanent damage.”
I headed to the truck for the swing. “You do that.”
We worked together seamlessly. I looped the ropes over the branch, securing them well, then added the swing, knotting the heavy rope tightly. “This would hold even me,” I assured Quinn. “You can swing with her if you want. I made it large enough.”
Quinn ran her hand over the smooth wood. “You painted it her favorite color.”
“Of course.”
She traced her finger over the decals I had added. The bright colors and big petals had caught my eye while I was picking up the paint, and I knew they were the perfect addition to the swing. Bob had side-eyed me while I was paying, but I’d refused to engage with him. I’d gotten out of the store as quickly as I could before he started to tease me.
“How did you do the flowers?”
“Oh, ah…” I trailed off, then cleared my throat. “I saw them at the hardware store and I thought Abby would like them. Jenny, the woman who ran the paint area, explained how to put them on, and then I sealed them under twenty layers of varnish. She won’t get any splinters, and the flowers won’t fade as much.”
She knelt beside the swing, running her hand over the satin of the wood. “It’s so amazing.” She looked up, her eyes shining. “No one has ever done anything like this for her. Thank you.”
I stared down, once again trying to lock my body down. I could see Quinn on her knees exactly the way she was now, but the scenario was totally changed. We were alone, in my bedroom, and neither of us was dressed. My cock jumped at the mental image, and I swore I almost felt her touch. Our eyes remained locked, and I felt the air around us change. Grow taut with tension. Her breathing picked up, and my heart began to gallop.
Then her phone rang, breaking the spell. She scrambled off her knees as I turned, bending to throw some tools back in the box.
“Hey, baby,” she crooned, her voice sounding rougher than normal. She listened for a moment. “Are you sure? You really want to?” Again, she was quiet. “Okay. Let me speak to her mom.”
I went to the truck, loading my tools back up. I returned as she hung up. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, they’re having a barbecue and invited her to stay. I’ll pick her up about seven now.” She blinked, and I saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes. Concerned, I moved closer.
“Hey, you okay?”
She sniffed, wiping away the wetness. “Sorry, I’m being silly.” She sighed. “I wanted her to find friends. To be a kid. Laugh, yell—” she pushed at the swing, making it move gently “—play outside.”
“She didn’t do those things before?”
“No.” Quinn inhaled, letting it out slowly. “Her father didn’t like noise. Dirt. Laughter. Color. Everything was black and white. We were expected to be quiet. Know our place.” She looked down, scuffing her foot in the grass. “I couldn’t do it anymore. I didn’t want that for my daughter. I left him.”
“That took courage,” I said with honest admiration.
“I wish I had done it sooner.”
“Sometimes you have to wait for the right time.”
She sighed. “Well, I found it. I moved out, fought with him for months, then got my freedom. But he was still too close. My friend Cathy heard about the opportunity here and called me.” She smiled, looking around. “I found this place. We got a fresh start.”
“Are you concerned he’ll come looking for you?”
Her laugh was bitter. “No. He’s getting remarried. He was happy his past mistakes weren’t going to be around to embarrass him anymore.”
“You’re not a mistake. Neither is Pumpkin,” I insisted, almost growling the words.
“He thought so.”
“Obviously, he is an asshole.”
She began to laugh. “Yes, yes, he is.”
“And so am I. I apologize.”
She shook her head. “There’s a difference. He wanted to hurt me. Control me. You just…didn’t like me.”
I blew out a long breath. “You’re wrong, Quinn. The problem was I did like you. I still do. I was just reacting to my own screwed-up past, and I took it out on you.”
“I guess we both need to move forward.”
I stuck out my hand. “We do. I’m John.”
She let me take her hand, my large palm engulfing hers. “Quinn.”
For a second, neither of us spoke. Then she smiled. “Can I offer you a drink, John? To say thanks for the swing?”
“I’d like that.”
I followed her to the porch, and she held open the door. Inside, I looked around, noticing the hominess of the small space. The toys in the corner. The blankets and cushions on the sofa.
“Check out her room if you want,” Quinn called.
It was easy to identify which one was Abby’s. The bright-pink walls, the frilly curtains and bedspread. The toys strewn around. I had to admit the color was too much for me, but I knew the kid loved it, and that was all that mattered.
Unable to help myself, I peeked into Quinn’s room. The walls were a soft green, her bed some sort of wicker. It was light and feminine, and it smelled like her as I inhaled the fragrance that lingered in the air.
I hurried back down the hall, not wanting to be caught snooping. She came from the kitchen with a tray, and I opened the door, sitting beside her on the porch. She handed me a drink and picked up a plate. “You must be hungry.”
I eyed the snacks with appreciation, taking a sausage roll and biting down. The flaky pastry and spicy meat made me groan.
“These are incredible.”
“I was thinking of adding them to the menu. On an appetizer plate.”
I nodded, taking another bite. “I’d order them,” I muttered around a mouthful.
“Hell getting cold again?” she teased.
“Positively frigid.”
“Good. But don’t let Abby talk you into sharing your food.”
I chuckled. “I didn’t mind. Cody does the same.”
“Your nephew, right?”
“Yep.”
“He was showing off his new bike at the park. Said his uncle J bought it for him as a birthday gift.” She studied me. “Told me his uncle J is the best guy around.”
“He exaggerates.”
She picked up her drink, taking a sip. “Somehow I think he doesn’t. I’m beginning to see past your big, bad bear routine, John.”
I picked up my drink, not saying anything.
Yet, somehow, the news made me smile.