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“I can make a million in a minute,” Sam scoffed.
Quinn bent down to scratch Levi, who was a good friend of Buzz’s. As if on cue, the black furball lounging beside him who the children were throwing fries at rose. Stretched, and wandered over to the little scruffy mutt. Tails wagged, butts were sniffed.
Luke kept his eyes on Quinn. Her mouth was in a hard line, and her hands were jammed into the pockets of her jacket.
“Sit, Quinn,” her mother said.
“I’m happy standing.”
Shelly Harper’s mouth tightened into a line.
“I’m feeling full after that lovely meal you cooked us, Shelly,” Pearl said, patting her tummy.
So Sam and Pearl had had dinner with the Harpers. Adding two and two together, Luke decided that Sam was another prospect in Shelly Harper’s quest to get her daughter married and her some grandchildren. This also could be the reason for Quinn’s general air of pissedoffness.
“Quinn, sit here.” Sam’s words were more an order than a request, and it had Luke’s hackles rising.
“I want some popcorn. Does anyone want anything?” Quinn said quickly.
“Sure, I’ll take some candy,” her father said, clearly aware of his daughter’s need to bolt. He fished out some notes.
“I got it, Dad.” Quinn took off after handing over Levi’s lead.
“We’re nearly out of fries, Uncle Luke.” Ella whispered the words to him so her daddy didn’t hear.
“Well then, climb off and I’ll get you some more.”
“I love you.” She threw her arms around his neck.
“What worries me is that her love will fade when I’m of no further use to her,” he said.
“And then she’ll know who her real favorite uncle is,” Jack said, snagging his niece’s hand and pulling her onto his lap. Ella giggled as he tickled her.
“Anyone want anything?”
Orders were fired at him. He repeated them in his head and then left. Luke had a good memory; it was the one thing he had to get him through school if the teachers asked him questions.
He caught up with Quinn, head down, heading to the stalls in front of the shops.
“Shithead.” She was muttering to herself.
“Me? Or just anyone?”
She spun to face him, color filling her cheeks, clearly horrified that someone had overheard her. “Sorry.” She threw a wave at him and walked on.
“About what?” He kept pace with her.
“What?”
“What are you sorry about?”
“Nothing. I mutter sometimes. I hadn’t realized anyone was close.”
He made a show of looking around him. People were milling everywhere. His aunt would be happy with the fairy lights strung all over the place, as would Pip and most of the women in his life. Luke could also admit, to himself, that Ryker Falls looked pretty good when it was lit up like it was tonight.
“What’s up, Quinn?”
“Nothing. You go back to the movie, Luke. I need the bathroom.”
