Second Time Around (27 page)

“It’s okay,” she soothed. “I was only a little scared at first. Then I remembered your promise. I knew something must have happened or you’d never have left me again.”

He slid his hands up to cup her neck, his thumbs moving gently over her jaw.

“There was no answer, Lanie,” he repeated. “I know I gave you three months to make a decision and it’s only been half that time. But if you’ve made a choice, I have to know what it is. As much as I need you right now, I don’t think I could stand to find out you’re only staying out of some sense of duty.”

“Oh, Quinn. Don’t you know that for me there never was a choice? I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you. The night after that fund-raiser, when you brought me here, part of me knew I could never marry Jared. If you hadn’t shown up at the ranch I would have found a way to call it off on my own. There’s never been anyone else for me but you, and there never could be. That’s what I was going to tell you tonight, but I thought I owed it to Jared to tell him first.”

“You’re sure?” A spark of hope replaced the sorrow in his amber eyes.

“I’ve never been more positive of anything. I love you, Quinn, and I want to spend the rest of our lives together.”

For the second time that night she was swept into his arms, his lips moving over her face.

“I love you, Lanie. God, I was so scared when I couldn’t reach you. Zack told me you’d gone to Harper’s and I thought I’d lost you. Then when you walked out of the bedroom, wearing my bathrobe, I thought I’d dreamed you here because I wanted it so badly. I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”

16“You’re going to have to.” Duncan’s voice came from across the room. “Zack wants her to tuck him in.”

* * * * *

Lanie shifted on the seat of the limo as the long car pulled away from the cemetery.

Quinn, sitting beside her, seemed to be holding up well. He’d accepted the condolences of everyone with stoic dignity, even comforting those who were most distraught.

But she knew appearances were deceiving. He’d eaten almost nothing since Sunday, and she doubted he’d slept more than a few minutes. She’d lost count of the times she’d awakened to find him on the bedroom balcony, staring into the night. He was hanging on by a thread, and it was only a matter of time before it snapped.

She reached for his hand and he returned the grip, holding on to her tightly. In a way, she wished he would snap. It would let him finally grieve. She knew from her experience with her own parents that without that cleansing, he couldn’t begin to heal.

“Where are we going now?” Zack was fidgeting again, the way he had all through the funeral. She’d explained what was going on in the simplest possible terms, but he was only four, too young to really understand.

“We’re going to your grandfather’s house.”

“Why can’t we go back to Dad’s?”

“I told you, sweetie. Because there are going to be lots of people there, and your dad’s apartment isn’t big enough to hold them all.”

“Will there be other kids?”

“I’m sure there will. I saw a few earlier.”

“Okay.” He settled back on the seat.

“There’s a swing set and jungle gym in the backyard.” Quinn spoke for the first time since they’d entered the limo. “Dad had someone build it for me when I was little.

I don’t know why he never took it down.”

Lanie glanced at him. “Maybe because it reminded him of you.”

Quinn shook his head. “I doubt it.”

“Can I play on it?” Zack was showing a bit more enthusiasm.

“Sure. But let Duncan check it first to see if it’s still in good shape.”

The car made a left turn onto a long driveway and Quinn’s grip on her hand tightened until it was painful. “We’re here.”

The house came as a pleasant surprise to Lanie. Knowing Edward, she’d expected it to be big, and it was. What she hadn’t expected was the style. It looked like a Swiss chalet, like something out of a fairy tale. The outside was white stucco with bare wooden beams showing through, and the windows on both floors were divided into leaded glass panes. Above the second story, the peaked eave extended outward, more exposed beams supporting the roof.

16And the flowers. Not even the cars lining the drive could conceal the riotous blooms. Some were as common as roses, but others she’d never seen before. She’d love to have the time to wander among the beds and take a closer look.

“It’s beautiful, Quinn.”

“Yes, it is. Dad was so proud of this place.” His voice was husky. “He’d laugh and talk about how the neighbors’ noses were out of joint when the son of an immigrant moved into the area. I suppose it will have to be sold now.”

