Quinn made her way across the yard and settled down at the picnic table, straddling the bench sideways, her right arm stretched out along the slatted tabletop. From where she sat, she could see Honor in profile and imagined the faint perspiration dewed on her skin. She could still smell her, rich and tantalizing. She could still feel her, warm and strong as she gently rested against Quinn's body.
Involuntarily, her nipples tightened as they had done at that first startling contact, and ached. Her fingers trembled as they lay against the rain-grayed wood. Her stomach tightened with urgency and need, and she hungered for something she had never known. Watching Honor lightly stroke the hair from her daughter's forehead, Quinn wanted to rest her head in Honor's lap and feel those tender fingers soothe her sorrows. She wanted to lie with her in the dark, in the aftermath of passion, and confess all her secrets.
This is impossible. For so many reasons. Then why don't I want the feelings to stop?
But she knew why. She watched as Honor lifted her hand again to brush stray strands of hair from her cheek. The unconscious movement was both gentle and sure. Somehow she knew Honor's hands would feel the same on her skin. And she wanted that, and all that would follow.
* * * * *
Phyllis intercepted Linda on her way out of the house with another tray of appetizers. "Quite the party, my dear."
"Having fun?"
"Scads." Phyllis, who was dressed for the occasion in loose tan cotton slacks, a brightly colored embroidered blouse, and an enormous straw farmer's hat, surveyed the crowd. "I notice there's an interesting-looking newcomer, too."
Linda followed Phyllis's gaze and saw Quinn seated at the picnic table, gazing toward the pool where Honor sat with her legs in the water. Quinn's face was a study in desire. "Phew. Hot out, isn't it?"
"Mmm. She seems to be enchanted by Honor."
"Uh,.." Lord, this is Honor's mother-in-law!
"That wouldn't be...Quinn, would it?"
"How did you know that?" Linda turned surprised eyes to Phyllis.
"Two reasons." Phyllis reached over and snagged a cream cheese-covered celery stick. "Arly hasn't stopped talking about her since the day she got her head cracked, and every time her name is mentioned, Honor gets cranky." Plus, Honor hasn 't been sleeping well, and that young woman over there looks hungry to the bone.
"Yes, that's Quinn. I guess you know she's a new ER attending."
"Uh-huh. I also gather she and Honor aren't getting along?" Phyllis shaded her eyes, automatically checking for Arly in the pool. Honor, she noticed, looked shell-shocked. Something has happened, all right. Is it that handsome girl who's turned you inside out, sweetie?
Linda hesitated, reluctant to discuss Honor without her friend's knowledge.
"Don't mind me, I'm just being nosy." Phyllis patted her arm understanding!". "And you don't have to tell. I just couldn't help noticing that Quinn hasn't looked anywhere except at Honor for the last ten minutes."
Carefully, Linda asked, "Does it...you know, bother you?"
Phyllis was silent a moment, and Linda said quickly, "God, me and my big mouth. I'm so sorry, Phyl. That was inappropr—"
"No, it wasn't. I don't mind you asking." Phyllis patted her arm again. "Most people wouldn't ask because they're afraid that mentioning the dead will bring up memories, as if we don't always carry some part of them with us." She smiled. "Talking about Terry, thinking about her, is not a hardship for me. She was the light of my life, just as Honor and Arly are now."
"Could you be my mom?" Linda asked, meaning it. Her own mother still refused to acknowledge her marriage and her children.
"Don't you know that I think of you and Robin and Kim and Denny as family, too?" Phyllis wrapped an arm around Linda's waist. "Just as much as my two girls."
Linda just nodded, afraid to speak lest she cry.
Phyllis stared across the yard at Quinn, a stranger, who looked at Honor the way Terry once had. She felt many things, protective most of all. Honor carried scars, still bled from them on occasion, and Phyllis would do anything to see that she was not hurt again, As if I could prevent it. If you live, you risk being hurt. If you never take the risk... She sighed.
"Does it bother me that someone might be interested in Honor? That Honor might be?" Phyllis watched her granddaughter swim over to Honor and look up at her with a brilliant smile. Honor leaned down and brushed the wet hair from Arly's forehead, saying something that made the child grin. "Can you imagine how many times I've wished that Terry could see that child grow and help raise her with Honor?"
