by Laura Farr
“He’s awake, Brody,” she cried, throwing her arms around me. I picked her up and swung her around.
“And he’s okay?” I dropped her feet to the ground and took a step back, watching as she nodded.
“Yes, he’s going to be fine,” she assured me with a grin.
“Thank God!” Relief flooded my body at knowing he was going to be okay. “Can I see him yet?”
“Of course. Come on.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me along the corridor, coming to a stop outside a door identical to Quinn’s. “I’ll leave you to it.” She paused and bit down on her bottom lip. “Call me, Brody, we were good together.” I nodded and brushed my lips across her cheek. I’d call her. I wasn’t one to turn down what she was obviously offering. There were no feelings involved with Beth and that was just the way I liked it.
As she walked away, I turned to open the door to Josh’s room, only to come face-to-face with my parents who were on their way out.
“Brody,” my mom said, throwing her arms around me. “Are you okay?” She frowned as she reached down for my bandaged hand.
“I’m fine, Mom. Sorry, I’ve been with Quinn.” I smiled sheepishly at her. I knew I should have spent more than five minutes with her after I got released from triage. I knew she would worry.
“Who's Quinn? Is that the girl you pulled from the stables?” I nodded as I quickly filled them in on what little I knew about her, and why she was in there. “She’s got no family? No friends?” I shook my head, choosing not to tell her about Quinn’s “brother,” Evan. I was sure whoever he was, it wasn’t her brother.
“I don’t think so. Her mom died, and she hasn’t mentioned her dad. She lost everything in the fire.”
“Poor girl. We should help her,” my mom said, looking over at my dad who was nodding in agreement.
“About that. I kind of offered her a job and a place to stay,” I told her with a wince. “She’s running from something, she just won’t tell me what. I want to help her.” I watched as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
She nodded and put her hand on my arm. “I’m sure we can sort something out. What room is she in?”
“Just down there on the left.” I gestured down the corridor in the direction of Quinn’s room.
“I’ll go speak to her. Go see Josh and your sister. They’ll want to see you.” She pulled me in for another hug, holding me for a little longer than she normally would.
I gave her a grateful smile and watched as they walked toward Quinn's room. I was torn between wanting to go with them and needing to see Josh and Savannah. Not understanding why I was feeling the need to help and protect this girl I’d only just met, I sighed and pushed open the door to Josh’s room.
Quinn
Lying back on the bed, I watched as the doctor and nurse left the room. I wanted to be discharged, but they insisted I stay for a few more hours. I’d been unconscious for a while and they wanted to monitor me further.
They’d asked about the bruising on my body. I’d managed to avoid telling them what had happened, instead making up a story about being mugged. They then mentioned two broken ribs from a previous injury. I wasn’t surprised to hear I had broken ribs. Evan hadn’t let me go to the ER, but I knew from the pain I’d been in that some damage had been done. Again, I’d lied saying I’d fallen. By the way the doctor looked at me I could tell he didn’t believe what I was saying.
They’d also asked a lot of questions about the kidney donation. I was glad Brody had left when he had. He already felt sorry for me, he didn’t need to know about that as well. I hated hospitals. They reminded me of the worst time of my life and I was desperate to leave. While I was sure that Brody had offered me a job and a place to stay out of pity, I wasn’t in a position to be proud. How could I be when I had nothing?
Tears stung my eyes as I reached across the cabinet next to my bed, picking up the picture of me and my mom. It was taken just before she got sick. It was the last photo that was taken of us together. I shuddered slightly as I thought about who was holding the camera. My mom’s smiling face became blurred as tears tracked down my cheeks and I hugged the photo to my chest.
“I miss you so much, Mom,” I whispered to the empty room. “I feel so alone.” Sobs wracked my body as I turned onto my side and pulled my knees up to my chest. I must have been crying for a few minutes, when I heard the chair next to my bed scrape along the floor. I jumped, not having heard anyone enter the room. A warm hand touched my shoulder.
