18. John
18
JOHN
Q uinn arrived later than planned, but early enough she had a chance to change before we took Abby to her slumber party.
Earlier, after she’d dropped her bombshell of a question, Abby had been distracted when the sprinklers came on suddenly, laughing as the cool water hit us. I cursed as I realized the timer must have malfunctioned, but it did stop me from having to answer her query.
Did I love her momma?
I was pretty certain that I did. It was fast, but it was real. And I knew it was forever.
But I really wanted to tell Quinn first before telling Abby. And I wanted to be sure Quinn was ready to hear it.
But every time I looked at her, every touch and every kiss only confirmed what I had been feeling. Quinn had somehow slipped into my heart without my realizing it, Abby following right behind her. They were a package deal, and I didn’t plan on asking for a refund or any changes.
I liked it exactly how it came.
My girls.
We dropped Abby off, Quinn walking her in with her little knapsack and clutching Enid and Fluffy. I stayed in the truck, not wanting to overstep. Pumpkin had kissed me, flinging her arms around my neck. “Remember what I told you,” I whispered.
She nodded, and I felt my stomach tighten a little as she left the truck. I had no idea how Quinn handled it.
Quinn came back, and I looked over at her. She looked worn and tired. “Do you want to just pick up a pizza, go home, and put our feet up? Have some wine, watch a movie, and be close, in case?”
“But you made plans.”
I ran a finger down her cheek. “Darlin’, as long as you’re with me, then my plans are complete.”
She sighed. “I’d love that.”
I winked. “Done.”
We picked up a pizza and headed to the farm. Quinn was quiet, staring out the window. I reached over and took her hand. “Something upsetting you?”
She turned her head with a rueful smile. “No. Just thinking about today.”
“You planning on offering me a job? I have the need to tell you that pouring water and coffee are my only skills. I have a feeling carrying trays is beyond me.”
She leaned her head back with a snicker. “You were awesome today. How is it you seem to know exactly what to do?”
“I don’t,” I admitted. “It’s all guesses. And today, I happened to be in town to pick up some wood to rebuild the chicken coop ramp. I dropped by because I was hungry.” I shrugged. “Didn’t take many brains to figure out what was happening. You should have been closing, not serving a group of ten.”
“But they were great. In fact, the mother told me her daughter wanted a different kind of wedding. A picnic. She asked if I catered because they all agreed the sandwiches and potato salad were the best they ever had. And that’s what she wants on the menu. Sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, cake. Lemonade and iced tea. They’re getting married just themselves in the morning and want to do a country lunch after.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“I gave her my number, and she’s going to call me next week. So, a late table would be worth it.” She traced my arm as I pulled into the driveway. “But I was at my wit’s end when you walked in. You made all the difference.”
I parked the truck and leaned across the cab. “Glad I could help. Now, how about some pizza, a glass of wine, maybe a soak, and a movie? We can go to bed early.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Seems to me I have a promise to keep.”
“And if…” She trailed off.
“If Pumpkin needs picking up, I’ll go. Just relax tonight, baby. Let me take the load.”
She leaned close and kissed me, tangling her hand in my hair and pulling me close.
“Deal.”
The pizza was delicious, tasting better somehow shared with Quinn on the sofa, a bottle of wine on the coffee table, napkins catching the messy sauce and dripping cheese. We talked about everything. The town. Growing up here. How Laura and Bob met. My parents.
We touched briefly on her past, but I knew it made her sad. She shared a few stories of spending time with her grandparents and liking it here.
“It was such a different place from the city,” she explained. “I could run, play, be free. At home, I was more restricted. Once my parents died and my grandparents were in a home, the foster family I was with was right in the middle of the city.” She smiled sadly. “I never got to see my grandparents again. They died close together less than a year after my parents.”
I kissed her hand that was restlessly pulling on her denim-clad leg. “I’m sorry, baby. Were they good to you?”
She smiled. “They were nice people. I never felt as if I really belonged, though. I helped Joanna—the mother—a lot. She liked to cook, and I enjoyed it. It made me feel as if I wasn’t taking more than I was given. He worked as a salesman, so he was gone a lot. But he was nice as well. Their kids were older than me and couldn’t really be bothered one way or another.” She lifted a shoulder. “I was lonely a lot. Which is probably why I fell so fast for Preston.”
“Probably.”
“Anyway, I missed coming out to the country. Life seemed simpler. Better. I wanted to give Abby the chance to experience living that way.”
“And you are,” I assured her. “I’ll have her countrified in no time.”
I got a real smile at my remark.
After we ate and she checked with Mandy’s mom that Abby was doing okay, we watched a romantic comedy on the TV. It had been so long since I had done anything so domestic. More than once, I saw her roll her shoulders and stretch her legs as if they were sore, so when the movie was done, I headed to the bathroom and ran her a bath. I returned to the living room, trying not to laugh at the fact that she was dozing, curled up in the corner, her hand propped under her chin. She startled awake as I slid my arms under her and carried her down the hall.
