Chapter Four
Meggie watched Quinn walk out the door with a sinking sensation. Her fingers trembled slightly as she placed the phone to
her ear.
“I wish you hadn’t done that, Sam,” she said huskily.
“Done what?” came the deep voice, calm and innocent.
“Told my neighbor you were my fiancé,” she flared, losing patience.
“But, Meggie,” he continued in a hurt, dejected voice, “it’s the way I’ve always thought of you. It’s the only way I’m able
to bear another separation. Someday you’ll love me as much as I’ve always loved you.”
Defeated, she slumped onto the couch, crossing her long legs under her. “I thought you promised me you’d start dating other
girls.” She couldn’t believe he would spend good money on a long-distance call to go over the same pointless argument.
Sam’s laugh was derisive. “I have, Meggie, but there’s no one else who will ever . . .”
“Sam,” she interrupted brusquely, “stop it, you’re repeating everything that’s been said a hundred times before. It simply
isn’t going to work.”
The line was silent. “What do you want me to do? How can I change so you’ll love me?” he pleaded quietly.
The hurt in his voice tugged at her already hurting conscience and she released a long breath. “Sam, I don’t know. Don’t you
think I wish I felt differently? I don’t like hurting you. Disappointing dad is the last thing I’ve ever wanted to do. Give
me time.”
“I’m sorry, Meggie.” His voice changed subtly. There was a note of resignation that made her feel all the more regretful.
“I’m being a beast.”
“No, you’re not.” She sighed again, suddenly missing her home and her father and even for a moment or two, Sam. “It is good
to hear your voice. How’s Dad?”
Sam’s interest rose immediately and he spoke in detail about the printing business, and other shared interests.
After twenty minutes Meggie replaced the receiver, the weight of her guilt heavier than she had experienced since moving to
Portland.
Leaning against the back of the couch, she closed her eyes. She prayed silently, asking to turn her problems with Sam and
her father to the Lord, and as she continued with her petition a comforting peace seemed to come deep from within her heart.
She asked God to send another woman into Sam’s life; she prayed that Sam would relinquish his feelings for her. She appealed
to her heavenly Father that He would take away the pain of her rejection of Sam’s love.
The longer Meggie prayed the more she realized she had done the right thing by severing the ties with home. Although the move
had been painful on both sides, it had been for the best.
Meggie was disappointed not to see Quinn the next morning as she left for work. They usually met at the elevator in the morning.
There was no sign of him. Meggie wanted to talk to him, to clear away the impression Sam had given him. It was important to
her that Quinn should know she would never have kissed him, or responded to his kiss if she had been committed to Sam.
With so much on her mind, Meggie nearly forgot to contact the telephone company. She phoned on her lunch break and learned
it would be a couple of days before she could have her telephone changed to an unlisted number. Dealing with the people at
the phone company in the business office was all part of an extremely busy day.
By five-thirty Meggie’s head was buzzing as she unlocked her apartment. It was her first full day in the underwriting department.
Everything was still new; all she needed to know and remember seemed overpowering at the moment. But Meggie was confident
that the information she was struggling with today would become second nature to her later.
As she inserted the key into the lock, she glanced down the hallway, hoping for the chance to talk to Quinn. The corridor
looked stark and lonely. Repressing a twinge of disappointment, she let herself into the apartment.
Smiling softly, she looked around the room. It was becoming more and more like home. This was the first time in her life she
was completely on her own, had ever lived alone. Surprisingly she found she enjoyed being self-sufficient.
Flipping the dial on the television, Meggie went into the bedroom and changed clothes. The sounds of the reporter detailing
the evening news drifted into the room as she slipped into her comfortable jeans.
It was too early to eat; besides, she wasn’t hungry. As the world news continued, Meggie found herself drifting to sleep.
At the sound of a lively commercial, she jerked herself awake.
“You need some exercise,” she told herself aloud. “Falling asleep before six-thirty is ridiculous!”
Rummaging through her drawers, Meggie located an old sweatshirt and slipped it over her head. She tucked her keys in her pants
pocket and enthusiastically bounded down the four flights of stairs. Her blood was already pumping as she hit the street.
Two blocks and it became difficult to take in deep breaths.
Three blocks and her legs began to feel like lead weights.
Four blocks and her lungs were heaving.
Five blocks and she turned around, and walked home.
