Megan was descending the porch steps when Nicole reached the cabin. “Was that Quinn?”
“Yes.”
“It’s awfully late to be working, isn’t it?” Ringlets gleaming in the darkness, she squinted at the distant lane leading to town.
With a noncommittal sound, Nicole changed the subject. “Is there a particular reason you’re here?”
“Mama mentioned Jane’s been feeling down lately, so I came to try and cheer her up.”
“Considering her reason for being sad, do you think you’re the right person to do that?”
Nicole wasn’t trying to be mean, but the truth was the truth. Jane had been infatuated with Tom Leighton for years. He, however, loved Megan. He’d even proposed to her and had been so devastated over her rejection that he’d eventually left town.
“Jane doesn’t blame me for his leaving,” she said stiffly. “Personally, I’m not sure if he’ll return.”
“And even if he did, I don’t think the two of them would end up together. Tom sees her as a little sister.”
Sinking on the top step, Megan patted the space beside her. “Is that what you and Quinn are? Just friends?”
Nicole didn’t wish to speak of him. Still, if she was to ever enjoy deeper relationships with her sisters, she was going to have to reveal a bit of herself.
Sitting beside Megan, Nicole adjusted her skirts and folded her hands in her lap. Somewhere in the woods behind the barn, an owl hooted.
“He kissed me tonight.”
Megan squealed and clapped her hands together.
“He apologized afterward.”
That dampened her excitement. “Why? What did he say?”
Nicole found herself pouring out the details. It was nice to share her burden, even if she wasn’t seeking answers. There was no future for her and Quinn. Perhaps there’d be someone in the city who’d make her feel this way. Better, even.
“What are you going to do?” Megan said at last.
“Nothing. We’re going to put this behind us and focus on maintaining our professional relationship.”
“Will that make you happy?” She pivoted, leaned forward at the waist to peer directly at her. “Because I have to say, Quinn strikes me as sort of perfect for you.”
“He’s not part of my plan. Marriage is something I’ll have to wait for until many years down the road. I’ve worked too hard and too long to make my dream into a reality to simply let it go.”
“Plans can change,” Megan suggested lightly. “Have you prayed about whether or not your dream lines up with what God wants for your life?”
No, I haven’t, she thought guiltily. “God knows my desire. He created me, after all, and blessed me with this ability. Mama’s always quoting that verse from Psalms...‘Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.’”
“Have you ever considered He might fulfill your desires in a different way than you’ve imagined?”
She couldn’t fathom any other way of accomplishing her dream. Besides, what possible objection could God have to her moving to Knoxville? He was aware of her discontent.
“Enough about me. Tell me about your trip to New Orleans. When do you leave?”
Each summer, she and Lucian traveled there to visit Lucian’s father.
“August fifth.” Dipping her head, she concentrated on her clasped hands. “We’re planning to visit an orphanage there.”
Surprise skittered through Nicole. “Oh? I hadn’t realized you were considering adoption.”
“Lucian and I have been praying for God to bless our union with children, whether that be through natural means or adoption.”
“Well.” Unused to private confessions, she scrambled for an appropriate response. This was the first time Megan had revealed her longing for children to her. Watching her fidget with the ruffles on her skirt, Nicole was struck with a surprising thought. Could her big sister find it as difficult to confide in her as Nicole did? After all, this was foreign territory for them both.
“I think it’s wonderful,” she said, meaning it. “You’ve always wanted a big family, and you have plenty of space in that monster of a house.”
Lifting her head, Megan smiled tremulously, moisture shining in her eyes. “I don’t care how I become a mother, I just want a house full of children to love and nurture.”
Warmth and a strange but not unwelcome sense of closeness spread through Nicole. “I hope you get what you want,” she said shyly. “And I’m glad you told me.”
“Me, too.” Then Megan surprised her with a hug. Easing away, she tugged playfully on one of Nicole’s loose curls. “We should talk like this more often.”