“Oh, sweetheart, please don’t cry,” a female voice said, and I turned thinking it was one of the nurses sent in to do my vitals. As I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, I saw it wasn’t a nurse but a woman I'd never seen before. I froze, my eyes wide. The woman was dressed in smart blue pants and a cream blouse. A string of pearls hung around her neck and she wore matching pearl studs in her ears. “Here.” She pulled a packet of tissues from her purse and held them out to me. As I took them she smiled. “I’m Claire Parker. I think you were coming to see me?” she asked kindly.
Realization dawned on me that this was Brody’s mom, the owner of the stables that I’d been caught sleeping in. “Erm… I… I’m sorry,” I stuttered not knowing what else to say to her.
“Honey, don’t apologize. Brody explained how you ended up in the stables. I’m just so glad you’re okay.”
I shook my head. “But, I shouldn’t have snuck in there. I just wanted to make a good impression. I got so wet walking to the ranch… I’m sorry,” I repeated, my cheeks flushing with heat.
“So, you wanted to see me about a job?” She raised her eyebrows in question.
“Erm, yes. I saw your ad in the grocery store in Marble Falls.” My fingers fiddled with the covers on my bed. This wasn’t exactly how I’d thought my interview for the job would go.
“Do you have any experience cleaning, honey?” I sighed and lifted my eyes to hers, knowing I couldn’t lie to her.
I shook my head. “Not really. I used to clean the house after my mom got too sick to do it. My stepdad liked everywhere to be tidy.” I snapped my mouth shut, kicking myself that I’d mentioned Evan. Dropping my eyes from hers, I wrung my hands together nervously.
“Brody told me your mom had passed.” She paused, and I raised my eyes to hers. “I’m really sorry to hear that, Quinn.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, my eyes filling with tears. I didn’t want to cry again in front of Mrs. Parker. Taking a deep breath, I swallowed down the lump that had formed in my throat. “I know I don’t have any experience, but I’m a quick learner, and I’ll work hard,” I told her, hearing the desperation in my voice. Although Brody had offered me a job and a place to stay, I was beginning to think it wasn’t his place to offer me either.
Reaching over she took my hand in hers and squeezed it gently. “The job is yours if you want, sweetheart.”
Relief washed over me. “Thank you so much. I won’t let you down,” I promised her.
“Now, I’ve spoken to Brody, and he’s told me he’s offered you one of the cabins to stay in. I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” My heart dropped at her words. I needed a job to pay for a place to live, but I needed a place to sleep in order to be able to work. “We’re actually extending the ranch. The old cabins are due to be refurbished ready for the summer.”
“Okay, I understand,” I told her, thinking I would have to sleep on the streets until I’d earned enough money to pay for somewhere to stay.
“I can offer you my daughter’s old room. She moved out a few months ago and the house has been really quiet without her. It’ll be nice to have another girl around the place. What do you say?” She raised her eyebrows in question and I felt my mouth drop open in surprise.
“You’re offering me a room in your home?” I asked her in disbelief. “Why?” She looked at me in surprise. “Oh, please don’t think I’m not grateful. I just don’t know why you’d want to help me?” I told her honestly.
“How old are you, Quinn?”<
br />
“Eighteen, almost nineteen.”
“My daughter’s a little older than you, she’s twenty-one.”
“Savannah?” I asked, remembering her name from when Brody had spoken of her.
She nodded. “If something happened to me and she had no one, I pray to God someone would look out for her.” She paused and sucked in a deep breath. “There was a time yesterday when I thought she might have been in that fire. It was only a few minutes until I found out she was safe, but it felt like hours.” She paused again and gave me a sad smile. “As a mom, I can’t sit back and let you walk away, knowing you have nothing and nowhere to go. If it makes you feel better, just see it as renting a room from me?”
I nodded and smiled. “Thank you. I’ll pay my way, I promise.”
“We’ll figure it all out when we're back at the ranch. Has the doctor said when you can be discharged?”
