15. John
15
JOHN
T ed stepped back, wiping the back of his neck with his handkerchief. “Sorry, John. The compressor is toast. It’s running, but nothing’s working. You need a new unit.”
“Can you get me one?” I asked without hesitation. This morning, I had dropped by the Dill to get the keys from Quinn, and she looked exhausted.
“What’s happened?” I asked. “Pumpkin have a bad night?” I knew she was prone to nightmares if upset.
“No. I think the air gave out. It was hot. Too hot to sleep, even with the windows open,” Quinn replied. “We’re both tired today.”
“Why didn’t you call?” I asked.
“No need for three of us to be exhausted. There was nothing you could do at one a.m.”
I crowded her against the counter, my voice low. “I would have come and gotten you. Brought you to the farm where you could sleep comfortably.” I traced the dark circles under her eyes. “I hate the fact that you didn’t call.”
She smiled wanly, and the kitchen door opened. I stepped back, holding out my hand for the keys. “I’ll get it fixed.”
“Thank you.”
Ted shook his head. “Everything is back-ordered, John. I can’t even get you a window unit to cool off a room right now. It’s the same everywhere. This heat is killing everyone.”
He tapped on his phone, flicking at the screen. “Two weeks. Minimum.”
“Order it.”
He nodded. “Will do. It’s supposed to rain by the weekend. Although I’m not sure it will bring us much relief.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “Can you check the other units? If they’re going, I want them replaced as well.”
Ted looked pleased. “You take good care of your tenants, John. I know my mom’s is fine. I checked it last week. And we replaced one two years ago, but I’ll make sure it’s operating okay.”
“You didn’t send me a bill for your mom’s place.”
He laughed. “First, it’s my mom. And second, you are always checking on her and doing things for her. The least I can do is check out her air conditioner and furnace. Both are good. But I’ll check the other houses tomorrow. Today is pretty booked.”
I shook his hand, and he left. I went inside, the temperature in the house even worse than outside. I grabbed a glass of water, leaning on the counter and sipping it as I looked around. Quinn had made the place homey. Comfortable. It was obvious she took care of the house well. But I couldn’t let her stay here without air conditioning. The back door opened, and Laura walked in. I frowned. “What are you doing here?”
Laura smiled. “I went to have coffee, and Quinn told me what happened. As manager, I came to see if I could help.”
I huffed out a laugh. “You mean to say you wanted to know what was going on.”
She shrugged. “That too.”
I sighed. “Ted’s ordering a new unit.”
“Oh, great.”
I held up my hand, meeting her eyes. “Not great. Two weeks minimum.”
She grimaced. “Ugh.” She looked around. “I have a couple extra fans. There must be some at the farm too. You only put in air a few years ago there.”
“I can’t let them stay here with no air.”
She crossed her arms. “Two years ago, the Brightons’ unit died. It was three days in the summer without air.”
“It wasn’t this hot.” I sucked in a deep lungful of air. “And it wasn’t Quinn and Pumpkin.”
“So, what are you gonna do? Put them up in a hotel?”
I shook my head. “No. They’re coming to the farm.”
Ignoring her shocked look, I kept talking. “Can you let the tenants know we’re doing an inspection to make sure everything is okay with their units? I want to get ahead of any problems.”
She dug in her bag for her phone and list of tenants. “I know they’ll appreciate it.”
“Ted will let me know if there’s a problem.”
“Let’s hope not. The farmhouse is going to get pretty crowded,” she teased.
“One-time offer,” I replied.
“One-house offer, you mean.”
I smirked. She was right. The offer was always there now for Quinn and Abby. They were the exception.
I had a feeling they might always prove to be the exception.
“No, we’re not,” Quinn argued when I told her what Ted had said and my decision. “We’ll be fine. We’ll use the local pool at night. Borrow the fans from Laura. It’s not like I haven’t been in hot places before.”
“No, you’re packing a bag for each of you and coming to stay with me. It only makes sense.”
Quinn leaned over the table. “John, we’re tenants.”
“You’re more than that, and you know it. I can’t let you and Pumpkin stay in that sweatbox. I swear it was ten degrees hotter inside than out. There isn’t even a breeze. There isn’t going to be. It’s going to be hot and humid for another week at least. I have a big guest room. Pumpkin can swim anytime she wants. You’ll be cool and able to sleep.”
“She has things?—”
I cut her off by holding up my hand. “I’ll help you get her to her activities.”
Quinn chewed the inside of her lip in indecision. I knew how hard it was for her to accept help.
“She has a sleepover tomorrow,” she protested lamely.
I chuckled. “Perfect. I get her momma alone for the night.”
She looked around. “People will talk.”
I shrugged. “Let them. I don’t care. All I care about is that you two will be safe and comfortable with me.”
