“A short version of the truth. I think he needs to know that I wasn’t just ignoring him, Lanie.”
She exhaled a short burst of air. “I know. I was going to tell him myself.” Moving closer, she leaned over and reached for Zack. “I’ll take him back to bed.”
“I’d like to do it, if you don’t mind.” She was close enough that he could see her pupils dilate when their gazes met, close enough to catch the scent of her light perfume. “I think it’s my turn,” he added softly.
The hesitation was scarcely noticeable before she nodded. “I’ll be in the kitchen. When you’re done, we need to talk.”
So the verdict was in. Now it was time for the delivery. Quinn slid to the edge of the couch and stood carefully, disregarding the protest of his leg while he shifted Zack’s weight. “I’ll be right back.”
The blankets on the twin bed were still turned back, and he slipped Zack under the covers, tucking them in around the small body. For a moment longer he watched his son sleep, the muted sounds of running water drifting up from the kitchen below. In the dim glow of the night-light, he brushed the hair back from Zack’s forehead and kissed him.
The trip back downstairs felt like the longest of his life. When he reached the kitchen he paused in the door before moving to the table and pulling out a chair. Lanie was leaning against the countertop, staring out the window.
Quinn cleared his throat. “I had Duncan set up a fax machine and another computer in the office. I’m expecting some papers from my lawyer in a few days.”
She turned to face him, arms crossed over her chest. “You can tell your lawyer not to bother. I’ve decided to give you the three months.”
Elation surged through him. It was all he could do to remain seated and keep his expression neutral. “The papers I’m expecting don’t have anything to do with a divorce or custody suit.”
“Oh.” She suddenly became busy taking out cups, adding tea bags, and pouring water. When she was done, she carried them to the table, placing one in front of him then taking the seat across from him. Her chin firmed and lifted as she watched him. “I think we should set up some ground rules right now, before we go any farther.”
He took a sip of the tea. “You’re right. And here’s the first one. If you think you’re going to spend the entire three months pretending I’m not here, then the deal is off. I want part of your time every day, above what we spend together with Zack.”
Her jaw clenched. “I have a ranch to run. I can’t just drop everything on a whim.”
“I’m assuming the people working for you are competent or they wouldn’t be here. Let them do their jobs. If you need more help, hire extra people. I’ll pay their wages.”
“I don’t need your money. If I hire anyone, I can pay them myself.” She looked down at the cup cradled in her hands and a flush of red climbed into her cheeks. “I’m not going to sleep with you, Quinn. Sex isn’t part of this agreement.”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t planning on forcing you. Making love to an unwilling partner takes the fun out of it. However, since you agreed to the deal, I do expect an honest effort from you to make this work. Can you do that much?”
Lanie took a deep breath, then nodded. “I’ll try.”
Quinn toyed with the handle on the cup. “And what about Harper? Am I going to be tripping over him every time I turn around?”
Her head shot up and she glared at him. “I said I’d try, damn it! But I’m not going to hurt Zack by keeping Jared away from him. He loves Jared.”
He studied her silently, one brow arched. “I don’t want to see Zack hurt either, so I’ll make this easy. I won’t try to stop Harper from seeing him, but when he’s around, you won’t be alone with him. And there’s one more thing, Lanie.”
“Of course there is,” she muttered sarcastically. “Okay, let’s hear it.”
Slowly Quinn reached across the table and took her left hand, noting the goose bumps that erupted on her skin with a great deal of interest. “I think it’s time you took that off,” he tilted his head at the diamond engagement ring on her finger, “and put your wedding rings back on.”
