Page 26 of Quinn

His gaze scanned each of the old photographs of Sadieville’s glory days, carefully restored and framed, lining the walls, before landing on the two couples seated at two tables in the quieter room of the restaurant. “I thought you said the restaurant isn’t open until Friday?”

“It isn’t.” For the better part of the week, Eloise had been working with the night servers. While she hadn’t been cooking a full menu, Molly had been gracious enough to share her daily leftovers to use for training. The crews had been taking turns being guinea pigs with the servers. “That’s a training meal and, if you’ll excuse me one moment, I need to address something. Be right back.”

She left her brother looking at the photographs while she approached her most recent hire. “Carl, I know you’re not used to it, but it’s very important that you remember, serve from the customers left and remove the plates from the right. You just served Valerie from her right.”

The poor guy looked crest fallen. “Sorry, Chef.”

“I know. This is why we’re practicing.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

There were so many things for waiters to learn about the caliber of restaurant she hoped to create when there were no fine dining restaurants within 100 miles of Sadieville or Tuckers Bluff, but she had faith the crop of help she’d hired were up to the task.

“Trouble in paradise?” Danny turned to face her.

“Not at all. And you’re right. This is the closest thing to paradise I’ve ever seen.” She linked her arm with Danny’s. “Follow me and I’ll show you my favorite part.”

The double doors swung open to reveal her pride and joy—gleaming stainless steel and state-of-the-art equipment arranged exactly to her specifications.

Danny whistled. “Sweet.” Above them, the sound of hammering carried through the ceiling. “What’s that?”

“The crew has begun working on our apartment.” She pointed upward. “Barring any surprises, should be ready in about six weeks.”

“Our apartment?” Danny’s eyebrows rose. “Above the restaurant?”

“Perfect commute, right?” She spread her arms, and lifted her gaze to the ceiling a moment. “Though I have to admit, leaving the ranch is going to be harder than I thought.”

“They’ve been good to you.”

“They have.” Her head tipped slightly as she studied her brother. “Hannah thinks that her equine program could be a good supplement to your other therapy.”

“El…” His tone held a warning.

“No pressure.” She held her hands out. “But the options there if you want it.”

“I’m the big brother, you’re not the big sister.”

“I know, it’s just..” Just what? “If the VA is taking too long to organize your therapy, the equine program could be a good option.” They’d both been disappointed to learn that the VA in Midland had transferred his files to Butler Creek and no one in either location seemed to know which end was up. Not that it mattered much, but the fear that he’d slide back to the man in Chicago who couldn’t handle the pressures of day-to-day living, tugged at her gut.

All Danny did was nod. Not a word. She had no idea if that was good or bad, but hoped she hadn’t taken too much for granted with this move for Danny. She so wanted the best for him.

“So, when do I get to see this easy commuter apartment?” Danny changed the subject.

“Now.” Rubbing her hands together enthusiastically, she almost squealed with excitement. Last time she’d been upstairs, demolition was mostly complete and the place was a mere shell. With all the final touches on the dining rooms and training the staff, she had little time to snoop. Besides, the one time she’d finished before Quinn and tried to peek, they’d shooed her away. Though she shouldn’t have been surprised, wasn’t the final reveal the big event on reality renovation shows? She just hoped they let her in today.

As they headed toward the stairs, Eloise couldn’t help thinking how right everything felt. Her restaurant almost ready, her brother here, Quinn making her and Danny’s apartment perfect for them. Except for the little snag with the delay in therapy, everything was perfect, Quinn was perfect. If she was going to be honest with herself, it wasn’t the ranch, or the views, or the family dinners she was going to miss, it was time with Quinn. And what the heck was she supposed to do about that?

Between the hum of power tools and the thwacking noise of hammers swinging, for a brief moment of synchronized silence, footsteps on the wooden steps alerted Quinn to Danny and Eloise’s arrival. He’d been watching the clock for the last hour, knowing that this was the first time she’d seen the apartment since they’d demolished the awkward footprint of the original dwelling from the last century.

Without sheetrock, it might be difficult for her to imagine what was coming. Not everyone could understand the maze of two-by-fours filling a home in the framing stages. They hadn’t even gotten to installing the plumbing yet, but he was hopeful that she would be pleased nonetheless.

The door eased open and Quinn set his drill down and approached the two guests. “Watch your step. Some of the floor boards are up so we can run the plumbing.”

“Yes, sir.” Danny answered first. Eloise merely nodded, glancing down at the gaps in the floor before stepping over the threshold.

Once they were inside the doorway, Quinn hollered at the crew. “Okay, folks. Take a lunch break.”

His brothers and a few of their crew set their tools to one side and in a single file made their way out the door and down the stairs.

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