Chapter 17 #2
Relief softened the muscles in her neck.
If she’d had to go through court proceedings after this, she probably would have run, just as Quin had eight months ago.
She had no desire to relive the whys of Liam’s murder.
As much as she hated Cody, he’d at least had the guts, or lack of foresight, to convict himself.
“That’s a relief. Thank you for telling me.”
Kennedy swung her gaze away and then looked back. “I just. . . I want you to know I approve of you and Quin and I hope things work out between you guys.” Her mouth moved into a cautious smile.
Seeing Kennedy had struck a nerve in Josie. She’d always liked Quin’s sister, and they’d hung out often when Liam was alive, but she couldn’t help but feel ashamed for moving on—even with someone like Quin.
“That means a lot, Kennedy. It’s been difficult to let go, and I can’t help but feel like Liam would be hurt—”
Kennedy pulled her into a hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t come around more. I was so embarrassed by the allegations about Quin, I just had to leave town. And I think Liam would rather you be with Quin, someone he knew and loved, than anyone else.”
Josie wrapped her arms around Kennedy’s smaller frame. “I think you’re right.”
Kennedy pulled away and shrugged. “Of course I’m right. I’m never wrong. You can ask Quin. Oh, by the way, he’s waiting for you.”
She pushed away from the wall, Kennedy’s validation putting a spring in her step. “Okay. Drive safe,” she said, as she moved toward Quin’s room.
They had a lot to talk about.
She found Quin sitting a little straighter in the hospital bed, his eyes brighter.
Her body ached with every step she took.
She’d most definitely need to book an appointment with the town’s only chiropractor.
She’d call in the morning to see if she could get the buckle out of her hip and rid the stiffness from her upper back.
She sat on the edge of the bed. “I heard Hank came in.”
He nodded. “Yeah. They’re going through the business’s financials to see how much Cody embezzled. But the fact that he admitted to plotting Liam’s murder is huge.”
She pinched a piece of the starched cover between her thumb and forefinger. “I’m grateful for that.”
“Me too. He even admitted to starting the fire at Rocco’s bar.”
“Thank god.” She kept her gaze on the bright-white bedding. Things shouldn’t be awkward. Not after all that had happened between them in the last twenty-four hours. But the bright lights and the recent events were invasive and had forced away the dream state her warm, cozy cabin had offered.
Quin’s knuckle lifted her chin. “What’s wrong?” Tension folded his forehead, making him look sexy and rugged, as if she’d just stumbled across him chopping down a tree in the mountains—minus the hospital gown.
She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “Nothing. I just—”
“You don’t know what to do about us?” He said the words as if he were being ravaged by them too.
Her stomach muscles bunched. She couldn’t pretend that what had happened between them meant nothing. That she hadn’t always had a special spot in her heart for Quin. Where that went was yet to be seen, but hiding her feelings wouldn’t help anyone.
“It’s hard for me to forget Liam. Part of me feels like I’m betraying him, but the other part of me knows he would approve, you know?”
He sat forward and caught the back of her neck, pulling her forehead to his. “I never want you to forget Liam. I never want to forget him. Let’s get that clear right away. As a matter of fact, I think we should do something special tomorrow for the anniversary of his death. I don’t know what, but—”
“I’d like that,” she said, the words rushing out. “I could make his favorite meal, pot pie soup.”
“We can invite Dez, McKenna and Jaxon too.”
She nodded and closed her eyes. Quin’s warm palm cradled her head, his touch filling a deep need inside her. Tears stung her eyes. “Okay,” she managed to say.
“As far as you and I go, I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want. We can take a break and—”
She snapped her eyes open and caught his free hand in hers. “No.” The word came out fast, the mention of them being separated again too painful to bear. Maybe that was the sign she’d needed. “You can’t leave again.”
“Never,” he breathed. “I love you too damn much.”
Butterfly wings beat against her breastbone. “I love you, too. I want to be with you, Quin. I feel complete when we’re together. I don’t hurt anymore.” Tears broke through her lashes.
He kissed her cheeks then swiped the droplets with his knuckle. “That’s all I care about, Jos. We can take things slow. Heck, I can live with Kennedy until I sell the logging company—or even stay there. We’ve got a suite above the garage.”
She shook her head and mopped her cheeks with the heel of her palm. “No way. You’ll stay with me. Liam would insist.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, that he would. He always took care of everyone.” He dragged his knuckles down her arm. “Maybe he brought us together so we could take care of each other.”
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, taking care not to aggravate his wound. His words had sunk through the thin walls of her resistance. This was what she wanted. To be happy. To laugh again . . .
She wanted Quin.
The rough bristles on his jaw moved as he turned to kiss her cheek. “Can you do one thing for me, babe?”
She sucked in a deep breath of his spicy scent. Not pulling away, she nodded. “Of course.”
“Get me the hell out of this hospital.”
She let loose a laugh, and it was as if all her grief fell away. Liam would never be gone. She didn’t have to forget him. But she could love again, and dang it, she wanted to be loved, too.
And she’d never stop loving Quin.