A Place to Call Home (13 page)

T
he aroma of freshly brewed coffee swept over Quinn the moment he reached the deck.

He’d already gone through half a pot but wouldn’t turn down another cup. The caffeine surfing through his veins was the only thing lifting the fog from his brain.

The conversation he’d had with Abby had gone through his mind so many times during the night that it had worn a permanent rut there.

He hadn’t meant to talk about his father. Especially with Abby. Opening up the door to his past was dangerous on more than one level, for both of them. Before he realized what was happening, he’d let it slip that he had lost his former job. If Abby hadn’t been focused on Quinn’s relationship with his father, she could have questioned him about where he’d lived. What he’d done for a living.

Not only had Abby managed to sneak through his defenses, once she’d gotten through, she’d dropped that bombshell on him guaranteed to alter the terrain of his beliefs. And then left him alone to assess the damage.

There’d been plenty.

Quinn had stayed by the fire until the embers faded from red to gray. When he finally walked back to his cabin, he saw the sliver of light shining under the eaves where Abby’s bedroom was located. Did Abby have a difficult time falling asleep, too? If the coffee tasted as strong as it smelled, it was a good indication that she had.

He tapped on the screen door.

“Come in.” Abby’s voice floated down the stairs. The official lilting cadence of a morning person. “I’ll be right down. Pour yourself a cup of coffee.”

Quinn made his way to the kitchen and stared in disbelief at the array of baked goods on the table. The inn hadn’t opened and it looked as if Abby were already cooking for a dozen people.

“Have a…” Abby came around the corner as he was reaching for a sample. She smiled. “Cinnamon roll.”

Quinn’s mouth went dry.

He’d teased Abby the day before about her resemblance to Huckleberry Finn. This morning, she was the woman on the billboard for Porter Hotels.

The white sundress Abby wore made her sun-kissed skin appear even more golden. Pencil-thin heels replaced the plastic daisy sandals. Her hair was subdued in a neat coil at the nape of her neck, showcasing a diamond cross necklace and matching earrings. The stones weren’t large or gaudy but they glowed with a soft fire that told Quinn they were genuine.

If it hadn’t been for the familiar, luminous smile, Quinn might not have recognized her.

“Are you bringing a mid-sermon snack?” He dragged his gaze away.

She smiled. Call him an idiot, but he couldn’t get enough
of Abby’s smile. “This is my contribution for the potluck after the service.”

“There’s a potluck?”

“Mmm.” Abby tilted her head. “I thought I mentioned that.”

“No. You didn’t.” Quinn’s plan to arrive late and leave early began to unravel.

“Don’t worry about bringing something. I have enough for both of us.”

That wasn’t what Quinn was worried about. He was worried about spending more time than absolutely necessary under the scrutiny of the people who attended Church of the Pines. He was used to people talking about him; he didn’t want to cast a shadow on Abby’s reputation.

She poured two cups of coffee and handed him one. “Have two cinnamon rolls if you’d like. We’re celebrating.”

“Celebrating?”

“Last night when I came in, there was a message on the answering machine from a woman named Lydia Thomas. She and her husband are missionaries in the Philippines, but they’re here on furlough for the summer. Apparently, her cousin lives in Mirror Lake and mentioned that I was opening a B&B here.” Abby paused to take a breath. “She and her husband, Simon, met and fell in love when they were camp counselors one summer. They’ll be celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary and they want to renew their vows.
Here.
”

“Your first guests.” Quinn thought of all the work that still needed to be accomplished but didn’t want to dampen her excitement.

“That’s not all.” Abby’s eyes shone as bright as the diamonds around her neck. “They want to rent out all five cabins so they can invite their friends and family to witness the vow renewal—in the chapel.” Abby performed a graceful
ballerina twirl, the filmy skirt of her dress swirling around her knees. And, Quinn couldn’t help but notice, she did it without spilling a drop of coffee. “Can you believe it? The chapel, Quinn! That’s where her husband proposed.”

The dreamy look on her face told Quinn that she was caught up in the romance of it all. His thoughts took a more practical turn.

