“I swear.” Quinn crossed her heart.
“I’m pregnant.” Her grandmother smiled widely. “According to the doctor, I’m three months in, and I can’t wait to tell my Arthur.”
“That’s fantastic! Congratulations.” Quinn looked up when Riley arrived, carrying a tray with three small glasses of port and a bowl of cheese puffs. They were the most vintage snack she’d been able to find, and her grandmother happily attacked them with her frail hands.
“Thank you, dear. God has graced us, and we’re finally having our little family.”
“You’re pregnant? Congratulations,” Riley chipped in.
“You probably shouldn’t be drinking if you’re pregnant.” Quinn glanced at the glasses on the table. She’d bought it in case her grandmother wanted one.
“Why?” Her grandmother seemed confused by this, and Quinn realized she was stuck in a time before anyone considered that smoking and drinking might be a bad idea while pregnant.
“You’re right. I’m just being silly,” she said, handing her a glass. “Now, shall we have a toast to your baby?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Riley took a glass too and held it up, then carefully clinked it against the old woman’s glass that was unstable in her hands. “Cheers to you, Dorothy. I’m sure you’ll have a beautiful family.”
51
QUINN
Quinn was a little shaken after she’d hung up. The wine auctioneer had called her with an update on the auction, and she was shocked to learn that she, her brother, and her mother had made just over a hundred-and-fifty-thousand dollars between them from the sale of the rare wines from the Aster House basement. Although there had been a hefty reserve on the collection, she hadn’t expected such a spectacular result, and it would make a huge difference to her financial situation. Combined with her savings, she’d have enough to purchase a house now, without a mortgage, which was a pleasing prospect.
She glanced through her window at Aster House and smiled when she saw a tiny speck moving in the distance. Riley was home, and she was sitting by the water. Living opposite, it was hard not to constantly look out for her, and on days she wasn’t with her, Quinn found herself fixated on the house, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. She dialed Riley’s number and went outside, onto the roof of her barge, to wave at her. “It’s sold,” she said and laughed when Riley pumped her fist. “It did well, way above our expectations.”
“Amazing. I knew it! Do you want to come over to celebrate?” Riley asked, and Quinn saw her move toward the water’s edge. “Wait…” she chuckled. “Does that narrowboat of yours sail? I mean, does it actually move if you want it to?”
“Sure. I don’t normally move it, but there’s no wind today, so I suppose I could.” Quinn laughed. “Why? You want me to sail across?”
“It seems like a fun idea. There’s an old mooring ring here, but if it’s too much trouble, I could come—”
“No, I’ll come over,” Quinn said. “Give me twenty minutes. I just need to release the barge and get the engine up and running.”
* * *
Riley was waving at her, waiting with a bottle of Champagne and two glasses. She was wearing paint-stained jeans and a tight tank top, and the blobs of paint on her arms and splatter on her left cheek made her look adorable. Her hair was pulled up into a top knot, with loose strands framing her face, and she was barefoot, her toenails painted a deep shade of red.
“Hey, beautiful. You look like you’ve been busy,” Quinn said, hopping ashore once she’d secured her narrowboat.
“I have. I was working on Mindy’s bedroom.” Riley wrapped her arms around Quinn’s waist and kissed her. “I’d just finished for the day when you called. Congratulations. You must be so happy.”
“I am. Even more now that I get to kiss you.”
“Mmm…” Riley parted her lips to deepen the kiss, and to Quinn, it felt like coming home. If it was up to her, she’d spend every free minute with Riley, but she didn’t want her to think she was needy. “I’ve been thinking about you,” Riley said. “Can’t you just leave your boat here so we can be neighbors and I can see you all the time?” she joked as if reading her mind.
“I would love that, but I’ll need electrics, I’m afraid.” When Riley stepped back, Quinn took the bottle from her. “Want me to open this?”
“Yes, please. Are you free tonight?”
“I was actually going for dinner at my brother’s house later. He just invited me.” Quinn popped the cork and poured them both a glass. “Would you like to come along?”
“Tonight?” Riley blushed. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I haven’t told them about us yet—and my parents don’t know either—because I’ve been busy with…” Quinn smiled as she put the bottle on the table. “Well, with you.”
“Yeah, we have been busy, haven’t we?” The suggestive way Riley looked at her made Quinn all gooey inside. In the few nights they’d spent apart since their first night two weeks ago, she’d lain awake, missing Riley and fantasizing about her, and when she was with her, she tended to forget about everything else. “I’d love to come with you,” Riley said, sipping her Champagne.
