“No, but I never knew myself that well, I suppose. Quinn is special, and this isn’t a phase, in case you’re wondering.” Riley opened the door to Mindy’s bedroom first, and Mindy gave an excited shriek when she spotted the huge bed with stuffed animals and presents on top.
“Is this for me?” she asked, climbing up the small stepladder Quinn had placed next to the bed, as it was too high for her to get onto.
“Yes, that’s all for you, honey. And your mom’s room is next door, so if you get scared, she’s really close and you can always go sleep with her.”
“No, I want my own room.” Mindy grinned.
“Please don’t encourage her. I need my sleep,” Jane joked. “The room is gorgeous, by the way. This is so sweet of you.”
“I should have put more effort into seeing you and Mindy a long time ago. I’m sorry it took a change of lifestyle to make me realize that.”
Jane nodded and studied her intently. “You seem happy.”
“I am.” Riley smiled. “I’ll fill you in over dinner, but let me show you your room first.” She walked out and opened the next door, which led to one of the bigger bedrooms in the house. It looked pretty and romantic, and she’d treated it like a hotel room, with toiletries, towels, a robe and slippers, and local magazines on the nightstand. It was a good practice run to gauge how much work it would be to get it ready for paying guests, if that was what she decided to do, and she’d enjoyed the process.
Jane looked seriously impressed as she stepped inside. “My God, Riley. It’s like a room in a five-star resort.”
“Not quite. The bathrooms still need a lot of work, but I’m getting there.” Riley laughed when Jane climbed onto her own high bed and lay back with a sigh. “Take your time. I’ll go help Quinn in the kitchen. There’s no rush if you want to take a nap. We can look after Mindy.”
“No way. I’m hungry, and I can smell something delicious cooking.” Jane glanced out of the window and spotted the table that was laid out by the riverside. “Do your thing, we won’t be long.”
63
QUINN
“Wine?” Quinn held up a bottle of red.
“Yes, please.” Jane nodded eagerly, then raised her face skyward and took in a deep breath as she blinked against the sun. “It’s lovely out here—please excuse my outfit. I was planning on getting dressed after my shower, but this robe was so comfortable I didn’t want to take it off.” She ruffled a hand through her wet hair and closed her white robe farther. Mindy was wrapped in a robe too; Riley had bought one in her size that matched Jane’s, and she loved wearing the same as her mother.
“No need to get dressed around Aster House,” Riley said. “It’s not quite bikini weather yet, but that’s allI’llbe wearing when it gets warmer. I might even get my first tan.”
“Is that so?” Quinn looked Riley over, picturing her in a bikini and the tan lines underneath. She was dressed casually today, as she hadn’t had time to change yet, but she looked gorgeous in her linen pants with rolled-up hems and a simple white T-shirt.
“Uh-huh.” Riley blushed and glanced at Mindy, who was on the swing and out of hearing range. “I just ordered one for the summer. I think you’ll like it.”
“I’m sorry, but this is so weird,” Jane said with a chuckle. She turned to Quinn. “I’m not used to seeing Riley flirtatious. She’s all giddy and girlie around you. It’s like she’s a different person.”
“Iama different person.” Riley placed a hand on Quinn’s thigh and squeezed it. “It’s been a strange couple of months. Surreal even, but they’ve also been the best months of my life.”
“Aww, thank you, babe. You know I feel the same.” Quinn felt a happy glow spread through her. Hearing Riley say that meant everything, and the fact that she was so relaxed about them while her sister was around gave her so much hope for their future. This was what a real relationship felt like; togetherness, family, and sharing everyday moments that would shape their lives and form beautiful memories. Her mother was beside herself when she’d told her about Riley, and she’d arranged to get everyone together on Sunday including Lindsey. Jane, who’d been utterly shocked at first, was slowly getting used to the new Riley, and Quinn suspected she liked this version of her more.
“You look so comfortable together,” Jane continued, clearly still not grasping the change in Riley. “And I have to say it again. You’re barefoot. I mean, when did I ever see you without your high heels apart from when we were kids?”
Chuckling at Jane’s observations, Quinn plated eggplant and tomato pasta for her and Mindy, then grated some parmesan over the dishes and sprinkled them with fresh basil.
Jane turned toward the swing and raised her voice. “Mindy, come eat your dinner, honey!”
“As I said, I needed a change.” Riley twirled her wine around in her glass and smiled at Mindy, who came tearing up to them.
“Burnout?” Jane asked.
“Something like that.” Riley took a sip, avoiding her gaze.
Quinn looked at Riley sideways as she plated for her. She didn’t want to interfere, but she wondered why she refused to tell her sister the truth about her heart condition.
“Like what?” Jane’s question was interrupted by Mindy, who climbed onto Riley’s lap.
“I want to sit here. Can I sit with you, Aunt Riley?”