Lanie’s brow furrowed as they climbed out of the limo. She’d never considered the disposal of Edward’s property, but it was obvious Quinn had. A trace of regret had been in those words.

It had to be sentimentality, she decided. He’d told her the ranch was his only real home. If it were true, there was no reason to keep this house.

The front door opened as they reached it, and an elderly woman greeted Quinn with a hug.

“Mr. Quinn. I’m so sorry about your daddy.”

“Thank you, Enid.” He put his hand on Lanie’s back. “This is my wife, Lanie. Lanie, Enid was my father’s housekeeper for longer than I can remember.”

The woman’s pale blue eyes swept over her before she smiled. “I’m happy to finally meet you, Mrs. McAllister, even under the circumstances. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

She leaned over to put herself on a level with Zack. “You don’t have to tell me who this is. You look just like your pictures, Mr. Zack. I’ve got some cookies in the kitchen I made especially for you. Would you like to go have one?”

Quinn’s gaze sharpened as the woman straightened and took Zack’s hand. “What pictures?”

“Why, the ones in your father’s bedroom. There must be a dozen of them.” The housekeeper headed for the kitchen with Zack following her eagerly.

Quinn turned to look at Lanie. “You sent him pictures?”

“No, but I know who did.” She saw Franklin approaching and shook her head. “I’ll tell you about it later when we have more time.”

She barely recognized this Franklin as the one who’d worked beside Quinn the last few days. His suit was crisp and every hair was in place. He exuded calm dependability and she blessed him silently for taking most of the arrangements from Quinn’s shoulders. It was clear why Quinn had made him CEO of the company. He looked apologetic as he spoke.

“Quinn, several of the board members are waiting to speak with you. I know this is a bad time, but I think they need a little reassurance. It shouldn’t take long.”

Quinn rubbed his forehead tiredly then put his arm around Lanie’s shoulders.

“Okay, let’s get this over with.”

As they crossed the room, she leaned in closer. “Tonight you are going to get some sleep if I have to slip a sleeping pill in your drink.”

16“You’d probably do it, too.” He smiled down at her. “But I don’t need a pill, Angel.

All I need is you.”

* * * * *

Lanie breathed a sigh of relief as she slipped quietly from the room. If the house had been a surprise to her, the people now filling it had been an even bigger one. She’d always insisted that she would never fit in with Quinn’s circle of rich acquaintances. But everyone had made a point to speak with her, make her feel welcome.

Had her grandfather’s hatred of the wealthy colored her own opinion? A few days ago she would have said no. Now she wasn’t so sure. Maybe they dressed a little better, but these people seemed no different than her friends at home.

Curiously, she glanced around the hall she found herself in. The house was so large she’d only seen a small part of it so far. The front of a wide staircase curved near the entry, and she made her way toward it, pausing to run a finger over the shiny surface of an antique table.

Edward may have been the son of an immigrant, but he’d certainly had good taste in furniture. Every piece she’d seen had been an antique, sturdy and comfortable.

Unlike Quinn’s apartment, this felt like a real home, one that should have been filled with the laughter of children.

At the top of the stairs, she hesitated a moment then turned left. The first room was a guest room. While decorated beautifully, there were no personal touches. It wasn’t until she opened the door of the last room that she found signs of occupancy.

This must have been Quinn’s room, she realized as she stepped inside. Partially used bottles of cologne still sat on the dresser and his familiar scent lingered in the air.

On a chair in the corner lay a pair of sweats, looking as though he’d just stepped out of them.

A vague feeling of unease settled on her as she wandered around the room, examining an old tennis racket here, a trophy there. On one wall hung a picture of a younger Quinn with three other boys. All were sweaty and laughing, dressed in football jerseys, their arms draped around each others shoulders.

Every item in the room catalogued Quinn’s growing up years. Years when she hadn’t known him, and later, years when he’d lived here while he went to college. It was the room of someone who had been happy in this house.

