by Laura Farr
“Wait,” he insisted as he took some matches from a pocket in his shorts. Igniting the match, he lit the candle. “Make a wish.” Closing my eyes, I wished for something I could never have, before blowing the candle out. “How are you feeling?”
I broke the muffin in half and handed him some. “I felt better after I’d thrown up, now I’m just embarrassed and hungry.” I rolled my eyes, not quite believing how stupid I’d been.
“You threw up? God, Quinn. I feel so bad. I should have noticed you were getting drunk instead of just giving you more. Why didn’t you tell me you’d never had a drink before?”
I shrugged my shoulders as I picked at my half of the muffin. “I didn’t want you to think…” I trailed off and bit down on my lip.
“Think what?” he prompted. Sighing, I reached over to the nightstand and picked up the bottle of water, gulping down a mouthful to help my dry throat.
“I didn’t want you to think I was young and immature. I guess there aren’t many people who get to nineteen and haven’t even tried alcohol before.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that, Quinn.”
“I never got to go to house parties with my friends because my mom got sick. I didn’t mind, I wanted to spend time with her rather than be out drinking. After she died, Evan wouldn’t let me go out, let alone drink.”
“Evan, your brother?” Meeting his eyes, I shook my head. “He’s not your brother, is he?” I shook my head again. “Is Evan your stepfather?”
“Yes,” I whispered, terrified I’d finally admitted it. I knew Brody wasn’t stupid. He knew someone had hurt me, and it wouldn’t take much to work out that the someone was Evan. He picked my hand up and held it tightly.
“And Evan was the one who hurt you?” I nodded, unable to speak the words. I felt his body tense beside me and he took in a deep breath.
“Sweetheart, today is your birthday and nothing is going to ruin that. I can promise you we will finish this conversation tomorrow. Okay?” His voice was calm, but his body was still tense.
“Brody, my birthday was yesterday,” I reminded him.
“Technically, yes, but as you chose to keep it a secret from everyone, you’re having another birthday today,” he informed me.
“What do you mean?”
“With Mom and Dad being away, I’ve got to work today, but I’ve arranged for you, Savannah, and Libby, to go to a spa in Marble Falls for the day. The girls will be here in an hour. The perfect hangover cure, I reckon.” I looked at him in disbelief. Like I could go to a spa. I had no money, let alone a swimsuit.
“Brody, I can’t—” I started.
“You can. It’s all arranged. You’ve got an hour to get ready.” I shook my head.
“I’ve no money, no swimsuit. I don’t even have a towel!”
“It’s all paid for; my treat. Savannah’s told me to tell you there's bathing suits in the closet, and here...” He got up and walked into the bathroom, coming out with a towel in his hand. “Here’s a towel,” he said triumphantly. I stared at him before laughing.
“You’ve got everything covered then?” He nodded, and I surprised myself by standing up and throwing my arms around his neck. He dropped the towel and wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly. “Thank you,” I muttered into his chest and I felt him squeeze me tighter.
“I’m taking you out for dinner tonight as well, so make sure you wear something pretty. Let’s call it a date,” he whispered in my ear. Butterflies erupted in my stomach and my heart was beating so loud I was sure he could hear it. Pulling away slightly, I looked up at him. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips against my cheek. “Have fun.” He stepped out of the hug and left me standing open-mouthed in the middle of the room staring after him as he slipped out of the room.
Brody
Closing the door behind me I clenched my fists at my side. I knew Evan was the one responsible for Quinn’s injuries, and I’d pretty much figured out he was her stepfather and not her brother. I wanted her to tell me everything, but not today. She’d missed out on her birthday yesterday. Today was going to be a day where she enjoyed herself, not a day where she talked about that bastard.
After I’d found out last night it was her birthday, I’d called Savannah and asked if she and Libby were free for a spa day. Of course, both girls jumped at the chance. Fortunately, I knew a girl who worked at the spa in Marble Falls, so was able to speak with her and get the girls booked in. From what she had told me briefly this morning, she hadn’t spent much time with any girlfriends due to her mom’s illness. A day full of girly shit seemed like something she would love.
