Whatever it Takes (Healing Hearts book 3)

by Laura Farr

  “Don’t apologize for getting upset, Quinn. You’re bound to be emotional after everything that’s happened. You nearly died.” She reached for a box of tissues on one of the shelves and handed me one. I quickly dried my eyes and blew my nose.

  “Thank you. You and your family have been so kind,” I told her as I pulled myself together.

  “No need to thank me… so, what brings you to Marble Falls?” Her eyes drifted to my bruised cheek, which was now displaying a rainbow of colors.

  Pausing, I met her eyes, the concern evident on her face. “I just had to get away.” I knew I wasn’t giving much away, but I also wasn't lying.

  “Why Marble Falls? Do you have family here?” She picked up the boots and began to put them back into their boxes.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “No, no family, and no reason really. I had a friend at school who moved to Westwood from Marble Falls. She’d told me about it and I’d always wanted to visit.”

  Biting down on my lip, I considered telling her the real reason I was in Marble Falls, and who I was running from. It had been a long time since I’d had a girlfriend to confide in. Although I’d only just met her, she seemed like the kind of person I could trust. Something held me back though, and I decided against it. I didn’t want to bring all my troubles to her door. A small part of me was worried that once everyone knew the truth, they might ask me to leave.

  She nodded, and I could see she wanted to ask me more. “Well, if and when you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here to listen. You’ll be safe here though, Quinn.”

  “That’s what Brody said,” I told her with a small smile.

  Grinning, she wiggled her eyebrows at me. “He likes you, you know? He never left your side in the hospital.”

  “Oh...” I stuttered, my eyes looking anywhere but at her. “I didn’t realize.” I knew Brody had been in my room a lot after I’d woken up, but it was news to me he’d been there while I was unconscious.

  “I’ve never seen him so taken with a girl before and believe me when I say there have been plenty,” she said flippantly. Her eyes met mine and she must have seen the look on my face. “Oh God. That makes him sound horrible,” she said hurriedly, her hand landing on my arm. “I didn’t mean it like that. I mean, he dates a lot, but there has never been anyone special.” She was talking fast, and I could tell she was trying to cover up that she had basically just told me her brother was some sort of serial dater.

  Standing up, I laughed awkwardly as I started to flick through the clothes hanging on the rails above our heads. Not wanting her to see my face when I blatantly lied to her, I concentrated on the clothes in front of me. “Oh, Brody’s nice, but he’s not really my type. I’m not looking for any sort of relationship anyway.”

  “Okay.” The amusement in her voice told me she knew I was lying through my teeth. Part of my statement was true. I wasn’t looking for a relationship. In fact, with all the crap going on in my life at the moment, a relationship was the last thing I was looking for. But to say Brody wasn’t my type was a load of garbage. I’d only had a couple boyfriends in school, so couldn’t really claim to have a “type.” I knew if I did though, Brody would be my perfect choice. He was gorgeous.

  Eager to change the subject, I held up a jean skirt. “Can I try this on?” She nodded enthusiastically.

  “Definitely! And these boots would look amazing with it.” She grabbed a pair of red leather cowboy boots from one of the boxes surrounding her, handing them to me. “Could you help me up? I’m a little bit like a beached whale, stuck down here?” She laughed.

  I held my hand out to her and pulled her up to standing. “You do not look like a beached whale, you look beautiful.” She blew me a kiss and pulled a red top off one of the rails.

  “Put this with the skirt and boots. I’ll wait in the bedroom while you get changed.” She handed me the top and left the dressing room, closing the door behind her.

  Looking around I saw a chair in the corner of the closet. Dumping everything on it, I removed my clothes, the smell of smoke still lingering. Standing there in just my underwear, I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror on the back wall. I slowly traced my finger along the small scar low down on my abdomen. The scar was a constant reminder that my mom didn’t make it, despite my best efforts to save her. I hated looking at it because I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d still be alive if she'd agreed to let me help her earlier. I knew I was never going to know the answer, it was just one big game of “what if.” I was pulled from my thoughts by a knock on the door.

