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Quinn was the youngest Harper. Her older brother was traveling the world making documentaries about global warming. She was proud of Matt, he was doing good, and his work was outstanding. However, what she wasn’t happy about was having him thrown in her face constantly.
She was a fighter pilot, goddammit!
“We’re very proud of him.”
And here we go, Quinn thought.
“It’s nice to be proud of your kids, Mom. We could be out there selling drugs or committing felonies, but no, we’re both working hard to give you and Dad something positive to brag to your friends about.”
“Thank you.”
Her mom’s sarcasm radar had never been sharp. She was stirring the ever-present large pot simmering with something that smelled really good on the stove.
The huge farm-style kitchen had two windows that faced the mountains. The decor in here had not changed much over the years. The odd painting or utensil, but it was basically as it was the day her mother had moved in. Gingham half curtains, round solid table, and six chairs. White floor and walls, with cherry accents in seat cushions and containers on the bench.
“Matt and Andy are coming home for Christmas again this year,” she said, continuing on her favorite topic, her son. “It would be good if you came too. Your brother would love to see you, and you owe him that. I’m sure they will be making their engagement announcement soon.”
Your brother, Quinn thought. Not, “we would love to see you.”
“I don’t owe Matt anything, Mom.”
Shelly Harper was a good mom; it would be wrong for Quinn to say otherwise. She’d been spoiled with birthday parties and sleepovers. Been given an awesome prom dress and all the trimmings that went alongside it. She couldn’t fault being raised in this house, but she’d always felt like she was number two in the Harper sibling pecking order with her mother. Her father had told her that was because her mom didn’t understand her. They were identical to look at but a million miles apart in every other way.
Blonde, although her mom’s hair was now dyed, about the same height, with brown eyes. There the similarities stopped.
Shelly Harper loved gossip, belonged to several groups so she could do just that under the guise of knitting, baking, or pottery. She was all about community, and still baked for the school bake sale even though her kids were no longer in attendance.
“He’s your brother. Of course you owe him a Christmas together. It’s been years.”
Quinn sighed. This wasn’t a discussion she’d ever be able to win; past history had told her that.
“You need a haircut and perhaps some new clothes while you are here too, Quinny.”
“I’m happy with the way I look and my clothes, thanks, Mom.” Quinn picked up the newspaper folded neatly on the table and opened it. She raised it so she couldn’t see her mother.
“You dress like a fourteen-year-old boy. No man will find that attractive.”
“I do all right,” she muttered, shoulders hunching. “And I don’t want a man to find me attractive.”
“Doing all right is not going to get you a husband, and that is a ridiculous statement. Of course you want a man to find you attractive. That Luke Trainer is a nice man.”
He was a nice man. Hot too. Her memories of him had been of an angry, sad boy; now he was an incredibly hot firefighter.
“He and his family have turned their lives around. He’d be a nice husband for you.”
“Mom!”
“I’m just saying that it’s time, Quinny. Your biological clock is ticking.”
“Oh my god, woman. Stop.”
Her mom was sure that Quinn would never be happy with her life until there was a man in it. The fact that she had worked hard in a male-dominated world did not factor into her mother’s barometer for success. A man and children in her life, however, would.
“I don’t want a husband, and I love what I do. I have a position in a previously male-dominated world. I am very good at what I do, and maybe you need to realize that.”
Her mother shot her look that said she didn’t believe that Quinn was happy without a band on her finger, then went back to stirring her pot of delicious-smelling goodness.
“I could make you an appointment to visit my stylist while you are here. She’d fit you in, as I’ve been a client for a long time.”
