“Who’s she?” Jenny asked in a low voice. “And what’s she doing here?”
* * *
“WELL, HELLO THERE!” Summer infused enthusiasm into her voice when she met up with Quinn, Corrine and Jenny.
She didn’t have to work hard at it. Seeing a smiling Quinn holding the bubbly little girl filled her with relief. The visit was obviously going well. Father and daughter looked so natural and at ease together, Summer’s spirits instantly soared.
Corrine gave her only a passing glance. She was much more interested in Teddy and stared intently, her features alight with curiosity.
That was why Summer loved young children. They didn’t make snap judgments like adults. And if they noticed Teddy’s differences, they either ignored them or accepted him like they would any other child.
“You must be Corrine.” Summer moved closer to the little girl and Quinn. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Jenny also moved closer.
Summer thought nothing of it. Mothers were instinctively guarded around people they didn’t know, some more than others.
“And you must be Jenny,” she said in an effort to put the other woman at ease. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Same here.”
When Jenny stood directly in front of Quinn, Summer reconsidered. Was something else going on she didn’t know about? Like, perhaps, Jenny still harbored romantic feelings for Quinn. It wasn’t outside the realm of possibilities and even made sense.
“Jenny, this is Summer Goodwyn and her son, Teddy.” Quinn was slow making introductions, perhaps because he was enraptured with Corrine. Well, hard to blame him.
“Welcome to Dos Estrellas.” Summer shook Jenny’s hand.
“Thanks.” Jenny glanced at Teddy. “Is your son a student in the therapy program?”
Realizing he was being talked about, Teddy became stressed. He dropped Hurry Up’s lead rope and darted over to Quinn, where he crouched close and started humming.
“What’s going on, pal?” Quinn patted Teddy’s head reassuringly.
Summer bent to pick up the lead rope. If she didn’t make a big deal of Teddy’s behavior, hopefully no one else would, either.
“Teddy’s in the program, but we’re here today helping with the wedding preparations. Teddy needed a break from all the commotion, and we decided to take Hurry Up for a walk.”
The ruse was a small one. Teddy had truly needed a break, but the idea to walk Hurry Up had been hers. It provided a means to accidentally-on-purpose run into Quinn and offer assistance if needed.
Fortunately, he and Corrine seemed to be getting along splendidly. Taking the girl to see Mama was a good idea. That, and the stuffed pony.
“Summer is Cara’s maid of honor,” Quinn said.
“Oh.” Jenny raised her brows. “And, Quinn, you’re the groomsman, right?”
“One of them.”
An odd note colored Jenny’s voice, giving more weight to Summer’s jealousy theory. Then again, she didn’t know Jenny. Perhaps it was best not to assume.
“This is Corrine.” Quinn faced the little girl toward Summer. “My daugh—”
“No.” Jenny immediately cut him off, going so far as to raise a hand as if to shield Corrine from danger. “I told you, she doesn’t...know yet,” Jenny finished in a whisper issued from the side of her mouth.
Quinn stiffened.
Okay, Summer thought. Not jealousy but unresolved issues.
“How do you like Mama?” she asked the girl, continuing her efforts at smoothing things over. “Isn’t she pretty?”
“I like her.” Corrine extended her hand toward the mare and wiggled her fingers. The mare nuzzled them, eliciting an excited squeak.
“This is Hurry Up.” Summer presented the horse, who couldn’t appear less interested. “He belongs to Nathan, your cousin—”
She stopped herself. Jenny probably wouldn’t like that reference, either, and, as it happened, Summer was right.
“Corrine doesn’t understand the complexities of family relations,” Jenny stated tersely.
Quinn expelled a subtle, yet discernable, sigh of frustration.
Summer felt bad. She’d only made things worse for him. “Well, Teddy and I should get going and let you finish your visit. I guarantee you’re in good hands with Mama,” she assured Jenny.
“Stay,” Quinn offered.
Um, yeah. She’d be as welcome as a skunk at a birthday party. “I’m sure Raquel could use some help in the kitchen.”
“I promised Corrine a horse ride.” Quinn was already on the move and took the lead rope from Summer. “We can saddle this fellow quicker than we can Mama. Plus, he’s smaller. You coming with us, Teddy?”
“No,” Jenny protested, once more raising her hand. “She’s too young to ride.”
“Nathan rides Hurry Up all the time, and he’s only a little older than Corrine.”
Summer observed the power struggle between Quinn and Jenny. She wanted to tell him to back off. He wouldn’t win any points with Jenny or make their future custody discussions proceed any more easily if he exerted himself this early on.
Now, however, wasn’t the time. “Come on, sweetie.” She motioned to Teddy.
Her son had other ideas and grabbed on to Quinn’s belt loop with a grip that left no doubt he intended to remain put. Summer wasn’t inclined to engage him in front of Jenny. He’d had a tough day and would likely pitch a fit.
Which meant they were stuck where they were for the immediate duration. Shoot.
Together, they started for the horse stables and the tack room at its center. Jenny clearly wasn’t happy, but she, too, chose to forgo a battle. Summer respected her for making the right decision. It couldn’t have been easy.