  “Quinn, is everything okay? You’ve been a while,” Savannah called out from the other side of the door. I must have zoned out for longer than I’d thought.

  “Erm… yes. Sorry, I’m nearly done.” I grabbed the skirt and top from the chair and quickly slipped them on. The top was a little more fitted than I was used to, and it hugged my curves more than I’d have liked. The skirt fit perfectly though and skimmed my legs mid-thigh. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d worn a skirt. I was usually a jeans and Converse type of girl. Looking in the mirror though, I could get used to wearing more skirts. As for the cowboy boots, I’d never even tried a pair on. Quickly pulling them on, I took another glance in the mirror before opening the dressing room door. Savannah was perched on the edge of the bed waiting for me.

  “Wow, Quinn. You look hot! My clothes look way better on you than they ever did on me.” She eased herself up off the bed and came to stand in front of me.

  “I doubt that very much,” I scoffed. Even at nearly eight months pregnant Savannah was stunning. My mom was always telling me how beautiful I was, but I never really took much notice. All moms thought their children were beautiful, didn’t they? Surely it was a pre-requisite for being a mom? I wasn’t stick thin like most of the girls I’d been at school with, with my curves and a decent-size butt. I’d never had much attention from the boys, only dating occasionally. So I'd never thought guys saw me as attractive, which was why I was convinced someone as hot as Brody would never be interested. I was just me and I was happy with that.

  “Do you think this top is a bit tight?” I wasn’t used to wearing anything this fitted. I was unsure if my curves could pull it off.

  “No. It’s perfect. Brody is going to lose his shit!”

  “What? Why?”

  “Are you kidding? He couldn’t take his eyes off you when you were wearing smelly smoke-covered jeans and a hoody, let alone now when you’re wearing that!”

  “Maybe I should just put some jeans on.”

  “Don’t you dare. You look great. Now let’s go downstairs. I’m guessing dinner is nearly done and I’m starving.” She took my arm, propelling me through the doorway and into the hall before I could start to protest. I couldn’t even begin to process what she’d just said about Brody. I chose to ignore it, knowing she couldn’t possibly be right.

  “Hey.” I tugged on her arm so she stopped walking. “I thought you said on the porch that my clothes didn’t smell bad?” I asked, replaying in my mind what she’d said to me.

  “We’d only just met. I couldn’t really stand there and tell you how badly you smelled. I figured a little white lie would make you feel better. No one wants to know they stink.” She shrugged her shoulders before bursting out laughing.

  I stared open-mouthed at her retreating back as she made her way downstairs. “Well thanks… I think,” I told her before I too burst out laughing and followed her.

  Brody

  We’d been sitting in the den for about thirty minutes, watching some shitty movie while we waited for Savannah and Quinn to come downstairs. Mom and Dad were in the kitchen making dinner, and Mason had just texted to say he and Lib were on their way over. I absentmindedly flicked the ring pull on my soda can. It was hard to believe that just over twenty-four hours ago we’d sat in this same room not realizing the hell that was about to unfold in the stables.

  “Looks like the girls are done,” Josh said as laughter echoed down the stair
s. “I thought they’d be up there hours. You know how Sav gets when clothes are involved.”

  “I know how obsessed with cowboy boots she is. I carried box after box of them over to the cottage when she moved out. After the amount of shit I moved, I can’t believe she even has any clothes left here.” I groaned remembering the countless trips I’d made carrying her stuff between the house and the cottage.

  “Brody Parker, are you moaning about helping your favorite sister move her shit, as you put it?” Savannah asked as she breezed into the room, dropping down onto Josh’s lap.

  I rolled my eyes and looked away when she kissed him. “You’re my only sister, Savannah. And for God's sake cut it out! I don’t need to see that and you're probably gonna break the dude's legs,” I joked as I watched my heavily pregnant sister and my best friend make out. She pulled a face at me and laughed, giving Josh a final peck on the lips before moving to his side on the couch.

