How different things had been with Summer. Other than his family, she’d been the one person to accept and defend him unquestioningly. Whether she did so because she was simply that kind of person or because she cared for him, he wasn’t sure.
The ache inside him intensified. They’d seen each other only once these past four days. Quinn had been busy tying up loose ends and packing his few belongings for the drive to California. He saw no reason to add to their misery and, apparently, neither did Summer.
As she’d predicted, his cousins were turning the screws. They’d gone so far as to call their grandparents and ask them to talk some sense into Quinn. Their grandparents had listened but, in the end, chose not to get involved. Whether Quinn stayed or not was his decision. Thus far, he’d remained steadfast in his conviction that leaving was best for everyone involved.
As the gate to the sanctuary came into view, the horses’ excitement increased. At the same moment, several mustangs appeared on the first rise, their long manes and tails blowing in the wind.
Quinn felt another emotional tug. They were quite the picture, a piece of living Arizona history.
“Your welcoming party has arrived,” he said to the buckskin.
She whinnied, loudly and shrilly, and would have jumped the fence if not for his firm grip on the lead rope.
When they reached the gate, Quinn dismounted and undid the latch. He removed the halter from the mare and swung the gate wide. She bolted through it and galloped up the rise to join the other mustangs, the gelding staring after them.
Quinn gave him a friendly pat. “Maybe one of these days you and I will both come back.”
A surge raced through Quinn as realization dawned. Like the mare, he, too, was free. Not so many months ago, he’d sat in a tiny cell, not daring to consider life outside prison for six or more years. And while he was leaving a wonderful woman he’d come to care for more than he’d imagined possible, he did have a daughter and a job and his freedom. It was something denied a lot of men in his shoes.
His return trip to the ranch went a little faster, with the gelding picking up speed as the outbuilding came into sight. None too soon, either, for the sun had just started to set. Within minutes, the desert went from tarnished gold to bathed in the soft inky light of dusk. A last gift from Mother Nature.
Quinn neared the outskirts of the horse pastures. Cutting across those, he came upon the gate leading to the pens. The tractor was parked there, having been left by one of the hands this morning after grading the arena.
All at once, the gelding spooked. Twisting in a sharp half circle, he darted to the left. Quinn hung on, putting his weight in his heels and squeezing with his legs.
“Whoa, boy!”
The horse stopped and stood but remained tense, his hide twitching. Quinn looked around for what had alarmed the normally tranquil horse. Seeing nothing, he prodded the horse forward. They got only a few feet when Quinn heard what sounded like crying and drew up on the reins.
The sound was crying, and it came from the other side of the tractor.
He got off the horse, dropped the reins and approached.
“Who’s there? Are you all right?”
The crying promptly diminished to a whimper. Quinn caught a movement from behind the left rear tire.
He hurried around the tractor, and when he caught sight of a small boy crouched into a ball, he came to a halt.
“Hey, buddy.”
The boy crouched lower, if that was possible, and peeked at Quinn through splayed fingers.
“I won’t hurt you.” He advanced slowly, recognizing the boy as one of the therapy program students. “Got lost, huh?”
The boy nodded.
“You remember me?”
He shrugged.
“I work here. My name’s Quinn. What’s yours?”
“Brett.” He made a noise between a hiccup and a sharp laugh. Quinn also noticed the boy’s rapidly blinking eyes.
“Come on out. Let me take you back. I’m sure your parents are looking for you.”
Brett shook his head, his blinking increasing.
Quinn suddenly remembered. He was the son of the woman—Mindy?—who’d rallied the parents against him. Brett had... What was it called? Tourette’s syndrome.
“I promise, Brett, you have nothing to be afraid of. I won’t hurt you.”
He looked less afraid but didn’t move.
“You like horses?”
He hiccupped again.
“Tell you what. You come out, and I’ll let you lead this one back to the stables. What do you say?”
His eyes widened. Quinn didn’t dare rush him, afraid he might run away.
“Your mom must be worried.”
After several more minutes of coaxing and reassurances, Quinn was able to lure Brett out from behind the tractor. They started walking, the boy leading the horse. Quinn thought he saw zigzagging flashlights ahead. Keeping up a constant and, he hoped, reassuring banter, he removed his phone and dialed Cara.
“I found Brett in the arena by the tractor,” he said when she answered.
“Oh, thank God. We’ve been looking for him for twenty minutes. Mindy’s frantic.”
“We’re almost there.”
Cara disconnected without saying goodbye. Seconds later, Quinn heard shouting and then saw the outline of people running toward them—Cara, Mindy and two of the therapy program staff members.
Mindy reached them first. She grabbed up Brett and hugged him to her, sobbing incoherently.
“Thank you, Quinn.” Cara threw an arm around him.
“Just glad he’s okay.” Taking the lead rope, he waved at the boy and started off, the horse following.
“Wait,” Mindy called.
