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“What?” Quinn asked.
Luke didn’t answer because he was walking away from her. He reached the pumpkin that he and his nieces had created and dropped to his knees. Someone had pulled it apart.
“Is that Grace and Ella’s pumpkin?” Quinn dropped down beside him and dumped her candy on the grass beside her.
“Yes.”
Someone had pulled out the gold horn and ripped off the hair and thrown it on the ground. Anger boiled in his gut. If his nieces had seen this, it would have devastated them.
He reached for the gold horn, but Quinn beat him to it.
“Why would someone do this?” She looked around and, like him, saw that none of the others had been messed with.
“Some people have long memories.”
“You’re not serious?”
“Totally.”
“So because of who you once were, some of the people in this town are still making you pay?”
“It’s only a few, and to be honest I didn’t think any of them would do something like this. But we had a problem when we made this. I think it could be connected to that.” And Luke would be watching to ensure Lindel did nothing further. Clearly he hadn’t taken his warning seriously.
Between them they put the pumpkin back together until he was satisfied his nieces wouldn’t see any difference.
“Unipumpkin or Pumpicorn?” Quinn asked from beside him.
“Grace called it Pumpicorn.”
“I’m sorry.” Her hand settled on top of the one he had fisted on his thigh.
His eyes found hers. Their faces were inches apart. “It really pisses me off that with some people you just never quite outgrow the sins of your youth.”
“The sins of your father and mother,” she corrected.
Her eyes were a lot darker this close, almost black, framed by long lashes and cheekbones that were slowly filling with color as he studied her.
“I really am sorry, Luke.”
“You didn’t do it.” He felt himself moving, leaning toward her like there was an invisible thread pulling him closer. She didn’t back away.
“You are a beautiful woman, Quinn Harper.”
“I’m—” His lips took hers in a soft, gentle exploration. Just their lips touched, but it was enough to ignite the need for more inside him. Her lips tasted of something sweet and were soft under his. He felt them move, a slow opening, and the rush of heat exploded inside him. It was possibly ten seconds, maybe a bit more, but enough to know this woman packed a punch.
When he eased back, she kept her eyes closed.
“Thanks for helping with Pumpicorn, pretty girl.” His lips brushed hers once more.
She opened her eyes and looked into his. He saw the need that would be mirrored in his.
“Welcome,” she whispered.
He rose and pulled her up with him. She collected her candy, as did he, and then they returned to the others in silence.
Gracie had taken the seat that was meant for Quinn, which made him happy. Sam, however, looked seriously annoyed. Levi was nestled in the little girl’s lap.
“Spare seat on the blanket if you want it,” Luke said in her ear. “I mean, chairs are for pansies, if we’re being honest. The blanket is for hard core moviegoers.”
