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)
Or forever, a voice in my head whispered.
Somehow, that voice didn’t bother me.
Something woke me, and I was instantly on alert. Quinn was beside me slumbering, her hand on my chest. I slid off the bed, listening, then heard it again. A quiet call coming down the hall.
“Momma?”
Abby’s little voice was nervous. I hurried down the hall, going to the door and peeking my head in. She was sitting up in bed, looking around, clutching her doll.
“Hey, Pumpkin.”
“Farmer John, I can’t find my momma.” She wiped her face, and my heart broke at the worry on it. She patted the bed. “She’s supposed to be here!”
I walked in, sitting beside her and taking her hand. “You woke up and were scared?”
“Not scared. I like it here, but I can’t find Momma.” Her voice trembled. “Did she leave?”
Before I could answer, I heard Quinn’s voice. “I was just in the kitchen getting water. You want some?” She padded in, holding out a glass. “Sorry, baby. I didn’t hear you call. I was looking at the stars.”
Abby took the glass, instantly relaxing when she saw Quinn.
“Stars?” she repeated.
Quinn gave her the glass, and Abby sipped from it. “Big stars?”
I exchanged a glance with Quinn, then stood. “You wanna come see, Pumpkin?”
She held out her arms, her worry gone, excitement in her voice. “Yes!”
I lifted her, and she nestled in my embrace, wrapping her arms around my neck. She talked to Quinn as we headed down the hall. “Why are the stars different here? How come you don’t have a shirt on, Farmer John? Are you hot?”
“It’s darker here,” Quinn explained. “No pollution like in Toronto.” Then under her breath, she muttered, “And yes, he is hot. Way too hot.”
I tried not to grin.
“Oh.”
Outside, I patted Abby’s back. “Look up, Pumpkin.”
She gazed upward in rapture. The sky was clear, and the stars shone brightly as if putting themselves on display for her.
“So pretty! Look at all the stars, Momma!”
“I know, baby.”
“Can we look for a while?”
“Sure,” I agreed easily and sat down on the porch, letting Abby settle on my knee. She peered at the sky, then gasped. “What was that?”
“A falling star,” I explained.
“Ooh.”
A moment later, she tilted her head toward me. “Farmer John, did the star fall to the bushes over there?” She pointed toward the boxwood.
I narrowed my eyes, looking, then chuckled. “No, Abby, those are fireflies.”
“Fireflies?” she repeated. “What are those?”
“Little bugs. Their belly lights up as they fly.”
“Why?”
“To help them find friends,” I fibbed slightly. “It’s their way of smiling.”
“I’ve never seen one,” Quinn said beside me.
“Me either,” Abby agreed, leaning back into my chest.
“Big night for my girls. Bright stars, a shooting one, and fireflies.” I pressed a kiss to Abby’s head and grasped Quinn’s hand, squeezing it.
“I like being your girl,” Abby murmured.
That made me smile and I held her closer. “Maybe we can catch some fireflies one night, and you can see them up close. Then we can set them free.”
“Okay,” Abby whispered, relaxing even more into me. Quinn peeked over at her and nodded. She was falling back asleep. We stayed silent, and soon Abby was out, her breathing deep and even.
“I fell asleep,” Quinn said. “Your mattress is too comfortable.”
I kept my voice low. “My mattress or my chest?” I teased.
She hummed. “Same for both. I’m so glad you heard her.”
“You did too, about thirty seconds after me. Don’t beat yourself up over this, Quinn. She’s fine. All she’ll remember in the morning are the stars and the fireflies.”
“Still, I better join her this time.”
I understood. I carefully stood and carried Abby inside. Quinn lifted the covers, and I slid Abby in. Then I did the same for her. She hesitated. “Should I change?” she asked, fingering my shirt.
I shook my head. “It’s a nightgown on you. Don’t overthink. Now, in.” I winked. “Besides, I’m too hot.”
She blushed, making me snicker. “In,” I said, indicating the bed.
I waited until she was settled, then bent and kissed her. “Sleep well, darlin’.”
She smiled, cupping my cheek. “Probably not as well as when I was with you.”
I winked. “Same.”
I turned out the light and headed to my own bed. The sheets smelled like Quinn. Like us. I liked it, but I had to admit, it felt empty without her.
I was already looking forward to the next night. If Abby was able to spend the night at her friend’s place, I’d get Quinn all to myself for the whole night.
I fell asleep with a smile on my face.
17
QUINN
The glass in my hand slipped, hitting the floor and shattering into hundreds of shards that scattered as far as my eyes could see. It took every ounce of restraint in me not to drop the other glass I was carrying and scream as it, too, exploded.
Instead, I drew in a deep inhale of oxygen, set down the other glass, and looked around the restaurant with a rueful smile. “Careful, everyone. I’ll have this cleaned up in a jiffy.”