  “Come in, Quinn,” she said looking past me. I turned to see Quinn standing awkwardly in the doorway. My eyes travelled the length of her body and my mouth went dry. She was wearing cowboy boots and a short denim skirt, her toned legs on display. Her red top hugged her body in all the right places, making her tits look amazing.

  “Have a seat,” she said, gesturing to the space next to me on the couch. Her eyes met mine, and she smiled shyly before walking around the couch and sitting down. As she sat down the skirt rode up her legs and she self-consciously pulled the material down in an attempt to cover up. I found myself smiling as my eyes stayed on her legs. It was obvious a skirt that short wasn’t something she would normally wear, but having no clothes of her own, she was stuck with Savannah’s choices. Right now, I wasn’t complaining. She looked incredible.

  Quinn shifted uncomfortably, and I finally dragged my eyes off her legs and up to her face, only to realize she had seen me checking her out. It was my turn for my face to flush and I leapt off the couch. “Drink, anyone?” I hurried backward toward the door.

  Savannah burst out laughing and I shot her a dirty look. “I’ll take a water, thanks, Brode,” she said, laughter still evident in her voice.

  “Quinn?” I asked, turning to look at her.

  “Erm, just a soda, please.” I nodded and made a quick exit. As I closed the door, I heard Savannah.

  “See, I said he’d lose his shit.” Groaning, I walked down the hallway to the kitchen. I might have known Savannah was playing matchmaker. God help poor Quinn.

  After grabbing a bottle of water and three cans of soda, I made my way back to the den. As I was in the hallway, the front door opened, and Mason and Libby walked in.

  “Hey, Brody,” Libby called out, taking one of the cans out of my hand before I dropped it.

  “Hi, guys. Come in, we're in the den.” They shouted hello to Mom and Dad in the kitchen before following me down the hall.

  “Lib!” Savannah exclaimed, easing herself up from the couch and flinging her arms around Libby.

  “Are you okay?” Libby put her hand protectively on Savannah’s stomach.

  “I’m fine. Glad to be home.”

  “And Josh. God, you gave us a fright,” Libby said, stepping away from Savannah and crossing the room to hug Josh.

  “I’m good, Lib,” he assured her. Mason crossed the room and pulled Josh into a one-armed hug, slapping him on the back before slipping his arm around Libby.

  “Guys, this is Quinn,” Savannah said, gesturing to where Quinn was still sitting on the couch. “Quinn, this is Libby and Mason. Brody pulled Quinn from the stables during the fire.”

  “Hi, Quinn. Great to meet you,” Libby said with a smile.

  “Hi,” Quinn replied, giving Libby and Mason a small wave.

  “Lib’s our cousin from England. She came over to visit last year, met Mason and fell in love. They got married just after Christmas. They live on the ranch in one of the cabins,” Savannah explained as she opened her bottle of water and took a swig.

  “Sounds romantic. Congratulations on getting married.”

  “Thanks.” Libby reached up on her tiptoes to kiss Mason on his jaw. “So, Sav tells me you’re staying here and working on the ranch? It’ll be nice to have another girl around the place.”

  Quinn nodded. “I’ll be cleaning the cabins and staying in Savannah’s old room until I can get on my feet.”

  “Maybe we can fit in a girls’ night, before Savannah has the baby?”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Better hurry with that girls’ night. I’m not sure how much bigger Sav can get before she pops,” I joked.

  “Hey!” Savannah cried, hitting me on the arm. Josh laughed as he pulled her close to him, wrapping his arm around her.

  “I think you look beautiful, baby,” he said, patting her stomach.

  “Hmph. You have to say that.”

  “I’m joking,” I assured her. She gave me a filthy look, and I caught Quinn’s eye, her lips turning up in a smile at our banter. I flashed her a smile, and she grinned back, her nose wrinkling up.

  Thankfully, we were saved from anymore arguing when Dad shouted from the kitchen that dinner was ready. Following everyone to the dining room, the smell of a home-cooked meal invaded my senses and my stomach growled. I’d only been able to grab things from a vending machine while we’d waited at the hospital and I suddenly realized how hungry I was.

