Page 75 of A Simple Life

Sadie laughed. “If you change your mind, the coffee is on. I hear you’re quite the cook. We could swap some recipes. I plan on visiting your dill place next time I’m in town.”

“You are always welcome,” Quinn replied.

“Sadie here makes the best cakes I know. Didn’t you used to sell them at the market?” I asked.

She nodded. “But when the stall closed down, I wasn’t interested in what the new vendor was offering. I miss making them, strange as that sounds.”

Quinn stepped forward. “I’m looking for local vendors for the restaurant. Maybe we could talk.”

Sadie smiled. “I’d like that. You go for a short ride. Then we can chat.”

“Okay.”

Quinn looked decidedly more nervous as they brought out the horses. Abby had no fear, delighted at the small gelding they helped her up on. Quinn eyed the tall black stallion I swung myself onto. I held out my hand. “Come on, darlin’. It’s perfectly safe.”

“I think I’d rather go talk to Sadie.”

“Ten minutes. Just ten minutes around the yard. If you’re still nervous, we’ll go out with Abby, and you can head inside.”

She worried her lip, and I flicked my fingers. “Come up, baby.”

“You don’t have a saddle.”

“Lots of room for you, then. Come on.”

She gasped as Brent lifted her from behind, and I grasped her waist, sitting her in front of me. She grappled on my arms, her grip tight. “Relax,” I breathed in her ear. “I have you.”

I urged the horse forward, and we began a slow pace. Brent held the harness of Abby’s horse, and she held the pommel, a wide grin on her face, not fearful at all. We trotted slowly around the yard, but Quinn never fully relaxed, her body pressed into me as close as she could get, her grip never easing.

“Not enjoying this?” I asked quietly.

“It’s fine. Just not my thing.”

I turned to Brent. “You go ahead. I’ll catch up.”

They moved out, a protective guard on either side of Abby. I slid off the horse and helped Quinn down. “Go have a chat with Sadie. I’ll go with Pumpkin, and we’ll be back soon.”

“Sorry,” she whispered.

“Hey.” I lifted her chin. “Don’t be sorry. You tried. Horses aren’t your thing. No big deal. This was for Abby, and as long as she has a good time, then all is great.”

“I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

“You could never disappoint me, Quinn. I love you exactly the way you are. I don’t want you to change.”

We both froze as my words echoed around us.

“You love me?” she whispered.

I chuckled dryly. “Leave it to me to pick the least romantic spot to say it, but yeah, I love you, Quinn Harper. I don’t know when or how, but somehow, I fell for you.” I bent and kissed her. “Even when we argue, I love you. Nothing is gonna change that, and certainly not because you’re not a horse fan. I kinda like that you’re not big on cowboys.”

“I’m a Farmer John fan,” she said, her eyes glowing, her voice low.

“Then we’re good.”

“And I love you too. I don’t know how either, but I do, John. I love you so much.”

I swept her into my arms and kissed her. There was nothing left to say.