Craig got his feet and went to her side. He gathered her up into his arms. She felt so fragile in his embrace. “Marisol, no one could ever take Mom’s place. Ever. I would never expect you to replace her with someone else. But honey, sometimes it’s okay to let someone new in.”
“And you wanted to let Quinn in?”
He nodded and stroked Marisol’s long hair. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you ourselves. We didn’t want you to find out that way.”
“I was so mad.”
“I know.”
“All I wanted to do was run away, but I didn’t have anywhere I could go.”
“I don’t ever want you to feel you have to run away from me. You are always going to be the first and most important person in my life. Quinn understood that.”
“She won’t talk to you because of me, will she? Because I didn’t want you to be together.”
“She wants time to think things over. I’ve no doubt she’ll be back.”
Marisol nestled into his arms as she had as a little girl. She was taller now, but she still fit just fine. “What will happen when she does come over here?”
“I don’t know. I guess that depends on her. And you.”
Marisol sighed. Craig thought that his answer would be met with defiance, but it didn’t come. Not the words he expected anyway.
“Do you love her still?”
He refused to lie. “I do.”
“Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing, having her back. I mean, I like barrel racing but I need someone to teach me. Do you think she would? If I told her I was sorry?”
Craig chuckled. “Yeah, I think she would.”
“We just need her to come back. You know, Dad, you could go ask her to come back. Couldn’t you?”
“I could and will. Tomorrow we’ll put this right, okay?”
Chapter 19
Quinn blew on her gloved fingers to warm them, and pulled another nail out of the plastic bucket that was quickly getting buried with snow. Three more nails to go and she’d call this fence good. She should’ve quit an hour ago, but she was too close. As soon as this fence was done she could officially move the horses over.
Well, as soon as Craig found her replacement. No matter what was—or wasn’t—going on between them, she couldn’t leave him in the lurch.
Despite the fact her fingers were numb, her feet like lead blocks, and she had about an inch of snow clinging to her wool hat, Quinn kept hammering. She wasn’t about to let a few pesky flakes of snow deter her from her goal.
Problem was, a few flakes had turned into millions. She glanced up through the fence railings. Millions of flakes falling from an ever darkening gray sky. At least. Several inches perched on the top rail of the fence she was working on.
Quickly she finished pounding the last two nails, pulled the bucket out of the snow and headed to the barn to put the hammer and nails away. Then up to the house to clean up the picnic lunch she brought with her. Maybe dry off a little.
The Falstad area was due to get a punch from this October storm, but according to the weather report, it wasn’t supposed to sweep in for another few hours. Unfortunately they were off on their timing. Unfortunately for her. So much snow was falling that she could barely see the house from the barn door. A gust of wind caught her as she pulled the barn door shut, nearly knocking her off her feet.
“Shit,” she muttered and pulled her jacket around her chin. What the hell had she been thinking, staying so long? Driving in this would prove to be dangerous. Against the gusts, she jogged toward the house. She had no choice but to wait it out and hope that Scott and Tom could handle things at Emerald on their own. They would’ve brough the horses inside before it got too bad. Whether they’d be able to do anything about Fire, Quinn wasn’t sure, but the stallion had a three-sided shed in his paddock for shelter and since Austin had worked with him, the stallion had seemed to turn a new leaf. He was much more compliant.
Quinn was about to shut the door to the house when a pair of headlights cut through the ever-thickening snow. She recognized Craig’s truck immediately.
“What the. . .” Quinn stood in the doorway and stared as Craig pulled up next to her truck and got out. He must have seen her because he didn’t hesitate to run toward her and the house. She opened the door for him and followed him inside.
Then she looked at him, hair dusted with snow but as handsome and desirable as the last time she’d set eyes on him.
Where was the air? Quinn gulped for a lungful, but found it lacking. She gripped the door knob for a moment. If she let go she might fall on her butt, her legs were that shaky. For weeks she’d managed to avoid him completely. It had become an art. Whether luck had been involved, she didn’t know. She didn’t care. All that mattered was that she didn’t have to see his face—to change her mind and give in to her need for him.
Now he was here. There was no place to hide.
“Christ, Craig, what are you doing here?” She didn’t bother to cover the annoyance in her voice. Was he that pissed that she was here instead of over at Emerald? Maybe if he’d found her replacement he wouldn’t have to be.
He was definitely dragging his heels.
Craig took a firm grip on her arms, staring at her intensely. “I’m putting an end to this,”
“Wait.” Now she moved, pulling herself from his grip. “End to what? My employment? I’ve been wanting that for over a month.”
He shook his head. “No, Quinn. Not that. I’m putting an end to this distance between us. I’ve played along with it and I can’t do it anymore.” He stepped toward her.
Quinn stepped back and scowled. “What makes you so sure I want that?” Of course, she did, but his declaration made her a little angry. What did he want from her? More of the same pain she got away from?
“I’m acting on faith.” His voice was low and husky. Humble.
Quinn swayed toward it, but pulled herself up short. “What kind of reason is that?”
He reached out to her again, lifted her chin so she’d have to look at him. God his eyes were so blue, the same color as the South Dakota sky, and soaked with emotion. With love, if she dared believe.
