From Boss to Bridegroom (17 page)

Unable to resist, he stroked her cheek, mesmerized when her lids drifted closed and she wove toward him. When he'd first met Nicole, he couldn't have imagined she'd one day welcome his touch.

“Do not worry about me,” he whispered. “Let me handle this my way.”

Her expression grew troubled. “Easier said than done.”

Chapter Eighteen

H
e confronted Kenneth first.

Having ridden directly from Nicole's to the jail, he'd told Shane everything and requested his company during the formal visits. The lawman had grimly agreed. Now they stood inside the doorway of the Joneses' home, explaining the evening's events to his dismayed parents.

Kenneth lounged defiantly in the bedroom doorway, arms crossed and a scowl on his face. “That conceited witch deserved it and more,” he drawled.

Fists balling, Quinn lunged.

Shane barely caught his arms in time. “Don't. He's not worth it,” he growled.

“Go to the barn,” Mr. Jones ordered his son.

Clearly unrepentant, he slunk past and slammed the door behind him. Only then did Shane release Quinn.

He plunged a shaky hand in his hair. “I shouldn't have let my emotions get the better of me,” he told the couple in a formal tone. “I didn't come here to fight with your son. I came to inform you that he is no longer welcome to do business at my store.”

The farmer appeared flustered.

“I understand what the boys did was wrong, but to bar them completely is taking it too far.”

“Kenneth and his friends aren't boys,” Quinn said “They're grown men who ganged up on a young woman and terrorized her with their actions. What they did wasn't only wrong, Mr. Jones, it was cruel.”

“Will he ever be allowed to come back?” the farmer's wife asked.

“Once Nicole has left town, I will reconsider my decision.”

The couple didn't attempt to argue the point, but they clearly weren't happy. Shane bid them good night and, no doubt alert to potential problems, stuck close to Quinn as they passed the barn where Kenneth waited.

Mounted on their horses, they headed for Timothy's place.

Though Shane's expression was indiscernible in the lamplight, the warning in his voice came through loud and clear. “You're aware there will be repercussions, right?”

“I refuse to stand by and do nothing.”

While Alice had leaned toward asking Shane to bring charges against the trio, Nicole had refused outright. She was convinced Kenneth's bitterness would only grow, perhaps spill over to the twins.

“Look, I understand your motivation. But you're a newcomer. Not everyone has accepted your presence here.” Shane bent his head to avoid getting swiped by a low branch. “We still haven't discovered who trashed your springhouse supplies. Barring these young men just might stir up a hornet's nest of trouble.”

Gripping the reins with one hand, Quinn lifted the lamp a little higher. “I knew what the consequences might be going into this.” Recalling Nicole's tearstained face, his conviction strengthened further. “She's my assistant, and it's my duty to protect her and provide a safe workplace for her.”

The lawman was silent for a minute. “You care about her.”

“Yeah.” He blew out a breath. “Probably more than I should.”

“I did tell you there was more to her than what was on the surface.”

Quinn had grown to care for her, deeply. He fervently hoped that's all it was. Caring, as for a friend. Not love.

He came here to find a new life. It'd be the height of foolishness to fall for the one girl set on having the life he'd left behind.

* * *

Everyone was staring.

Why wouldn't they? She was the only female in attendance with cropped hair.

Of course, her family's pew would be situated in the front of the church, within spitting distance of the reverend's podium. Throughout the service, her exposed neck burned with unseen stares of parishioners behind her. Quinn was back there somewhere.

Quinn, who'd wiped away her tears and held her until her fear melted away. She'd lain awake for hours after he'd gone, reliving those tender moments and yet too cowardly to examine her heart.

In Nicole's arms Victoria stirred. Gnawing on her chubby fist, her lids struggled to remain open as she fought sleep. During those times when Nicole was too busy to visit Kate during the week, she looked forward to services so she could hold the baby. Seated beside her, Caleb reached out and ran a finger along the baby's cheek, a smile of affection easing the sternness of his features. He shot a look of such wistfulness at Rebecca that Nicole fought the wetness springing to her eyes.

