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“Lot of camping trips and hauling to be done.” Releasing me, he walked over to the new truck, running a hand down the passenger side door. Like the old one, it was red. A couple of years old, it had some miles on it, but Quinn was right that it was ready for some adventures.
“Speaking of, you want to head back to our favorite place during your next set of consecutive days off? My buddy said we could cut a Christmas tree while we’re there. I can rearrange some things to make it happen.”
“I like the idea of a real tree.” Quinn smiled shyly. I couldn’t wait to watch him decorate it. “But isn’t it deer season?”
“Yeah, but I’ll save that for another time.” I laughed because Quinn still wasn’t the most on venison. I’d gone on a weekend earlier in the hunting season, gotten my fix. This close to the holidays, I had other priorities. “I’d rather hunt you.”
He glanced around before lowering his voice. “Yes, Daddy.”
Now I truly was eager to get back home, put that breathless whisper and those big eyes to good use. I jangled the new keys in my hand. “You want to take the new ride for a spin with me?”
“Absolutely.” Quinn slid easily into the passenger side and said all the right things as we left the dealership, admiring all the bells and whistles of the new truck and getting quiet when I needed one last look at the old one.
“Where are we headed?” he asked as we got closer to Rainbow Cove. I took a turnoff from 101, taking a meandering back road rather than the main highway.
“Taking the long way back to town, but there’s a place I want to drive by.” I’d saved this trip, both as a good distraction for after picking up the truck and because I wanted Quinn along.
“Another property your mom found?” Quinn had been to enough dinners at the B&B to know she was in the market for more rental houses. She’d also been rather blatant in her hints that I might want to house hunt myself.
“Yeah. I’m still thinking about options.” That wasn’t entirely true. I knew exactly what I wanted, but I was also hyper-aware of timing. Also, the force of all that wanting could be overwhelming, making me reluctant to screw up the good thing we had going.
“Well, you spend most nights at my place. If your mom needs the rental back, you could go ahead and bring the rest of your stuff over.” Quinn stretched in his seat, apparently not sharing my concerns over timing. Figured. I’d been all careful, not wanting to spook him, and here he was, braver than me. “Make your change of address official and let her get some income from your current place both.”
“You really want to live together, or are you just being practical?” I might not be the most romantic of guys and might lack Darren’s talent for a flowery speech, but I also wanted this to mean something other than a postal form and some boxes.
“It might be practical, but that’s not why. I love you. I love having you around. I want you to come home to.”
“Me too. I love you too.” I exhaled because this seemed like a big step, but at the same time, it felt natural. Inevitable. Right. “It’s not that much to move, honestly.”
“It’ll be a good workout for the new truck.” Quinn gave an easy smile when I glanced over, but the way he kept folding and unfolding his hands said he was more nervous than he’d let on. “And we should still look at this property too.”
“Oh?” I’d kind of figured the moving-in discussion would kill the house-hunting idea, at least temporarily. One thing at a time and all that.
“You never know. I might eventually want a little yard.”
My laugh held a lot of relief because him putting himself in the picture was precisely what I wanted. But joking was easier than admitting that, so laughter won out. “Knew it. You’re totally jonesing to grow your own vegetables. Gonna torture me with more salads.”
“Maybe. I’ve been researching which herbs go best with venison.”
“You being willing to cook it is awfully sweet.” I didn’t need him to share all my hobbies, but him making the effort made me all warm inside.
“I can do some pots at the current place, but a yard might be nice,” he mused.
“Yard could mean a dog.” If he could plot a garden, I could up the ante, add in some of those dreams and schemes of mine. “Some breed sturdy enough to go on your walks with you.”
“I have something sturdy enough, Daddy.” Quinn’s tone was as heated as his look, making me shift in my seat. This better be a fast drive-by because the need to get him alone was quickly winning out.