"No, I can't," Linda said softly. "But I know how many times I've wished for it."
"I suppose I might have fussed, five years ago. Maybe even three years ago." Phyllis shook her head. "Honor is lonely, and she has no idea how deeply."
"Yes."
Phyllis reached up and took the tray from Linda's hands. "So no, it doesn't bother me. Not if it turns out to be the right woman."
Linda watched Phyllis carry the food down to the picnic table and offer the hors d'oeuvres to Quinn. Quinn Maguire, Who are you?
* * * * *
"Hello," Phyllis said, sliding the tray onto the table in front of Quinn. "I'm Phyllis Murphy, Arty's grandmother."
Quinn'jumped to her feet, extending her hand and hoping that the woman hadn't noticed her staring at Honor. "Quinn Maguire, Ms. Murphy. How do you do?"
Smiling, Phyllis took Quinn's hand, finding her courtly manners charming. "I haven't had anyone stand up for me in a very long time."
Quinn grinned. "The world is being overrun with heathens."
"Indeed." Laughing, Phyllis slid onto the seat, patting the bench next to her. "Please."
Settling back down, Quinn said, "Arly seems to be doing well."
"Yes, famously. Speaking of which, you're her new hero."
Quinn blushed. "She was the hero. Along with Honor."
"Honor?"
"She was great. Sometimes the hardest part of taking care of children is dealing with the parents. Kids take their cues from them, and if you have a hysterical parent, it's almost impossible to keep the child calm." Quinn's face took on a distant expression. "I've had to take children to the operating room and sedate them to close minor wounds that I could've done in the trauma admitting area, except their parents wouldn't even let me try."
"I imagine it helps when the parents are doctors, like Honor."
"Don't you believe it," Quinn pronounced with a laugh. "God save me from medical parents. But Honor was fabulous, calm and steady, and she let me do my job."
"She must trust you, then, if she let you take care of Arly."
Unconsciously, Quinn glanced back to Honor, her gaze intent. "I hope so."
Phyllis smiled and reached for a carrot stick,
"By the way," Quinn asked. "What is Arly short for? I never noticed when I filled out her chart."
"It's short for Arlyn, which is actually her middle name...her full name is Murphy Arlyn Blake."
"What a great name. I'm surprised no one calls her Murph."
Caught off guard, Phyllis gave a small start. Then, her voice soft, she said, "We probably would have, but that's what most people called my daughter."
Quinn turned her attention from Honor and met Phyllis's gaze. "Honor's...spouse?"
"Yes. Terry."
That's what most people called my daughter. Quinn didn't need an explanation; she saw it in Phyllis's eyes. Oh, Honor. "I'm so terribly sorry."
"Thank you."
Quinn didn't know what else to say. She didn't know what to feel. Tragedy was nothing new to her; in her specialty in particular, it was a common occurrence. Most of the time she kept the heartbreak of human frailty at a distance, doing what she could with the gifts she had been given, accepting that fate or circumstance were things she could not change. Sometimes, however, for reasons she could not discern, someone would reach past the barricades of her defenses and touch her heart. Their pain would become her pain, until she was able to put it aw
ay again and carry on. But right now, all she felt was pain. Honor's and Phyllis's and Arly's.
Watching her, Phyllis saw the flood of emotions cross her face and swirl in the depths of her incredibly blue eyes. She was comforted by the unspoken understanding, and some of her concern for Honor's well-being abated. She had no idea what life held in store for herself, much less for Honor and this intense young stranger—if anything at all. But she could see the extent of Quinn's compassion, and she had seen the way that Quinn had looked at Honor. If anything could draw Honor completely back into life, it would be that combination of love and desire.
Phyllis patted Quinn's arm, as if she were the one who needed solace. Then she smiled. "Robin is the best barbecue chef in the entire neighborhood. When lunch is ready, you must be sure to sit with Honor and Arly and me. Arly will love it."
Surprised, Quinn agreed before she could think to say anything else. "Yes. Thank you."