Chapter Six
Quinn kept his eyes closed, a smile playing around his lips as he drifted on the edge of waking. The bed was warm and comfortable, the scent of breakfast teased his nostrils. Waking up on the ranch again after all this time had memories flooding his mind, but he pushed most of them away, only interested in the ones involving Lanie. He settled a little deeper into the bed, thinking about the second time he’d seen her. It had been the day after that wild date with Susie Morsten…
~~~~~
Depositing his Stetson on the ground beside him, Quinn settled back on the grassy bank and let his eyes drift shut. He wasn’t crazy about fishing, but it had been the only way he could think of to escape Ethan’s incessant questions about his date with Susie. His friend had tried to get her to go out with him for years with no success. The fact that Quinn had managed it in less that a week had his nose out of joint.
Fishing had also been a way to evade Jonesy. Even though it was Saturday, the ranch foreman hated to see idle hands. He’d have found something for Quinn to do, and he was just too sleepy to spend the day shoveling manure or mending fences. It had been well past dawn before Susie had let him go, and his body felt like an old sponge with all the water squeezed out.
There certainly was a lot to be said for older women. A smile tilted one corner of his lips. It had been his experience that girls his own age or younger didn’t offer half the pleasure women like Susie did. Maybe he’d continue to see her while he was there.
The hot, midmorning sun soaked into him and soothed him toward sleep. From the tree above came the hypnotic drone of bees busily gathering pollen from the new buds. Three months before college started. Three months of freedom without Edward breathing down his neck, lecturing about his duties and obligations. Three months on the ranch he loved.
He was almost asleep when the first drop of water hit him on the chin and rolled down his neck. His brow furrowed. It couldn’t be rain. The sun was still shinning. He opted to keep his eyes closed and ignore it.
A whole minute passed before another drop hit him in the exact same place. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes a slit and discovered he was no longer alone.
It took him a second to place her, but when he did, he almost groaned. It was the kid from the movies last night. How she’d gotten that close without him hearing her, he didn’t know, but she was sitting beside him on the grass, long coltish legs crossed Indian style.
A pair of flowered cotton shorts covered a one-piece, hot pink tank suit that sagged on her skinny frame. Not a single curve marred the straight lines of her body and her chest was flat as a board. Her long, dark brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, lighter streaks of auburn highlights running through it. She had fished an ice cube from the glass in her hand, and was holding it positioned over his chin.
Another drop of water swayed precariously from the end of her fingers as she watched his face intently. Just before it dropped, Quinn’s hand shot out to circle her wrist and push it aside.
Instead of flinching in surprise, she grinned and gestured toward his fishing pole. “Your bobber has been underwater for the last five minutes.”
“Do I look like I care?” He let his eyes close again. “Beat it, kid.”
“Whip it out.”
An involuntary snort of laughter spurted from between Quinn’s lips. Casually, he propped his elbows behind him on the ground, lifting the upper half of his body as he surveyed her. “How old are you? Ten? Eleven?” She certainly didn’t look old enough to be coming up with sexual repartees.
Her chin squared, a tiny cleft appearing in the center. “I’m fourteen.”
“Bull. You’re too scrawny to be fourteen. You’re still practically a boy.” He grinned as fire kindled in those clear gray eyes.
“I’m fourteen. My birthday was last week. And all the women in my family are late bloomers.”
“Well, go bloom somewhere else. I’m busy.”
“Yeah, I could tell by the way you were snoring.”
“I wasn’t snoring.”
“You were, too. Besides, you’re in my spot. If anyone leaves, it should be you.”
“I don’t see your name nailed to any of the trees.”
“It doesn’t have to be. This is my grandparents’ land.”
“Like hell. This is my land.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re a McAllister?”
“That’s right. And I happen to know the people who own the land that adjoins mine are named Howell, not Stewart.”
“The Howells are my grandparents. Guess that means we’re neighbors.”
“Wonderful. That really makes my day.” He lay back down. “Look, don’t you have any little friends that you can go play with?”
“Not really.” She shrugged. “I haven’t been here long.”
Quinn turned his head and looked at her, curious in spite of himself. “Where have you been?”
“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.”
Taking 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.
“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 so
oner 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.”
“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.”