“Are you sure? Having us for dinner is one thing. Having us around all the time is another. I know you like your privacy.”
I wasn’t sure how to tell her I was tired of my privacy. Of being alone all the time. I wanted them with me. I was looking forward to having them there.
“I’m positive.”
“I’ll cook the meals.”
“Even better.”
“It’s only until the unit is fixed. Maybe it’ll arrive early.”
“Maybe.” I hadn’t mentioned that Ted had called me and said it could be even longer. I kept that little bit of news to myself.
“I need to contrib?—”
I stopped her with a shake of my head. “Don’t even go there.”
She sighed. “Okay. Thank you.”
I got up to leave, bending over her in the corner booth. Other people were in the restaurant, but they were busy eating and talking. The town had gotten used to seeing us together, so it was no longer interesting. “Do you not know I would do anything to make sure you’re okay, Quinn?” I murmured. “Always. You and Pumpkin are first for me now. You understand that?”
She blinked. “I’m trying to get used to it.”
I lowered my head, capturing her mouth. I kissed her—far too long and passionately for public, but I didn’t care. “Get used to it, then. It’s not going to change.” I straightened up. “I’ll see you at the farm later.”
She nodded, looking dazed. I headed to the door and out to my truck. I had things to prep before my girls arrived.
My work here was done.
QUINN
Later that afternoon, I picked up Abby from the sitter’s. She looked tired and worn out. We headed toward the house, her steps dragging.
“How was camp, baby?”
“Too hot,” she griped. “And Mrs. Grainger doesn’t like cold air.” She sighed, pushing her sweat-soaked hair off her forehead. “Can we go to the restaurant? It’s cool there.”
“Nope,” I said with a grin. “We’re going to Farmer John’s. You can swim.”
That made her smile.
“And you know what else?” I asked.
“What?”
“We’re staying there until the air is fixed.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? Like a sleepover?”
“Uh-huh. When we get home, we’re gonna pack a little bag and go. You have to pick what you need, okay?”
“Enid and Fluffy have to come.”
“Of course.”
“Can I bring my toys?”
“Only a few.”
“Okay,” she agreed easily.
At the house, I was shocked by how hot it was inside. I was grateful for John’s offer. And, if I was totally honest with myself, excited. The thought of seeing him more made me smile. The idea we’d have some alone time made the butterflies in my stomach dance. He had quickly become important to me. To both of us. Given my history, I should be wary, but I knew with John, it was different. He was different.
Abby raced to her room, and I followed, helping her pick some outfits and the essentials. Then I put a basket on the bed. “Only what fits in here for toys,” I cautioned her.
“Not including Enid and Fluffy, right?” she bargained.
“Right.”
In my room, I grabbed my suitcase and quickly packed. Overalls, T-shirts, a couple of nightshirts went into the bag. My toiletries and underwear. I hesitated, then added a couple of sundresses in case I needed them. I didn’t pack a lot, knowing I could pop back and grab anything I needed.
I peeked in at Abby, who was still working on her toys—the decision of what came obviously very important.
In the kitchen, I grabbed anything from the fridge that might spoil while I was away and added a few things from the freezer and pantry. John might not let me contribute financially, but I could throw in a few groceries.
And cook him some great meals.
The man could eat. I knew he had to burn through calories every day with the physical labor he did. He needed to eat well to keep up his strength. I could at least make sure that happened. Plus, whatever other needs he had physically.
The thought of meeting those needs made me squeeze my thighs together. He excelled at that.
“Momma!” Abby’s voice broke through my raunchy thoughts, and I turned to her.
“All ready?”
“Yep.”
I followed her to her room, trying not to laugh at her toy basket. It was like a Jenga puzzle, each toy stuffed in well and rising high. I didn’t have the heart to scold her or say no. Most of it was her stuffies, and I spied her little blanket she’d had since she was a baby in the bottom.
“Okay, baby. Let’s get this in the car.”
Not long after, we headed down the road toward John’s. I knew he’d be in the fields working, and I planned on getting dinner ready for when he got home.
Maybe we could spend the evening at the swimming hole. I was looking forward to a restful night’s slumber in a cool house.
Plus, of course, whatever John planned on doing to help relax me. I had a feeling I would enjoy it.
At least twice.
If I was lucky, maybe three times.
John surprised me by being there when we arrived. He came out the door, smiling broadly, looking thrilled to see us. He swung Abby up into his arms, holding her as she told him about choosing her toys and how she’d made sure to pack extra swimsuits.
He was patient, listening to her as he carried her and the bags into the house, the effort seemingly nothing to him. I unpacked the food quickly, stashing it in the fridge and freezer, and deciding burgers on the grill tonight would be good.
He came in again, this time Abby beside him, still talking. “Is that right, Pumpkin?” he asked, looking serious. “That’s how hot you were?”