"Now I'm going to go relieve Honor of lifeguard duty for a little while."
As Phyllis rose, Quinn stood as well. "It was very nice meeting you."
"You too, my dear."
Quinn contemplated following Phyllis down to the pool as a pretense to speak to Honor again. However, a voice at her elbow stopped her.
"Hey, good-lookin'. I didn't expect to see you here."
Surprised, Quinn looked around and found Mandy standing close enough that Quinn's shoulder brushed Mandy's breasts as she turned. One quick glance down revealed another spandex top, this one stopping at her navel, and low-cut skintight shorts. Her body was as buff as Quinn remembered.
"Uh...hello."
"Mandy, remember?" The blond's tone suggested that she doubted anyone could forget.
"Of course." Perplexed, Quinn looked around, searching for a partner or child. There didn't seem to be many unattached people at the party, although she didn't really know anyone well enough to be certain.
As if reading her mind, Mandy laughed and rested her fingertips on Quinn's bare forearm. "I'm the anomaly in this gathering. A single lesbian without children."
Quinn couldn't help but laugh. "Well then, that makes two of us."
"See there? We have something in common already, besides liking to work out and..." Mandy raised an eyebrow. "Other physical pursuits, I'll bet."
"So," Quinn said casually, "I take it that you're a friend of Robin and Linda's?"
"Mmm. Believe it or not, I grew up right here in Germantown and still live just a block away. I ref in the soccer league." Her fingers glided lightly up and down Quinn's arm. "I've known Linda and Robin for ages."
"Small world, I guess." Quinn realized that Mandy had slid even closer as they were speaking and felt the pressure of Mandy's thigh against her own. She backed up as unobtrusively as possible.
"I'm quite a bit younger than them, of course," Mandy informed her, her lips parting in a slow smile. "And they're so married."
"So...uh...you're into soccer." Quinn wasn't in the mood to flirt. In fact, as attractive as Mandy was, Quinn didn't have the slightest interest in pursuing anything further with her.
"Mmm-hmm." Mandy's fingers trailed feather-light across Quinn's abdomen. Her smile grew heavy at the swift contraction of the firm muscles. "I played quite a bit in high school. Plus, my dad owns the gym, so it's good PR for the business if I'm involved." .
"You like it?" The insistent touch was starting to get irritating.
"Sure. There are always so many interesting women around." Mandy stretched and pushed her hand through her hair, a practiced move that thrust her breasts forward. "It's so nice to see someone extra special arrive on the scene, however."
As Mandy's hand returned to her waist, Quinn backed up another step. "Uh-huh."
"Let's go find someplace more private so we can have lunch together. I'll even feed you with my fingers."
"Thanks," Quinn said quickly. "But I'm eating with Honor and her family."
Mandy raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Honor and I work together."
"How nice."
Her tone, however, suggested that was anything but true.
* * * * *
Honor walked into the kitchen and slammed the screen door.
"You're out of Coke. Robin said it was in here somewhere?"
"You're ticked off because we ran out of soda?" Linda, her hands covered with barbecue sauce this time, blew hair off her forehead and gestured with her chin to the pantry behind them. "Remind me again why I like to throw these parties? I haven't been out of this kitchen for more than fifteen minutes at a time."
"There are plenty of people to help you, if you'd only ask." Honor yanked open the pantry door. "Where? Never mind, I see it."
Linda rested her butt against the counter and wiped the worst of the sauce off with a paper towel, regarding Honor curiously. "Honor, honey? Who pissed in your Cheerios?"
Honor spun around, two six-packs of Coke in her hands. "Do you really have to invite her to every one of these parties?"
"Just a minute while I translate that." Linda stared off into space. "Mandy's here, and she's annoying you already."
"She's practically crawling into Quinn's pants right in the middle of the lawn."
Linda was momentarily speechless, then she rushed to the door. "Where? Let me see."
"I swear to God, someone needs to put her on a leash." Honor slammed the cans down on the table, rattling the bowls of food.
Linda turned back, regarding Honor in amazement. "Are you still burned about something that happened ages ago? She was a child when she came on to Terry."