Throat thick with emotion, Nicole nodded. She had Quinn to thank for this step forward. He was the one who’d encouraged her to reach out.
If she was smart, she’d take what she learned from him into her new life.
* * *
Quinn was watching Shane exit the mercantile early the following morning when Nicole seized his hand and yanked him into the office, where she all but accosted him.
“What happened to keeping my friends’ secret?” she demanded, red splotches on her neck and cheeks and eyes spitting violet-hued fire. “I thought you’d agreed to consult them before involving the sheriff or anyone else.”
His instinctive reaction—to glibly comment on how her irritation with him merely served to enhance her beauty—would not achieve the professional atmosphere he’d promised himself he’d provide for her.
“There’s no need to get upset. Shane dropped by to tell me he doesn’t have any leads regarding the springhouse crime. I stand by my oath to you and your friends. I will not breathe a word to anyone until we figure out the next step together.”
“Oh.” She turned away from him to sift needlessly through the papers on the desk.
Quinn assessed her neat, stylish appearance, lingering on her upswept hair and the curve of her ear. He was sorely tempted to close the distance between them, wrap his arms around her and plant a kiss against her nape. Soothe her worries with soft whispers.
His pulse picking up speed, he’d taken a half step in her direction before he even realized it. He grimaced. Keeping things strictly platonic was going to be a daily battle.
Trapping his hands in his pockets, he forced himself to remember she was in his employ. As her boss, he had a duty to insure the workplace was safe for her. The last thing he wanted was for her to worry about possible advances from him. He needed for her to focus on her job.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, leaning against the doorpost.
“I have my doubts Patrick will agree to involve Shane.” She stacked papers that didn’t need straightening. “My numerous attempts have proved futile.”
He sensed her frustration. Understandable, considering the effort and sacrifice she’d sunk into their situation. “He hasn’t had a dose of the famous Darling charm, though, has he?”
When her lips compressed and she shrugged, he said in a more serious tone, “Patrick knows this is no kind of life for his sister. I’ll appeal to his honor as her protector. He’ll see reason.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Don’t worry. After work, I’ll stop by Plum’s and pick up supper for the four of us. We’ll figure out a solution tonight.”
Her luminous eyes lifting to his—and the faith she was putting in him—was like a gift.
“I’m sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion. I shouldn’t have questioned you.”
He had to get out of there before he did something stupid.
Nodding, he backed out the door and into the hallway, gesturing to the storeroom. “Can you check on the front? I’ve got to see about...something.”
Her confused expression stayed with him as he took refuge amongst the shelves. Better confusion than revulsion, Darling. Twenty minutes of him pacing and praying passed before he felt ready to rejoin her. The banker, Claude Jenkins, entered just as Quinn reached the counter.
“Quinn.” He smiled and waved papers in the air. “Good news. The land purchase contract is ready to sign. Soon you’ll be an official Gatlinburg resident.”
Several customers glanced up from their shopping to watch the exchange. How would this news affect those locals who hadn’t yet accepted him? Would they be more inclined to trust him?
Opening the silver-and-crystal case on the other counter, Nicole shot him an indecipherable look. He didn’t have to ask her opinion on the subject. Although she knew what had precipitated his desire for a simpler life, she couldn’t understand why he’d want to tie himself to her quaint mountain town.
The thought came to him then that he had the means to replenish her savings. She’d unselfishly used it to help two people who were of no relation to her. Strangers who’d desperately needed someone to care for them and who had no way of repaying her. While he dreaded the thought of her leaving, after last night’s embrace and his current battle to keep his distance, perhaps it would be best if she left sooner rather than later.
The banker stood before him, expectant.
“That’s wonderful news,” Quinn said. “Nicole, will you be all right by yourself for a few minutes?”
“Of course.”
He waved the big man through. “Come on back to the office.”
When Quinn shut the door, Claude continued to smile his encouragement. “Buying this property is going to go a long way toward cementing your position in our town. Already, I’ve heard positive comments about you from several patrons who were hesitant at first.”
