10. Quinn
10
QUINN
A bby stayed asleep during the drive home, not waking even as I slipped her into bed. I wasn’t worried about a bath—she’d been swimming enough all day. I left her T-shirt on and tucked her in, making sure Enid was beside her. I looked around for Fluffy, but the bear wasn’t there. I must have left her in the back seat. I would go and get her before I went to bed, or Abby would be upset in the morning if she couldn’t find her.
I left the night-light on as usual and headed to my room. I took off my overalls, hesitating before I pulled off the shirt John had given me to wear. I clutched the collar, bringing the soft white fabric to my nose and inhaling deeply. He smelled so good every time I was close. It reminded me of summer rain and fresh-cut grass. And since I was wearing an article of his clothing, it was stronger, more saturated, and I had to admit, I loved it.
I left it on the bed and took a shower, washing my hair, and I put on a pair of loose shorts. Unable to resist, I slid his shirt back on, once again surrounded by his scent. I headed to the kitchen after peeking in on Abby, poured a cold glass of water, and settled on the sofa with my Kindle. Except I kept staring at the page, not seeing the words, but recalling the day. The past two days.
Thinking especially about John.
His unexpected visit yesterday and the swing he’d made Abby. How easy it had been with him, helping, watching him as he put it up, his first priority her safety. He had no idea how incredibly sexy he was swinging himself up on the branch to test it out. Climbing the ladder and knotting the ropes. Even the care that went into his creation of the simple swing itself. The bright pink he had painted it. The decorative flowers and the many layers of varnish to seal it so she wouldn’t get a sliver.
All for a little girl he barely knew.
It was more than her father had done her entire life.
Images of the last hours flitted through my mind. John looking pleased and excited with the picnic lunch. His smile was almost shy as he showed us his house. The huge central kitchen, with a good-sized dining room and a living area. There were four bedrooms, two on either side of the kitchen, plus an office and a large storeroom. The furniture was older, comfortable, and the entire house had a loved and used look. The well-worn floors gleamed in the light, glossy with age. There was nothing pretentious or fancy about it. He was excited to take us to the swimming hole. His honest and lavish praise for the lunch I had made brought a smile to my mouth and color to my cheeks. He seemed to like that.
I liked the way his chest rippled as he pulled off his shirt to get into the water. His torso was tight and ripped. His arms strong, his biceps flexing as he moved. His legs were powerful, his thighs thick, the muscles bunching in sexy waves under the skin. I’d had to look away, the lust that flared inside me simply by looking at him almost bringing me to my knees. I had never felt anything like it.
And when he’d finally kissed me again, I almost exploded. His lips were surprisingly soft, considering the cross words he often uttered. But when he was kissing me, he was completely sweet. And sexy. He made some low, growly sounds in his throat. His chest rumbled against mine in pleasure. His embrace was tight, his caresses indulgent. He made me forget about everything, but him. Us. The sensations he brought out. My past didn’t matter. Our heated interactions faded away. There was only him and me.
I sighed, running a finger over my lips. I swore I could still feel the possession of his mouth on mine. And I liked it. Maybe too much.
I hadn’t expected this. Planned for it. I planned for everything.
Farmer John wasn’t on my bingo card.
And yet, there he was. The big free space in the middle.
A soft knock startled me, and I frowned as I stood. I wasn’t expecting anyone. A small tremor went through me, but I shook my head. Preston made it perfectly clear he didn’t care where we went or what I did, as long as it didn’t involve him. His exact words were “the farther away, the better.” Those had been the last words he’d spoken as he signed away his parental rights and the divorce papers. Then he walked away, not bothering to look back.
The knock came again, and I approached the door. “Hello?” I called out.
“Hey, it’s me,” John replied.
I opened the door, meeting his warm gaze. It was so different from the frosty one I had gotten used to seeing that, for a moment, all I could do was stare. He grinned at me. “Cat got your tongue, darlin’?”
I shook my head and stepped back, indicating for him to come inside. I shut the door and turned to face him. “Everything okay? I texted you that we got home.”