For a long time, she'd wondered if her cousin would ever find peace. And here he was, married to a wonderful woman and about to become a father.

When the closing prayer had been said, she reluctantly returned Victoria to Josh's arms.

“Join us for lunch.” He cradled his daughter close to his chest. “You can cuddle with this little girl once she's been fed.”

Caleb and Rebecca added that they were going to be there, as well. Rebecca looked hopeful. “It's been weeks. I'm dying to hear more about your young friends.”

Nicole's attention shot to the rear of the church, to where Lucian and Megan were introducing the siblings to folks. They'd arrived late and so hadn't seen Nicole's chopped locks. Dread soured her stomach.

She hated to think of poor Lillian's reaction. While she was thrilled about their change in situation, a tiny part of her was reluctant to expose them to her “real” life.

“I'll come,” she told Rebecca.

“Well, if it isn't the most stylish lady in Tennessee.”

A shiver of awareness whispered down her spine and, spinning, she met Quinn's shining eyes. “Hi.”

Caleb and Josh took turns shaking Quinn's hand. “Can't thank you enough for what you did for Nicole,” Josh said.

Before he could respond, the other male members of her family surrounded them in order to echo the gratitude. Others joined the circle to offer their pledges of support. Not everyone in attendance agreed with his decision, however. Some chose to take the young men's sides. Out of the corner of her eye, Nicole saw the angry glances and scowls directed his way.

When most everyone had trickled down the aisle, Rebecca invited Quinn to lunch.

“I wish I could,” he said, “but Claude Jenkins and his wife asked me first.”

“Another time, then,” Josh said.

“I would enjoy that very much.” Quinn addressed Nicole. “May I have a quick word before you go?”

Nodding, she accepted his proffered arm and allowed him to guide her out into the overcast day. They turned in the direction of the cemetery.

Once they were away from prying ears, he glanced at her. “How are you holding up?”

“I'm fine.” Belatedly, embarrassed color suffused her cheeks. Focusing on the horizon instead of him, she said, “I apologize for blubbering all over you. I can't believe I overreacted like that.”

Quinn halted, silent until she looked at him. Gone was the easy charm. His brown eyes were intent. “Don't apologize. You had every right to be upset.”

His nearness proved too much of a temptation. She'd experienced the wonder of being in those arms and wanted to experience it again. She mustn't want or expect such things from him. More importantly, she would be saying goodbye in the not-so-distant future.

For much of her life, Nicole had relied on no one but herself. Whenever she'd been hurt or lonely, she'd escaped those feelings by losing herself in her work. She couldn't start relying on Quinn.

Pulling free, she walked a few steps away to rest her fingers on the cemetery gate, her attention on the procession of weathered headstones. A thick veil of whitish-gray clouds stretched across the sky. The air carried moisture that hinted of an impending rain shower.

“By defending my honor, you've put yourself in a terrible position. I wish you hadn't done that. I could've put up with their presence in the store a while longer.”

He joined her at the gate. “My father taught me to stick to my decisions. He said that second-guessing them would foster distrust in my employees.” Angling toward her, he gently tugged on a curl. “I did what I thought was right. I'm trusting God to work out the rest.”

Quinn's solid faith was yet another quality she admired. Worrying wasn't going to solve anything. Plus, it surely didn't please God. She offered up a silent prayer for help in remembering to trust Him.

“I should go,” he said, his reluctance plain as he gazed over his shoulder at the emptying churchyard.

Nicole had mixed feelings. While she would've liked his company at dinner, it really wasn't wise. His incredible gentleness held immense power over her, scattering her defenses like the wisps of a dandelion on the breeze.

Starting off toward the church, she said, “I'm glad folks are beginning to extend the hand of friendship to you. It's about time.”

He fell into step beside her. “Your family has made me feel welcome from the very beginning. They're good people.” His focus on his polished shoes traversing the trampled grass trail, he observed, “I have a suspicion you'll miss them more than you realize.”

Before Quinn's arrival in Gatlinburg, Nicole would've refuted that statement with vehemence. Not now. Her relationship with the special women in her life had altered because she'd risked opening up to them. The move would interrupt that progress.

