Chapter Seven #3
“No, I’m not working overtime,” she said with a seductive smile. “But I’m tempted to know to what lengths you’d travel to
keep me from working. I’m mostly caught up now.”
His hands bordered the wall on both sides of her face. “You’re a stubborn colleen, Meggie O’Halloran,” he murmured just before
his mouth settled firmly over hers.
The fierce intensity of his touch was gone now. Instead a series of slow, drugging kisses left her breathless and giddy.
Slow to recover from his touch, Meggie was grateful for the wall’s support as she leaned her head back, her eyes closed.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Quinn whispered, his breathing no less unsteady than hers.
Numbly she nodded.
As it happened, Meggie didn’t meet Quinn at the elevator as was their habit the following morning. She waited around for several
minutes but then was forced to leave or be late for work.
Quinn was heavy on her mind all day. Would she ever understand this man? He was like two men warring within himself. His sense
of God and His love seemed to be as deep and profound as hers.
Quinn had shared that part of himself the afternoon he’d taken her to the Grotto. And yet he’d told her not to fill Jill’s
head with her “phony religion.”
Just as confusing were his reactions to her. There could be no doubting his feelings for her ran deep and sure. The way he
cared for her while she was ill, and the romantic dinner he’d created last night. The tenderness of his kisses, the barely
restrained passion.
Glancing up from her desk, Meggie’s brows furrowed with confused uncertainty. It was almost as if Quinn was afraid to love.
And not only her; Meggie sensed his doubts were the same toward his daughter. He seemed to be purposely holding himself back
from them both. Sometimes when they were together, Meggie could almost visualize a protective shield he erected against her,
blotting out her love. He was a man who exuded confidence, a rigid control of his emotions. But Meggie also saw him as a confused,
bewildered man.
The days were staying lighter longer now and Meggie changed into comfortable jeans and a sweater for her nightly jaunt. She’d
abandoned running; it had become boring and required more energy than she was willing to exert after a full day at the office.
Walking seemed to fill the sense of “doing something physical” and she enjoyed the friends she’d made along her nightly route.
There was a friendly collie who met her at his property line and barked loudly toward her and at the same time wagged his
tail in welcome. Meggie stopped regularly to pet his thick mane. But no matter how familiar she became to him, the dog would
always bark at her once. Another dog a couple of blocks from the collie trotted alongside of her, escorting her to the street.
Meggie felt the owner must be a jogger because the dog kept perfect time with her brisk pace.
But Meggie’s favorite friend was an old man who sat looking out his window and waved at her as she passed. The wave was always
accompanied by a bright smile and Meggie felt that the man was housebound, and took great pleasure looking out his window
and waving to the passersby.
Setting her pace, Meggie rounded the corner without recognizing the driver of the four-wheel-drive vehicle that eased its
way along the curb, following her. The horn caught her off guard and she jumped, startled.
“Quinn!” she admonished, hands resting challengingly on her hips. “You frightened me out of two years’ growth.”
He was leaning across the seat of the car, speaking through the open passenger window. His lazy smile tripped her already
accelerated heartbeat. “You’ll have to forgive me for that,” he returned evenly. “Now tell me what you’re up to, woman.”
She gave him a look of total innocence and couldn’t help batting her eyelashes. “Nothing but a walk in the fresh air. Come
on, join me.” She motioned to him with her hand. “The exercise will do you good.”
He hesitated just a short moment before pulling into a vacant space and parking the Jeep. He locked both doors and joined
her on the sidewalk, mumbling something imperceptible under his breath.
Tucking her hand inside his elbow, his large hand dwarfed her small one.
“If I may be so bold, may I ask just exactly where you’re taking me?” he asked drily.
Meggie’s gaze moved thoughtfully over the rugged features. “Oh, about two miles up yonder, maybe less. I keep meaning to gauge
it with my car.” She smiled. Quinn looked weary, run down. “You don’t look so terrific, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he snapped, a resolute hardness closing over his features.
