Duncan was leaning against the fence when he returned to the stable. He straightened as Quinn came through the gate.
“Well?”
Grinning like an idiot, Quinn slid off the horse. “It was fantastic. Hardly any pain at all.”
“Then why are you sweating?”
“It’s hot.”
“Uh-huh. I think you’d better keep it to thirty minutes for the next week. If you’re still doing okay, you can increase it to forty-five.”
“Did anyone ever tell you you’re too easygoing?”
“No. If memory serves, you usually call me a slave driver.”
“And I’m usually right. Let me get the horse back in his stall and we’ll go see how they’re doing with the hot tub.” He glanced at Duncan as they led the gelding back into the stable. “By the way. You have a date with Sherry tomorrow evening.”
“The blonde?”
“Yep.”
Duncan grinned. “Now I know why I put up with your abuse. It’s the perks that come with the job.”
Chapter Eleven
A crowd had already gathered at the Spotted Horse by the time they arrived. Lanie caught sight of Duncan and Sherry, saving a table near the dance floor, and wound her way through the mob, Quinn’s hand resting lightly on her shoulder as he followed her.
“Did I tell you how great you look tonight?”
His warm breath tickled her ear and chill bumps erupted on her skin. Even with all the other scents in the room, she had no problem picking out his. It surrounded her like a cozy blanket, doing things to her insides she didn’t want to think about.
She felt his hand shift, his fingers threading through her hair.
“It’s been a long time since I saw your hair loose like this,” he murmured.
A shiver ran over her. He’d loved having her hair loose when they made love, said it made her look wild and wanton. Had she subconsciously released it from its normal braid for that reason? Or worn her sexiest dress, a gauzy little number that floated around her and hit her mid-thigh, because she wanted his attention? At this point, she wasn’t sure why she was doing anything, and she was tired of worrying about it. Tonight, she only wanted to relax and enjoy herself.
She glanced over her shoulder to meet those amber eyes smiling down at her. “You look pretty good yourself.”
That was certainly an understatement. His white cotton shirt emphasized well-defined muscles, muscles that hadn’t been quite so prominent when they were younger. But then, he said he worked out a lot. It was obviously paying off. It hadn’t escaped her notice that every female in the room watched their progress toward the table.
Nothing new about that, she thought ruefully. Quinn had always attracted women. They were drawn to him to like steel to a magnet. She had to give him credit, though. Never once had he made her jealous. When they were together, he’d acted like she was the only woman in existence, totally ignoring anyone who tried to get his attention away from her. Maybe that was what made him so irresistible, she mused. There was something extraordinary about feeling like you were the center of a man’s universe. Especially one who looked like Quinn.
When they reached the table, he pulled a chair out for her, keeping his hand on her arm until she was seated. Eyebrow arched, she smiled at him. “I thought you weren’t a gentleman?”
He shrugged lightly as he pulled a chair closer to hers. “Maybe it’s time I changed.”
From across the table Duncan snorted. “I’ll believe that when I see it. We almost decided you’d backed out of coming. What took so long?”
“Zack.” Lanie made herself smile at the man. “He blackmailed us into two bedtime stories instead of just one.”
“We ordered beers all around,” Sherry told her. “Hope that was okay. In this mob, we figured we better get our request in fast.”
“That’s fine.” Quinn almost had to yell to make himself heard above the noise. “I don’t remember the Spotted Horse being this busy, even on a weekend.”
“Tourists,” Sherry explained. She pointed to an overweight man who looked as if he’d stepped off the set of a grade-B western. “You can always tell them from the locals.”
A handsome, middle-aged woman stopped at their table and deposited four beers before turning to Quinn with a smile. “Welcome back. Buck told me you’d been in the other day. Feels like old times.”
“Thanks, Ruby. Nice to be here, but don’t expect any excitement out of me. I’ve outgrown my wild ways.”
“Well, thank heavens for that. It got tiresome replacing the mirrors behind the bar once a week.” She winked before heading to the next table.
“Were you really that bad?” Duncan asked.
“Oh, he was.” Lanie grinned at Quinn. “But he always paid more for the repairs than what they cost. It was the only thing that kept him out of jail. It was a running joke around here that he’d pay Buck for damages as soon as he walked in the door.”
Quinn’s gaze was fastened on hers. “And you’d always patch me up the next morning.” He draped an arm over the back of her chair and ran a finger down her cheek.
“Someone had to. Couldn’t have you bleeding all over the horses.”
“If you two are going to start reminiscing, I’m leaving.” Sherry stood and pulled Duncan to his feet. “Come on, city boy. Let’s dance.”
There was a line dance in progress and Lanie laughed as she watched Duncan’s feet get tangled up trying to execute the moves. Sherry put her hands on his hips and slowly led him through the pattern, both of them looking down intently.
“Want to show him how it’s done?” She looked questioningly at Quinn, but he shook his head.
“I’d rather wait for a slow song. It’s a lot more fun.”
“Okay.” She let her gaze sweep the crowd, pausing on a woman with black hair who was making her way toward their table. When she reached them, she flopped into a chair and exhaled loudly.
“God. You can’t even breathe in here tonight.”