Inside the stables, she engaged Jenny in small talk while Quinn saddled the horse. Teddy stayed by his side and shadowed his every step. Quinn, as usual, didn’t mind. With luck, Jenny might notice.
When Corrine was returned to her and safely nestled in her arms, Jenny appeared to relax. The three of them stood to the side while Quinn groomed Hurry Up.
“I heard it’s your mother’s birthday,” Summer said.
That drew a surprised look from Jenny. “Did Quinn tell you?”
“Um, yes.”
“You two are good friends, then?”
“We’re friends.” Summer deftly changed the subject. “He’s great with Teddy, as you can see. He’s good with all the therapy program children.”
“He told me he doesn’t work with them.”
“Yes, but he’s around, and they’ve taken to him.” Summer thought of Lizzie, the student with Down syndrome. “Nathan and Kimberly adore him.”
Was she overselling Quinn? She bit her lower lip and took a mental step back.
“Never thought I’d see the day.” Jenny bounced Corrine in her arms. The little girl wanted to be on the ground with Teddy and petting Hurry Up’s nose. “Quinn didn’t have the least interest in kids when we dated.”
Was that another reason she’d gone into hiding when she discovered she was pregnant? Concern that Quinn wouldn’t want their child?
“People do change,” Summer said. “You haven’t seen him in a while.”
Jenny’s gaze narrowed. “Exactly how much did he tell you about us?”
“Only a little.” Summer glanced at Quinn to divert attention away from herself.
He’d retrieved a child’s saddle from the tack room and was now putting the bridle on Hurry Up.
“We can use the arena,” he said, checking the girth and taking it in another notch. “It’s empty.”
Once more, they traveled together as a group, Teddy on one side of Quinn, Jenny on the other. Summer followed behind. She told herself she didn’t mind, except she did. Ki
nd of.
At the arena, she waited while Quinn lifted Corrine onto the small horse. Arms high in the air, she laughed with excitement, not at all afraid. Evidently, she took after her father when it came to riding horses.
“Do you mind getting some pictures?” Quinn asked Summer.
“Not at all.” She reached for her phone.
“You can send them to me later.”
With Jenny giving her more strange looks, Summer clicked shot after shot of Quinn leading Corrine on Hurry Up around the arena. Teddy had gone with them and walked beside Quinn. A few weeks ago, Summer would have been shocked. Today, she accepted Quinn and Teddy’s friendship as the norm.
People could indeed change, she mused while snapping a close-up of Teddy looking up at Quinn.
She insisted on excusing herself and Teddy a short while later. Quinn needed time alone with his daughter and Jenny. Plus, Summer had committed to helping with the wedding preparations.
“Come on, sweetie. Mommy’s got things to do.” She braced herself for Teddy’s refusal.
Hooray, hooray, he complied without much fuss.
Quinn patted him lightly on the back and said, “See you later, son.”
When Corrine waved and uttered a sweet, soft “Bye,” Summer felt a strong tug on her heart.
Please let this visit end well for Quinn.
At the house, she joined the crew of helpers in the backyard. That way, she could watch Teddy, who played with one of the ranch dogs. Holding a stick, he ran in circles while the dog chased him and barked. It was a similar game to one he played with their own dog, Paw Paw.
Other children were also there, creating chaos whenever possible. Nathan, with his remote-controlled truck, was the center of attention. Among the group of six surrounding him were several of the therapy program students. Summer was glad to see Nathan made no distinction when it came to playmates, treating them alike regardless of their disabilities.
She was mostly glad to see the therapy program parents and took their willingness to help as reassurance nothing had come of Mindy’s campaign to have Quinn fired.
As she and the others worked, the sun beat down relentlessly, making their tasks that much harder to accomplish.
“Whew, it’s hot,” Summer said to no one in particular, wiping her damp brow with the back of her hand. With the other, she steadied a crepe paper–covered arch.
Gabe knelt at the base of the arch, driving stakes into the ground to anchor it. By early tomorrow evening, a four-tier wedding cake would be placed on a table beneath the arch and the happy couple would be smashing small pieces into each other’s faces.
“Remind me to talk to Josh about the weather.” Gabe stood and stretched. “He and Cara picked a heck of a time to get married. Didn’t anyone tell them the humidity’s at a record high?”
Summer didn’t think Josh and Cara cared. They were ready and eager to start their lives together.
She envied her friend. At one time, she’d been like Cara, hopeful and excited about what the future held. Would she ever feel like that again?
“Uncle Quinn!” Nathan flew past them at a dead run. “Where’s Hurry Up?”
Quinn ambled nearer, Jenny and Corrine noticeably absent. They must have returned to their car, and Summer had been too busy to notice.
“I put him back in his stall.” Quinn stooped to gather Nathan in his arms and swung him around.
“Take me riding,” Nathan insisted.
“Sorry. Can’t. We’ve got a lot of work here, and then there’s the wedding rehearsal. Are you and your sister ready?”
Nathan pouted. He and Kimberly had been recruited for ring bearer and flower girl. Neither of them was taking their job seriously.
“What if we saddle Hurry Up and a couple of the other horses tomorrow at the reception? Keep you and your friends busy and out of trouble?”
