“Life is often unflattering.But that can be when it’s the most real.”
Quinn glanced at Lia, who made a kissing motion with her lips while raising her brows.She then mouthedwowbefore she pulled her husband away, tugging him down to talk to him.
Sighing, Quinn hoped her cheeks hadn’t flushed too red.How would she ever explain this to them?At least she and Heath must have put on a convincing show for the viscount.One she wouldn’t mind putting on again.
No.Heath had kissed her, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t off limits.
Stop thinking about him!
Quinn stood straighter.It was time to act like the Citadel’s photographer.She’d come up with several approaches for the two days, hoping to provide a fun visual representation of the Harvest Festival.
For the next couple of hours, she photographed people as they gathered around the craft and food booths.The Citadel provided carriage rides, and the Savages had brought out their giant chess set.
Heath had said nothing, but she’d sensed him nearby.She finally glanced at him and found him trying to type things into his tablet as he evaluated the people and flow of foot traffic—all while juggling her camera bag.
“I’m sorry.You don’t have to carry that.”Quinn slipped it off his shoulder.“If Mellie were a little older, I’d hire her for my assistant.”His nine-year-old sister was adorable but too small to carry the heavy bag.
“She’d love it, and she’s more responsible right now than the twins.”
“I think they’ll be fine as they mature.They’re just creative.You’re creative too, so don’t be too hard on them.”She snapped more pictures.
“But I’m also disciplined, which they’re not and never have been.”He typed something into his tablet.“I don’t think I’ve ever had the energy those two have, and they feed off each other, which makes it worse.”
“It’s fortunate there are different kinds of creativity, isn’t it?And your mom’s doing a good job helping them to focus it into something productive.I noticed they’re learning woodworking.”
Heath grunted.“Whittling, you mean, and that’s only because they get to play with knives.”
“Hey, you two,” Trace Barton said as he approached them.He must have been working in the trees because he had on his forester harnesses loaded with his gear.“Have you seen Coop?We’ve got some people wandering outside the perimeter, and I’m not sure how he wants to handle it.”
“The last time I saw him was over there.”Heath pointed in that direction and pulled a face.Quinn couldn’t help but glance over as well.Lia and Coop were talking with the viscount.
“Is thathim?”Trace asked.
For a second, Quinn panicked.Heath must have recognized her concern because he shook his head.Trace didn’t know her secret.
“The royal guest?”Heath asked.“That’s him and his two bodyguards.”
“They sure hover a lot,” Quinn said, thinking about how they’d jumped in when she’d bumped the viscount with her camera.“If Viktor’s guards have to be so protective, it makes me wonder how well received the royal family is in Glenloria.”
“I think I’ll go meet him.”Trace strode away, maneuvering through the crowd.
Heath glanced around, looking unsure, like he didn’t want to be overheard.
“I hope I wasn’t out of line kissing you.”He slid his glasses up his nose.“But I saw the duke-let, and it just seemed like the right thing to do.I wasn’t trying to take advantage of the situation.”
“I’m sure you weren’t.”Quinn pushed away the unexpected disappointment his words brought.
Had she taken advantage ofhimby kissing him back?They were friends.Onlyfriends.And they’d always been able to talk about anything.She decided to be upfront and honest about it.
“You do it really well.”Quinn forced a teasing look on her face and glanced at him.“Did you get a lot of practice in college?”
Surprisingly, he flushed and wouldn’t meet her gaze.“You know I did online schooling.”
“High school, then?I’m sure you had a girlfriend in high school.”
“Well, yeah.You’re not my first kiss.”He scowled at her, but then glanced away again and mumbled something which sounded like “but you’re the best.”
“You too,” Quinn muttered and then said, louder, “I guess I should get some more shots of Viktor.”
