Page 35 of Quinn

“About me? No. Just a casual suggestion, more of an invitation.” His fingers tangled in Gray’s fur. “But I hear things. See things. Like how peaceful everyone looks around the horses.”

Something in his voice made her pause. “If the VA isn’t coming through for you, maybe you could give Hannah a try?”

“Maybe.” But his gaze had drifted to the window, to the endless Texas horizon.

She’d never had the nerve to ask him this, but now seemed as good a time as any. “What did you think you’d want to do? You know, when you’re done with therapy.”

His shoulders hefted in a casual shrug. “I guess I just thought when I was better, I’d know.”

No wonder he seemed so lost. She’d always had her dreams, he’d clearly lost all of his.

“Remember that summer job I had at the bike shop?” His gaze remained fixed on a distant point outside.

The sudden change of subject threw her. “In high school? Before you enlisted?”

“Yeah. Owner was a Vietnam vet. Used to tell me working with your hands was the best therapy.” He picked up his coffee again. “Tuckers Bluff doesn’t have a bicycle shop.”

“Oh, that could be fun.”

Danny glanced up at her, offering a weak smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Maybe.”

“Look how much fun it’s been starting the restaurant.”

Now his smile seemed more genuine. “You did good, El. It’s a hit. I knew you could do it.”

“You can too.”

“Cook? You’re mad.” The teasing tone was back and even though she was still worried, she felt herself relax just a bit.

“You can open a bike shop if you want. I can help, the Farradays will support you. It could be fun for you.”

His gaze drifted out the window. “Maybe.”

He wasn’t bouncing with enthusiasm, but looked less troubled than he had when she’d entered the room. She’d have to talk to Quinn, maybe he would have some ideas. Just the thought of Quinn made her insides warm, but this wasn’t about her falling for Quinn, this was about saving Danny. She reached for his empty coffee mug. “Want a refill?”

“Nah. Think I’ll take Gray for a walk. Maybe talk to Uncle Sean.”

“Yes. That’s a good idea.” She patted his leg and pushed to her feet, taking a moment to scratch the dog’s ears. Leaning over, she whispered into Gray’s ear, “Take care of him.”

As much as Quinn dreaded the day Eloise would move out of the ranch house, he wanted so badly to make this apartment perfect for her. Wiping sweat from his forehead, he screwed the last cabinet on the kitchen wall and then removed the support two-by-four that kept the cabinets level.

“Looks great.” Ryan stood in front of the cabinets. “I wouldn’t mind moving into this place myself.”

If it meant being with Eloise, Quinn wouldn’t mind either, but that was a thought for another day.

“Have you heard from Mom lately?” Ryan slipped his tool belt off and placed it in a nearby bucket with some of his other tools. Every worker on site had their own bucket with their own tools and anyone caught reaching into the wrong bucket would have their head handed to them on a silver platter.

“Nope. Though I did talk to Dad yesterday. He’s trying to talk Mom into coming down to see what we’ve done to the town in person.”

“Ha.” Ryan rolled his eyes. “I don’t think we could get Mom to come to Texas if Jesus Christ himself invited her.”

“At least she’s stopped whining for us all to hurry up and come home.” Quinn glanced around the place. His mom held out hope that when the rehabs were done, the remaining single sons—him and Ryan—would go home and settle down for good in Oklahoma. The way he felt any time Eloise came to mind, his mother was going to have to accept that if she didn’t get her behind to Texas, she would have to settle for seeing her sons on a few select holidays a year. Very few.

“Oh, my.” Eyes wide, mouth slightly open, and oblivious to the camera crew tracking her perusal of the new apartment, Eloise crossed the threshold into her soon-to-be new apartment.

Ryan’s gaze darted from Eloise to Quinn, a sly smile crossing his lips. “I’d better meet up with the crew. I hear Molly has something new on the menu for today.”

Quinn nodded, but kept his gaze on Eloise, waiting for the moment she noticed the new addition to the kitchen, besides the upper cabinets.

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