“You're probably right. However, distance from family and friends didn't stop you from pursuing your goals, did it? You're surviving.”

“I am not trying to dissuade you. Simply warning you it's not easy, starting over in a new place all alone.”

Her own doubts surging, she stopped midstride. “You don't think I can make it, do you?”

His soft laughter surprised her. “Quite the opposite, my dear. If anyone can make it in the business world, it's you. Not only do you have the mental tools—” he tapped his forehead “—you're passionate and driven. I have no doubt the ladies of Knoxville and beyond will be clamoring to model your clothes.”

They parted then, and Quinn's words stayed with her the remainder of the day. As she sat in her living room and added inch-long ruffles to a skirt, she attempted to pinpoint why those words troubled her. While she wanted people to admire her creations and enjoy wearing them, her aim wasn't popularity. She didn't dream of nationwide renown.

What she wanted was to be a successful boutique owner, to consult clients and create fashions that would best suit their coloring and figures, kind of like what she'd done with Nathan's wife, Sophie. A tomboy growing up, the girl had had no one to guide her in the ways of feminine dress or grooming. Helping Sophie transform into a stylish young lady had been one of the most fun experiences of Nicole's life.

She would love to repeat it. To help others achieve their fullest potential.

Couldn't you do that here?
a tiny voice prompted.
In Gatlinburg?

Quinn's disturbing questions that night in the springhouse came rushing back.

Are you sure this desperation to leave isn't a simple case of you running from your family? Your reputation?

Lowering the material to her lap, Nicole stared unseeing at her surroundings. Could he be right?

Squeezing her eyes tight, she tried to will away the unease tightening her midsection. This was her lifelong dream. She couldn't allow petty doubts to derail her plans.

Or the memory of strong arms. Sturdy shoulders to cry on. Quinn calling her Duchess in that cultured accent of his.

“I'm going to Knoxville,” she announced to the empty room. “I'm going to open my business. Make scores of interesting friends. And I'm going to enjoy every single minute of it!”

* * *

Business was slower than usual for a Monday. On edge and self-conscious about her hair, Nicole kept busy dusting shelves and sweeping the floor of debris. Some of the customers who came in were vocal in their support of Quinn and had gone so far as to express encouragement to her. Those opposed to his actions didn't openly voice their feelings, instead conducted their transactions with pinched expressions and obvious disdain. Through it all, Quinn remained pleasant and upbeat. He treated everyone with respect and civility.

She was going to miss him. A crazy thought considering she'd once dreaded the prospect of working with him day in and day out.

That morning, he'd informed her that her wage increase took effect today. And while she'd wrestled with accepting it, in the end she'd set aside her pride. The more time she spent with him, the more entangled her emotions became.

She'd just finished restocking the sewing needles when the bell above the door announced new arrivals. Looking up to offer a greeting, the words died in her mouth.

Her sister Megan and Lillian were coming down the outside aisle toward her, goofy grins on their faces. Gone was Lillian's signature ponytail. Her beautiful blond hair had been cut off to match Nicole's length, and it fell in soft waves about her cheeks.

When the girls reached her, Nicole lifted a hand to gingerly touch the short ends. “What have you done?” she whispered.

Megan proceeded to pull off her bonnet, revealing her own haircut. Not as short as theirs, her curls brushed the tops of her shoulders.

Nicole promptly burst into tears.

Lillian's arms came around her, and Nicole rested her forehead on the slender but sturdy shoulder. Megan patted her back.

Then Quinn's distinctive footsteps neared. “Is she all right?”

The grave concern vibrating in his low voice only made her cry harder. More than any other time in memory, she felt deeply cared for.

Pulling herself together, she scooted back and found a handkerchief pressed into her hands. Quinn's, of course. Sniffling, she wiped her cheeks and shot the girls a tremulous smile.

“I can't believe you cut your hair for me.”

“We love you.” Megan's eyes grew misty.

Lillian waved a hand. “This is nothing compared to what you sacrificed for me. Besides, it takes a lot less time to dry.”