Inhaling deeply to catch her breath, Meggie staggered into the elevator and pushed the button for her floor. Leaning against
the back wall of the enclosed cubicle for support, she chastised herself for being so out of shape. Two years ago she would
have run a mile without working up a decent sweat. Jacquie, her college roommate, had gotten her involved in an aerobic dance
class at a local church two nights a week. Within a few months Meggie had been in terrific shape. Tonight she’d attempted
to sprint five blocks and her whole body felt like a quivering mass of cooked noodles.
She stumbled out of the elevator and nearly bumped into Quinn.
“Oh, hi,” she mumbled, still breathless. “I was hoping I’d see you.”
His dark eyes were fixed on her as he held the elevator door open with one hand. “Is everything all right?”
Meggie put her hand over her heart to quiet the furious beat. “Wonderful,” she lied with a smile. “Just trying my hand at
jogging.” She laughed wryly. “Actually it was my feet that were doing all the work.”
“You weren’t alone, I hope,” he asked coolly.
She nodded, unconcerned. “Running isn’t as easy as it looks; if I’d gone another block farther I’d have been forced to take
a taxi home.”
Quinn didn’t seem to find any humor in her attempt. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to be out on the streets alone
at night.”
“I’ll be okay.” She dismissed his concern with a shake of her head.
He nodded curtly, stepping into the elevator, his hand continuing to hold open the door. “Take the whistle with you,” he said,
releasing his hand.
Meggie stepped back, her eyes meeting his as the doors slowly closed. His look was disturbingly gentle.
Meggie was halfway to her apartment, her hand in her pocket to extract the key, when she realized she hadn’t said one word
to Quinn about Sam. Since she hadn’t explained things, Quinn would assume it was the truth. Groaning, she ran a weak hand
across her damp forehead.
After a leisurely shower, Meggie made herself a light dinner of soup and salad. The phone rang just as she was filling the
sink with sudsy water. Immediately her adrenaline began flowing and she swallowed tightly before answering.
“Hello,” she said hesitatingly.
“Miss O’Halloran?”
“Yes.” She breathed easier.
“This is the apartment manager, Daniel Wagner. I understand you found a mouse in your apartment this weekend.”
Meggie’s eyes rounded with astonishment. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I did.”
“Please don’t be alarmed,” the man said gently. “I’ve contacted an exterminating service and everything will be taken care
of by Thursday.”
Tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear, Meggie sat down. “How’d you know . . . ?” Had there been a complaint regarding
her scream?
“Mr. Donnelley reported the incident.”
“Oh.” Again she was surprised.
“Be sure and let me know if you see another one after this Thursday.”
“I will,” she mumbled, “and thank you.” After a moment she replaced the receiver.
Quinn. Would the man never stop amazing her? He was thoughtful, and warm. It would be so easy to let this attraction develop
if only she could explain about Sam.
By Wednesday morning, Meggie recognized that Quinn was purposely avoiding her. The first weeks after she’d moved into the
apartment they had met several times while coming and going. But other than the chance run-in the other day, she hadn’t seen
him at all.
Thursday night, Meggie returned from her nightly jog, extremely proud to have managed seven long blocks without a cardiac
arrest. She bounded off the elevator feeling somewhat cocky. Impulsively she sauntered past her apartment and knocked boldly
on Quinn’s door. She’d clear away this misunderstanding before it developed further.
“Hi.” She smiled cheerfully when he answered the door.
“Hello,” he responded somewhat drily.
“Do you notice anything unusual about these hands?” She held them palms down for his inspection.
A puzzled look flickered across his face. “You mean other than the fact the nails need to be trimmed?”
“They don’t,” she denied, then flexed them, catlike. “All the better to scratch out your eyes, my dear.”
“Exactly,” Quinn said, completely serious. “Keep them that length.”
The smile died on her face and when her brown eyes met his they were just as sober. “I want you to notice there is no engagement
ring on either hand. I am not marrying Sam now or ever. I apologize that he gave you that impression the other day.”
Quinn shrugged as if it was none of his concern, his face impassive. “There’s no need to tell me that,” he replied crisply.
“You don’t owe me any explanations.”
Meggie looked away awkwardly. This wasn’t going well at all. “I realize it wasn’t necessary to explain about Sam. But I wanted
you to know.”
“Is that all?” he drawled, his voice thick with impatience.
Meggie nodded, averting her face so he wouldn’t guess that his indifference was hurting her.