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“Come find me when you’re ready. I’ll give you that guided tour I promised.” She nodded, and I closed the door behind me.
Dropping my head back against the wood, I groaned. I should have just put the tray down and left. Quinn looked far too good in my clothes and I knew she’d look even better in my bed. “Eighteen, Brody. Eighteen,” I mumbled to myself as I jogged down the stairs and out onto the ranch.
Quinn
Staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror I winced. I couldn’t believe Brody had seen me looking like this. I reached up and tried to run my hands through my hair in an attempt to make it look half decent. Last night, I’d been too tired to dry it after my shower, and the knotty mess I was faced with this morning was my punishment. Sighing, I opened the doors of the vanity under the basin in search of a brush. Right at the back was a brand-new comb still in its packaging. I grabbed it triumphantly and set about getting the knots out of my hair.
I’d slept like a log last night, falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. The events of the past few days had wiped me out. I’m sure if Brody hadn’t woken me I’d still be asleep. Not that I was complaining about being woken by him. Who doesn’t want a hot guy bringing them bacon first thing in the morning? Biting down on my lip, I remembered just how hot he had looked in the dark blue jeans that hugged his thighs and ass, and his t-shirt pulled tight across his chest. I don’t think I’d ever seen anyone as sexy. There certainly weren’t guys like Brody back in Westwood; not that I’d come across anyway.
After finally making my hair look half decent, I tied it up into a hair tie and quickly brushed my teeth. Claire had been kind enough to give me a new toothbrush when I’d arrived yesterday. Everything else I’d have to buy when I’d earned some money. Grabbing jeans and a checked shirt from the closet, I got dressed, pulling the cowboy boots I’d worn yesterday onto my feet. Looking in the mirror, I smiled. I definitely looked like I belonged on a ranch and I was excited to have a look around. Picking up the now empty tray off the dresser, I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen.
Tapping on the kitchen door I slowly pushed it open. “Morning, Claire,” I said shyly, seeing her sitting at the breakfast bar with a coffee in her hand.
“Quinn. Come in, come in. Please don’t feel you have to knock. I want you to feel comfortable in the house. While you’re living here, this is your home, sweetie.” She pulled out a stool for me to sit on, patting it with her hand.
“Thank you, and thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.”
“You’re welcome. Just pop everything on the side and I’ll put it in the dishwasher in a minute. Come and sit down.” I nodded and placed the tray by the sink before taking a seat next to her.
“Did you sleep okay?”
“I did! The bed is so comfy. It’s a really beautiful room.”
“Good. I’m glad. Do you want a coffee? I’ve just made a fresh pot.” She gestured to the coffee pot on the counter. I nodded, and she got up to fetch me a cup.
Sipping on the hot drink, I asked her, “When do the guests start to arrive? Brody mentioned there weren’t any guests at the moment?”
“No, it’s a little early in the season yet. We have people booked in from early March. That should be long enough to renovate the handful of cabins that need updating before guests start to arrive. Brody will show you where the cabins are, and which ones you’ll be cleaning.” She looked down at my jeans and shirt. “Savannah’s clothes are a perfect fit for you. You look great, honey.”
“She has great taste,” I said, smoothing my shirt down with my hands. I fidgeted on the chair next to her and she must have sensed my nervousness.
“What is it, sweetie?” she asked, her hand dropping to my arm.
“I was thinking, because I can’t start working right away because of my ribs, maybe I could help out around here?”
“It’s really not necessary, Quinn. You need to rest.”
“Well, how about I cook dinner sometimes? I loved to cook before…” I trailed off and dropped my head. I felt Claire put her arm around me and she squeezed my shoulder.
“That’s a great idea. I need to pop to the grocery store later; I’m sure Sav will come too. Why don’t you come with us? You can get some groceries and cook tomorrow night?”
“I’d like that. I didn’t really get a chance to see much of Marble Falls the night I arrived. It will be nice to see the town.” I was relieved Claire had agreed as I hated the thought of staying with them but not being able to work and contribute. I wasn’t an amazing cook, but I did a mean meatball.
She smiled. “It’s settled then. Why don’t you go find Brody so he can give you that tour? He’s probably in the old barn settling the horses in. If you walk straight past the exercise area and keep going, you can’t miss it.”
“Thank you.” I jumped down off the stool. Forgetting my sore ribs, I winced as pain shot up my side. Hiding my discomfort from Claire, I made my way to the door.
“I’ll come find you later when I’m ready to go to the grocery store, and, Quinn.” She paused as I turned to face her. “Take it easy. I can see you’re in pain, honey.”
I stared at her in shock. “How did you…?”
She chuckled. “I’m a mom remember? So, I know everything.” I watched as she turned around and started loading the dishwasher. I smiled. Claire reminded me so much of my mom. She too would know when I was hiding something, or I was upset. Maybe it was an ability you gained when you became a mom? I’d have to ask Savannah when she’d had her baby.
“Bye, Claire,” I called out as I left the kitchen and went outside. Standing on the porch I looked around. Off to the right of the house and set a little way back were the remains of the burned-out stables. The grass of the exercise area was scorched black with only small patches of green remaining. There was little to none of the building itself left. It had been completely destroyed in the fire. A shudder went through me at the thought I had lain unconscious in there. I had been so stupid to sneak in the stables in the first place. No one had known I was in there, and I wouldn’t be standing here now if Brody hadn’t found me.
Trying not to dwell on what could have happened, I walked down the porch steps and across the driveway. Making my way around what was left of the exercise area, small wooden cabins came into view, and I assumed this was the start of the guest accommodation. The cabins were beautiful. Each one had its own small porch with a bench for guests to sit and enjoy the stunning views over the ranch. There were fields as far as the eye could see on either side of the cabins. I could only imagine how amazing it would be to vacation here.
As I walked along the winding path between the cabins, it suddenly opened out and a large barn came into view. It must have been the old barn Claire had mentioned, and where Brody was working with the horses. The door to the barn was closed and there was no one around. Wondering if I was in the right place, I gently pushed the door open and walked inside. There was a man I’d never seen before mucking out one of the stalls and he looked up as the door closed behind me.
