Quint fought a grin. “You’re something, sweetheart.” Oh, it was way too early to be thinking about the future, but everything inside him knew she’d be there. He’d give her time to get used to the idea, however.
She sighed and buried her face in his side. “It’s been a rough day.” Then she lifted up as sirens trilled outside. “But I’d take any day with you, Quintino Albertini.”
He leaned down and kissed her nose. “Ditto.”
Chrissy screamed into the carpet, and Jack made a gagging noise.
The sirens grew louder and closer.
Zena barked, long and loud.
Heather jolted and tried to pull away.
“Too late, darlin’,” Quint said, meaning every word. “I’m keeping you.”
Chapter 14
Heather blushed as Quint’s Nonna fussed over her, bringing yet another glass of wine. She sat up on the deck beneath a toasty heater as the snow lightly fell onto the river. The family was spread out over the deck, inside, and beneath heaters closer to the tree line for their weekly barbecue. “Thank you,” she murmured, her body already nicely numb from wine.
“You’re welcome.” Nonna patted her head. “You were such a brave girl to take care of that nasty Chrissy. You know, I never liked that girl.” She clicked her tongue and shook her head.
“Me either,” Heather agreed, lifting the wine glass.
“I do like you, though.” Nonna leaned in. “After we staked out that motel together, I started thinking about opening a detective agency. If you ever get tired of writing and illustrating, you give it some thought, no?”
“I’d love to,” Heather said, wondering if the wine was affecting her judgment.
Nonna nodded. “Good girl. You keep that spoon I gave you, okay? You’ll need it with our Quintino.” She moved on with the wine bottle, pouring for people as she walked.
Quint returned from snatching another piece of the delicious apple pie. He sat next to her. “Are you sure you don’t want anything else?”
She leaned against his side, trying to remember where she’d put that spoon. It was probably back in her purse. Something told her Quint wouldn’t take to being smacked with it by her, however. Maybe she’d find out one day, but right now, he was just being too sweet. “I’m stuffed. You can stop babying me.” She didn’t mean it.
He took a large bite of the pie and chewed thoughtfully. “It’s only been a few days since you charged a woman with a gun. Enjoy the babying while it lasts.”
She had a feeling his protective nature might last forever, and she couldn’t find fault with that. Even so, she didn’t want to slide herself into a fantasy world like Chrissy had. “Any news on Chrissy?”
“Yeah. She’s been charged in Montana, and I think they’ll find her a nice looney bin for a while. She has family to help out, and the farther away I stay from her, the better.” Quint’s voice hardened just enough to go hoarse. “We’re both going to stay away from her.”
“No argument from me on that,” Heather said easily. “I also heard from Jack. He’s back home and said to tell you that he’s never coming north again.” For some reason, Jack had seemed frightened of Quint, which made no sense. They’d all been on the same side when Chrissy had gone crazy with the gun.
“Good,” Quint said.
She looked at his assembled family, and one of his brothers winked at her. It’d take a while to learn everyone’s names. She liked this group of people, and she felt at home with them. Even so, she didn’t want to get ahead of herself. “Your family is acting like we’re a couple.”
“We are,” he said simply, digging into the ice cream.
She turned to stare at his topaz eyes. “We are?”
He lifted one powerful shoulder, his gaze keeping hers. “Yeah. Oh, you can take your time and we can date for as long as you want, but we’re meant, Heather. My family usually senses when that happens.” He grinned. “I’m a patient man.”
A patient man who’d carried her down a mountain and then had charged into possible gunfire when he’d thought she was in danger. She smiled. “Maybe this was my plan the whole time.”
“It’s a good plan.” He nodded at her wine glass. “Though don’t get too fuzzy because I have plans for you tonight.”
A thrill, the one she equated with Quint, shot through her. “Last night wasn’t enough for you?”
“Nope.” He finished off his pie and sat back, slinging an arm over her shoulders. “This morning was close, though.” His grin turned wicked this time.
