“I’ve missed you too. It’s been…hectic.”
“With Tristan and trying to help him settle in.” Brett placed a light kiss on her forehead and picked up her coat. “Shall we?”
“We shall.”
Returning to his vehicle, the couple reached the restaurant less than a minute later. The hostess greeted them and led them to a cozy corner table.
Quinn flipped open the menu and perused the entrees. “I must be starving. Everything sounds good.”
“Let’s pick two meals and share them,” Brett suggested.
“You read my mind.” After some deliberation, Quinn finally settled on blackened snapper with au gratin potatoes while Brett chose the sea scallops and creamy risotto.
While they dined, the couple talked about the holidays, the gallery, Easton Holdings and some of his upcoming business trips. It was like old times…before Brett was too busy for her.
“I want to apologize.”
“For what?”
“For being busy and preoccupied with Tristan. I’m afraid I may have neglected you.”
Quinn lowered her head. “It’s okay,” she said in a small voice.
“No, it’s not. I love you, and there’s no excuse for my recent behavior.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “Will you forgive me?”
Their eyes met, and Quinn knew right then it would be all right. She and Brett would be okay as long as they communicated, practiced a healthy dose of patience and gave each other an ample supply of grace. She loved Brett, loved him for making a point of carving out a few hours to reconnect. It meant a lot…the world, to her. They were in this together.
It wasn’t her versus Tristan. Brett had enough love and room in his heart for both of them. Her role was to support him and let Tristan know he had one more friend, one more ally on Easton Island.
Chapter 23
Ben eased the kitchen door open and peered around the corner. “Is the coast clear?”
Morgan nodded, giving him the all-clear signal.
Shifting to the side, the estate’s chauffeur made room for a beaming Jeff Blakely.
“Welcome back to Easton Estate,” Gerard greeted him. “I trust you had a safe flight.”
“Safe yet somewhat bumpy.” Jeff shrugged his jacket off and handed it to Mrs. Arnsby. “Thank you. I spoke to Tristan while I waited for my connecting flight. He breezed through his first day of school.”
“He did,” Morgan confirmed.
“He also mentioned Wyatt’s patrol car and how excited he was to sit inside.”
“I gave him a personal tour of the police station as well.” Wyatt shook Jeff’s hand. “Tristan is a good kid.”
“Thanks.” Jeff lowered his voice. “Does he know…”
“No, he’s upstairs in his room with Chester working on a project,” Elizabeth said.
“I tell you one thing, the boy has a healthy appetite,” Mrs. Arnsby added.
“Addison always insisted he could eat her out of house and home,” he chuckled. “Thank you for giving me a place to hang my hat while Tristan settles in. From our daily chats, it sounds like he’s having a ball.”
“We have been keeping him busy.” Elizabeth motioned to Jeff’s carry-on bag. “Would you like the staff to take your bags to your room?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ve got it.”
