Whatever it Takes (Healing Hearts book 3)

by Laura Farr

  “Your mom's already offered me some of Savannah’s clothes. Do you think she’ll mind?” She looked worried, but she didn’t need to be.

  “Are you kidding?” I scoffed. “I helped Savannah move into the cottage behind the house a few months ago. She has enough clothes to open her own store. I doubt she’d even realize if some were missing.”

  She laughed. “A girl can never have too many clothes.”

  “Apparently not.”

  “I only plan on borrowing some until I can get myself sorted.” She paused, giving me a sad smile. “Anyway, the doctor came in while you were asleep. I’m being discharged. I’m just waiting on the paperwork.”

  “That’s great, Quinn.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes dropping to her fingers which were playing with the edge of her shirt. “For everything.”

  Getting up, I came to stand in front of her, my finger lifting her chin so that her eyes met mine. Staring into her beautiful blue eyes, my breathing hitched. “You don’t need to thank me, sweetheart.” My eyes dropped to the bruise on her cheek and I brushed my finger across it. “You’ll be safe on the ranch. I promise.”

  Quinn

  A million butterflies took flight in my stomach as Brody’s fingers traced my bruised cheek. My breathing increased, and he was standing so close to me I’m sure he was able to hear my heart pounding in my chest. When he’d walked in on me in the shower I’d been so embarrassed. No one had ever seen me like that before. His eyes had been all over my body. As shitty as my life was at the moment, I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt toward him. When he’d joked about me seeing him naked, I’d definitely wanted to, and I’m sure he knew it.

  Brody’s fingers were still on my face when the door to my room opened and a nurse I’d never seen before came in. She looked surprised when she saw how close Brody and I were but quickly plastered a smile on her face.

  “Hi, Quinn. I’m Beth. I just need to take your blood pressure and pulse. If they are both fine, you can go. I have your discharge papers here for you to sign.” She held up some paperwork, and I smiled, relieved to be leaving the hospital.

  Motioning for me to lie on the bed, I watched as she set up the blood pressure machine and placed the cuff on my arm. After a few minutes, she turned to me. “Everything looks fine. I’ll leave you to complete the discharge forms. There is also a form to complete for your insurance. I’ll be back in about ten minutes.” Swallowing nervously, I nodded as I began reading through the paperwork. Noticing I hadn’t heard the door open, I lifted my head to see Beth and Brody talking in hushed voices by the door. Beth had her hand on Brody’s arm, and she suddenly laughed at something he’d said. I dropped my eyes and pretended to read through the forms, straining to hear their conversation. Lifting my head, I saw Beth kiss Brody on the cheek before telling him to call her. A pang of jealousy shot through me, and I was annoyed at myself for feeling that way. As Beth left the room, Brody turned to face me, his eyes meeting mine.

  “You almost ready to go? It’s been a long couple of days,” he said with a sigh as he made his way over to the bed.

  I nodded as I quickly signed the discharge papers. Coming to the insurance form I paused, biting down on my lip.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Erm… yeah. Just trying to remember my insurance details,” I lied. With the amount of times I’d filled forms like this out for my mom, I knew the details inside and out. What I wasn’t sure of was whether the insurance policy still existed. Evan had said the surgeries Mom and I had undergone weren’t covered. I’d be surprised if he was keeping up the payments on them. I had no choice but to enter the details. Brody gave me the ranch address and put a note on the form to contact me there should they need to. I could only hope the insurance would cover my treatment. It wasn’t like I was in a position to pay the bill.

  Fifteen minutes later and we were pulling out of the hospital parking lot. Mr. Parker and Brody sat up front, Mrs. Parker was sitting in the back next to me.

  “How long have you been in Marble Falls, honey?” Mrs. Parker asked me as the truck sped out of the town and into open countryside.

  “I arrived on the Greyhound bus the afternoon of the fire,” I told her with a small smile.

  “And where is home, Quinn?” she asked kindly.

  “Erm… Westwood, New Jersey.” My hands twisted nervously in my lap.

  “And the stepfather you mentioned, sweetheart, won’t he be worried?”