Quinn
I couldn’t believe Brody had gone to the trouble of arranging a spa day for my birthday. I was so excited. I’d never stepped foot inside a spa before and I couldn’t wait to see what it was like. An hour had passed since Brody had left for work and I was impatiently waiting in the kitchen for Savannah and Libby to arrive. I’d found four bikinis in the closet, and I’d spent some time trying them on. My chest was larger than Savannah’s and two of the bikinis had been completely unsuitable. I’d settled on a plain black one. It was very skimpy, and I didn’t feel all that comfortable in it, but it was the one that fit the best. Finding a sports bag in the closet, I’d put my towel and comb inside, along with the black bikini.
Ten minutes later and I heard the front door open. “Quinn,” Savannah called. Swinging open the kitchen door I met her and Libby in the hall. “Happy birthday!” Savannah cried, throwing her arms around me. I hugged her the best I could with her baby bump pressing against me. “Why didn’t you tell us it was your birthday?” she asked, pulling out of the hug.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I didn’t want to make a fuss. Everyone has been so kind already.”
“We love to make a fuss,” Libby said, giving me a hug too. “Happy birthday, Quinn.”
“Thank you,” I told them both, a little embarrassed by the attention.
“Did you find the bikinis?” Savannah asked, glancing down at the bag in my hand.
“I did. I went with the black one.”
“Great choice. Come on, let’s go. We’re wasting pampering time.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me behind her. Laughing, Libby followed us outside.
“How’s Josh feeling, Sav?” I asked as we made our way down the porch steps.
“He’s good, thanks. He won’t rest though! Today he’s insisted on helping Brody out with Dad being away.”
“Mason’s working too. Looks like they’re getting a boys' day around the ranch, while we go to the spa,” Libby said with a smile. “Look, here they all are now.” She pointed to just beyond the burned-out exercise area.
Turning to see where she was pointing, my breath caught in my throat. The three men walking toward us were all gorgeous, but one in particular made my heart race and my stomach flip. Brody’s eyes met mine, and he smiled. I grinned back as he came to stand in front of me. “Hey, you all ready to go?” He looked down at the bag in my hand, and I nodded as I stared at him.
“Thanks again for organizing this.”
“You’re welcome, darlin’.” He tipped his cowboy hat at me and winked. He looked so sexy in his hat and boots. Like something out of a movie. Tearing my eyes from him, I turned to see Libby and Savannah saying goodbye to Mason and Josh.
“Let’s go,” Savannah called out, and I turned back to Brody.
“I’ll see you later then?” Hoping he hadn’t changed his mind about our date.
“Definitely, sweetheart.” He stepped closer and brushed his lips against my cheek.
“Quinn,” Savannah called. “Come on, you’ll see him later.” He chuckled and whispered in my ear.
“You’d better go. Have a great time.” I nodded before turning around and heading to the car. I couldn’t wait to spend a day with the girls, but equally I couldn’t wait for it to be over so I got to spend the evening with him. He’d managed to make an incredibly difficult birt
hday into a day I was sure I would never forget.
Quinn
“So, what’s going on with you and Brody?” Savannah asked as we lay around the pool at the Blue Bay Spa in Marble Falls. After arriving about thirty minutes ago, we’d booked in at reception for various treatments throughout the day. Changing into our swimsuits, we were currently lying on the warm tiled loungers around the indoor pool. Opening my eyes, I looked over at Savannah who was eagerly awaiting my reply. Libby, who was sitting next to her, was also looking at me in anticipation. I was surprised she had been able to wait until now to ask me. I could see on the way here she'd been itching to find out. Thankfully, Libby had been talking about college, and Savannah hadn’t had a chance to bring it up.
“I’m not sure, but I really like him,” I confessed. I didn’t see the point in pretending I didn’t any longer. From the comments Savannah had made over the past couple weeks it was obvious she’d already figured it out.