"She was not a child. She was eighteen years old. And she didn't just come on to her, she cornered her at a party and kissed her!" Honor flushed at the memory. "If I'd caught her at it, I would've killed her."
"As I remember Terry's version, it was over in a second, and she informed Mandy in no uncertain terms that she was off limits." Linda recalled Terry recounting the story of Mandy catching her alone at a party, and Mandy's shock when Terry had told her to go away. It had been funny then, and it was funny now, but she held back a laugh because Honor was clearly upset. She just wasn't entirely certain what Honor was upset about. She's practically crawling into Quinn's pants... "Ah..."
"Ah, what?"
"Nothing," Linda said quickly. "So, what's Quinn doing?"
"I have no idea, and I couldn't care less."
"Ookaay. So, if you're not going to be busy killing Mandy for a while, you want to help me with the chicken?"
Honor stared at her and then at the piles of chicken parts, contemplating homicide. I'm losing my mind. "Sure. Give me a really big knife."
The two friends grinned at one another, then broke into laughter.
Chapter Nine
Q uinn made her way through the crowd gathered around the barbecue grill to where Honor was arranging the food that Robin passed to her. There were two large platters nearly filled with chicken and burgers.
"I hope you don't mind that your...mother-in-law..invited me to have lunch with you," Quinn said, feeling inexplicably shy. In the hospital, Dr. Quinn Maguire knew instinctively how to interact with Dr. Honor Blake. But this was different. Honor was different here; so was she. Outside the ER, Honor seemed unapproachable, remote—as if she didn't want anyone, except Linda and Robin, too close. Quinn was used to maintaining emotional distance, most surgeons were. But all she wanted now was to find a way through Honor's invisible shield, to get Honor to look at her with that special smile in her eyes. That longing for connection was new to her, and damn scary.
"Why would I mind?" Honor said without looking up. She was still feeling off balance from the unexpected surge of anger evoked by seeing Quinn with Mandy. She'd almost been... jealous. And that was absurd.
"I just didn't want to intrude on your family time." Quinn reached for the full platter of barbecue chicken. "Here, let me help you with that."
In a move that surprised them both, Honor wrapped her fingers around Quinn's forearm, stopping
her from moving away. She looked up into Quinn's eyes and smiled. "It's fine. It will be nice. And I'm sure Arly will be thrilled."
"Good, I'm looking forward to it." Quinn's heart beat triple-time, and for once, it was a wholly pleasant experience. "I'll take this up to the table for you."
"Thanks. I think Arly and Phyllis have snagged seats under the tree." Honor's fingers drifted down over the top of Quinn's hand in a light caress. She didn't even realize she'd done it until she felt the faintest of tremors in Quinn's arm and saw the blue of her eyes shade to purple. Honor's voice came out husky and low. "I'll be right there."
"I'll be waiting." Quinn backed up a step, because as long as Honor was touching her, no matter how lightly, she wasn't going to be able to move. "I'll save you a seat."
Honor nodded appreciatively. You are a charmer, Quinn Maguire. "I don't care if I sit on the ground. Just save me some food. I'm starving."
"I'll do better than that. I'll fix you a plate." Quinn smiled, slow and easy. "You want a leg...or a breast?"
Startled, Honor's lips quirked and then she laughed out loud. "Wing."
Quinn laughed, too, glad that her hands were full, because she desperately wanted to run her thumb over the tiny cleft in Honor's chin. She had to force herself to keep walking away. "See you in a minute."
After Quinn delivered the chicken and fixed a plate for Honor, she found Phyllis and Arly seated around a small glass table under a dark green canvas umbrella. They had paper plates piled with food, drinks in plastic cups, and happy smiles.
"Hi, Quinn," Arly said enthusiastically.
Quinn settled in a lawn chair nearby and balanced her plate on her knee. "Hi, Arly. How's it going?"
"Great. I have a shiner."
"I see that," Quinn agreed seriously, narrowing her eyes and leaning forward to take a quick look at the suture line. No swelling or redness, incision looh clean. "It's very impressive."
Radclyffe - Fated Love Page 8