“I’m being good,” the boy announced proudly. “I’m sharing my truck and my horse.”
“Yes, you are, and I appreciate it.” Quinn sought out Summer’s gaze and, when he found it, smiled.
“How’d the rest of your visit go?” she asked.
“Well. Better than expected.”
The warm glow she’d experienced when he first glanced at her increased. She could easily go on looking at him indefinitely.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards. Nathan chose that moment to insist on rejoining his friends.
“Hold on a second.” Quinn didn’t release the boy until he had both feet planted firmly on the ground.
Nathan started running—only to stop a short distance away and begin howling at the top of his lungs.
“What’s wrong?” Quinn hurried toward him, as did Summer and Gabe. Quinn reached Nathan first.
“My foot!” The boy fell onto the ground and grabbed his left sneaker. Rocking back and forth much like Teddy did, he began to sob. “It hurts.”
“Let me see.” Quinn took hold of Nathan’s foot and tried to examine it.
Nathan rolled onto his side and wrenched his foot free. “Nooooo!”
From where Summer stood, she had a better angle and spotted the problem. “There’s a nail sticking out of the sole.”
“You’ve got to hold still, pal.” Quinn gripped Nathan’s ankle firmly in his strong hands. Eventually, he quieted.
The nail wasn’t large and probably hadn’t penetrated deep. Nonetheless, it must have pricked Nathan enough to cause some pain.
“What can I do?” Summer asked.
By now, a small audience had gathered and even people from other parts of the yard were watching them.
“Someone dropped a nail,” Gabe said, glancing around for more. “It was bound to happen.”
People had been using nails all day to hang decorations on the patio, fence and even the tree in the center of the yard.
“One more second,” Quinn said.
“Ow!” Nathan complained. “You’re hurting me.”
“I’m trying not to.”
Summer suspected a large part of Nathan’s outburst was due to fear. Quinn was exceedingly patient and finally managed to yank off the sneaker.
The embedded nail was indeed small. Summer retrieved the sneaker and removed it. Nathan continued to make a fuss while Quinn peeled off his sock and inspected his bare foot.
“I think you’ll live,” Quinn pronounced.
“A washing and bandage is probably in order,” she added.
Nathan flung himself onto his back. “I want Daddy.”
“He and Cara are running an errand.” They’d gone into Scottsdale to obtain the marriage license. “What if I give you a hug? Will that help?”
Summer opened her arms. Nathan jumped up and threw himself at her. She lowered herself to his level and squeezed tight. It felt wonderful to hold a young child, and she had trouble letting go even when Nathan, miraculously healed, squirmed to get free.
“Not before you put your sock and shoe back on,” she admonished.
She barely got the Velcro strap fastened before Nathan broke into fresh sobs and ran away.
“Daddy, Daddy!” he cried out. “I got hurt.”
Josh and Cara, it seemed, had arrived home.
Summer straightened and gave a laugh. “He’s a bigger drama queen than his sister.”
Quinn shook his head. “The good thing is he’s all right.”
“Yes.” She waited a moment until their audience had dispersed. “Want to tell me about your visit with Corrine while I sort flowers?”
“Sure.”
They strolled over to the back patio and the large box of crepe-paper flowers, handcrafted by the bridesmaids over the past week. Summer made sure Teddy was all right. He’d abandoned the dog to its stick in favor of watching the other children pl
ay—from a distance, naturally. At least he was watching them, she thought, and not ignoring them.
Summer also couldn’t help noticing the stares she and Quinn garnered. Most were friendly. Two or three from some of the therapy student parents, though, were decidedly cool.
Summer went still. So much for assuming she’d convinced Mindy to abandon her plan. Did Cara know? What if Mindy actually succeeded and got Quinn fired?
A heavy sensation in the pit of Summer’s stomach lingered until Cara announced it was time to leave for the rehearsal at the church. After that, Summer was too preoccupied to think of anything else.
Chapter Eight
Of the two hundred plus guests at the wedding reception, less than fifty remained. Most of them were family and friends, recruited to help with shutting down the celebration and general cleanup.
Summer carted an empty chafing dish into the kitchen, strains of country music following her inside. The four-piece band regularly performed at the Poco Dinero Saloon in town and had given the Dempseys a good price, throwing in an extra hour of playing time for the bride and groom. At this hour, few couples were dancing. Still, the band continued to entertain.
Speaking of the bride and groom, they’d left a short while ago to embark on their honeymoon. For tonight, they were staying at the Talking Stick Resort. Tomorrow morning, they’d drive to Pinetop for a secluded four-day stay in a friend’s cabin. They’d left strict instructions not to be disturbed except for emergencies.
Though the bride and groom had been the center of attention at the reception, Cole and Violet’s recent elopement was also toasted, and the stacks of presents piled in the living room included many for them, as well.
Raquel had agreed to watch Nathan and Kimberly during the five days their parents would be out of town and was at this moment attempting to coax them to sleep in one of the empty bedrooms. The excitement of the day had sent them into hyperdrive rather than wearing them out. Summer had decided to oversee the dinner cleanup while Raquel was occupied with the children, and several people had volunteered to assist her.
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