“I knew it,” she exclaimed triumphantly. “Oh my God, you’re going to make the cutest couple.” I looked at her with wide eyes.
“I’ve no idea if he even likes me. Last night I made such a fool of myself. I was so embarrassed. He must think I’m an idiot.” I groaned, dropping my head into my hands.
“Look around you, Quinn,” Libby said kindly. “A guy doesn’t arrange this for a girl he doesn’t like.” My head flew up and I looked at her hopefully.
“Really?” I asked, not allowing myself to believe she could be right.
“Really,” she assured me.
“This is so exciting,” Savannah said clapping her hands. “But, I’m dying to know what you did that was so embarrassing.” Struggling to sit herself up with her huge baby bump, Libby offered Savannah her arm, and she pulled herself up, grinning at me as she waited for me to answer.
“Urghh… well, I might have gotten drunk and kissed him.” Putting my hands over my face, I shook my head. “I’ve never done anything like that before. I’d never even had a drink before last night.”
“Did he kiss you back?” Libby asked.
“I think so. To start with at least, then he pulled away. It’s all a little fuzzy.”
“He likes you, Quinn,” Savannah said. “That’s why he pulled away.”
“That makes no sense. Surely if he liked me, he’d have kissed me back?”
“Brody’s a good guy. He wouldn’t take advantage when you were drunk. Trust me, he likes you.” She sounded so sure. It was easy to believe what she was saying was true, or maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part.
“I guess we’ll have to see how tonight’s date goes. Would you both help me choose something to wear when we get back to the ranch?” I looked hopefully between Savannah and Libby.
“Whoa!” Savannah cried. “He’s asked you out on a date?” I laughed and nodded. “Where is he taking you?”
“I have no idea. Somewhere in Marble Falls, I guess.”
“Right, come on.” She got up to standing and put her hands on her hips.
“Where are we going?” Libby asked, looking at me and shrugging her shoulders.
“To the salon. Quinn’s getting the works: hair, nails, the whole shebang. Maybe even a wax.” She wriggled her eyebrows at me and I shook my head.
“I’m not getting a wax!” As I got up she took my hand, pulling me along behind her. Tugging gently on her arm, I made her stop. “Savannah, I can’t get my hair and nails done, it’s going to cost a fortune. All of this,” I waved my arm around at the beautiful spa, “it’s all too much.” I looked to Libby for moral support and she smiled sympathetically at me.
“Why don’t we do Quinn’s hair and makeup for her when we get back to the ranch? We can all just have the treatments we’re booked in for and save Brody’s bank balance,” Libby suggested. I smiled gratefully at her, breathing a sigh of relief. There was no way I wanted to have hundreds of dollars’ worth of pampering done and take advantage of Brody’s generosity.
“Yeah, we could do that, I guess. It sounds like fun.”
Mouthing a “thank you” to Lib, I attempted to change the subject and get the conversation off of me and Brody. “So, how long have you and Josh been together, Savannah?” I asked, as we sat back down around the pool.
“Just over six months.” Her face lit up when I mentioned Josh. Glancing down at her swollen stomach, I tried to make the math work, but the figures didn’t add up.
“I can see you’re trying to work out how I’m almost nine months pregnant, but have only been with Josh six months,” she said with a smile.
“I’m sorry. It’s none of my business…” I trailed off and felt my cheeks flush.
“No, it’s fine. It’s a long story, but the baby isn’t Josh’s. I’d been in love with him for years, but he pushed me away, telling me he saw me as his friend’s sister and nothing more.”
“That must have been heartbreaking.”
“It was. I got reckless and had a one-night stand.” She rubbed her rounded stomach. “When my dad found out, he lost it, we didn’t speak for weeks. Josh was there for me. It turns out there was a reason he’d been pushing me away. We worked through it and we’ve been together ever since.” She paused and smiled. “I’ve never been happier, and I can’t wait for this little one to make an appearance.”
“I’m so glad it all worked out for you. Anyone who sees you two can see how happy you are.”
