Chapter Fourteen

Eli

"Is Quinn okay?" Marianne asks me as I tuck her into bed.

The question takes me by surprise, but I put on a smile as I pull her blue blanket up to her shoulders.

"I think she's okay." At least, I hope she will be soon. "She's a big girl."

Marianne gives a wide smile. "I'm glad she's back."

I stroke her hair. "So am I."

I still don't know what happened back at the shed, why Quinn looked so terrified after we had sex when she clearly wanted and enjoyed it just as much as I did. And why wouldn't she come back to work? Even this morning, I could still feel the tense atmosphere around her, which was why I decided to stay away. But I'm glad that she's teaching Marianne again.

I kiss her forehead. "Good night."

"Good night, Daddy."

After I turn off the bedside lamp, I glance back at her. She's still awake, counting the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling again, but she doesn't look like she's getting out of bed. Not like before. She's changed so much in such a short time.

Well, she still has her temper, but now, I'd say she's more soft and sweet than a bitter pill to swallow, which she used to be every waking hour. Even Janice and the nannies have told me so.

And it's all because of Quinn.

I think of Quinn as I walk up to my room. As I lie on top of my bed, I remember how she looked when she was lying beneath me. I remember her gasping and trembling beneath me, eyes squeezed shut. I remember how hot and tight she felt around me.

Fuck.

Now I'm getting hard.

I sit up and try to calm myself down.

Didn't I scare her? Why, then, am I thinking of fucking her again?

I slap my forehead. Haven't I already learned my lesson? That I shouldn't be reckless around women? That I should be more considerate of their feelings? That I should know when to hold back?

If not, I could end up making a huge mistake, just like I did with Meredith.

Besides, I promised Quinn we'd have a strictly professional relationship from now on. Client and service provider. Or co-workers, from her point of view.

I sigh.

If only it was that easy to stop something you've already started.

A knock on the door jolts me out of my thoughts.

"Yes?"

"It's Janice, sir. I have some papers that need signing."

"Come in."

She opens the door.

"Just put them on the desk."

She does that but then remains standing beside the desk. I get off the bed.

"Is there anything else?"

She hands me the sheet on top of the pile of papers. I glance at it.

Sunsweet Acres Farm.

I look at Janice. "Are you saying the owner of this farm wants to do business with me?"

"I'm saying it's a nice farm. It's only an hour away and they offer tractor rides and horseback rides. They have a petting zoo and they even offer hot air balloon rides at this time of year."

My eyebrows crease. "So?"

"You and Marianne should go. I'm sure she'd love to. Besides, you've never taken her anywhere, have you, sir?"

"I took her to the hospital."

Janice frowns. "That doesn't count."

I look at the sheet of paper again. It does look like a nice farm. And maybe it will give me a few ideas on what to do with mine.

"Of course, I'd love to come along, too. I've never been on a farm."

"You live on one now," I remind her.

"Well, technically, it's not a farm yet."

True. I take a seat. "So there's an ulterior motive?"

Janice just grins.

So what? Didn't Quinn say I should let her have some fun every now and then? All work and no play makes for a dull... assistant.

"While you're at it, why not invite Quinn, too? And Clive, of course."

My gaze narrows. "What makes you think Quinn would like to come? She's probably been there already."

"Then she can show us all around. She can teach Marianne and Clive a lot of things there. It will be like a field trip."

I'm still not sure. Will Quinn want to come? I don't want to force her to do anything she doesn't want.

"I can ask her if you like," Janice volunteers.

I let out a sigh. "Fine. But don't be surprised if she doesn't want to come along. She hasn't been feeling well lately."

"Oh, I think she's better now." Janice gives me another grin. "And she'll be even better when this trip is over."

~

I was confused when Janice said that, but now that Quinn is here, sitting across from me in the trailer as the green tractor in front slowly pulls us along, I'm relieved. I feel glad, even.

She's wearing her overalls again, and an orange shirt. A Dodgers baseball cap sits on her head. Her eyes shimmer with amusement as she takes in the view. Her lips curve into a smile as she listens to Clive and Marianne talking to each other from the seats on either side of her.

She does look better.

She still seems to be avoiding my gaze, but at least she doesn't look like she's running away.