Oh, God, what had she done? How could she have been so self-centered?

“I see you found my lair.”

Lanie spun toward the door, her stricken gaze falling on Quinn. He’d undone his tie, leaving it loose around his neck. His voice had a raw, husky quality, and his eyes were rimmed in red.

“Don’t sell it,” she whispered.

His brow furrowed. “Don’t sell what?”

16“The house. Oh, God, Quinn. I was so wrong. All this time I’ve thought of the ranch as your only home. I could never picture you here. It was like this place didn’t exist for me. But I was wrong. This is your home, the house you grew up in. I shouldn’t have forced you to stay in Wyoming. You tried to tell me, but I wouldn’t listen. It’s no wonder you left me. I was stupid; stupid and naive, and blind.”

“You weren’t blind, Angel.” His arms closed around her, pulled her tightly against his body. “The ranch is my home. I’ve always loved it. But I didn’t understand until a few weeks ago that it was home because of you.” He stroked her hair with one hand. “If you don’t want to sell this house, then we won’t. At least it will give me somewhere to stay when I have to come back.”

She tilted her head back and stared at him. Somehow, he seemed different than he had earlier. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine.” He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out several sheets of paper. “Right before Dad died, he told me he’d left a letter on his desk. I found it about twenty minutes ago.”

She took the letter he was holding out to her, hands shaking. “Are you sure you want me to read this?”

“Yes.”

Hesitantly, she opened the pages, her gaze dropping to the first line.

Quinn,

If you’re reading this, it means time has finally caught up with me. My doctors told me a
year ago that my ticker was bad and nothing short of a transplant would help. I chose instead to
live what was left of my life on my own terms. Which brings me to the reason for this letter.

If you think I’m going to apologize for everything I’ve done, you’re wrong. I did what I had
to do, and I’ve no regrets.

Laughter bubbled in Lanie’s throat, pushing past the tears. “Typical Edward.

Stubborn to the end.”

Quinn put his arms around her from behind, and she suddenly realized the tension was gone from his body.

“Keep reading.”

She nodded and leaned back against him.

There are things I should have told you long before now, but I could never bring myself to
speak them out loud. A letter seemed easier for both of us.

We never talked much about your mother and I know you think I married her for her money.

Well, you’re right. When you’ve known the kind of poverty I grew up in, you’ll do anything to
get out of it. Again, I’m not apologizing. Love is weakness you can’t afford when your future is
16
on the line. Your mother understood that, and in our way we served each other well. She had you
and her social functions, and I had the company. We were content.

There’s one final thing I have to tell you before I go. I’m afraid your inheritance will consist
of what money I have in my bank accounts and the house. You see, the stock in the company that
would normally have gone to you, I no longer own. When I realized you were buying up
company stock for my grandson, I ordered my broker to sell my shares to you. Zack has them all
now.

It’s ironic in a way. The only thing I ever wanted was to see you at the head of the company,
continuing the heritage I started. Now, I’ve got exactly that, and you did it yourself. So, you see,
in the long run, I’ve at least won that battle.

The battle over your wife goes to you, however. I still think you could have done better, but
I’m willing to admit she’s doing a fine job raising my grandson. Just make damn sure he knows
everything he needs to know about my company before you turn it over to him.

Edward

16Chapter Twenty-Three

Lanie folded the letter carefully. “How do you feel about this?”

“Well, at least I know I didn’t cause his death.”

She turned in his arms, her own coming around his waist. “I never doubted that.”

“You know, right now I just feel sorry for him. He never knew what real happiness was. He was too driven to succeed. It seems like such a waste of the time we’re given.”

“I know, but it was his choice, Quinn. He didn’t have to be the way he was.” Her head settled against his chest. “And I know this has been hard for you. When my parents died I was numb. Nothing seemed real anymore. I kept thinking it was a mistake, that any second they’d walk through the door. As long as I believed that, they weren’t dead. It was a month before I finally accepted they were gone and let myself say goodbye.”

“But you were only thirteen.”