  Quinn

  Sitting at the huge dining table I couldn’t help but look around at everyone. They all seemed so happy. It was obvious that Claire and Ryan adored each other, and in spite of the playful banter between Savannah and Brody, I could tell they were close. Up until Evan, it had only ever been me and Mom. I’d had a good childhood, and Mom had done her best, but I had been lonely. Mom had worked long hours to pay the bills, and I had spent a lot of time being looked after by an elderly neighbor. I would have loved a sibling or cousins for company.

  Dinner was amazing. It was only lasagna, but it seemed like an eternity since I’d eaten a home-cooked meal. Well, a home-cooked meal I hadn’t had to prepare myself and then eat in my room. Evan had liked a meal on the table when he got in, and I enjoyed cooking. I’d never wanted to sit and eat with him though, for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. I’d always taken my food upstairs. It had been a long time since I’d sat around a table and eaten.

  The main conversation over dinner was about the stables, and what needed to be done to get what was left of the building removed and another one built.

  “I’ll get on the phone to my dad tomorrow,” Josh announced.

  “Thanks, son. I appreciate that,” Ryan replied. “The insurance company have been informed and they’ll be sending someone out early next week. The sooner we can get things started the better.”

  “Did all the horses make it out?” I asked, remembering that nearly all the stalls had been occupied.

  “All but two,” Savannah said sadly. “It’s thanks to Brody that most of them managed to escape. If he hadn’t opened the stalls as he went past, none of them would have gotten out.” I looked across to Brody who was sitting opposite me and smiled.

  “Looks like I’m not the only one he rescued that night then?” I said, my eyes still fixed on him.

  “Thank God Brody found you,” Claire said. “I never want to have to go through a night like that again.”

  “Me either,” Savannah said, leaning into Josh. “And don’t think you’ll be helping your dad tomorrow; you need to rest.”

  “Josh’s dad owns a construction company and Josh works for him. Dad’s hoping they’ll be able to rebuild the stables,” Brody explained after seeing the confused look on my face.

  “What do you do on the ranch, Brody?” I asked, reaching for a slice of garlic bread from the center of the table.

  “Everything.” He laughed, and I raised my eyebrows in question. “Pretty much whatever needs doing around the ranch: repairs, maintenance, the occasional excursion when we're busy. I’ll show you around tomorrow if you want? We do
n’t have any guests right now, so I’ll have some free time.”

  “That would be great.” I was excited to look around the ranch. “Oh, but I'll be working.”

  “No working for a while yet, Quinn. Not with two broken ribs,” Claire warned. “You need to rest up.”

  “Oh no, Claire, I’m fine. Honestly. I can start work right away.” I couldn’t stay at the house without earning any money. I wasn’t comfortable with that.

  “Quinn, honey, I wouldn’t be a great employer if I let my staff work when they weren’t fit to. You need to rest.”

  “But,” I began.

  “You can go out with Brody next week if you really don’t want to stay around the house. He can show you how things work, and when you’re feeling up to it, you can start the cleaning job,” Claire suggested.

  “What a great idea!” Savannah said. I stole a look at Brody and caught him scowling at her. I knew she’d been wrong about him liking me, and now it looked like I was going to be an inconvenience to him until I was able to work.

  “Err, I don’t want to put anyone out…” I trailed off, my eyes on the leftover lasagna on my plate.

  “You’re not putting anyone out, honey. You don’t mind, do you, Brody?” Claire asked. I raised my head and saw her looking expectantly at Brody. He shrugged his shoulders and sighed.

  “Fine with me.” I wasn’t convinced with his reply, he sounded less than pleased. “It’ll be an early start. I need to check all the perimeter fences on Monday.”

  “It’s okay. I can do early.”

  “That’s settled then,” Claire exclaimed. “Now who wants dessert?”

  Dessert was just as good as dinner, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so stuffed. We moved to the sitting room once we’d finished eating, and I sat on the large corner couch. I sat quietly while everyone chatted. I felt as though I was intruding on their family time even though I’d been made to feel welcome. My eyes felt heavy, and I was struggling to stay awake. It had been a long few days, and I was exhausted.