Meggie stiffened, pulling her hand free. “Sorry I asked,” she returned flippantly. She half expected him to apologize, but
no regrets followed.
They walked for a couple of blocks, side by side without speaking a word.
“I missed Jill last weekend, where was she?” Meggie asked after a while, hoping to put things back onto an even keel.
“With her grandmother,” Quinn stated flatly. “I was busy and didn’t want her pestering you.”
“Jill doesn’t bother me. I enjoy having her around.”
“I don’t,” he spoke with complete calm, matter-of-factly, without rancor.
Meggie glanced at him, unable to disguise her shock. “How can you say that?” she questioned in a small voice. “She’s your
daughter.”
“Don’t involve yourself in matters that don’t concern you, understand?” The unflinching hardness of his tone brought a lump
to Meggie’s throat. “Can’t we enjoy one another’s company without bringing Jill into the conversation? She’ll be over this
weekend and you can see as much of her as you like. She can spend the whole weekend with you if you want.”
The knot in her throat now gripped her stomach, twisting the sensitive muscles of her abdomen into a painful lump. “That child
loves you, Quinn. Can’t you see that? More important, can’t you see what your attitude is doing to her?” she asked, inhaling
a wobbly breath.
“I asked you to stay out of my affairs, Meggie,” he repeated in a steely voice that brooked no questioning.
Meggie stopped walking, her brow wrinkling with confusion. “I knew from the moment I met Jill that the girl had problems,”
she said softly. “But I didn’t know that you represented ninety percent of what’s wrong.”
The dark eyes flashed back angrily, his mouth narrowing into a cruel line. “Drop it, Meggie. Jill isn’t any concern of yours.”
Meggie’s mouth opened incredulously. She either had to turn and leave him or let loose with a tongue-lashing that could possibly
ruin their relationship. Wordlessly she turned, her mouth pinched tightly shut. She left him standing on the sidewalk, grateful
that he didn’t attempt to call her back.
Jill was in the hallway outside her apartment when Meggie arrived home Friday afternoon.
“Hi, Jill,” she greeted warmly, genuinely pleased to see the girl. “I missed you last weekend.”
“I missed you, too,” Jill said without meeting Meggie’s eyes.
“Is everything all right?”
“Fine,” the girl responded quickly, too quickly.
Meggie regarded her doubtfully. “Want to come inside and share a Coke?”
Jill shook her head, her eyes seeming to study Meggie’s new shoes.
“Are you sure everything’s okay?” It was difficult to disguise the concern in her voice. Jill had never been a very good actress
and whatever was bothering her now was all but bursting from unwilling lips.
“I can’t stay,” she said, her eyes sad. “I’ve got to get back to the apartment. I’ll see you later, okay?”
Meggie watched the curt movements as Jill hurried down the hall to Quinn’s apartment. Confused, she shook her head and shrugged
lightly before inserting her key into the lock. There wasn’t much Meggie could do for Jill, at least not with Quinn’s present
attitude.
The fish and chips were browning nicely in the oven when Meggie heard a timid knock on her front door. Jerking her attention
from the kitchen, she turned off the oven and pulled the thick mitt from her hand as she crossed the living room.
“Who is it?” she questioned before unlocking the door.
The small voice was trembling. “Jill.”
Hurriedly, Meggie opened the door. Tears were streaming down Jill’s pale face and she was sobbing almost uncontrollably.
“He made me lie,” she cried. “I’ve been trying so hard to tell the truth and Dad made me lie.”
“Jill,” Meggie implored urgently. “What is it?”
“I wanted to tell you, but Dad wouldn’t let me.”
“Tell me what?” Meggie demanded, losing patience.
“Everything’s not okay, Meggie. It’s Dad. He’s real sick, but he told me I couldn’t tell you. But he’s worse and I don’t know
what to do.”