Heath admired her approach.She could be kind and friendly with her customers.He’d seen her work her magic repeatedly.But she also had this knack for firmness when she needed it.Maybe that was how she got around the surly teens and the temperamental toddlers.
He wondered where she’d developed this talent for keeping people at a distance when she needed to.It made him grateful their friendship had happened first, or he might be in the duke-let’s position.Heath’s stomach knotted.Maybe he was.
“I do not know what I should see.”Viktor said the words simply and honestly.
For the first time, Heath wondered if therewassomething more to the guy.What had he disclosed to Quinn during that photo shoot in the gardens?Their relationship had almost turned around.
“All right.Most of what you saw yesterday was on the Wildstone side of the Harvest Festival.You visited the crafters and sampled the foods.Farmer Tullis doesn’t just grow corn and pumpkins.He also has several apple orchards and makes his own cider on the property.And they make donuts that are to die for.”
“My family has apple orchards as well.Is it within walking distance?”Viktor asked.
“It’s not too far from us, but we’re used to walking a lot.You’ve got a car stashed in the parking garage, if you prefer.”Quinn pointed in the gate's direction.“It’s a beautiful day and would make for a pleasant stroll.”
“I would like that.”He gave her the most genuine smile Heath had seen the guy produce.“Glenloria has wonderful orchards and is well known in Europe for its cider.It is something I have always taken for granted.It would be beneficial for me to learn more about my country’s exports.”He shot Quinn a sidelong glance.“Perhaps someday you will be able to forgive the king’s shortcomings and visit our country.He is not your only relative there.”
“I’m not sure I care to try, but you never know.”She nodded toward the gate between the properties.“Shall we go?”
It felt sonatural now to slide her arm through Heath’s.Earlier, when Quinn had wakened to the ring of her phone, she’d been startled to find him still on the couch, leaning against her.The gentle warmth of his head on her hip, his hands wrapped loosely around her feet, had awakened in her something she hadn’t wanted to consider.He felt likehome.
The connection she’d always had with him and assumed was merely friendship was growing stronger.Little chinks had appeared in the wall she’d put in place, and cracks were growing.It scared her.
When she’d heard the story of how the king had dumped her mother and she’d subsequently given up her scholarship to Oxford, Quinn had determined never to let a man have that kind of power over her.She had plans, goals.It was a vast world, and she meant to travel and capture it on film.Her Irish grandparents usually came to the US to visit, so she’d only been to Ireland once.Someday, she’d like to go there again to see them and to spend time in the place where her mother had grown up.Someday.Soon.
“Ah, I believe I see the orchards in the distance,” Viktor said, breaking into her thoughts.
“The Pacific Northwest has great apples,” Heath said.“The volcanic soil has lots of nutrients.We usually get plenty of rain too.Micah—that’s Farmer Tullis—has cultivated several varieties.”
“When did you learn so much about apple trees?”Quinn asked, impressed.
“He gave me a tour when we first moved here.Dad’s thinking about adding on some orchards.”
“I’m always impressed by how full of ideas you Savages are.”She glanced at Viktor.“The Tullis farm has both alcoholic and nonalcoholic cider.The latter comes in jugs like milk, while the former is bottled like wine.”
“I love the jug juice.”Heath rubbed his stomach.“I wonder who the first person was to think of fermenting apple juice.I mean, who got the idea for the first wine?”
“And putting different foods together,” Viktor said.“I had not previously considered some of the dishes we take for granted until I visited your dining room.The Citadel chef makes exquisite dishes, even if they differ from what I am used to.Some flavor combinations do give one pause.”
“Like salted caramel,” Heath said with a chuckle, and he pitched his voice higher.“Oh, yes, let’s add salt to this sweet candy.Yum.”His tone returned to normal.“I mean, who thinks of that stuff?”
“Your sister?”Quinn asked dryly before saying to Viktor, “You met Lia and her very tall husband yesterday.She runs the dessert café Highly Confectious in the Citadel, and she’s in the process of writing a cookbook of her desserts and pastries.Lia makes the best-tasting treatsever.”
“I have walked by the café, though I did not stop.I did, however, have a delectable dessert with my dinner last night.The meal was also delicious,” Viktor said.“I will be sure to visit the café before I leave.”
“When are you leaving?”Heath asked, his expression neutral.
“We are tentatively scheduled to depart on Sunday, but I would like to see more of America.I have considered taking my time and visiting other locations on my return trip home.I’m not sure I will have such an opportunity again.”He glanced at them.“Perhaps you could suggest locations which are not strictly tourist destinations.”
“I’m not that well-traveled myself, but I’ll give it some thought,” Quinn said, and Heath nodded.
They followed the other guests to the main orchard event.It also held crafter booths, but other local creative types had tables as well, including authors.Quinn already had her camera out, getting shots of Viktor as he and his trailing bodyguards made their way through the offerings.
The viscount finally stopped at the building where the cider pressing took place.Farmer Tullis had installed a glass wall, which made it possible for visitors to watch the entire process.Viktor seemed entranced, so Quinn and Heath went to a nearby bench.She kept her camera out and took pictures periodically.
“He’s not quite what we thought, is he?”she finally asked without looking at Heath.
“I admit I was predisposed not to like him.Youweren’t either.”
“Oh, I won’t deny it.I’d hate anyone connected to the bio dad.Viktor has shown me I was being unfair to lump everyone associated with the king together.”