We spent the next hour chatting. Libby told me how she’d come to the ranch after her best friend died and my heart broke for her. I knew the pain of losing someone you loved, feeling like you were the only person hurting. Her relationship with Mason seemed solid, and I was happy she had found her happy-ever-after with him.
The rest of the day was spent being massaged and pampered. As the day went on, I became increasingly nervous about my date with Brody. Was it a real date or a pity date? I had no idea, though I hoped for the former. I played the conversation with Savannah over and over in my head as I lay on the massage table while hot stones were laid the length of my spine. Could she be right, and Brody really did like me? I wished my memory of last night was clearer and I could remember what had happened after I’d kissed him. I guess I’d have to wait and see how the date went.
Brody
After the girls set off for the spa, I left Mason and Josh on the ranch while I ran in to Marble Falls in the truck. Quinn didn’t have a phone, and I didn’t want her working on the ranch without one. Most of the time she would be working alone, and she needed to be able to contact someone in an emergency. I hadn’t known Quinn for long, but I knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t just accept a phone from me. I’d have to tell her some shit about it being ranch policy that all members of staff carried a phone. She’d no doubt see right through my bullshit, but I didn’t care.
Finding Mason and Josh in the old barn with the horses when I got back, I was met with twenty questions.
“So, you like Quinn then?” Josh asked, straight to the point. Eyeing him I held his gaze.
“Yeah, I like her,” I replied cautiously, waiting for him to say I told you so.
“The spa day. That was a nice touch. It’ll definitely earn you brownie points with all the girls,” Mason said, laughing.
“I’m not looking for brownie points.”
“Maybe not from Sav and Lib,” Josh teased. “This girl has you tied up in knots. I’ve never seen you do anything like this for anyone else.”
“Like I said, I like her. She’s been through a lot.”
“What did you have to go into Marble Falls for?” he asked.
“You know what? I think you’ve been spending too much time with Sav. You never used to be such a nosey bastard. Did she put you up to all these questions?”
“Well… she may have asked me to see what I could find out,” Josh admitted, running his hand through his hair. “Man, you know how persistent she can be. It’s easier to just do as she asks.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “See, pus
sy-whipped! She’s got you doing her dirty work. I bet she’s sitting with Quinn right now asking her a million questions, just like you are. Are you planning on swapping notes later? What about you, Mason? Anything you want to know?”
Mason laughed and held his hands up. “Nope! You know Lib, she’s pretty easygoing.” I nodded and focused my attention back on Josh.
“I like her okay? She’s young, and that’s what held me back in the beginning, but I’m taking her out on a date tonight. And as for my trip into town. I went to pick her up a phone. She shouldn’t be on the ranch alone, with no way of contacting anyone.” I paused and waited for him to say something. “Anything else you want to know?” He looked suitably sheepish, and I nodded. “Good.”
“I told you some girl would come and change everything. Looks like I was right,” he said cockily.
“Take it easy, Josh. We haven’t even been on a date yet. It’s not like I’m marrying her.”
“Not yet!” I rolled my eyes, throwing my cowboy hat at him. He laughed and bent down to pick it up off the floor. “Seriously though, have you found out the deal with her? Why was she in the stables?” He held out my hat to me, sighing, I took it from him and placed it back on my head.
“She started to tell me this morning. We’re going to finish talking tomorrow. I wanted her to enjoy today and not have to think about it.” I paused and took a deep breath, trying to calm down the anger forming in my stomach. “It was her stepdad though, that much she did tell me. God, what sort of a man puts his hands on a woman? He wants to hope he never shows his face here!”
Mason slapped my shoulder. “Only a coward puts his hands on a woman, Brode. I bet he’s a sniffling piece of shit.” He paused and glanced across at Josh. “Just know we’ve got your back. I can see Quinn means a lot to you. I know this asshole has been winding you up about her,” he cocked his head toward Josh who feigned ignorance, “but I can only imagine how I’d feel if anyone hurt Libby like that.”