“Oh yeah, everything is fine,” he assured me. “I got the text.” He winked. “I liked the little x at the end, by the way.”
I had hesitated about adding that, but in the end, I had. Now I was glad.
“I had meant to give you some fresh eggs and forgot.” He handed me a small basket.
“You didn’t have to drive all the way over here.”
“It wasn’t a problem.”
Then he held up Fluffy. “But given Pumpkin’s love for her bear, I was afraid not having this when she woke up might be.”
“Oh, I thought it was in the SUV!”
“I found this on the ground after you left,” he explained. “I hated the thought of her upset. I know Cody used to freak out if he couldn’t find his blanket.” He chuckled, his eyes dancing. “He still has it in his room. He says it’s no big deal, but I know he keeps it close.”
“You came over with it so she wouldn’t be upset,” I whispered, my throat tight.
“And so you had fresh eggs for breakfast. A good start for both of you.”
Some men would have called. Others wouldn’t have bothered. Most wouldn’t have noticed it lying there until the next day—if then. But he did. And he brought it over, along with some fresh eggs so our morning would be better.
This man.
This man who liked to grump and let people think he was unapproachable.
He was anything but.
I launched myself at him, my mouth on his before I could think. He immediately wrapped me in his arms, kissing me back with utter abandonment. Fluffy fell to the floor, unheeded. In seconds, John had turned, pressing me against the wall beside the doorway he’d walked in through. His body was hard, massive, like sculpted marble, pressing into my softer body, our forms melded together. I wrapped my legs around his hips, and he cupped my nape, keeping me close to his mouth. I moaned as he slid his hand along my bare skin, his fingers inching upward on my thighs. I gasped in his mouth as his fingers grazed the edge of my underwear, some small piece of my brain screaming it was too soon and he needed to stop. I wasn’t listening to that voice right now. The glide of his tongue along mine was erasing every other thought from my head.
Then his phone rang, breaking the moment. He stilled, pulling back his head, meeting my eyes.
“I can ignore that.”
“But you probably shouldn’t,” I whispered regretfully.
He nodded, dropping another fast kiss to my mouth, then set me on my feet. But he didn’t move away, answering his phone with a quiet hello. He listened for a moment. “They what ?” He shook his head with a frustrated groan. “Okay. Tell them I’ll be there right away.”
He slipped his phone into his pocket, hanging his head. “That was Laura. One of my tenants just tried to hang a picture and somehow drilled into a wire. They have no power now.”
“Oh dear.”
He stepped back, and I missed his warmth right away. “I have to go look and call Fred, the local electrician. He’s not gonna be happy.” He ran his thumb over my bottom lip. “He can join the club.”
“Probably best, though,” I whispered, my voice raspy-sounding.
“I can’t say I entirely agree, but perhaps.”
He bent and kissed me again, his hand once more going to my nape and cupping my head. “I could just make them wait a bit.”
I laughed, knowing he didn’t mean it. “Go do your landlord duties.”
“If you want to pull a couple wires later…” He trailed off with a wink.
He made me laugh, and I was glad when he joined in.
“Okay, I’ll go.” He stood straight with a sigh, opening the door. “But we’re not finished, Quinn. Not by a long shot.”
Then he was gone.
I didn’t hear from him that night or the next day. Part of me was disappointed, although I had no claims on him or his time. I knew he was a busy man with his farm, his leases, and whatever else he did. Which, around here, seemed to be a lot. I heard his name often, dropped into conversations at the restaurant.
“We should ask John about that.”
“John helped on that house. He’d know.”
“I can already taste John’s corn. I can hardly wait until harvest time.”
“You heard about his plans for the old school? He’s always thinking ahead. It’ll be good for the town. Maybe bring in another new business. I sure like this one.”