"Quinn, can I sit beside Clive?" Marianne asks suddenly.

Probably she's gotten tired of craning her neck and talking louder than usual.

Quinn glances at Clive, who looks like he approves of the idea.

"Okay."

She stands up to switch seats with Marianne, but just then the trailer stops suddenly. She ends up falling on my lap.

"Careful," I say as I hold her arm.

I say the same thing to myself as the scent of her shampoo drifts into my nostrils.

"Sorry," she mumbles and sits down beside me as the trailer starts moving again.

I spot the slight blush on her cheeks but look away.

"I can tell you've never been on one of these," I say.

There's nothing wrong with having a conversation, is there?

"I haven't." Quinn tucks a few strands of hair behind her ear. "I've actually never been on this farm, even though it's only an hour away from ours. Isn't that funny?"

"No. Some people don't know their own neighbors even if they live next to them all their life, right?"

"Right."

"Sometimes what's under your nose is what's hardest to see."

To my surprise, Quinn chuckles.

"What?"

"Nothing." She shakes her head. "It's just... so true."

I don't get why that's funny, but at least she's laughing.

"Kids look they're having fun," I remark.

"Yup. They're meant to be on a farm, don't you think?"

I shrug. "Maybe."

"Why didn't Janice come with us on this ride again?"

"She said it was too bumpy for her."

"Oh."

"But she was looking forward to the petting zoo."

Quinn smiles. "I'm sure the kids will love that, too."

~

They do. Too much. Especially Marianne. Quinn and I have to drag her away from the zoo. And even then, she won't stop talking about it.

"I want sheep on our farm," she says.

"Marianne, our farm isn't that kind of farm," I tell her.

"But I want sheep."

Of course she does.

I shake my head. "No. We are not going to raise sheep."

She tugs on my sleeve. "Then I can have just one pet sheep?"

"No."

Marianne pouts. "Why not?"

"Because sheep are not pets. They're livestock."

"What's livestock?"

"Not pets."

"You eat them," Clive supplies.

Marianne gasps in horror.

Quinn squeezes Clive's shoulder and throws him a reprimanding glance. "Clive."

"What? I was telling the truth."

"But I won't eat my pet sheep," Marianne says.

She hasn't given up.

"No pet sheep," I tell her.

"Why not?"

"Because they have lots of fleas."

"You mean fleece, right?" Clive asks.

I narrow my eyes at him. "You just know everything, don't you?"

He gives me a smug grin.

"Well, let's see if you can still say smart stuff when I'm tickling you."

I start chasing after him. He runs off with a squeal. He's fast, but I'm faster. I catch up to him as he reaches a bed of hay and we end up tumbling on it. His laughter fills the air.

"Stop! Stop! I give up!" he cries in between his giggles with tears at the corners of his eyes.

I finally stop. Even then, he's still laughing as he grips his stomach. I end up laughing, too. When I glance over my shoulder, I see Quinn with a tender smile that makes her eyes glisten.

I've never seen her smile like that before.

It vanishes as Quinn claps her hands. "Okay, boys. Time to get out of the hay. Especially you, young man. I don't want you having an attack."

"Spoilsport," Clive complains.

"Clive, you should listen to your mother." I offer Clive my arm and pull him to his feet. "She just doesn't want to see you suffering, you know."

Clive frowns. "I know."

I pat his head. "You're lucky you have such a good mother."

He smiles.

Quinn blushes as she looks away.

"So can I get my pet sheep now?" Marianne asks.

"Tell you what." Quinn kneels beside her. "We'll come back here again in the spring so we can see the sheep before they lose their wool."

"They lose their wool?"

"Yes. And then maybe we can buy some of the wool to make a blanket or something. That should help you sleep better at night."

"But I want a sheep."

Quinn strokes her cheek. "I know. But sheep can't live inside the house. And they need to be with their herd, their family, not with people. Otherwise, they'll be sad. You don't want a sad pet, do you?"

Marianne's face falls. "I guess not."

I smile. It seems Quinn has worked her magic again.

I mouth a word of thanks to her before placing a hand on Marianne's shoulder. "I know just the thing to cheer you up. A hot air balloon ride."