She nodded. “My skin was melting, Farmer John. It was loose and felt funny. I was so glad when Momma arrived and the car was cool. I might have just been a puddle.”
He frowned, throwing me a wink. “I would have tossed you in the freezer and fixed you right up.”
She giggled, following him down the hall. I picked up my bag and traipsed behind them, enjoying listening to the conversation.
“How would you get me up from the ground?”
“A turkey baster,” he said without missing a beat.
“What if you missed part of me?”
“I would have made sure to get every drop,” he assured her.
“Okay.” She sighed in apparent happiness, knowing that if she did indeed melt, Farmer John would save her.
“Now, since you were at melting level, I think we need to go have a swim. Make sure your insides are cool.”
Her eyes widened with delight, and she opened her bag, her suit right on top. “I’ll go change!”
She ran down the hall to the bathroom, closing the door with a little too much excitement. I looked at John. “Sorry you invited us yet?”
He crossed the room, yanking me to his chest. “Nope. Can’t have my girls melting.”
I chuckled. “You are so good with her. You listen and never talk down to her.”
“She’s smart. Funny. I love how she thinks. Why would I talk down to her?”
“Some people do.”
“Like your ex?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. “He was an asshole, so I’m not surprised. I talk to her the way I’ve always talked to Cody. They’re kids, not idiots. They have thoughts and ideas.” He grinned. “Maybe not the most accurate ideas, but they deserve to be listened to, nonetheless.”
Unable to stop myself, I pulled his head down and kissed him. He grunted in pleasure, tugging me closer and kissing me back. He tasted of coffee and mint. Smelled like grass, sunshine, and summer. I liked how he held me. Tight. Close. Preston always held himself back, as if worried about getting wrinkles in his clothing. He never hugged Abby unless we were out and he felt it was warranted for the moment, and even then, he was awkward. His wardrobe was always more important than expressing any feelings. Good ones, at least.
Abby raced down the hall, and we broke apart, both breathing heavily.
“What was that for?” John asked.
“Being you. Treating my daughter as if she matters.”
He drifted his knuckles down my cheek. “You both matter, Quinn. Very much.”
Then he bent and lifted Abby. “Let’s go to the swimming hole!”
“You too, Momma?”
I nodded, fighting down the emotion John’s simple words had evoked in me. My voice felt thick in my throat. “I’ll just get my suit. I’ll be down in a minute.”
“What about you, Farmer John?” she asked.
“I got mine on already. I was prepared.” He winked at me, his voice tender. “Take your time, darlin’. We’ll be fine.”
I heard their laughter down the hall and outside, and I drew in a long inhale. I was still getting used to this John. Open, sweet, funny.
But I was more than happy to get to know him a lot better.
Abby fell asleep, her hamburger half eaten, clutched in her hand. She had been talking and laughing, then got quiet for a minute, her head sinking to her chest.
John watched her, smiling tenderly. “I think we wore her out.”
I reached over, plucking the burger from her hand and wiping her mouth. “Between melting all night and day, plus the swimming and the games you had her playing? I’m not surprised.”
“What should we do?”
“Leave her for a few moments. She might wake up,” I said, stroking her damp hair fondly. “If not, I’ll carry her to bed, and she can have a good breakfast when she wakes up.”
“Okay.”
He finished his dinner, then sat back, observing her. “She looks so much like you.”
“Except her eyes.”
“Her dad’s?” he guessed.
“Well, the color, yes. But hers are warm and expressive. Slightly lighter in color. His were very dark brown.”
“She’s like you in so many ways.”
“We spent all our time together. I had to be Mom and Dad. He couldn’t be bothered, and when he was around, he sucked the life out of whatever fun we had planned.” I put my chin in my hand, looking at my daughter sleeping at the table, crumbs all around her and a streak of ketchup on her cheek I had missed.
“I don’t know when he became so obsessed with money and reputation that he forgot how to laugh or live,” I said quietly. “When he forgot he once loved me and wanted the same things I did. But it happened, and he wasn’t the man I knew anymore. He wasn’t the man I wanted to raise my daughter with. I loved her exactly the way she was. He wanted her to be a silent showpiece. A mini adult.”
John slipped his hand under my chin, turning my face to his. “He was chasing the wrong dream. He got lost. He lost the greatest gifts he’d been given.”
I smiled at his words.
“But I found you,” he continued. “And my feet are firmly on the ground. I know what’s important.” He tightened his hand. “And I’m not letting go.” He leaned close and kissed me. “I won’t forget.”
I touched his cheek, and we shared a long, intimate glance. His gaze was open. Warm. Telling me silently he had me.
“Let’s take our girl to bed, Quinn. I think you’re as exhausted as she is, and I am going to make sure you sleep well tonight.”
“Promises, promises,” I whispered.
“Ones I intend to keep.”