That remark made me smile. The restaurant was doing well. My divorce money had come in, as well as Preston’s guilt money for deserting Abby. At least, that was what I called it. His lawyer termed it a lump sum payment in lieu of child support. Either way, we would have no contact anymore. He wanted no information, pictures, or chances to visit or know his daughter. He even hinted she might not be his and I should be grateful for his generosity. It took every ounce of strength I had not to retaliate. My lawyer had kept me calm, and I’d simply shaken my head. “Get a DNA test, then,” I murmured. “She has your color eyes.”
He had shaken his head. “I just want this over.”
Of course he did. That was why it finally happened. He’d met someone new, someone more worthy of his social standing and lifestyle. He wanted to be free, and he was willing to pay handsomely for me to go away.
I was willing to take the money and no longer be subjected to him.
And now, I could buy the building and truly call it my own. I would stay in the small house I was renting for now. We liked it, and it was all we needed.
I came out of the kitchen toward the end of the day, smiling and filling a few coffee cups, and carrying the tray to clear the last couple of tables. The bell rang, and I forced myself to smile as I looked up, hoping it would be a takeout order or someone looking for something simple. It had been a busy day, and I wanted to go get Abby and head home.
John stood in the doorway, his massive shoulders almost blocking the light. He hesitated, looking around, then he met my gaze, and a smile broke out on his face.
My God, he was handsome when he smiled. His lips curled, revealing straight white teeth. His eyes crinkled, the blue of his irises still visible in his tanned face. His dimples appeared, and he had laugh lines that made him even more attractive somehow.
He shut the door, coming closer. “I know it’s late, Quinn. I was wondering about getting a sandwich?”
Up close, I could see he was tired. Weariness was etched on his skin, and his eyes were dimmer than usual.
“Of course. We’re still open for another forty-five minutes. Anything you want.”
“Coffee would be great. And whatever you have left.”
“Sit down,” I instructed. “I’ll bring you something,” I offered, wondering why my voice was so husky-sounding.
He lifted his eyebrows, his gaze focused on my mouth. “Great. Anything you give me, I’ll take.”
I had to fan myself in the kitchen after I set down a cup of coffee for him. Clint, the cook, looked up. “I heard John’s voice. What do you need?”
“What do we have left?”
“Soup. Sandwich fixings. Anything frozen. I haven’t turned off the fryers.”
“No, he needs something solid. Do a big bowl of soup and a grilled bacon and cheese sandwich. Triple-decker with tomatoes.”
“Done.”
I grabbed the last salad and a large glass of ice water. I had noticed John liked his beverages cold. I added ranch to his salad, already knowing that was his favorite dressing, and went out front. Chloe was cleaning off the last of the tables, and aside from John, there was a table of four older men who came in most days for pie and coffee.
I carried his salad and water to the table, sliding it in front of him. “Start with this. The rest will be out in a couple of minutes.”
“Great.” He cleared his throat. “Can you sit?”
“In a few moments. Eat,” I urged.
He picked up his fork and dug in, crunching the lettuce and cucumbers. “Delish,” he hummed.
I helped Chloe with a couple of things, then headed to the back, picking up the huge plate. The bowl was massive, and I chuckled. “Is that one of our serving dishes?”
Clint grinned. “John is known for his big appetite.”
I carried it to John’s table, sliding it in front of him. His eyes widened at the sight of the meal.
“You joining me?”
“Not to eat.”
“You think I can eat all this?”
I fixed him with a look, and he grinned. “I see my reputation preceded me.”
“It did. Eat. You look like you could fall down.”
He dipped his spoon in the bowl, groaning. “I love beef barley soup.”
“I make it myself.”
“Even better.”
He ate steadily, his manners impeccable. He hummed and praised the food, and I let him eat, pleased to see the color coming back to his face and the light glint in his eyes again.
Chloe cashed out the last table and waved to them as they left. I called out my thanks, then told Chloe to lock up. I grabbed a cup of coffee and slid into the booth across from John.
“I think I’m going to change the hours to three,” I mused. “We rarely get anyone after two-thirty.”
John nodded. “More time with Abby.”
“Yep. I can start on the next day prep and get home sooner.”