  I felt my body stiffen at the mention of Evan, silently scolding myself that I’d let it slip out about him. Pausing before I answered, I looked up to see Brody’s eyes on me through the mirror in his visor.

  “Mom!” Brody exclaimed, his eyes still on me. “Stop with the twenty questions. Maybe Quinn doesn’t want to tell us her life story.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Ignore me. I don’t know when to be quiet,” she said apologetically, her hand reaching over to gently squeeze mine.

  I pulled my eyes from Brody's and gave his mom a small smile before turning and looking out of the window, the green countryside rushing by. The rest of the journey passed by in silence and I felt awful that I’d created an atmosphere. I found myself looking to the front of the truck more than once, each time finding Brody’s eyes on me in the mirror. Feeling my cheeks flush, I was glad to see the signpost for the ranch and breathed a sigh of relief as Mr. Parker drove up the long driveway.

  “Your house is beautiful, Mrs. Parker,” I gushed as we pulled up outside the ranch house.

  “Thank you, honey, and please call me Claire. Mrs. Parker makes me sound so old!” I nodded, and she opened her door. “Come on, let’s get you settled in your room. Savannah and Josh are heading over soon so you can meet everyone.”

  I swallowed nervously, my throat still scratchy from the fire. Brody had come around to my side and held the door open for me. “Thank you,” I told him as I climbed out of the truck, jumping as he closed the door behind me. As I turned I caught sight of the scorched remains of the stables and gasped. “Oh my God.” My eyes widened as I took in the total devastation left by the fire.

  “I can’t believe you were in there,” Brody said quietly, coming to stand at my side.

  “Neither can I,” I mumbled as a lump formed in my throat. “Thank you for getting me out. If you hadn’t found me…” I trailed off, a single tear tracking down my cheek as I realized how lucky I was to be alive.

  “Hey,” he said gently, turning me to face him. “I did find you, and you’re safe here, Quinn.”

  I nodded slowly, my eyes on the ground. I felt Brody’s fingers on my chin as he slowly lifted my face to look at him. “Quinn, I promise.” I nodded again giving him a small smile, hoping against hope he was right. His eyes held mine for a split second, before dropping to my lips. I thought he might lean in and kiss me, and my heart raced at the thought. The sound of a car door slamming broke whatever spell we were under and Brody’s fingers dropped from my face. “I better head inside and shower,” he mumbled, his eyes looking anywhere but at me. He turned away and walked toward the house.

  Sighing, I closed my eyes and shook my head. Getting involved with Brody should be the last thing on my mind after what I’d been through the past week. I couldn’t get attached to anyone, I didn't plan on sticking around long enough for that. How could I when Evan might catch up with me? Pushing Evan to the back of my mind I followed Brody toward the house, still not believing I really did have a job and a place to stay.

  Brody

  “What the fuck was that?” I muttered to myself as I walked quickly back to the house and away from Quinn, not daring to glance back at her. She had me feeling things I didn’t understand, and it was freaking me out.

  “Hey, Brody,” I heard a voice call out, dragging me from my thoughts. As I looked over to the front of the house, I saw Josh and Savannah heading up the porch steps.

  “Hey,” I replied as I jogged toward them. “They let you out then?” I teased, pullin
g Josh into a hug.

  “They wanted him to stay another night, but he refused,” Savannah said, exasperated.

  “Baby, I’m fine,” Josh reassured her. “I just wanted to come home.” He snaked his arm around her waist, kissing her on the side of the head.

  “You okay?” I asked Josh, concerned he’d discharged himself.

  “I’m good. What about you? How’s the hand?” He gestured with his head to my bandaged hand.

  “It’s just a scratch,” I told him, holding it up. “It’ll be fine in a few days.” Josh nodded, and I watched as his gaze went past me. “Is that the girl you pulled from the stables?”

  Turning, I saw Quinn walking slowly toward us, her hands fiddling nervously with the hem of her t-shirt. I nodded. “Yeah, that’s her.” I made my way down the steps, stopping in front of her. “Come and meet Sav and Josh.” I took her hand and led her up onto the porch. “Guys, this is Quinn. Quinn, this is my sister, Savannah, and her boyfriend, Josh, who also happens to be my best friend.”