Laying out the paperwork, he pointed to where his signature was needed.
“Progress is a good thing.” Sinking into the chair, Quinn took several minutes to peruse the document. Satisfied, he located a pen and added his signature, a little thrill of excitement offsetting the on-edge feeling he’d had since Nicole arrived.
He’d allowed this unwise attraction to distract him from his goals. First and foremost, he had to tend his store and its ongoing success. Secondly, he had to get a permanent home built. The living quarters, though cramped, were adequate, but they weren’t home. And his residing in them didn’t communicate serious intentions to the townspeople. In their minds, he had the wherewithal to jump ship any moment he pleased.
His thoughts straying to Nicole once again, he reminded himself that once his home was finished, he’d be free to turn his focus to finding a suitable wife.
* * *
With the chicken and dumplings consumed, followed by generous helpings of chess pie, Nicole sat back and watched Quinn. He appealed to Patrick’s sense of duty to Lillian, calmly and systematically knocking down argument after argument.
She could see that he wasn’t simply doing this for her. He genuinely cared for the siblings’ future. Their safety. That his privileged upbringing and his vast circle of influential friends hadn’t made him into a snobbish boor impressed her.
Face it, Nicole, she told herself, a lot of things about Quinn Darling impress you.
Sipping her watered-down lemonade, she pushed memories of his lips molded against hers out of her mind. The memories had crept in hundreds—no, thousands—of times today as they’d dodged and sidestepped each other, extra vigilant to avoid physical contact. More than once, she’d caught him staring at her mouth.
If only this was a surface-deep attraction.
No question Quinn was a striking individual, with his sleek hair and chiseled features, generous lips that could so easily slip into a lazy, confident smile. His stylish clothing, usually made up of safe, businesslike colors like navy and black and charcoal, hugged his body, showcasing his lean, powerful physique. He moved with grace and purpose. No hesitation for the heir to the Darling empire.
Nicole’s problem was that, irksome qualities aside, she genuinely liked Quinn. The way his mind worked. His caring nature. His determination and drive, which mirrored her own. He could’ve complained about his struggles. Instead, he’d admitted he needed her assistance and set about learning how to run the mercantile. And, despite his frustration with the locals’ resistance, he’d done everything in his power to win them over, humbling himself in the process.
Liking her boss in this way could not only lead to a very uncomfortable working relationship, it could have her questioning her decision to leave Gatlinburg. That was something she couldn’t allow to happen. She had to focus on her dream. Later, once her boutique was open and her reputation established, she could think about marriage.
The acceptance in Patrick’s voice caught her attention. “And if I agree to go along with your plan? Where would we stay while the sheriff investigates our situation?”
Quinn turned in his seat to look at her, unaware she hadn’t been following their interaction. “You’re more familiar with the options than I am. Do you have any suggestions?”
Lillian and Patrick waited, tense and apprehensive.
“As a matter of fact, I do. My sister and her husband, Megan and Lucian Beaumont, live in a spacious, two-story Victorian near town. They have ample rooms available. I’m certain they’d be happy to have you stay with them.”
While Lillian’s eyes sparked with interest, Patrick looked unsure. More charity, he must be thinking.
“They don’t have any children,” Nicole added, “and my sister is desperate for someone besides Lucian to lavish her attention on.”
Quinn’s approving smile made her feel ridiculously giddy. “Would you mind stopping there on your way home? I can accompany you if you’d like.”
More time in his company, trying to remain cool and unaffected? No, thanks. She needed a reprieve before her test of endurance started all over again tomorrow morning.
“I thought you were going to pay Shane a visit.”
Retrieving his pocket watch, he frowned at the time. “It is getting late. I’ll go to the jail first and speak with him, then swing by your cabin so that we can update each other.”
“All right.” Standing to her feet, she spontaneously hugged Lillian and Patrick, anticipation singing in her veins. Soon, very soon, they’d leave this nightmare behind.