Second Time Around (8 page)

4“Montana. That’s where I’m from. I came to live with my grandparents two months ago.”

“Where are your parents?”

For the first time, her eyes clouded and there was a quiver in her voice when she answered him. “Dead.”

A twinge of sympathy hit him. “Sorry.”

Her bony shoulder lifted in another shrug as she gazed toward the water, blinking rapidly. Suddenly she bounded to her feet. “I’m going swimming. Want to come?”

“No, thanks. I want to sleep.”

“Susie wore you out, huh?” There was a smirk in her voice. “You should feel privileged. Normally she only dates college seniors.” The elastic band on her shorts slid down over nonexistent hips as she tugged on the material.

“Now how do you know that?”

“Watson is a small town. Everyone knows everyone else’s business. But don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about the little show you were putting on last night.”

“Brat.”

“Jerk.” With a loud war whoop she ran for the water, leaping over his forgotten fishing pole as she dived into the lake headfirst…

~~~~~

Lanie’s remembered yell became real as a small body landed in the middle of his stomach, knocking the air out of him with a woosh and effectively bringing him back to the present. His eyes popped open like they were attached to springs, only to find Zack’s gaze fastened on him, his face intent.

“Hide me,” the little boy whispered.

Carefully, Quinn pushed himself up to lean against the headboard, blankets sliding to his waist as he steadied Zack. “Hide you from what?” he whispered back.

“Mama says I have to go to daycare, and I want to stay home today.”

Before Quinn could formulate a reply, footsteps echoed down the hall. “Zachary Quinn McAllister, when I get hold of you…”

Lanie’s words faded as she reached the door of Quinn’s room and stopped. A pink flush slowly covered her cheeks as she stared in at them.

“Uh-oh.” Quinn smiled at Zack. “She used all three of your names. I think she’s serious.”

The little boy’s chin firmed, jutting into the air as he eyed his mother. “I won’t go.

I’m gonna stay with my Daddy today.”

4Taking a few hesitant steps into the room, Lanie stopped again. “Zack, Kelsey is waiting to drive you. Your Daddy will still be here when you get home.”

Part of him wanted to agree with Zack. He’d missed four years, what would it hurt for Zack to stay home today? But he also didn’t want his son playing him against Lanie.

“She’s right, you know.” Quinn reinforced her words. “I’ll still be here, and maybe when you get home you can show me the puppies.”

“There are four.” Zack was instantly distracted. “But I like the black one the best.

It’s the littlest. You can have one if you want.”

“Thank you. I’d like that,” Quinn declared solemnly.

“Okay.” Lanie took another step closer. “Now that it’s all settled, you need to get downstairs. And tell Kelsey you’re sorry you made her wait.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Zack scooted off Quinn’s stomach, the toe of his boot digging in, causing Quinn to wince. The little boy paused in the doorway to look back at the bed. “Promise you won’t go see them until I get back?”

“Promise.”

“Cross your heart,” the little boy commanded.

Quinn lifted an eyebrow at Lanie, nodding with understanding when she made an X on her chest. He repeated the gesture. “Cross my heart.”

Beaming, Zack darted out the door, leaving him alone with Lanie. She looked nervous, he decided. That could be a very good sign.

“I’m sorry.” She waved a hand vaguely in the direction Zack had gone. “He usually loves daycare. I think he was afraid you’d leave if he didn’t stay home today.”

Quinn gave a short nod. “I know. He’ll have to get used to the idea that I’m not going anywhere.” He hesitated, and when he spoke again, his voice was softer. “You named him after me.”

She dropped her gaze to the floor. “Yes. I thought he should have a part of you, even if it was only your name.”

“Thank you.” He hesitated. “You know, I wouldn’t mind if he stayed home from daycare a few days. It would give me some time with him.”

“I thought about it.” She lifted a hand and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “But I don’t want to disrupt his routine. With everything that’s going on, he needs the rest of his life to be as normal as possible right now.”

“I understand.”

“Good.” Her shoulder lifted in a shrug as she turned toward the door. “Breakfast is ready. We eat in the kitchen these days. It saves Martha from making so many trips back and forth to the dinning room.”

“I’ll be down in a minute. And Lanie?”

She paused, her back stiff.

4“It’s nice to see your wedding rings back where they belong.”

* * * * *

