Chapter Two #2
Beneath all Jill’s outward indifference and sharp tongue, Meggie recognized herself. Her own mother had died when she was
thirteen and Meggie was suddenly forced to take over a lot of the household responsibilities. She was just about to tell Jill
about their common experiences when the doorbell rang.
Jill raced to the door. “I bet that’s dad.”
Quinn entered the apartment and Meggie quickly drowned the excitement she felt at seeing him again. Strong fingers of one
hand absently stroked his chin, before he greeted his daughter. His thoughts appeared to be a hundred miles away. When he
did focus his attention on Jill, his eyes sharpened in challenge.
“I thought I told you I didn’t want you wearing makeup,” he scolded angrily. “You’re too young for that garbage.”
The ready smile died on Jill’s tender face. Slowly she lowered her eyes as if studying the pattern in the carpet. “Meggie
taught me how to put it on,” she murmured miserably.
The accusing eyes glared at Meggie from across the width of the room.
“I didn’t mean to do anything against your wishes, Quinn.” She could feel his anger, almost taste it; the tension twisted
her stomach muscles. “I was wearing cosmetics when I was thirteen; I didn’t think it would do any harm.”
The cold eyes narrowed. “That’s just it. You didn’t think.” His glance fell again on his daughter, as he gripped her upper
arm tightly. “You look just like your mother.” It was more of an accusation than a compliment.
“I think you’re overreacting,” Meggie snapped. Was Quinn so insensitive that he couldn’t see what his disapproval was doing
to Jill? How could he possibly not detect the hurt in the young girl’s eyes?
The look he shot Meggie silenced anything more she might have said.
“I’ll thank you to mind your own business.” Opening the door with an angry jerk, he pulled Jill along with him. “Leaving Jill
with you was a mistake. One that won’t be repeated.”
For a long moment, Meggie stood stunned and disbelieving. How could she be so strongly attracted to a man who could be harsh
and cruel to his own daughter? Didn’t he know he was driving Jill further and further away? Meggie’s heart ached for the little
girl who desperately yearned for her father’s approval.
Silently she put the rest of the groceries away, her thoughts preoccupied with her neighbors. When she’d finished, her gaze
fell on the half-finished romance lying on the table beside the sofa. Meggie needed to engross herself in the plot and escape
life’s realities for a while. Leaning against the arm of the sofa she buried her bare feet under the sectional cushion. Just
for an instant she wished her life could fall as easily into place as those in the book. She realized that God had a perfect
plan for her life, as well as Quinn’s and Jill’s. If she didn’t possess this confidence, their lives, their whole existence
would be nothing more than a jumbled mess without rhyme or reason.
About five-thirty, Meggie began thinking about dinner and what she was going to cook, when Quinn knocked on her door.
He shifted his feet once as if he was uneasy. But the expression on his face was as determined as she’d ever seen. Silently
Meggie chided herself for hoping he’d come to apologize. It didn’t take long to see that wasn’t the reason.
“Now what have I done?” she asked defensively.
Surprise sparked in the dark eyes. “Nothing. I wanted to say I was sorry for what happened,” he said tightly. “You’re right.
Jill’s thirteen and it’s about time for her to want to experiment with makeup.”
An apology! Meggie didn’t need a degree in psychology to recognize that Quinn didn’t make amends often. Just the way he was
standing, the rigid set of his jaw and the eyes that just managed to avoid hers, told Meggie that this was out of character
for this perplexing man.
“Don’t worry about it, I understand.” She was almost too surprised to speak. “My father felt the same way when I was Jill’s
age. If I’d waited for him to realize I was growing up I would have been a college graduate before he allowed me to date.”
Quinn agreed with a rough jerk of his head. “Jill and I are going out to dinner later. We’d both like it if you would join
us.”
Again Meggie was surprised. “I’d like that. When should I be ready?”
“Does an hour give you enough time?” Thick brows rose in question.
“That’ll be fine.” Excitement raced through her blood. The way her heart was pounding, one would think she had just been invited
on her first date.
After a careful survey of her closet, Meggie chose one of her prettiest dresses. The design was simple, with a scooped neckline
and full sleeves. The formfitting waist emphasized Meggie’s natural feminine curves without calling attention to her nearly
perfect body.
Jill appeared at the door about thirty minutes later. “Dad said you should show me how to put my makeup on again,” she asked
almost shyly.
A tiny smile quivered at the corners of Meggie’s full mouth. She could almost visualize what had happened with Jill’s heavy
hand.
