Page 78 of A Simple Life

He was serious, his gaze steady. I swallowed hard.

“Right.”

He kissed me, hard and fast.

“Good girl.”

JOHN

Later that evening, I sat on the porch. Quinn came outside to join me, sitting in the other rocker. I sipped a coffee, and she had a bottle of water.

“Abby asleep?”

“As soon as her head hit the pillow. She sleeps so well these days.”

“She feels safe.”

She glanced at me. “Yes, she does. She told me what you said to her—about covers, John. I think it gave her something she needed to hear.” She paused, her voice filled with wonder. “You know exactly how to make her feel safe and looked after. Important.”

“She is all those things. So are you.”

She smiled. “I know.”

“Do you?”

“Of course. You show me all the time.”

“Why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday next week, Quinn? Were you really going to let it pass without letting me know?”

She looked sad, crossing her legs and rocking in silence for a moment. “I didn’t purposely not tell you. It’s just…” She trailed off.

“Just what?”

“My birthday was never a big thing after I went into foster care. Preston took me out for a fancy dinner when we were dating to celebrate, but once we were married, I was lucky if he remembered it. I only ever did something on it with Abby because she loved her birthday so much. I tried to make hers special, and when she asked about mine, I made up things that seemed like they were for me…” She shrugged.

“But they were for her.”

“It hasn’t been a big deal for a long time.”

“It is to me. I think the day you were born should be celebrated. So, we are going back to making it a big deal. And we can do it in a way that still includes Pumpkin.”

“That would be nice,” she said, but she still looked sad.

I reached out and took her hand. “Hey, I’m not mad. I want to understand, though. And I want you to realize things are different now. You matter. What you think matters. How you feel matters. And I want you happy.”

She cupped my face. “Oh, John, I am happy.”

“Then let me celebrate the day with you.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“What about a trip into the city? You said you’ve never been to the aquarium. I thought it was awesome, and I think Pumpkin would love it. I checked, and there’s an afternoon cruise on the harbor. We’ll do lunch at the CN Tower because the view is spectacular, and you’ve never been. You and I will do a late dinner together—the hotel has childcare, so Abby will be looked after and everyone gets what they want. Pumpkin is included, I get to celebrate you, and you get to enjoy the day. Laura is planning a family dinner on Sunday, so they get a chance to celebrate you as well.”

I watched as tears filled her eyes. “When did you plan all this?” she said with a sob.

“This afternoon, while you and Abby worked in the garden. I called Laura, and between us, we figured it out fast. She helped me make the reservations.” I held out my hand. “Come here, darlin’.”

She let me pull her to my lap, and I wrapped her in my arms. “Why the tears?” I asked, wanting to understand.