“The only reason I have to be here. That and the fact I haven’t changed my mind one bit about you. About us. Not seeing you for six damned weeks only made these feelings stronger.”
“But what about Marisol? She didn’t want me. I respect that, no matter how much it hurt. How is she going to react?”
She struggled to keep her thoughts together, playing the Devil’s advocate because she had to be sure. All the while, she wanted to show him what his words meant to her, how scared and excited they made her. But she didn’t want to be hurt.
Craig smoothed a palm over her cheek softly caressing her. “I’m here with her blessing. In fact, it was mainly her idea. She wants you, Quinn. I imagine she’s got some apologizing to do and she’s waiting to do it. Please, Quinn, let us make this right. I know you’re ready to open for business here, and if that’s what you want then we’ll do it. I can find someone else to run Emerald. Hell, I’ll sell it. Whatever you want.”
Quinn gave him a small smile. “Come here,” she said softly.
He complied and stood close enough that she had to look up to meet his gaze. Close enough to slide her hands up his chest, if she wanted to. Lord knew she wanted.
“Could you and Marisol live here?” She chuckled. “Three spreads? That’s kind of overdoing it.” Then she sobered. “I’ve put a lot of work into this place. I don’t want to leave it.” She drew in a breath and closed her eyes. All she wanted to do was to lean against him. Soak him up, but not yet.
“We’ll figure it out, Quinn. If you’ll have us back.” A half smile produced a dimple in one of his cheeks. She longed to trace it with her finger.
She swayed toward him, barely touching him, but with enough contact to set her head spinning. “We’re going to have to start from scratch. Casual dating until everyone is used to us.”
“Cart before the horse, darlin’. I think my brother outed us sufficiently enough that we can skip the casual part and get right on with the serious courting.”
She dreamed of hearing those words for two months. “Serious courting, good. But no more than that. No more of the cart before the horse thing.”
He groaned, but she could still see the smile on his face. “For now.”
“For now. How is your brother, anyway? I haven’t heard a thing about him. He’s steered clear of me pretty thoroughly.”
Craig chuckled. “Suitably paying his penance. He’s waiting tables while hoping Jacob will show mercy and hire him back in the spring. Don’t worry about him. He’s sorry for the trouble he started and I believe him. For some reason that other wrangler over at Long Knife Creek, Becky, I think, is trying to make an honest man out of him.”
Quinn laughed. Becky was one brave young woman. She’d keep him in line.
Then she sobered. “You sure Marisol is okay with us?”
Craig gave in first. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close so she could hear the steady, strong beat of his heart.
Home.
“Marisol is fine. Really. She wanted to come along but I convinced her to stay put. She made me promise not to come home without you.”
“I’m glad she came around. Things haven’t been the same without her friendship. I mean that.”
“I know. She knows.” Craig kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back. Each touch was perfection and made her realize how much she’d been missing. No one could’ve sent these shivers of desire through her body by such a tender caress or the press of his lips against her hair. What a sad life it would’ve been without them.
“God, I’ve missed this. Thought I’d never get to feel your arms around me again.” She snuggled into his hold as deep as she could get.
“You won’t have to worry about that,” he assured her. “You can have my arms, my whole body. We’ve had to wait too long. I love you. If you want to slow it down, restart with casual dating or proper courting, say the word.”
She could barely speak, never mind stop him. She didn’t want to stop him because for the first time in nearly two months she felt completely alive. “Can I sneak you back to Emerald for a few hours? Then we can do the proper courting thing.”
Craig chuckled. “Starting tomorrow best behavior,” he promised.
“Basic dating.”
“Chaste kisses goodnight,” he said softly.
“No more sex on the prairie.” Quinn’s voice was little more than a regretful sigh.
“No more sex on the prairie. For now. Because I hate to tell you this, darlin’ but I don’t think we’re going anywhere.”
“Hmm?”
Craig turned her around to face the window. In the short time since he’d arrived, the storm had intensified. Between the heavy snowfall and the diminishing light, she couldn’t even see their vehicles. The air was thick and gray.
“Oh, Lord,” she muttered, but Craig pulled her against his chest.
“We’re here for the night,” he murmured into her ear.
“At least. It’s a good thing the house is all set for occupation. Got the propane tank filled, some furniture moved over and thanks to Thea, there’s some food in the pantry.”
Craig kissed her neck, his hands stroking her belly and side. “Tonight we’re cut off from the world. I intend to get my fill of you because it’s going to have to tide me over for a good long time.”
Slowly she reached up and loosened her hair from its damp ponytail, letting it fall down until it reached nearly the small of her back. Craig’s eyes grew dark with desire. She could see the rapid rise and fall of his chest. He stepped forward and she let him push her jacket off her shoulders. “Let’s get this place warmed up,” he said huskily.
She knew he meant turning on the heat throughout the house, but the inference was completely sexual and meant to turn her on. It worked damned well.
As soon as they were sure the furnace was working and they’d called Emerald and Shady H to let everyone know they were stranded, they could finally feel truly alone. Quinn led Craig up to her bedroom. Thankfully Thea had made sure the bed was made up and ready for her to move in.
