Page 45 of Quinn

It showed how much Eileen liked his niece-in-law because her smile spread from side to side.

“Is he giving you a hard time?” Joanna came into the living room, her purse slung over her shoulder, a travel mug in one hand. “I have to go into town for a few hours and I don’t trust him to stay home and follow Brooks’s instructions, so I’m leaving him with you.”

“Smart woman.” Aunt Eileen spun to face Finn. “You heard your wife. You let me know if you need anything.”

Resigned, Finn nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Joanna spun around. “I heard you took a nasty tumble yesterday.” Her face looked almost as pained as Eloise felt.

“Next dust storm I’m wearing chaps and a pilot’s jacket.”

That had everyone else in the room laughing.

Joanna’s expression softened. “How’s Danny doing?”

“Compared to the two of them,” Aunt Eileen’s eyes held understanding, “he’s right as rain, but he’s gone for a walk.”

Panic had Eloise shooting up in her seat.

“It’s okay.” Aunt Eileen’s expression softened. “Gray’s with him, and Quinn’s keeping an eye on him from a distance.”

Relieved, she sat back again. Even without the storm, she couldn’t handle Danny running away again. Visions of Danny sprinting toward her as the wind swept her feet from under her made the hair on her arms stand on edge. His face when they’d finally reached the ranch, exhausted and battered, was different—something had changed in him.

“Tim’s parents came for him an hour ago,” Aunt Eileen continued. “That boy won’t be driving in storms again anytime soon.”

Eloise nodded, remembering the teenager’s shell-shocked expression as they’d struggled back to the ranch through the darkness. Danny had kept him talking, kept him calm. Something had definitely shifted in her brother.

Taking a deep breath, she winced. Everything ached—muscles she didn’t know she had protested the slightest movement. Fighting a dust storm wasn’t for sissies.

Movement at the kitchen window caught her eye. Danny and Gray walking slowly back toward the house, Quinn at his side. Quinn. The man had literally risked his life along with the rest of his family to save her brother. She’d known almost since the first day she’d met him that he was special. When he refinished the Hoosier cabinet for her, if she hadn’t fallen in love with him before, she certainly had in that moment. But when he disappeared into the dust and she had no idea if he’d be able to make it back to the car, she knew then that no matter what, she didn’t want to live even a minute without being part of Quinn Farraday’s life.

The three stopped, Danny saying something that made Quinn nod.

Her heart smiled at the sight of Quinn with her brother. Maybe having a big brother figure would be part of the answer. Despite everything, Danny looked steadier, more like his old self. She couldn’t decide if she was more relieved or grateful that Danny hadn’t reverted to the troubled soul he’d been just a day ago. “He was so scared of being a burden,” she said quietly.

Aunt Eileen followed her gaze. “Sometimes a man needs to be reminded of his worth. Finding Tim might have saved more than one life last night.”

The back door opened, voices drifting in. Danny’s laugh—when was the last time she’d heard that sound?

Whatever happened next, something fundamental had shifted in both of them. Now the question was, what was she going to do about it.

If anyone had told Quinn a few months ago that he would be head over boot heels in love with a woman from Chicago, and about to go into business with her veteran brother, he would have laughed in the person’s face. And yet, here he was, desperately wanting to pull Eloise into his arms and keep her there safe and sound until they were too old to walk. And then there was Danny. They’d had a good long walk and an even longer talk.

“From the color and swelling on that leg, I’m thinking it’s a good thing the restaurant is closed on Mondays.” Quinn glanced at the exposed scrape. “Does it hurt much?”

Eloise shook her head, but he had a feeling it probably stung like the dickens.

“I have some news.” Danny was rocking on his toes.

Any minute Quinn expected him to float to the ceiling.

Danny inched closer to his sister. “After you mentioned our conversation about a bike shop, Quinn asked around to see if there’s ever been a bike shop in town.”

“You did?” Eloise’s gaze leveled with his. Her voice was soft and low and did funny things to his insides.

All he could do was nod.

“So,” Danny continued, “Burt heard about Quinn’s interest.”

---