Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
“It was by accident,” I insisted.
She started to laugh. “Your lips jumped off your face onto hers?” She began walking away. “Oh boy, denial ain’t just a river in Egypt, John. Make that swing and go see her. Man up.”
She was still laughing as she climbed into her car. “Maybe you’ll have another incident. Lord knows what might happen if your pants accidentally came off.”
I glared as she backed up and drove down the driveway.
My pants were never coming off around Quinn.
Although the thought of that made my dick twitch.
Wasn’t happening.
Saturday afternoon, I pulled up in front of Quinn’s house. My hands felt clammy, and I wiped them on my jeans, watching as Quinn pushed a lawn mower across the front lawn. It was a fairly big yard, and I frowned, wondering if she was managing it okay.
I climbed from the truck, heading her way. She was busy, focused on her task, and she startled when I came into her view. She frowned as she shut off the lawn mower, wiping at her forehead.
“Mr. Elliott. Is there a problem?”
“John,” I corrected. “And no, there isn’t one.”
She frowned. “You’re here because…” She let her words trail off.
“I heard you wanted a swing for Abby on the oak tree.”
“I thought she would like it. I can watch her from the porch. If you say it’s okay.”
“It’s fine. I’m here to put it up.”
She blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“I’m here to put up the swing.”
“I haven’t bought it yet.”
I swallowed. “I made her one.”
For a moment, there was shocked silence.
“You made her one,” she repeated.
“Yes.”
“You made a swing for my daughter.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re here to put it up.”
“Yes.”
She looked around. “I feel as if I’m in an alternate universe.”
I felt a grin pull on my lips.
“I wanted to make sure it was a good swing and hung properly.” I paused. “So the tree wasn’t damaged.”
“So the tree wasn’t damaged,” she repeated. “That’s why?”
“She’s a good kid. I liked making her a swing.”
A tender smile broke out on her face. “She is a good kid. And I thank you, John. Really.”
I tried to ignore the way it felt when she said my name. I liked it far too much. “Is she around?”
“No, she was invited to a birthday party this afternoon. She was so excited. I was worried, you know? A new place, new people. I thought she’d be nervous, but she just waved me off and joined her new friends.” She laughed self-consciously. “I had a hard time leaving her, but she was fine. I checked in twice, and Mandy’s mom told me she was having a great time. I pick her up at four.”
I saw the love for her child shining in her eyes. Heard it in the words as she expressed her worries. It helped unlock the small doubts I carried with me. Quinn was real. What you saw was what you got.
“Well then, let me get this installed, and she can have a surprise waiting for her.”
“I can help,” she offered tentatively.
“Great. Many hands, light work,” I responded.
Her smile was unexpected. It was like a burst of sun after a storm. Bright, full, warm.
I wanted to bask in it. Make her smile for me again.
I was so fucked.
She held the ladder as I climbed up to the perfect branch.
“Will it hold her?” Quinn asked, a worried tone in her voice.
I swung myself onto the branch, swaying back and forth. “If it holds me, it’ll hold Pumpkin.”
She gasped. “John—careful. You might fall!”
Laughing, I dropped to the ground, standing in front of her. “See? Everything is fine.”
She swatted my arm, and I winked at her. “That had the same effect as you kicking me. We need to work on your strength.”
She blushed, the color on her cheeks doing something to me. My body tightened, and I had to fight not to react.
“I shouldn’t have kicked you. I’m sorry.”
Her words helped lighten the air around us again. “Not a problem. It was more as if a fly landed on my jeans than your foot.”
She rolled her eyes. “I was having an off day.”
I chuckled and stepped back. “Have another go then, darlin’.”
She frowned. “That isn’t fair. You’re prepared. I need to get you when you least expect it. Catch you off guard so you fall like a dead tree.”
I stared at her a moment, then began to laugh. Long, belly laughs that almost hurt. They hurt more than her foot could.
“Okay, Quinn.” I wiped my eyes. “You prepare your secret attack.”
She grinned, and we shared a light moment, our eyes meeting, her beautifully colored irises gleaming in the sun. She was stunning in her amusement. The sunlight caught highlights in her dark hair, casting a red and gold hue around her. She looked relaxed and comfortable. Happy. It was a good look on her.
“I’ll try not to leave permanent damage.”