Page 26 of A Simple Life

My pants were never coming off around Quinn.

Although the thought of that made my dick twitch.

Wasn’t happening.

Saturday afternoon, I pulled up in front of Quinn’s house. My hands felt clammy, and I wiped them on my jeans, watching as Quinn pushed a lawn mower across the front lawn. It was a fairly big yard, and I frowned, wondering if she was managing it okay.

I climbed from the truck, heading her way. She was busy, focused on her task, and she startled when I came into her view. She frowned as she shut off the lawn mower, wiping at her forehead.

“Mr. Elliott. Is there a problem?”

“John,” I corrected. “And no, there isn’t one.”

She frowned. “You’re here because…” She let her words trail off.

“I heard you wanted a swing for Abby on the oak tree.”

“I thought she would like it. I can watch her from the porch. If you say it’s okay.”

“It’s fine. I’m here to put it up.”

She blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“I’m here to put up the swing.”

“I haven’t bought it yet.”

I swallowed. “I made her one.”

For a moment, there was shocked silence.

“You made her one,” she repeated.

“Yes.”

“You made a swing for my daughter.”

“Yes.”

“And you’re here to put it up.”

“Yes.”

She looked around. “I feel as if I’m in an alternate universe.”

I felt a grin pull on my lips.

“I wanted to make sure it was a good swing and hung properly.” I paused. “So the tree wasn’t damaged.”

“So the tree wasn’t damaged,” she repeated. “That’s why?”

“She’s a good kid. I liked making her a swing.”

A tender smile broke out on her face. “She is a good kid. And I thank you, John. Really.”

I tried to ignore the way it felt when she said my name. I liked it far too much. “Is she around?”

“No, she was invited to a birthday party this afternoon. She was so excited. I was worried, you know? A new place, new people. I thought she’d be nervous, but she just waved me off and joined her new friends.” She laughed self-consciously. “I had a hard time leaving her, but she was fine. I checked in twice, and Mandy’s mom told me she was having a great time. I pick her up at four.”