“Put me down,” she protested, even as she laid her head on my shoulder. “I can walk.”
“I know you can, but right now, you don’t have to.”
In the bathroom, I set her on her feet, indicating the tub. “Soak. Relax.”
“You joining me?”
I paused. I hadn’t planned to, thinking she would enjoy a little quiet time, but the thought of her wet, naked, and relaxing against me was too much to resist.
“Absolutely.”
In seconds, I was naked and slid into the tub, the sloped back fitting my frame well. I held out my hand and helped her step in, watching as she sank into the warm water with a satisfied sigh. For a moment, neither of us spoke.
“Sorry I don’t have any bubble stuff.”
She peeked at me over her shoulder. “Are you sure, John? You don’t have a hidden stash and like to soak away your troubles at night in a sea of lavender-scented bubbles?” She winked. “You can tell me.”
I let my head fall back in laughter. “You got me. But I prefer citrus.”
“I’ll remember that.”
I cinched my arm around her waist, tucking her closer. I rested my chin on her head. “Never been in the tub. But my grandfather had this made for my grandmother years and years ago. He even helped. She loved to soak.” I frowned. “At least, that was what he told me. Come to think of it, she was a pretty small woman. I fit in here with room to spare, which means he probably did too.”
“When did she pass?”
“When I was a teenager. Gramps was never the same without her. I spent a lot of time with him.”
“I’m sure he loved that.”
I frowned, remembering how he slowly lost his will to live without her. The stories he shared about their life and how happy they had been. How much I still missed him.
Quinn nudged me, bringing me out of my sad thoughts.
“I bet they soaked together. Or something,” Quinn said with a sly wink. “He probably helped her find the soap regularly. You know, so she could relax. I bet he looked hard.”
I covered my eyes, grateful for her lightness. “Oh God, I don’t want to think of them soaking together. Or the whole where’s the soap thing. I doubt it was just to relax.” Then I barked a laugh. “They were very affectionate. I bet they were pretty damned frisky, those two.”
Quinn covered her mouth as she laughed. “This is quite roomy.”
“It also explains why the old bathroom had a central drain in the floor. I thought Gramps was just ahead of his time.”
“They probably flooded the room a few times,” she said, sounding amused.
I pressed my fingers into my eyes. “Let’s change the subject.”
Quinn pushed forward, then spun and turned to me. She crooked her finger, indicating for me to come closer. I did, letting her wrap her legs around my waist. We were melded together, the warmth of the water around us. My cock pressed against her, and even with the water, I felt her desire. “Or we could make a flood of our own. Christen the tub.”
She wrapped her arms around my neck, ghosting her mouth along the damp skin of my chest and shoulders. “Maybe I could ride you again.” She tugged on my earlobe. “Maybe try reverse cowgirl.”
I looked down at her, yearning coursing through my veins. “I didn’t bring a condom.”
“I’m on birth control. You can go bare. I feel safe with you.”
“You are.”
She waggled her eyebrows. “Bareback stallion-style.”
I yanked her close, the movement causing the water to swell and splash over the edge.
“Yeehaw.”
The next morning, we picked up Abby. Quinn looked well rested and completely relaxed. I’d found the soap at least three times.
Then I had to dry her off in the bedroom. Really thoroughly.
I got her all wet again, though, so we had to have a shower.
And I found out my Quinn was really vocal when she wanted to be. We both enjoyed the freedom of no condoms. It was easily the most erotic sensation to be surrounded by her tight heat and feel everything so intensely. She seemed to like it, if the nail marks on my back and the love bite she left on my neck were any indications.
I returned the favor on her thighs and right over her heart.
I liked how she looked with my marks.
I wasn’t sure when I had become such a possessive bastard.
Abby bolted out of the front door, running toward us, waving her arms in case we missed seeing her. “Hi, Momma! Hi, Farmer John!”
Then to my surprise and Quinn’s shock, she headed straight to me, her arms outstretched. Bending, I picked her up, swinging her into my arms. She pressed her nose against mine. “Guess what?” she whispered excitedly.
“What?” I replied.
“I got scared last night, but I remembered what you said. And I told Mandy’s mom, and she gave me some juice and talked to me till I wasn’t scared anymore.”
“What scared you?” I asked.
“It was darker than my room. But when I told her, she put a light on, and I was okay!” She dropped her voice. “Is she a cover too, John?”
I nodded. “Yep.”
She nodded sagely. “I thought so.”
Quinn watched us, a smile on her face. Abby turned to her, holding out her arms. “Hi!”
I handed her off, and Quinn dropped a bunch of little kisses on Abby’s face, making her giggle.
“Momma!”
“I missed you. Did you have a good time?”