After a few simple words of instruction, Jill was on her own, amazing Meggie at how quickly she learned. The younger girl
was placing on the finishing touches when Meggie brought out a gold chain necklace. Her hair fell forward as she bent her
head so the thickness wouldn’t be caught in the clasp of the necklace.
“That’s pretty.” Jill admired the jewelry openly.
“It was a gift a long time ago from a boyfriend.” Meggie didn’t bother to explain that the boyfriend was Sam and all the complications
that had arisen in her life because of this relationship.
“I’ve had a lot of boyfriends. I’ve even gone steady lots of times,” Jill told her proudly.
“Steady?” Meggie questioned uncertainly.
“Oh, sure. I’ve been going steady with boys for years. Hariette says I’m a lot like my mother. She had lots of boyfriends
early, too.” Jill hesitated as Meggie sprayed a delicate rose-scented cologne on her. “Can I use that?” she questioned eagerly.
“Sure.” She handed the bottle to Jill and was pleased to note that the girl used it sparingly, imitating Meggie.
“I have lots of pretty jewelry too,” Jill continued lightly. “I have one necklace that’s made entirely of rings I got from
high school boys.”
“Rings?” Meggie glanced up skeptically.
“I’ve gone steady with so many boys that I have a whole necklace of class rings. I mean it would be impossible to wear them
all on my fingers.”
There was a lot more than just a note of untruth in the statement, but Meggie said nothing. Jill was hoping to impress her,
to have Meggie believe that she was attractive to others. Her heart ached to tell Jill she didn’t need to rely on fabrications
to have people like her. But for now it was best to say nothing.
Quinn arrived a few minutes later. He’d changed and was wearing slacks with a plaid shirt that was open at the throat, exposing
curly blond hairs.
“Are you girls ready?” he asked, his eyes smiling deeply into Meggie’s.
“Ready,” Jill answered for them both. “But, Dad, we’re not girls, we’re women.”
“Of course, my mistake,” he replied mockingly, his dark eyes dancing with repressed laughter. He helped Meggie on with her
coat, holding the charcoal gray wool open for her so she could slip both arms in at once. It might have been her imagination,
but she felt his hands had rested on her shoulder for just a fraction longer than necessary. Not that she minded. Somehow
she needed to know this magnetic attraction was mutual. She wanted Quinn to feel something strong for her. She needed the
lingering feel of his touch.
“Where are you taking us, Dad?” Jill asked as they came out of the front of the apartment building. Not giving him the opportunity
to answer, Jill continued, “My dad knows all kinds of neat places. Mostly from people he’s worked with or people he’s gotten
information from for one of his murder cases. Last summer Dad . . .”
“Jill,” Quinn snapped, silencing her.
Meggie watched as Jill bit into her trembling bottom lip. Unable to restrain herself, Meggie reached for the girl’s hand and
gave it a reassuring squeeze. Jill yanked her fingers away.
“I thought we’d try a new Thai restaurant.” His eyes sought Meggie’s and then he grinned crookedly. “How does that sound?”
“Do I have to use chopsticks?” she asked jokingly.
“Dad can,” Jill interrupted. “He can use them better than anyone . . .” With a riveting glance from her father, Jill abruptly
stopped talking.
“I think they’ll let us use the standard equipment, if we insist,” Quinn said as they approached the parking lot.
Meggie had wondered what type of car Quinn drove. So much of a man’s personality was revealed in the car he owned, at least
that was what her father had always said. Meggie remembered when she was sixteen that her father hadn’t allowed her to go
on a date when the boy showed up in a flashy car with a souped-up engine. It had been humiliating to tell him that something
unexpected had come up, and she couldn’t go out after all.
An unintentional smile curved up her mouth as Quinn opened the doors of his four-wheel-drive Jeep. She would have guessed
he’d drive something practical. Quinn Donnelley wasn’t out to impress anyone.
After a quick drive on the freeway, Quinn parked directly in front of the restaurant. They were greeted by the hostess almost
as soon as they entered the doors of the restaurant. The woman was petite, beautifully dressed in a traditional gown from
Thailand. She was so strikingly beautiful Meggie had difficulty keeping her eyes off the light olive-colored skin, contrasted
by the shimmering gold costume.
Quinn seemed to know her, and spoke to her in her own language. The woman smiled warmly, obviously pleased by his words, and
led them to their table. Meggie couldn’t help but notice it was the best table in the place and probably reserved only for
honored guests. After they were seated and handed menus, the waiter appeared. A wide smile brightened his face. He too spoke