  “Hi,” she said quietly, her face flushing with heat. “Nice to meet you.” I was still holding her hand, and I saw Savannah’s eyes drop to our joined hands, a huge smile appearing on her face.

  “Hi, Quinn, great to meet you,” Savannah gushed as she pulled Quinn in for a hug, her hand dropping from mine. Savannah wiggled her eyebrows at me over Quinn’s shoulder and I rolled my eyes. The last thing I needed was her playing matchmaker. For some reason, she was always telling me I needed to find a nice girl and to settle down. That was the last thing I wanted or needed. Glaring at her, I shook my head, hoping she got the message not to interfere.

  “Sorry if I smell of smoke. I had to put these clothes back on after the fire,” Quinn said sheepishly, tugging on her t-shirt as she stepped out of Savannah’s hug.

  “Don’t be daft, you’re fine. I’m so glad my brother managed to get you out of there.” She glanced over toward the charred remains of the stables and shook her head.

  “So am I,” Quinn replied, her eyes meeting mine.

  “Hey, good to meet you, Quinn,” Josh said. She smiled at him and I reached for her hand again, tugging her toward the front door. Josh and Savannah followed us through the door and along the hallway to the kitchen.

  “Savannah! Josh!” my mom exclaimed as she rushed across the kitchen, pulling them both into a hug. “They discharged you then?”

  “Yes,” Josh replied hurriedly, glancing at Savannah. “I’m fine.”

  I chuckled as I watched Savannah roll her eyes at him before heading over to our dad and throwing her arms around him.

  “You okay, sweetheart?” he asked, and she nodded.

  “Tired, but glad to be home.”

  “I’ll make us all some food,” Mom said, crossing the kitchen and opening the fridge. “Sav, why don’t you take Quinn upstairs and show her your old room?”

  “Sure,” she replied. “Let’s find you some clothes as well. Mom said you lost everything in the fire?

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?” I watched as her teeth chewed on her bottom lip. “I’m sure I can find something in the local thrift store.”

  “Of course, I don’t mind. Trust me, I have loads of clothes, and right now,” she paused and gently patted her stomach, “there’s no way I could fit into half of them anyway!” She laughed and prized Quinn’s hand out of mine. “Let her go, Brode. I’ll bring her back soon. Promise.” She stuck her tongue out at me and I shook my head.

  Looking down at Quinn, I gave her a small smile, noticing her cheeks were flushed pink again. The corners of her mouth turned up into a smile and I couldn’t look away. God, she was beautiful. The room was silent for a few seconds while our eyes stayed fixed on each other. Savannah suddenly cleared her throat and tugged on Quinn’s hand, breaking our connection. I watched as Savannah pulled her out of the kitchen, the door swinging closed behind them. Turning around I saw three amused faces looking at me.

  “You seem a little smitten there, Son,” my dad remarked, a smile tugging on his lips. “Can’t say I blame you, she’s a pretty little thing.”

  “I’m not blind, she’s gorgeous. Doesn’t mean anything’s going to happen.” I shrugged, trying to brush off my developing feelings for her. “I’m not looking to get pussy-whipped like someone else I could mention.” I looked over to Josh and raised my eyebrows.

  “You keep telling yourself that,” Josh replied with a laugh. “I can’t wait to say I told you so.”

  “I reckon that knock you took to the head might have been harder than the doctors thought.”

  He laughed and reached into the fridge, grabbing a soda. “Catch!” he exclaimed tossing me a can. “Like I said, I can’t wait to say I told you so!”

  “Whatever,” I mumbled as I opened the can and took a swig.

  “Boys, it’s been a long couple of days. Go drink your sodas in the den. You can carry on your little argument in there,” Mom said as she ushered us out of the kitchen.

  As we walked through the house to the den, Josh turned to me to say something, but I cut him off before he could speak. “Drop it, Josh. It’s never going to happen,” I warned him. He laughed beside me as I pushed the door open to the den, knowing he didn’t believe a word I said. I’m not sure I believed what I was saying either.

