“Phoebe was five.It’s been four years, and it still hurts.Sometimes, someone will say or do something that reminds us of our loss, and it’s like she just died.”Heath coughed, trying to get the roughness from his voice.“Losing Phoebe cemented something that had been on my mind since my grandfather’s passing.My family willalwayscome first.”He turned his head and met Quinn’s gaze.“No matter what career I choose.I’m willing to make some compromises, but I won’t let my jobbemy life.Phoebe taught me it’s too short.”
Quinn nodded, wiping her eyes.“While I was on the hike, I did some thinking too.I want to see the world.I love to experiencelifeas it’s happening.What I photograph teaches me so much.Like those family sessions.Watching the people interact is fascinating.It’s also enlightening.Some of those families are seriously messed up, and I doubt a lot of them will still be together in a few years unless they fix it.But others are sweet and loving.They’re—” Her voice broke.“They’re likeyourfamily.”
Heath didn’t say they could beherfamily too.That would step over the line.But in many ways, they were like her family because they’d already adopted her.
“I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying,” he said.“It sounds like you’re searching for family by wanting to leave.”
Quinn gave a wry laugh.“I can see why you’d think that.You know I love my parents, but they’re both introverts.Dad owns a furniture store.By the time he’s spent the day around people, all he wants when he comes home is quiet.That’s perfect for Mom because she works best in solitude.”
“And you thrive from being around people.”
“Yeah.”
Heath shifted to face her, thinking he understood what might be bothering her.“Were there many people on your hike?”
“At least thirty, I think.”Quinn didn’t look at him.
“Did you talk to many of them?”
She finally glanced at him.“They all had their own groups.”
“So, my sweet Quinn, who thrives on being with people, was alone in a crowd.”Heath’s heart ached for the loneliness in her eyes.He couldn’t help himself—he extended a hand to her.
She didn’t hesitate but jumped from the chair and cuddled beside him.Heath simply held her, like the friend he’d promised always to be, surprised to find she was crying.Remembering times his sister had needed the release, he said nothing.
“I don’t know why I’m so emotional about this,” Quinn finally said, straightening.He dropped his arms, and she pulled a couple of tissues from a box on the end table.“It’s not like I haven’t felt this way before.Just not in a long time.”
“Did anything else happen today?”
“Since we’re being transparent, yes.I had a long talk with Sara.Did you know she’s from Seattle too?”
“Well, theywerethere visiting family when we met them.”
“True enough.”Quinn tossed the tissues into a wastebasket.“She told me that you and I should talk.I know you’ve said the same thing.I wasn’t ready then.”
Heath pushed down the whispers of hope trying to sneak out of his heart.If he knew anything about Quinn, she had to find her own way to an answer.He should have remembered that earlier.It might have put less pressure on her.
“But you are now?”he asked carefully.
“I am.”She rested her head on his shoulder.
Her time.She needs to do this in her time.
Heath wrapped his arm around her shoulders, but no differently than he would have if it’d been Mellie.Though he didn’t feel at all like he did when his kid sister cuddled next to him.
“I have a dilemma,” Quinn admitted.
More than what he already knew?What was it Lia was always lecturing him about?Something about a girl needing to talk a problem through.She didn’t want a guy poking his nose in and trying to solve it for her.
“Yes,” he agreed.
Quinn lifted her head.Her gaze went from his eyes to his mouth and back to his eyes.Dang.If she was going to look at him like that, it’d mess with his ability to stay neutral.
“Do you have any idea how much I love kissing you?”she whispered.
“Uh, Quinn,” Heath turned his face away, “if we’re going to talk about your dilemma, I think we need to justtalk.”
“Right.Sorry.Should I move?”
