Equally curious and wary, she unlocked the door and cracked it open. The door shoved inward and a chocolate-colored dog jumped up at her. In surprise she stumbled backward and fell on her behind. The dog licked her face as if she were a long-lost friend that he was thrilled to see again.
Okay, okay, she said with a burst of laughter as the dog continued to lavish her with kisses. She looked up to see Quinn standing in the doorway. Her heart jumped with a quickened beat.
He stepped inside and took the dog by the collar. Sorry about that, he said as she quickly got to her feet. Hes a Lab and just a puppy so he hasnt learned his manners yet.
Its okay. Jewel reached up and self-consciously raked her fingers through her hair. As always the sight of Quinn
sent an electrical tingle through her. Hes a cutie. Is he yours?
Actually, I was hoping hed be yours, Quinn said.
Mine? She looked at him in surprise.
The dog sat on the floor next to him, looking first at Quinn, then at Jewel, as if aware that they were talking about him.
It might be presumptuous of me, but I thought maybe you could use a companion, especially when you decide to take a walk in the woods late at night. Quinn shoved a strand of his thick, wavy hair away from his eyes, and shifted from foot to foot, as if suddenly extremely uncomfortable. Maybe it was a stupid idea.
No, it was a lovely idea, she replied, touched by the thoughtfulness of the gesture. Actually, weve talked about getting a dog since I first opened the doors here, but weve just never gotten around to it. Whats his name?
He doesnt have an official name yet. Quinns eyes were a warm topaz. I have to warn you, hes only twelve weeks old. Hes not quite housebroken, but hes a big lover and has a terrific personality. Most important, hes great with kids.
Then how can I possibly turn away such a wonderful gift? she replied. The children would be positively thrilled with this new addition to the family. Maybe well put him in the garage for tonight. Do you think thats okay?
He nodded and clipped a leash to the collar. Im sure thats fine. Why dont you take him and Ill unload the supplies from the truck.
Supplies?
He smiled, a warm, beautiful gesture that detracted from the scar across his cheek and transformed him from slightly dangerous-looking to more than slightly wonderful-looking. In the truck Ive got a doggie bed, food and water bowls, a couple of toys and several bags of kibble.
Quinn, you didnt have to do all that, she protested as she took the leash from him.
It wouldnt be fair to give you a gift that cost you a ton of money, he replied. And along with the gift comes free veterinary services for the life of that guy. Consider it my donation to Hopechest Ranch.
She started to protest once again at the generosity of the gift, but then changed her mind and smiled. Thank you.
Together they walked out of the door. She headed for one of the three garages as he went out to his truck. The first garage was the playroom for the kids. The second was where she parked her car and the third was currently empty. It was to the empty one that she led the puppy.
As she waited for Quinn she crouched down and stroked the puppys back. Well let the kids give you a name, she said. He gazed at her with big, brown, adoring eyes.
Her heart expanded with warmth. Quinn had brought her a dog to walk in the woods. It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone had ever done for her. He thought she could use a companion.
Had he sensed the deep, abiding loneliness that had been her constant companion for the last couple of years? A loneliness that never went away, no matter how many people surrounded her, no matter how the children filled her days and nights.
She stood as he approached with two big sacks of dog food over his shoulder. Although he was tall and lean, he had broad, strong shoulders that easily managed the heavy bags.
I cant believe you did this, she said. As he drew closer, a new spark of electricity swept through her.
I figured maybe if youre grateful enough you might invite me in for a cup of coffee. He set the bags on the garage floor.
I think maybe we can work something out, she replied. She told herself that the crazy buzz she felt at the very idea of spending some time with him was nothing more than the pleasure of having somebody fill these hours of darkness before she finally called it a night.
It took him only minutes to unload all the items from his truck. She got the pooch settled for the night, then Quinn followed her inside and to the kitchen.
The kitchen was one of the largest rooms in the house, but as Quinn took a seat at the long wooden table, she felt as if the room shrank. He possessed a simmering energy beneath his calm, cool exterior, an energy that seemed to shimmer in the air around him.
Im not keeping you up, am I? he asked as she made the coffee. I didnt realize how late it had gotten until I got to your front door.
Its not a problem, she assured him. I normally dont go to bed too early. It was only when she turned away from him to check on the coffee that she remembered what had happened the night beforetheir encounter in the woods and the lie hed told her about what hed been doing there.