  Quinn

  Savannah squeezed my hand as she pulled me away from Brody and into the hallway.

  “So,” she said, grinning at me. “Where’s home, Quinn?” I breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn’t going to mention the awkward moment in the kitchen between myself and Brody although I could tell from her face she was dying to know more.

  “Westwood, New Jersey,” I replied as we slowly climbed the large staircase to the first floor. Once at the top Savannah placed her hand on the bannister and caught her breath.

  “I love being pregnant, but I’m so ready to have my body back now. Even climbing the stairs wears me out.” She laughed, rubbing her back with her hand.

  “How long do you have left?” I glanced down at her large round stomach. I was no expert on pregnancy, but seeing how big her bump was, I was guessing it couldn’t be long.

  “Five weeks.”

  “Not long left then. Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”

  “Nope, we decided on a surprise. Come on, I can breathe again now. Your room is just down here.”

  I followed her down the hallway and through an open doorway, gasping as I entered the beautiful room. There was a huge double bed against one wall. The bed was dressed in a pretty, lavender-colored comforter, and there were matching cushions scattered at the head of the bed. A nightstand sat on either side of the bed, with a matching dresser on the opposite wall. The large picture window had beautiful drapes in the same fabric as the comforter. Walking over to the window, I pushed my nose against the glass, taking in my first full view of the ranch. The window overlooked the back of the house and I could just make out the roof of a building nestled between the trees.

  “This room is beautiful, and the view is amazing.” Spinning around, I saw Savannah nodding.

  “When I moved out, my parents redecorated and had all new furniture. You’re right, it is beautiful. I sometimes forget how lucky I am to live here.” She moved over to stand next to me. “That’s the cottage where I live,” she explained as she looked out of the window, pointing to the roof I could see. “My grandparents lived there after my parents took over the ranch. It’s tiny compared to the ranch house, but I love it.”

  “It’s a perfect place to bring up a baby. I would have loved growing up here,” I told her.

  “A bit different to Westwood then?” I nodded and let out a small laugh.

  “Just a little. Don’t get me wrong, Westwood is a lovely place. But to have grown up with all of this space, the horses available to ride whenever you liked, must have been incredible.”

  “Do you ride?”

  “Oh no. I’ve never even been on a horse.”

  “Well that has to chang
e! You can take out my horse, Marley.” She grinned and her eyes lit up. “I’ll get Brody to take you!”

  “No, no!” I protested. “I’m sure Brody will be too busy to take me out.”

  “Of course, he won’t.” She winked at me. “Don’t think I didn’t notice how he couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

  My cheeks flushed with heat and I squirmed uncomfortably, not knowing how to reply. Sensing my obvious discomfort, she quickly changed the subject. “Let’s get you some clothes sorted.” She walked across the room pulling open the set of double doors on the opposite wall to the bed. The open doors revealed a large dressing room with floor-to-ceiling hanging rails.

  “The cottage is so small I wasn’t able to take all of my clothes. You’re welcome to borrow anything in here. What shoe size are you?”

  “I’m a size six.” I looked around in awe at the amount of clothes in front of me.

  “Perfect! The same as me then. I did take most of my shoes and boots with me. A girl can never have too many cowboy boots after all.” She winked at me before reaching up to a shelf and grabbing down box after box. “But these are the ones that never got brought over. Brody helped me move and refused to carry any more boxes of shoes. He doesn’t understand my shoe obsession.” She dropped the boxes on the floor and sat down as best she could with her baby bump in the way. Tearing the lids off she pulled out four pairs of cowboy boots, along with three pairs of flip-flops. Some of which still had the tags on them.

  “Savannah, I can’t wear these. They’re brand new.” I dropped to my knees beside her, fingering the gorgeous boots she’d pulled from the boxes.

  “Of course, you can! Someone may as well wear them. I’ve got plenty back at the cottage.” Overwhelmed by how generous everyone had been, I promptly burst into tears. “Hey, don’t cry.” She pushed the boots aside and put her arm around my shoulders, pulling me into an embrace.

  “Sorry. I’m so emotional and overwhelmed by how kind everyone has been. I guess I just can’t quite believe it.”