He pulled back a smidge. “That settles it. Quinn is officially my girlfriend, and I’m the luckiest man alive.” Then, he kissed her again. Long, slow, and tender. Sparks ignited and spread through her body.
“You should go to bed. You need your rest.” He pulled back and looked at her.
“You, too.” Maybe, he would sleep now.
“I will.” He cradled her face in his hand and gently kissed her good night. “Dream sweet.”
EPILOGUE
Reid had spent a lot oftime with Quinn and JJ over the last couple of weeks. Quinn had sought an attorney and got the probate of Joe’s estate started. JJ was going to get a huge inheritance. Victoria had a whole slew of charges from kidnapping to murder. She’d be behind bars for a long time. Andrew and Madison had been charged with the bank robberies, and they faced their own prison sentences.
JJ was adjusting well to all that had happened. Mrs. Stevenson let Quinn and JJ stay with her in her extra bedroom while repairs were being made to Quinn’s side. Reid was staying in the cabin. He couldn’t go home; it didn’t feel right. Home was with Quinn and JJ.
He’d taken Quinn on several dates, just the two of them, and a couple that included JJ. They were in church every chance they could get.
Right now, he was sitting exactly where he’d been weeks ago when this all started—in a diner, watching a waitress. When the red-haired boy came running in, he didn’t plop down at the counter. Instead, he chose Reid’s booth.
“Good morning, Mr. Reid.”
“Mornin’, JJ.” He smiled at the boy.
Quinn was right behind him, delivering their breakfast. Reid had already ordered, and Quinn had preordered JJ’s food like she did every morning.
“Thank you.” Reid smiled at her.
“You’re welcome.” She bent and kissed JJ’s head.
“Mornin’, Momma.”
She straightened, then leaned toward Reid, put her hand on his shoulder, and gave him a peck on the lips. “I have to get back to work.”
He watched her walk away. She’d been off work for a couple of weeks while she’d gone from depending on the crutches to walking with a slight limp. He couldn’t see it now. Reid took a bite of his eggs. He’d healed nicely. No additional medical issues other than a couple of gnarly scars.
“Do you love my momma?”
Reid choked on his eggs. Leave it to kids to be forthright. He nodded. “I do.” He hadn’t told her that yet. He’d even gone as far as to purchase a ring. It was actually in his pocket, waiting for the perfect time.
“She loves you, too,” JJ said around a mouthful of food.
“She does, does she?” He folded his arms across the table. “And she’s told you this?”
“No. She must love you.”
“Why do you say that?” His curiosity was piqued.
“She kisses you,” JJ said. “She’s never kissed anyone but me.”
Children were so perceptive. “I was thinking about asking her to marry me. Be my wife.” Why was he confessing to a six-year-old?
JJ squealed. Reid looked up and made eye contact with Quinn. She’d heard the squeal. He bent over. “Shhhh. Here she comes,” he whispered.
He grinned and nodded.
“What are you two up to?” She refilled his coffee cup.
“Nothing,” Reid said, his tone innocent.
“You better behave.” She went to take care of other customers.