Lanie closed his door behind her then leaned weakly against the wall. Her whole body was vibrating like a violin string that had been harshly plucked. It was the sight of him in bed, of course. In bed with his hair tousled, chest bare. She shut her eyes, trying to push away the image of other mornings. Mornings when he’d smiled down at her, amber eyes drowsy with desire. Mornings they’d forgone breakfast for the joy of being together, of staying in bed to make slow sweet love.

She didn’t want to remember, couldn’t allow herself that luxury. Not if she wanted to survive the next three months. He’d made it clear she couldn’t avoid him, but she’d make sure she stayed out of his room from now on.

Pushing away from the wall, she continued toward the kitchen. Why was he having this effect on her? And she couldn’t fool herself. He
was
having an effect. Even in Chicago she’d felt it, that flush of heat racing through her at his nearness.

Maybe it had been too long since she’d been with a man. She shouldn’t have held Jared off. If they had made love then the mere sight of Quinn wouldn’t be able to set her blood racing this way.

But Jared had never set her on fire with a simple look the way Quinn could.

Rapidly, she suppressed the troubling thought.

Duncan looked up as she entered the kitchen, and Lanie made herself smile at him.

“Quinn said he’d be down in a minute.”

She didn’t know quite what to make of Duncan. In Chicago, she’d assumed he was Quinn’s butler, or houseboy maybe. But he certainly didn’t look like a servant, or act like one either. He was as tall as Quinn, with dark brown hair and eyes, and the body of a professional athlete.

Now he nodded at her statement before lifting a cup of coffee and taking a sip.

“Good. We’ve got a lot to do today.”

She reached for the chair at the head of the table, then hesitated. When they were married, Quinn had always sat there, and last night he’d unconsciously picked up the habit again. Her chin lifted. Well, things had changed and the sooner he realized that, the better. Defiantly, she pulled the chair out and sat down.

“What exactly is it that you do for Quinn, Mr.…”

“Call me Duncan. I do whatever he needs done.”

“Which is usually a lot more than he gets paid for.” Quinn’s voice came from behind her, sending her pulse racing anew. “But he won’t let me give him a raise.”

Duncan grinned, his brown eyes sparkling as Quinn took the seat across from him.

“What do I need money for? You pay for everything.”

4“Don’t get used to it. One of these days I’ll get tired of you ordering me around and toss you out on your ear.” Quinn’s smile made his words sound like a long-standing joke. Duncan, at least, seemed to think it was funny. He threw back his head and laughed.

Quinn’s gaze moved to her. “Duncan is more than an employee. He’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had.”

An honor that used to belong to her. Lanie was startled at the tiny stab of jealousy she felt, and grateful when Martha interrupted, filling first Quinn’s cup, then her own.

Silence fell while they loaded their plates and dug in. Quinn was the first to break it.

“What are your plans for the day?”

Lanie kept her gaze on her plate. “I’ve got three groups scheduled this morning for riding. Since there hasn’t been time yet to hire additional help, I’ll have to take care of them.”

“I thought you had several people working for you?”

“I do.” She finally met his eyes. “But only Sherry helps with the riders, and she has groups scheduled, too. Of course, you’re welcome to come with me if you’d like.”

He seemed to consider it for a moment, then shook his head. “Maybe another time.”

She saw Duncan give Quinn a speaking glance before he went back to eating, and wondered what was going on.

“When did you start taking people riding?”

“Zack was a few months old, so I guess it’s been about four years now,” she mused aloud. “Raising cattle and horses simply doesn’t pay enough anymore. It’s the tourists that keep us going. Jackson Hole has gotten very popular. Not only do we take groups out riding daily, but once a month we have a trail ride and campout. They’re our biggest draw, booked solid weeks in advance.”

“What about during the winter?”

She took a drink of coffee before answering him. “It slows down a little and we don’t do the campouts, but there’s always the people who come to ski and snowboard.

They like our sleigh rides.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a good operation going.”

Her brows lowered. “We aren’t hurting, if that’s what you’re implying. The ranch makes a good living.”

Quinn straightened, his voice quiet when he replied. “I wasn’t implying anything. I was just curious about the ranch.”