All five cabins. He did some quick calculating in his head. Three of them were finished. Installing new locks and a security system would take up the bulk of his time the first part of the week but it was possible he could have another cabin done by the time Daniel returned.

“Which weekend are they going to reserve?”

Abby bit her lip. “That’s the tricky part.”

“The
tricky
part?” Quinn’s stomach contracted. “Don’t tell me they want to rent out the place the weekend of your grand opening?”

He remembered her mentioning that she hadn’t taken any reservations yet because she initially planned to rely on word of mouth rather than formal advertising. The grand opening was supposed to provide people with an opportunity to tour the grounds, view the rooms and sample some of the food Abby planned to prepare. If she took in guests that weekend, visitors wouldn’t have the freedom to explore.

“No. They’re scheduled to go back to the Philippines. Lydia wanted to know if there was any way I can accommodate them the weekend before.”

It took a moment for her words to sink in. “They want you to open the inn a week
early?
”

“Yes.”

Amazingly, a sparkle danced in Abby’s eyes instead of the panic Quinn should have seen there.

“What did you tell her?”

“Nothing yet. It was too late to return her call last night but I plan to call her back right after church.”

“To tell her no, right?”

“You should have heard Lydia’s voice, Quinn. She sounded thrilled at the idea of renewing their vows in the chapel where Simon proposed to her.”

Lydia and Simon.

Abby had never met the couple but the warmth in her tone made it sound as if she’d known them forever.

“That’s two weekends from now.” Someone had to be the voice of reason and Quinn figured since he was the only other person in the room, the task fell to him. “You aren’t even sure you’ll have things ready in time for the grand opening.”

The voice of reason, however, didn’t put a dent in Abby’s enthusiasm.

“I prayed about this a lot during the night and I really think it’s what I’m supposed to do,” Abby said. “Lydia and Simon have spent fifty years together on the mission field. If I can do something special for them, I’m trusting that God will give me the means to accomplish it.”

The closer they got to church, the quieter Quinn became.

Not, Abby thought, that he’d been Mr. Talkative since she’d told him about the Thomases’ vow renewal. He hadn’t argued with her decision but she could tell he wasn’t happy with it, either.

But, she reminded herself, he hadn’t heard Lydia’s voice on the answering machine. The woman had sounded as breathless and giddy as the seventeen-year-old girl who’d fallen in love that summer over fifty years ago.

How could she say no?

There was no denying, however, that it would take a tremendous amount of time and energy to have the inn ready for guests a full seven days earlier than Abby had originally planned. Not to mention the food preparation. Lydia had asked if she would consider catering a small reception after the vow renewal.

She hadn’t told Quinn that. He already thought she was crazy for even
thinking
about opening the inn early. Fortunately, he’d let the subject drop after she’d reminded him that she believed in God’s plans and purposes, not coincidences.

You’ll have to help me, Lord. There is no way I can do this without You.

“Are you coming?”

With a start, Abby realized they were in the parking lot.

“Sorry.” She slipped out of the car and smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt. “I was thinking about Lydia and Simon Thomas.”

“How you hate to disappoint them this time around but you would love to see them the next time they’re in the States?”

“No.” Abby swatted Quinn’s arm with her purse.

And heard a polite cough.

She glanced up and saw Pastor Wilde standing several feet away, watching them with interest.

The first time she attended Church of the Pines, she’d been a little shocked to see a handsome man in his early thirties take the pulpit at the beginning of the service. It suddenly made sense to Abby why every single woman between the age of eighteen and eighty crowded the front pews, which were typically the last to fill up on a Sunday morning.

According to Kate Nichols, Pastor Wilde came to Mirror Lake to serve as a temporary interim pastor the summer before but had stayed on when the elders, impressed by his easygoing personality and passion for the Lord, offered him the full-time position.

“Pastor Wilde.” Abby felt Quinn freeze beside her. She linked her arm through his, took a step forward and felt instant resistance. “Good morning.”

“Morning, Abby.” The pastor smiled at her before his gaze slid to Quinn. He extended his hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Matthew Wilde.”

Just when Abby began to wonder if she had to step on Quinn’s toe to get him to make a noise, he shook the pastor’s hand. “Quinn O’Halloran.”