Without a word, Craig pulled her to him and lowered his mouth on hers while he deftly unfastened the buttons of her blouse. The top fell to the floor behind her. Then he loosened the hooks on the back of her bra and that joined the shirt in the small pile.
As he touched one pebbled nipple, she shuddered and leaned into his touch. It was as if it had been years since he had touched her, not mere weeks, and she couldn’t wait. His desire would consume them if she let it. She stood there and allowed him to strip her naked, all the while staring at his entirely too sexy blue eyes.
Craig pressed kisses along her shoulders. She inhaled his familiar scent, while his hands danced down her back, through her hair, along her waist. He took forever, but each second was pure bliss.
“It’s been too long,” he whispered between kisses.
As he delved lower, tasting the hollow of her neck, caressing her soft, flat belly, her want built steadily, outrageously. It felt like her heart would explode. In a swift motion, he yanked off his own shirt and shoved off his jeans, then picked Quinn up so her legs wound around his waist. He was blessedly familiar, yet still set fire to her body. He lowered her to the bed and with no further ado, filled her in one swift, sure thrust. Quinn let out a deep, shuddering gasp then raised her hips to meet his strong drive.
The hot glide of flesh against flesh drove her wild. Watching Craig’s face transform from sexy and calm to intense and driven amazed her. Such passion stored in this strong body that pushed her so far. She couldn’t slow down the frenzy in the way she moved beneath him, met his thrusts and matched them, taking hold of his buttocks so he could drive harder and faster into her body.
She came, not once, but twice, crying out his name is helpless desperation, before he had his release. Craig leaned over and nipped at each peaked nipple, letting his tongue dance over her rose tipped breasts until she saw the passion build up in his hooded eyes and tense shoulders and arms. He sucked in a quick, harsh breath and bucked as he let go within her, her name ragged on his tongue.
Craig collapsed on the bed next to her, wrapped his arms around her damp body and pulled her close.
“Oh, my God,” she whispered next to him.
“My sentiments exactly. Come on, let’s get under the covers and get warm. Get some sleep while we can. I have a feeling we’re going to need it.”
They made the most of their night together, getting dressed long enough create a makeshift dinner from the sparse items in the pantry, before returning to the sanctuary of Quinn’s bed. It would be the last night they’d have for a while under their new promise to slow things down to a respectful pace. Craig memorized each inch of her body, committing it to memory, as if he’d never see her again, never hold her again. Which wasn’t true, but even a few months would seem like forever.
Chapter 20
Quinn snuggled under a blanket on the sofa and idly watched some movie. She tried not to be lonely, but two days had passed since she’d last seen Craig and for a couple who’d made time for each other on a daily basis since they found their way back to each other two and a half months ago, two days seemed like forever.
Get used to it, kid. That inner voice sounded like it was grumbling. She couldn’t spend every moment of free time with Craig and Marisol. Everyone needed a break, and they’d be back from Minneapolis tomorrow. She’d see them tomorrow.
During the day she could keep herself busy. There was so much to do, now her horses, and Craig’s had moved over to the homestead property. Though there wasn’t so much training she could do this time of the year, the horses still needed most of her attention. But her days ended much earlier and though she spent much of her time planning out breeding schedules and paying bills, she made sure she had plenty of time for Craig an
d Marisol.
She and Craig went back to scratch. They both kept their promise and hadn’t succumbed to the temptation of making love again. Very little proved as torturous as the wait, but they were determined. At least they had that last snowbound night here at the homestead. Since then, though, they satisfied themselves with kissing, dating, and building a strong foundation. Doing everything backwards, Quinn decided when she reached her more frustrated levels. Never once did she stop wanting more, but she forced herself to be an adult about it. That day would come, she told herself. And when it did they’d be glad they’d waited.
But not seeing them for two days frustrated her. She went back and forth wishing she could’ve gone with them and wishing they’d stayed home. She’d never been this lonely before when they weren’t around, but now, well it pressed down on the house, filled each shadowed corner. Outside lay the remnants of this morning’s snowfall. Two feet of the white stuff. Could’ve been worse. Areas north had gotten near four feet.
Quinn closed her eyes. The movie wasn’t holding her interest and the sounds from it blended together into a bunch of nonsense. Maybe she’d go to bed, but seven o’ clock seemed insanely early to try to sleep. She never went to bed that early, even if she was up at four-thirty every morning. She tried to doze anyway, but she wasn’t able to completely shut out the sound of the television. Annoyed, she picked up the remote and turned it off.
Expecting silence, her ears picked up a tiny sound. She cracked an eye open, thinking maybe she’d just turned the channel, but the television screen was blank
The sound grew, but remained tinny and thin. It sounded a lot like jingle bells, but at a distance. Quinn pushed herself off the couch and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. She went to the window and looked out over the dark landscape. The moon glowed nearly full and provided enough light to illuminate the bulk of the barn below and a few of the out buildings. Light shone from Scott’s place, the bunkhouse addition at the back of the barn. His girlfriend’s car was parked next to his. Nothing outside seemed to move.
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