Quinn stopped. Turned.
“I heard...the other children admitted you didn’t hurt that boy. I’m...sorry I misjudged you.”
He could see on her face the admission and apology weren’t easy. Which made him appreciate the gesture all the more.
“No worries.” He tugged on the brim of his cowboy hat and continued to the horse stables.
He was just brushing down the gelding when Josh and Cole showed up. Quinn didn’t think much of it. This was probably a last-ditch effort at getting him to reconsider.
“Heard you’re the hero of the day,” Josh said.
“No big deal. I happened to be riding by the tractor and heard the kid crying.”
“You do know who his mom is, right?”
“Yeah.” Quinn returned the brush to the hook on the wall outside the tack room.
“She’s going around telling everyone she made a mistake and that you didn’t mistreat any children.”
“Okay.”
Cole clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on, man. This is what we’ve been waiting for. You can keep your job.”
Quinn untied the gelding and started down the barn aisle, Josh and Cole dogging his heels.
“It’s not that simple.” He put the horse in his stall and shut the door.
“But she admitted the truth,” Josh said. “Everyone will know by tomorrow.”
“Nothing’s changed.” Quinn faced his cousins. “I still have a reputation that will follow me regardless. I’m better off at Granddad and Grandma’s. There, at least, I have family.”
“What are we?” Cole asked. “Strangers? Hell, we grew up together.”
“I appreciate all you’ve done for me. Honestly.”
“Why didn’t you tell us about Assistant Warden Tedrowe and the work release program?” Josh asked, mild accusation in his voice.
That took Quinn aback. “How do you know?”
“He called. Right after you rode out of here for the sanctuary.”
“I’m sorry. I shou
ld have mentioned it.” They stood in front of the stall, the bright fluorescent overhead lights humming noisily and attracting dozens of nighttime insects. “But I’d already decided to leave and Tedrowe said the only way the program would work was with a former inmate in charge.”
“It wasn’t just your decision to make. We should have been consulted.”
“You’re right.” Quinn hung his head. “I’m sorry. It was a tough week, and I had a lot on my mind.”
“Like Summer?”
“Leaving her isn’t easy.”
“Look,” Josh said, “we’re moving the therapy program to the Small Change.”
“Reese’s father’s place?” Quinn stared at them in disbelief. “Why?”
“Cara, Cole and I have talked this over, and we’re in complete agreement.”
“All this in the last hour?”
Cole grinned. “Good decisions don’t take long to make.”
“It’s a worthwhile program,” Josh went on. “For the ranch and for the prisoners. The assistant warden explained they wouldn’t be sending hardcore criminals. Just guys deserving of a second chance. You can relate to that.”
Quinn thought his cousin was laying on the guilt a little thick.
“When we called Theo about moving the therapy program, he was immediately on board. He’s willing to donate some of the Small Change’s facilities in exchange for a tax write-off. That way, Cara gets to keep the therapy program, and the students won’t be within miles of the prisoners. Everyone benefits.”
“Can Dos Estrellas handle the loss of income?” Quinn asked.
“We’ll more than make up for it with the free labor from the work release program. Besides, the mustang sanctuary will remain here, and Cara will still cover her portion of the property taxes and expenses.”
“You’ve got to take the job.” Cole gave Quinn’s shoulder another clap. “The state will pay you far more than the therapy program did. Think how that will help your custody suit.”
“I told Granddad I’d work for him.”
“He has plenty of help,” Josh said. “And if you want, you can take six weeks off over the summer to stay with him out in California while you have Corrine. She’ll love all the horses.”
Quinn liked the idea and hoped Jenny would, too.
“You’re going to make a real difference in people’s lives. Become the kind of person your daughter will be proud to call Dad.”
Going to? Josh was talking like Quinn had already accepted the job.
“I don’t know. I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“You still have tonight to think about it. Assistant Warden Tedrowe said you could call him if you have any questions. He gave us his private cell phone number.” Josh glanced past Quinn’s shoulder and smiled as if he knew something Quinn didn’t.
A moment later, he realized his cousin did indeed know something. Summer stood at the end of the barn aisle, a nervous look on her face. Quinn thought his heart might explode.
“What are you waiting for, man?” Josh gave him a nudge. “Go talk to the lady.”
* * *
EVERYTHING WAS DECIDED, Quinn thought. He had a plan in motion that would spare the people he cared about difficulties and enable him to pursue a relationship with Corrine by living and working at a place that met Jenny’s approval.
Yet, here he was walking toward Summer and knowing, deep inside, he was about to break all the promises he’d made to himself. How could he not when she stared at him with feelings he recognized and was afraid would fade too quickly?
“Quinn,” she said as he neared, and he heard the same emotion in her voice that he saw in her eyes. “I heard about what happened. You found Brett.”
News apparently traveled very fast.
“Cara called me,” she said.
