She waved to Gabbie before turning to the right and heading toward the family wing of the castle.Shaped like a “U,” the public wings lay west and south, while the Savages had reserved the east wing for the extended family and business offices.Quinn passed the commercial kitchen and moved into the smaller and cozier family one.She inhaled deeply.
“Whatever you’re cooking smells heavenly.”
Deb Montgomery grinned.“Lia’s come up with a new recipe she’s having me try.She wants to see if I get the same results.”The silver-haired woman always sounded as excited about her daughter-in-law’s recipes as Lia was.
“I hope you’re done with it by the time we’re finished with our meeting because I’d love to be included in the taste-test group.See you.”
Quinn hurried down the hallway to Heath’s domain.The first time he’d invited her into his inner sanctum, the sophistication and complexity of the Citadel’s computer system had surprised her.It shouldn’t have, considering he was a wiz at anything relating to computers.Not only did he do all their programming, but he built their PCs from scratch and would troubleshoot the broken ones.
As Quinn approached his office door, the sound of Heath’s intense voice made her hesitate.She didn’t want to interrupt anything, so she peeked her head around the jamb to see who he was talking to.Lia was already there, leaning forward as she listened to her brother.
Usually, he had a laid-back but preoccupied sense about him, like he was thinking about something.Quinn had never seen his to-do list, but she was pretty sure he had one because he always carried a tablet with him and took notes about things people would say to him.She admired that he was a list keeper too, but she had a feeling his would swamp hers.It made her feel like an underachiever.
Though he kept his voice low enough that Quinn couldn’t make out what he was saying, his body language radiated excitement.The absent-minded professor persona had disappeared.In his place sat a completely focused man.She’d always thought he was cute in a nerdy, horn-rimmed glasses kind of way.
But now… Wow.He washot.
What if this totallythereHeath Savage turned this blazing intensity onher?The thought stole away her breath.Quinn took a step back and leaned against the wall next to the door.She would not crush over her boss’s son.Like she hadn’t been telling herself that for months.
What had pulled Heath from his normal, distracted manner?He was Mr.Coolheaded, after all.She’d never seen him get this excited about anything.Making some noise with her equipment so they’d know she’d arrived, Quinn stepped into the room.
“So sorry I’m late.”She slipped into the one remaining seat in Heath’s office.“The shoot took a little longer than I expected.They had three adorable children.”
“You’re so good with kids,” Lia said while Heath closed something on one of his four large monitors.
Quinn couldn’t help wondering if the file he’d closed had been what had brought him to life.She glanced at Lia but couldn’t see anything in her expression showing signs of distress.So he must not be leaving.Letting out a slow breath, Quinn tried not to smile.
Not that Heath’s personal business had anything to do with her.She turned to Lia.
“Whatever Deb is test-cooking for you smells amazing,” Quinn said.“You sure you don’t want to do more than a dessert cookbook?”
Lia heaved out a sigh.“I’ll leave that to Mom and the dinner chef she’s trying to lure here.Maybe this talk show host will put us on the map enough to convince the woman to give us a try.It’s harder than we’d hoped to draw high-caliber people here.”
“What?”Heath asked dryly.“People who are at the top of their craft don’t think it’s a step down to take a job in the boonies of northern Washington?”
“Hey!”Lia glared at her twin.
“Wordisgetting out.”Quinn pointed to herself with a self-deprecating wink.
“See?”Lia gave Heath anI-told-you-solook.“I rest my case.”
It was times like this that Quinn wished her mother had been able to have more children with Don.Maybe her childhood wouldn’t have been so lonely.Something she loved about the Savages was their large, fun family.
A message appeared on one of Heath’s monitors, making the sound of a fanfare.He turned to face his computer again.
“Whoa.”He enlarged the picture and glanced at his sister.“First, a syndicated talk show host reserves us for a large wedding party, and now a duke wants to come for the Fall Harvest Festival.”
“A duke?From where?England?”Lia stood and leaned over Heath’s desk to see the email better.“Wait.Is it even real?I’ve never heard of anywhere called Glenloria.”
2
“And look at the security requirements for this guy.”Heath grabbed the stress ball from his desk.“It’s a good thing Dad’s already got the security fence in.I guess we can add that we’re a destination location for royalty.”
“His party is small.It’ll be good preparation for the high-profile wedding.”Lia’s expression turned thoughtful.“Be sure Mom sees that.I wonder if feeding a duke would be enough enticement for that chef.”
Heath glanced at Quinn, and a tinge of worry made him straighten.She had a fair Irish complexion to go along with her red hair, but she looked paler than he’d ever seen her.
“Are you okay?”he asked.