“I’m glad you’re joining us today.”

Quinn’s chin jerked once in acknowledgment.

Abby couldn’t understand his response. If he’d attended Church of the Pines in the past, why did he seem so uncomfortable?

“You asked for prayer last week.” Pastor Wilde looked at her. “How are things going out at your place?”

Abby smiled up at Quinn. “Actually, my prayers were answered. Quinn came to my rescue. He took Daniel’s place and he’s already finished one of the cabins.”

“Only two more to go,” Quinn muttered.

“God does care about the details.” Pastor Wilde’s gaze bounced between the two of them. “I hope you’re both staying for the potluck after the service.”

“Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot the salad. It has to be refrigerated.” Abby turned and dove into the backseat to retrieve it.

So much for Quinn’s hope that he and Abby would arrive late and avoid the pre-service meet and greet. But then again, he’d also hoped to avoid the pastor and yet here he was, making nice with the guy in the parking lot.

Pastor Tracey must have retired. That shouldn’t have sur
prised him. For all Quinn knew, the church could have seen several ministers come and go over the past fifteen years.

He hadn’t missed the appreciative look in Matthew Wilde’s eyes when he greeted Abby. Not that Quinn could blame him. Abby’s smile gave the sun a run for its money. The pastor hadn’t ogled her in an inappropriate way but it still bugged him. Quinn took a perverse satisfaction in knowing that Abby hadn’t seemed to notice.

“Quinn used to attend here a long time ago.” Abby returned, a large covered bowl in her hands. A strand of hair worked its way out of the pins and dropped to her shoulder like a silky yo-yo. “Now where did that come from?” she grumbled.

Without thinking, Quinn reached out and tucked it back into place.

The pastor’s eyes narrowed. Like a shepherd who had just spotted a wolf stalking one of his lambs.

Stupid, stupid, stupid,
Quinn silently berated himself.
Not exactly the way to fly under the guy’s radar, O’Halloran.

Abby unwittingly came to his rescue. “I suppose we should go inside. The service can’t start if we keep the pastor standing out in the parking lot.”

“I can take this.” Quinn reached for the bowl and Abby handed it to him with one of her signature bright smiles.

“Thank you.”

Matthew Wilde gave him a measured look as he picked up the thread of conversation again. “I’ve been trying to get to know everyone in the congregation, but I don’t remember seeing your name on the membership roster.”

“Like Abby said. It was a long time ago. I was in fourth grade.”

“Then you’re originally from the area?”

The pastor’s casual tone didn’t fool Quinn a bit. There
might be not a bright light shining in his face, but he was definitely in the hot seat. “Born and raised. I left after graduation.”

“Where did you go?”

Abby darted a look in his direction as they began to walk toward the doors. It was clear she was as interested in his answer as the pastor was. “The marines,” he said reluctantly.

“Four years?”

Quinn nodded and quickened his pace. If he was lucky, he’d make it to the man handing out bulletins before the next question.

An elderly woman bustled up to them, running interference as she planted her tiny frame in front of the pastor. Quinn would have hugged her, except he was afraid the ushers would think he was going for her purse.

Quinn took a bulletin, ignored the usher’s bulging eyes as he recognized him and started down the aisle.

Only to face another complication.

The only empty pews were close to the front of the church. Which meant he and Abby had to walk up the center aisle—in front of everyone—to find a place to sit.

Abby, who seemed oblivious to the curious looks they were receiving, waved to Kate Nichols, who promptly shifted everyone over to create enough space for them for join her.

The two women, who couldn’t have known each other for more than a few weeks, hugged as if they were lifelong friends. Over Abby’s shoulder, Kate winked at him. The brat.

She knew he avoided her café and she knew why. He refused to provide more grist for the rumor mill.

“Hi, Quinn.”

“Kate.”

A smile danced in her eyes at his less than enthusiastic reply. “It’s good to see you.”

Quinn was saved from having to respond when a woman joined the pianist and began to sing.

As the words of the praise song flowed through the sanctuary, Quinn felt as if he were transported back in time.