“No, not yet. He just said I need to be observed for a few more hours. I can’t wait to get out of here. Hospitals remind me of…” I trailed off dropping my eyes from hers. She reached for my hand and squeezed it.
“I’d love to hear about your mom when you’re ready to talk about her.”
“I’d like that,” I told her gratefully.
She smiled and squeezed my hand again. “Savannah left a load of clothes at the house when she moved in with her boyfriend. You look like you’re a similar size. I’m sure I can find you some things to wear once we get home.”
“Oh no, you don’t have to do that. I can manage until I can earn some money to replace my things. I’m sure Savannah won’t want me wearing her clothes.” Giving me a job and a place to stay was more than enough. I couldn’t expect to be given clothes to wear as well.
“I’m sure she won’t mind. She won’t be needing them, not for a few months anyway.” Claire assured me. Seeing my confusion, she laughed. “Savannah’s pregnant. She’s due in a couple months. She won’t be needing those clothes for a while.”
I nodded in understanding. “Yes, but I still wouldn’t feel comfortable taking her clothes. I’m sure I can find a thrift store in Marble Falls.”
Just as she was about to reply, a knock sounded on my door. “Come in,” I called out. Brody’s head appeared around the door and I felt a smile tugging at my lips when I saw him.
“Hello, Brody. I thought I’d come and introduce myself to Quinn.” Claire turned to smile at me before looking back at Brody. “We’ve been chatting. Quinn’s going to be working on the ranch and staying with us until she gets on her feet. Isn’t that great?”
“Yeah that’s… great,” he replied. His eyes locking on mine. “When can you come home then?”
There was that word again, home. Claire had said it and now Brody. It wouldn’t be my home though. I didn’t have a home. My stay at the ranch wouldn't be long term. I couldn’t stay anywhere long term. I had to keep moving as I had no idea if Evan or the people he owed money to were looking for me. If they were, I couldn’t let them find me.
“Quinn?” he said when I didn’t answer him. “Are you okay?”
I nodded, his voice pulling me from my thoughts. “I’m hoping I can get out of here in a few hours.” He walked across the room and sat on the side of the bed. “How’s your sister’s boyfriend?”
His face lit up, and I felt my stomach flip as I watched him smile. “He’s awake. He’s going to be fine.”
Before I could stop myself, I’d placed my hand over his. “That’s great news, Brody.” His eyes dropped to our hands before he lifted his head to look at me. My face flushed as I realized what I’d done.
“I think I’ll go find your dad,” Claire said as she looked between us. “Brody, could I have a quick word outside?” He pulled his hand from mine before standing up. “Quinn, sweetheart. We’ll come pick you up when you’re ready to leave. I’m assuming Brody will stay with you until you’re discharged?” Her eyes flicked to Brody.
“Brody doesn’t need—”
“I’ll stay,” he replied, cutting me off.
“Thought so,” Claire muttered. “I’ll see you later then, Quinn,” she said, her voice louder.
“Bye, Mrs. Parker, and thank you. For everything.”
“Please call me Claire, honey, and you’re welcome.” She smiled and gave me a small wave as she gestured with her head for Brody to follow her outside. I watched as they both left the room, my head dropping back onto the pillow, barely believing I had a job and somewhere to live. I was beginning to think that deciding to come to Marble Falls was the best decision I’d made in a long time.
Brody
Following my mom out of Quinn’s room, I closed the door behind us. “Thank you for giving Quinn a job and a place to stay.” I leaned over and pecked her on the cheek.
“I’m not sure what’s going on with you two, but from what little she’s told me, she’s been through a lot.”
“Nothing’s going on. We’ve only just met.” I frowned wondering where she was going with this.
“Brody, I’ve seen the way you look at her, and how she smiled when you walked in.”
“I didn’t look at her any way! And she wasn’t smiling when I walked in.” But I was lying. I’d noticed she’d smiled when she saw me looking around the door, and I'd liked that she was pleased to see me.