Lanie smiled. “Quinn, you remember Sara Carson, don’t you?”
“Of course.” He shook the woman’s hand. “I believe you said she was your lawyer.”
“That’s right. And if you don’t mind, I need to steal Lanie for a second.”
“It can’t wait until Monday?”
Lanie put her hand on his arm. “It’s okay. I’ll only be a minute.”
He nodded. “Keep your seat. I see Jonesy at the bar. I’ll go say hello to him.”
When he was out of earshot, Sara leaned forward and propped her elbows on the table. “How’s it going?”
“Well, we haven’t killed each other yet, and Zack is ecstatic.”
“It’s you personally I’m worried about. This can’t be easy. I keep expecting you to call and tell me you changed your mind, to start filing the papers.”
“No, I won’t do that.” Lanie sighed and started to rub her face before she remembered the light makeup she’d put on. Her hand dropped back to the table. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, Sara. I agreed to this deal, now I have to live up to my end of it. No faking my way through the next three months. I have to try and make this marriage work.”
“Have you told Jared?”
“Yes. That part of it anyway.”
Sara tilted her head, her gaze going to the far end of the bar. “I guess that explains why he looks like he’s one step away from Prozac.”
“He’s here?” Lanie swiveled in her chair to see better. Jared was sitting on the last seat at the bar, a glass of amber liquor in his hand. He looked tired, she realized. More so than she’d ever seen him, and her stomach twisted with guilt. He was watching her, but making no move to come over. “Oh, God. I’ve hurt him so badly.”
“Lanie, this isn’t your fault. You did what you had to do, for you and Zack, both. Jared should understand.” She crossed her arms on the table. “What haven’t you told him yet?”
Lanie took a deep breath. “That Quinn is right.” She glanced up at
the lawyer. “Everything happened so fast last time that I never really felt divorced. I think we need these three months.”
“So, you’ve decided to stay with Quinn.”
“No.” She held up a hand. “Oh, no. I haven’t decided anything yet except to wait and see.” Her gaze moved to Quinn. He and Jonesy were laughing as they talked. “I’m not sure I can trust him. He left me so easily the first time. What’s to say he won’t do it again?”
“You still love him, don’t you?” Sara was staring at her intently.
“Yes.” She blinked back the moisture gathering in her eyes. “I suppose part of me always will. But I love Jared too. I’m so confused, Sara.”
Sara reached across the table and covered her hand. “Then you’re doing the right thing. It wouldn’t be fair to either Quinn or Jared to make a choice until you’re sure in your heart it’s the right one.”
“If I ever am.” She made herself smile. “Would you do me a favor? Go talk to Jared. Everyone is avoiding him.”
“They don’t know what to say. You know how news travels in Watson. There’s not a soul in town that doesn’t know Quinn is back and plans on staying.” She stood. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep Jared company, let him get good and drunk, and make sure he gets home in one piece. He’ll feel better tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Call me if you need me, or even if you just want to talk.”
“I will.”
* * * * *
Jared didn’t look up as Sara slid onto the stool beside him. If he did, he’d have to watch McAllister sit back down with Lanie, and he didn’t think he could stand watching them together anymore. Not when it felt like someone was ripping his heart out every time they smiled at each other.
God help him if she ever found out the truth about the last four years. Even without McAllister in the picture he’d lose her.
He downed the rest of his drink, pushing the empty glass across the bar for a refill. “Did she send you over here to baby-sit me?”
“Lanie is worried about you, Jared.”
“Yeah, I can tell.” He couldn’t stop the sarcasm in his words.
“She is.”
With a sigh, he ran a hand over his face. “I know. But that doesn’t stop it from hurting.”
“I’m curious.” She turned to face him, tucking her feet under the wooden footrest on the bottom of the stool. “Why didn’t you try to convince Lanie to fight him? She might have listened to you, and you wouldn’t be going through all this now.”
“No, I wouldn’t.” He stared into his drink. “I guess part of me thought that if she lasted through these months, it would prove once and for all she was over him. I’ve never been too sure she was, even after she agreed to marry me. And there’s also Zack. I couldn’t stand it if she fought McAllister because of me and lost her son. She’d grow to hate me if that happened.”
“If she really loves you, Jared, there’s nothing to worry about. And if she doesn’t, it’s better to find out now.”
“What I advised her to do doesn’t really matter, anyway.” He shrugged, then took another drink. “Her mind was already made up when she came over that night, even if she didn’t realize it. That’s another reason I didn’t argue. This way, there’s still hope. When he leaves her again, I’ll be around to pick up the pieces.”
“What if he doesn’t leave?” she asked quietly.
“He will.” His gaze touched Sara then moved beyond her. McAllister had his arm around Lanie, leaning over to whisper something into her ear. “No one changes that much.”
Lanie was smiling, but it faded as she looked up and met his gaze. There was so much sadness in her eyes that his breath caught in his chest, his head buzzing from the drinks he’d had.
“I’ve got to get out of here,” he mumbled, tearing his gaze from Lanie’s as he lurched to his feet.
“Hang on, there.” Sara stood and steadied him. “You’re in no shape to drive. I’ll give you a lift.”