“It’s no big deal.”
“It’s a very big deal.” Summer reached for him. At the last second, she let her hands drop. “There isn’t a single parent in the program who hasn’t realized what a terrible mistake they made. I’d expect a formal apology if I were you.”
“I didn’t help Brett for an apology.”
“Of course not. But the parents need to issue it, and you should let them.”
“The kid wasn’t far,” Quinn said. “He’d have found his way back eventually. Probably in a matter of minutes.”
“Maybe. Or he might have wandered off and gotten even more lost. Let the parents apologize. You deserve it.”
“I was planning on being long gone by morning.”
“Don’t leave.” Summer took a step toward him. It wasn’t much. A few inches. But, then, sometimes a few inches was the greatest distance in the world. “Not yet, anyway. Give me and Teddy a chance to convince you to stay.”
“I already told Jenny I was moving.”
“I would never ask you to choose me and Teddy over Corrine. I’m only hoping there’s room in your heart for all of us.”
“How much room there is in my heart isn’t the problem.”
“We’re worth fighting for.”
Hadn’t he said the same thing to himself not long ago?
“Cara told me about the job offer and the work release program. She said they’re relocating the therapy program to the Small Change.”
“Jenny wouldn’t like me working with prisoners. I couldn’t stand it if she took Corrine away from me again.”
“She’d have to prove you’re a threat to Corrine. She can’t, and no judge will side with her.”
Quinn heard Summer’s words, but they didn’t alleviate his anxiety. “I want to stay, I really do. I just can’t stop worrying.”
“Is there no compromise you can reach?”
“Possibly. Josh suggested we suspend the work release program from June through August and that I spend that time in Bishop at our grandparents’ with Corrine.”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
“No, it’s not.” He glanced away.
“What do you want, Quinn?” She touched his arm. “If you could take Jenny and the therapy program parents and your fight to clear your record and everything else negative out of the equation, where would you go and what would you do?”
He thought a moment.
“I’d take the job with the prison release program. I’d be good at it and could make a difference in people’s lives.” He turned back to her. “I’d date you. I’d set out to convince you I’m the guy you’ve been waiting for.”
She smiled, and her eyes shone with the same emotion from earlier. “You wouldn’t have to work hard. I’m already convinced.”
“I’d take you and Teddy to Bishop with me over summer vacation so that the four of us could be a family.”
“I’m sure I could work it out with Marty.”
“And when I’d won my settlement from the state, I’d put enough money away for Corrine’s college education, pay Jenny child support and take you on a Caribbean cruise.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“Except I’m not sure about any of that. Circumstances are against us.”
Summer lifted her arms and circled Quinn’s neck. “You’re wrong. They’re working in our favor. Fate is trying to tell us she approves.”
Quinn held her closer, feeling the world right itself. This was where he belonged, where he’d belonged all along.
“That’s quite the romantic notion.”
She smiled, lighting up not only her face but the last dark corner in his heart. “What can I say? I happen to be a hopeless romantic.”
“There’s still Hal,” Quinn said. “He doesn’t want me near Teddy.”
“Hal has, shall we say, had an epiphany, probably due to his wife.”
“Tell me.”
“He and I have started seeing a
counselor. A mediator, actually. Hal’s attorney made the recommendation. I’m supporting Hal’s more frequent and lengthier visits with Teddy by coaching Teddy and guiding Hal. He, his wife and I will attend parenting sessions together at the learning center.”
“That’s good. And not just for us.” Quinn tugged her closer.
“I haven’t always been fair to Hal,” she admitted.
“He was a fool to let you and Teddy go.”
Summer tilted her face to Quinn’s. “His loss could be your gain.”
“Are you sure Hal won’t take action?”
She shook her head. “He doesn’t have a leg to stand on. His attorney advised him to back down.”
“That’s no guarantee.”
“He won’t fight you, Quinn. You have to trust me on this.”
“I do trust you. Mostly.”
“What can I do to convince you?”
He bent his head and rested his cheek against hers. “There’s one last thing I need.”
“What?” she murmured.
“I want to hear you say it, Summer. There’s been too much uncertainty, too many things gone wrong in my life these last three years, for me to make assumptions when it comes to how much you care for me.”
“Okay.” She nodded. “Here goes. I’m falling in love with you, and I think you’re falling in love with me, too.”
“You’re right.” He grinned. “Very astute.”
“Comes from having an autistic son. I need to be aware of even the smallest details.”
“You rescued me, Summer. Brought me back from a place no one should be and showed me how to be happy.”
“Aren’t you ever going to kiss me?” She parted her lips.
He savored the slight intake of her breath when he claimed her mouth and enjoyed her sigh of contentment even more. He considered holding her indefinitely, but that wasn’t an option, and he reluctantly released her.
No matter, they’d have time tonight.
“We’re going to be happy together.” Summer laid her head on his chest.
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