“I’m your mother. You can’t fool me,” she scoffed. “She’s different from the girls you normally date. She’s special.”
“I know, Mom.”
“So, you have noticed then?”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “Was there anything else? Or can I get back in there?”
Laughing, she went up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “She’s only eighteen, Brody. Just thought you should know that.” She raised her eyebrows before turning and heading back down the corridor. Reaching for the door handle, I paused before pushing it open. Only eighteen? She looked older. I don’t know why her age bothered me, but it did. I wanted her to be older.
Turning the handle, I walked back into her room. Glancing over to the bed I saw that Quinn had fallen asleep. She was on her side with her hand tucked under her head. Her hair was falling over her forehead partially covering her face. I silently slipped into the seat next to her bed and reached over, brushing her hair off her face. My fingers traced along her jaw and she let out a contented sigh. Leaning back in the chair, my eyes felt heavy and it wasn’t long before I was asleep too.
Opening my eyes, it took me a few seconds to realize I was in the hospital in Quinn’s room. My body was sore from sleeping for too long in the uncomfortable chair, and I stretched in an attempt to soothe my aching muscles. Looking over, I found an empty bed and my stomach dropped.
“Quinn?” I called out, standing and making my way to the bathroom door. “Quinn, are you in there?” I shouted through the door. When I got no reply, I tried the handle. The door wasn’t locked, and I barreled inside, worried she’d fallen and hurt herself. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw her naked in the shower. She was facing me, but her eyes were closed and her was head tipped back under the spray. Her hands were in her hair while she washed it, and lathered soap ran down her neck and between her breasts. My eyes followed the bubbles, raking over her wet skin. There was a small tattoo on her hip. I was too far away to make out what it was, but it looked sexy as hell. I noticed some bruising on her side and there was more bruising on her legs. Despite this, she looked perfect with curves in all the right places. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I knew I shouldn’t be standing here staring, but I couldn’t pull myself away. As if sensing me she dropped her head, her eyes meeting mine.
“Brody! GET OUT!” she screamed as she tried to cover her body with her hands.
“Shit!” I muttered snapping out of my lustful daze. I quickly turned around and raced through the door, slamming it closed behind me. “Shit, shit, shit!” I exclaimed as I paced up and down the room.
“What the hell was that?” she shouted as the bathroom door flew open. I looked over to see h
er standing in the doorway, a towel wrapped around her body. Water dripped off her wet hair onto her bare shoulders.
“Quinn, I’m so sorry. I knocked, but you didn’t answer. I was worried.” I tried to ignore the fact that even though she was standing in front of me in nothing but a towel, what was underneath would be etched forever into my mind.
“Well, I’m fine! I didn’t hear you knocking because I was washing my hair.” She shook her head and wrapped her arms around her body. “Jeez, Brody, you’ve seen me naked!” A blush spread over her face and neck. My eyes were drawn to her pink skin, and I wondered just how far under her towel the blush reached.
“Well, maybe you can see me naked and then we’ll be even,” I said trying to break the tension.
“What?” Her eyes went wide and the blush down her neck got pinker.
“Relax, Quinn. I’m joking.” I chuckled and she watched me in silence for a few seconds, her cheeks still flushed pink. I stared back at her, wondering what she was thinking. Shaking her head, she turned around, walking off into the bathroom.
I moved to sit on the edge of the bed and waited for her to finish up. I imagine it was fairly hard to wash, dry, and dress yourself, with broken ribs. After I almost broke the bathroom door down and burst in on her though, I wasn't sure an offer of help would go down well.
When she came out a good ten minutes later, she was dressed in the clothes she was wearing when she was brought in. Her wet hair was hanging around her shoulders, leaving wet patches on her shirt.
“I’m not sure why I bothered having a shower, these clothes stink of smoke,” she said, her nose wrinkling in disgust.
I breathed a silent sigh of relief that things didn’t seem to be awkward between us. “Oh, I’m sure my sister can lend you some; or Libby, my cousin.”