Abby nodded. “We watched a movie and had popcorn and chips. And we made the pizza and got to put on whatever we wanted!”
“Let me guess,” I mused. “Hot peppers and anchovies?”
Abby wrinkled her nose. “No. Pepperoni and cheese with mushrooms and some bacon.”
“That’s my girl.”
“Are we going to the farm?”
“Nope,” I said. “I have a little surprise planned.”
Quinn buckled Abby in the back, and I held open her door, helping her scramble into the seat. It amused me to watch. She was so petite compared to me. I bent and kissed her.
She cupped my face. “A surprise?”
I winked. “Yep.”
We drove out of town for about thirty minutes and headed up a dirt road I knew well, pulling up to a large homestead. A group of men stood outside, and Abby stared at them as I swung her out of the back, perching her on my hip.
“Farmer John, are those cowboys?”
“Yep. This, Pumpkin, is a real ranch.”
“With horses?”
“Yep. And you get to ride one today.”
Her squeal was loud. “What about you and Momma?”
“Um, I think I’ll just watch,” Quinn said, sounding nervous.
I glanced her way. “Your choice, but you can ride with me if you want.”
“Oh, um…”
“Please, Momma?”
“Okay. Maybe,” she mumbled.
Laughing, I introduced her and Abby to my friend who owned the horse ranch. “Brent, this is Quinn. And this munchkin is Abby.”
He greeted them, tipping his hat. He indicated the group with him. “My sons, Luke and Mike. My right hands, Joe and Taylor.”
I shook their hands, and Abby and Quinn said hello. A woman came outside, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “And this is my wife, Sadie.”
I leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Sadie. You’re looking beautiful as always.”
She waved me off. “Hush, you.”
“We’re gonna ride a horse,” Abby told her.
“Yes, I heard. Then I have some cake and lemonade for after.” She glanced at Quinn. “Are you joining them or coming inside?”
“Momma is coming,” Abby said firmly.
Sadie laughed. “If you change your mind, the coffee is on. I hear you’re quite the cook. We could swap some recipes. I plan on visiting your dill place next time I’m in town.”
“You are always welcome,” Quinn replied.
“Sadie here makes the best cakes I know. Didn’t you used to sell them at the market?” I asked.
She nodded. “But when the stall closed down, I wasn’t interested in what the new vendor was offering. I miss making them, strange as that sounds.”
Quinn stepped forward. “I’m looking for local vendors for the restaurant. Maybe we could talk.”
Sadie smiled. “I’d like that. You go for a short ride. Then we can chat.”
“Okay.”
Quinn looked decidedly more nervous as they brought out the horses. Abby had no fear, delighted at the small gelding they helped her up on. Quinn eyed the tall black stallion I swung myself onto. I held out my hand. “Come on, darlin’. It’s perfectly safe.”
“I think I’d rather go talk to Sadie.”
“Ten minutes. Just ten minutes around the yard. If you’re still nervous, we’ll go out with Abby, and you can head inside.”
She worried her lip, and I flicked my fingers. “Come up, baby.”
“You don’t have a saddle.”
“Lots of room for you, then. Come on.”
She gasped as Brent lifted her from behind, and I grasped her waist, sitting her in front of me. She grappled on my arms, her grip tight. “Relax,” I breathed in her ear. “I have you.”
I urged the horse forward, and we began a slow pace. Brent held the harness of Abby’s horse, and she held the pommel, a wide grin on her face, not fearful at all. We trotted slowly around the yard, but Quinn never fully relaxed, her body pressed into me as close as she could get, her grip never easing.
“Not enjoying this?” I asked quietly.
“It’s fine. Just not my thing.”
I turned to Brent. “You go ahead. I’ll catch up.”
They moved out, a protective guard on either side of Abby. I slid off the horse and helped Quinn down. “Go have a chat with Sadie. I’ll go with Pumpkin, and we’ll be back soon.”
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“Hey.” I lifted her chin. “Don’t be sorry. You tried. Horses aren’t your thing. No big deal. This was for Abby, and as long as she has a good time, then all is great.”
“I didn’t want to disappoint you.”
“You could never disappoint me, Quinn. I love you exactly the way you are. I don’t want you to change.”
We both froze as my words echoed around us.
“You love me?” she whispered.
I chuckled dryly. “Leave it to me to pick the least romantic spot to say it, but yeah, I love you, Quinn Harper. I don’t know when or how, but somehow, I fell for you.” I bent and kissed her. “Even when we argue, I love you. Nothing is gonna change that, and certainly not because you’re not a horse fan. I kinda like that you’re not big on cowboys.”
“I’m a Farmer John fan,” she said, her eyes glowing, her voice low.
“Then we’re good.”
“And I love you too. I don’t know how either, but I do, John. I love you so much.”
I swept her into my arms and kissed her. There was nothing left to say.