Of course he was curious, she realized. This had been the only real home he’d ever known. That’s why it had surprised her so much when he’d offered her the ranch as part of the divorce settlement. Although apparently he hadn’t. Her lips thinned and she glanced at her watch before pushing her plate aside.

4“I have to go get the horses ready. If you need anything, ask Martha.”

He gave her a lopsided smile. “I think can still find my way around.”

Doing her best not to look like she was bolting, she escaped through the back door.

* * * * *

Quinn closed the office door and turned to Duncan. “Did you get a chance to check out the bunkhouse?”

“Yes. It’ll take some work, but it should be okay as a gym. The hot tub will have to go outside, though. I figured we could put a deck in the back with a fence around it to keep Zack from falling in.”

“Are you sure all this is really necessary?” Quinn frowned. He hated the thought of Lanie finding out about his leg.

“You know it is. You’ve only been off the crutches six months. You can’t afford to let that leg go at this point. Not if you want to keep seeing improvement.”

Quinn sighed. “Okay, why don’t you start calling around and find someone who can do the work?”

“In a few minutes. First I want to know something. You aren’t actually planning on getting on a horse, are you?”

“Not in front of Lanie.” Quinn smiled ruefully. “I know my limitations. But sooner or later, I will ride again.” He held up a hand when Duncan started to protest. “I promise, I’ll start slow, and only when you’re around.”

“Quinn, your leg is still too weak. It hasn’t been that long since your final surgery.”

“And it won’t get any stronger unless I start using it. You just told me so yourself.

Now make those calls.”

“Fine.” Duncan moved to the desk. “But I don’t see why we can’t have the equipment moved from the apartment. It would save a lot of money.”

“I don’t care about the money. I’d rather spend twice what it’s going to cost than take anything from that apartment. It never belonged to me anyway. It was my father’s.”

“You’re the boss.” He reached for the phone. “Why don’t you start the warm-up exercises while I’m on the phone and get them out of the way? Guess we can do the massages on the floor until the new equipment arrives.”

With a sigh, Quinn started stretching to loosen his muscles, only listening with half an ear to Duncan’s conversations. What was Lanie going to say when she found out they were transforming the bunkhouse into a personal spa? Better yet, what would he say? He wasn’t ready to tell her about his leg. Not because he thought she’d be put off by it, but because he didn’t want her pity. He could take almost anything but that.

His mind wandered back to earlier, in his room. Yes, she had definitely been nervous. Did she remember that he slept naked? Probably. Last night she’d told him 4that sex was out of the question, but he knew her too well to mistake the look he’d seen in her eyes this morning. And it hadn’t been the look of a woman well-satisfied with her love life.

He didn’t doubt for a second that she’d fight what she felt. Hadn’t he done the same thing for all these years? But denying his feelings hadn’t changed them. It would be the same for Lanie.

Right now she was angry and resentful. He’d have to work hard to make her trust him again. And to make himself trust her. Five years of betrayal and pain, true or not, wouldn’t go away overnight for either of them. But if this morning was any indication, Lanie still wanted him. He could work with that.

“Tough luck, Harper,” he whispered. “It’s only a matter of time until she’s back in my bed.” He could almost feel sorry for the man. Almost, but not quite. Harper wanted his wife and that was something Quinn couldn’t allow. He had one last chance to set right the lives Edward had destroyed, and he would fight tooth and nail to make sure it worked.

Leg still aching from his morning workout, Quinn stood at the back door, watching as the first of the contractors removed the old beds from the bunkhouse and tossed them in a waiting dump truck. Luckily, they had arrived after Lanie left with her second group of riders. It would give him another hour or two to think up a good explanation for the renovations.

He was contemplating going out to join them when he saw Duncan detach himself from one group and head for the house. Impatiently, Quinn pushed the door open for him.

“Well?”

“They said the building is structurally sound, and the changes we need are fairly simple. It shouldn’t take them more than a week, tops. Fortunately, the contractor has a plumber and an electrician he works with on a regular basis, so that won’t hold them up.”