He didn’t even argue with her. He only knew he had to leave fast before he did something he’d regret for the rest of his life. Like drag Lanie away from McAllister and make love to her until she couldn’t think of anyone but him.
On second thought, that didn’t sound like such a bad idea. He knew Lanie. If he’d pushed a little harder to get her into his bed, none of this would be happening.
He took a step in their direction only to come up against Sara’s hand on his chest. When he glanced down, she shook her head.
“It will only cause a scene, Jared, and hurt all of you even more. Don’t do it.”
The tension drained from his body as he stared at her, and finally he nodded. “Let’s get the hell out of here before I change my mind.”
* * * * *
Quinn leaned over, putting his mouth near Lanie’s ear. “Do you want to leave?”
“You knew he was here?” Her gaze was on Harper.
“I saw him when we came in.” He put a finger under her chin, turning her head until she was looking at him. “Watson is a small town, Lanie. Even if we try to avoid him when we’re together it won’t work. He may as well get used to it.”
“God, I hate this,” she whispered.
An intense stab of jealousy shot through him at the pain in her smoky eyes. Abruptly, he pushed his chair back and stood. “No one forced you to agree to my terms. But based on past performances, I should have known you’d never live up to them.” He knew he was overreacting, but he couldn’t seem to stop, couldn’t lower his voice from a snarl. “He’s leaving. If you hurry I’m sure you can catch up with him.”
The noise level in the Spotted Horse dropped noticeably as he stalked across the room. He was almost at the door when she caught up with him. Instead of stopping him, she grabbed his arm and dragged him the rest of the way outside.
Hands on her hips, she faced him, her chin a stubborn square in the dim light. “Damn you, Quinn! I have been living up to your terms. I even talked myself into believing you were right, that we needed this time. But that doesn’t mean I enjoy seeing Jared hurting. You have no right to accuse me of backing out of the deal.”
His body relaxed, anger replaced by a strange mixture of remorse and elation. She really planned to try and make the marriage work. It was the first indication she’d given that she wasn’t doing this merely to keep him from taking Zack.
From deep inside, hope flowered, tendrils spreading to warm all his extremities. Gently, he reached out and pulled her to him, burying his face in her hair as he wrapped his arms around her.
“You’re right,” he whispered around the lump in his throat. “I’m sorry I went off the deep end. But I love you, and it makes me a little crazy to see you hurting over another man.”
Hesitantly, she slid her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. “I know. And I wish there was an easy answer to all this.”
“There could be. All you have to do is make it a real marriage.”
She tilted her head up and looked at him earnestly. “Quinn, I can’t. There are just too many problems right now, things I have to be sure about before I make up my mind.”
He started to protest, but she put her fingers against his lips. “No. You say you still love me, but it isn’t enough. If we can’t learn to trust each other again, this isn’t going to work. You said it yourself. Too much has happened in the past. You proved that a few minutes ago.”
She paused thoughtfully before speaking again. “These last few days I’ve been thinking I was the one who had a decision to make, but maybe you do, too. Because if you can’t trust me, then you’d only be miserable if we stayed married. You need to think about that, Quinn.”
“I don’t have to think about it.”
Her lips curved in a smile that nearly stopped his heart. “Typical McAllister pigheadedness. At least Zack gets it honestly. But I don’t think trust is something you can force.”
“Maybe you’re right.” He skimmed his fingers across
her cheek. “Do you think we can start all over and learn it together?”
“We can try.”
She leaned more heavily against him and his arms tightened reflexively. He could feel every lush curve, feel her warmth seeping though their clothing, and his body reacted accordingly.
“Want to go somewhere and neck?” His voice was husky in spite of his grin and she laughed.
“Not a chance in hell, McAllister. I know you too well. Besides, you still owe me a dance.”
He curbed his disappointment with a dramatic sigh. “I guess that will have to do. For now.” But not until he at least got a kiss out of the deal.
Lowering his head, he covered her lips, inhaling sharply when hers parted to allow him access. He kissed her slowly, savoring the caress of tongues, the taste of her mouth under his. The dull ache in the lower part of his body intensified until he groaned with need as she returned the kiss.
When they finally parted, both were breathing rapidly. He brushed her lips one more time before she stepped away from him.
“I think we’d better go back in now.” Her voice trembled, seemed to keep time with the shaking of his own limbs.
His smile was rueful when he answered her. “Not for a few more minutes. If I go inside in this condition the gossips are going to have a field day.”
Her gaze dropped to the front of his jeans and red flooded her cheeks. Delicately, she cleared her throat. “I don’t suppose a few more minutes would hurt.”
“Speak for yourself,” he growled.
Lanie’s laughter was the sweetest sound he’d heard in a long time. This was going to work, he promised silently. Even if it killed him.
Chapter Twelve
Lanie scanned the job application in front of her before glancing up at the young man patiently waiting. She’d already hired five high school kids today, but if only half what he’d listed was true, this guy was too good to pass up. And she needed him. Their first campout would be coming up the last weekend of Frontier Days. Because she kept the group size to ten per employee, they had been limited to fifty people. This year, they could increase that amount by twenty.