“Good plan, then.”
“Why do you look so tired, John?”
He chewed and swallowed a bite of his sandwich, wiping his mouth. “The wire the tenant hit was major. It caused a small fire, which we had to clean up and get checked to make sure there wasn’t more hidden in the walls, then I had to have a bunch of rewiring done. One of my neighbor’s donkeys went rogue and busted down a fence I had to fix before they trampled my crops. Laura’s odd client went crazy and accused her of holding back the perfect house for her. She rampaged her office, and Laura called me, terrified, and Bob and I rushed down and had to call the cops on this woman. Turns out the house she thought Laura was hiding was an ad in the paper she’d seen for a model home in another province that used a small-town background from here. Laura has convinced her to look elsewhere for a house.” He scrubbed his face. “It’s been a hell of a couple of days.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine. The woman has moved on. Last Laura heard, she was booking a flight to Ohio. Laura didn’t press charges, but the woman’s husband is paying for all the damages.”
“Wow.”
He reached across the table, taking my hand. “All of that kept me from you, Quinn. I was so exhausted when I got home last night at two a.m., I fell asleep facedown at the kitchen table while eating a bowl of cereal.”
“Good thing you didn’t drown in the milk.”
That made him laugh. “I was up at five working the fields, then back to the house to finish up the interior repairs.”
“Do you pay for that?”
He took another bite, chewing and looking thoughtful. “I shouldn’t. They caused the damage. But I’m helping pay. She was trying to hang their first family picture and somehow missed the stud and went right into the wire running up the side of it. Fred gave me a break on the work, and they will repaint. I’m glad they didn’t burn down the house. They’re a nice young couple. He works in the city hall office.”
“You’re a good man.”
He rolled his eyes. “What good would it do me if I saddled them with a huge bill so they couldn’t pay their rent? I guarantee she’ll be more careful next time. In fact, she’ll call me. Or wait for her husband to get home. Fred advised her to look and see if there was an outlet box on the stud before hammering in a nail next time. I think she learned her lesson.”
“I was worried when you didn’t call,” I confessed. “But I’m glad to see you here.”
He was silent for a moment, finishing his sandwich. “I’m sorry I worried you. I was so busy putting out fires, but I should have texted at least.” He paused and looked dismayed. “Aside from my sister, I’m not used to having someone to worry about me. I’m not used to checking in.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll do better.”
He emptied his soup bowl and sat back. “Incredible,” he muttered.
I got the coffeepot and filled our cups, then slid the last piece of blueberry pie in front of him. Chloe came out from the kitchen, waving goodbye. I locked the door behind her. Clint called out goodnight, leaving from the back.
“They’re gone already?”
“Yep. I guarantee the kitchen is spotless. Chloe has the tables set for morning. Normally, I make the pie crusts for tomorrow or bake a cake. Put on the roast to cook overnight. Then I head home.”
“You work hard.”
“You do as well.”
He sliced off a hunk of pie, chewing it. “God, woman, you can cook. I’m so glad hell froze over.”
I laughed, resting my chin on my hand. “John—may I ask something?”
Instantly, I had his attention. He sat straighter, focused on me. I loved his intensity. “Anything, darlin’.”
“Can I ask what we’re doing?”
“I assume you mean in a broader spectrum than having coffee right now.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I was attracted to you from the start. Then we argued, and things went downhill. We seemed to strike sparks every time we were in the vicinity of each other.” He regarded me for a moment. “We still do but in an entirely different way.”
“So, you’re still attracted to me.”
He chuckled. “Quinn, even when you were driving me mad, I was attracted to you. That never stopped.”
“So, what are we?” I asked.
He smiled. It was his gentle smile—the one that softened his eyes and made him look younger. The frown lines on his forehead disappeared, and he looked almost vulnerable.
“What are we?” he asked. “Again, I would admit to being unsure, but I do know this. We’re something, and we’re important. I think how important is up to you. You lead, Quinn. I’m ready to follow.”