Page 15 of Beneath the Surface (Tendrils of Love #1)

Q uinn kept his promise and returned to the lake two weeks later.

It wasn’t easy to get away from Emily again after she saw his bruised face when he got home.

Although the lake had healed the worst of his bruises and they no longer ached, the evidence of his beating still showed, making Emily worried.

Quinn assured her he was fine and, for the first time in his life, lied, saying he slipped and fell down a hillside, banging up his face and parts of his body.

Emily remained skeptical of his story while reluctantly accepting it. When she changed the subject and asked if he knew yet what he wanted to do with his grandfather’s inheritance, he finally had a definite answer, whereas he’d been uncertain before.

“I do,” he told her.

Emily looked surprised and happy. “Really? What? Tell me.” His making plans for the money meant—for Emily—that he was looking forward, something he had struggled with for years.

His writing had helped, providing an outlet for his emotions, for his hopes and dreams of what he wished his life to be someday.

But he didn’t write about his pain, and therefore it had remained trapped inside, quietly—sometimes not so quietly—tormenting him.

Not anymore.

“I, um…” Quinn smiled warmly as all the sensations of the lake experience washed over him again, reviving the wonder and amazement.

“I discovered a small lake up where I was camping. I thought maybe I could buy the property around it and build a cabin, a place of peace and solitude, where I could go to write.”

“Like your own personal writer’s retreat?” Emily beamed.

“Yeah.” Quinn’s smile stretched, and he lowered his eyes. “Just like that.”

“I think it’s a great idea.”

Quinn looked up. “You do?”

“Of course.” She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Did you think I wouldn’t? You’re happiest when you’re communing with nature.” She reached out and squeezed his hand. “I always want you to be happy.”

“You don’t think I’m just… running away?”

“Are you?”

“No,” he whispered and held her hand. “I’m not.”

“Then no,” Emily said. “I don’t think you’re running away.

When you’re ready for more, you’ll know.

And no one—not even me—can tell you when that is.

” She hugged him, letting it linger. “You’re a beautiful man, Quinn,” she whispered.

“In so many ways. You have so much love to offer someone, and you deserve so much in return.” She drew back and cupped his face.

“One day, that special someone will come along, and you’ll know in your heart that they’re the one. ”

Quinn gazed at her. “How will I know?”

“Oh, hun.” Emily kissed him as she often did when she wanted to make a point. “It’s just something you know. There will be a… connection … unlike anything you’ve ever experienced with anyone else.” She smiled softly. “Even me.”

There had never been anything Quinn couldn’t tell Emily; no secret he couldn’t share with her.

Until now. It hurt his heart not to be able to share the greatest experience of his life, such a life-changing revelation, with her.

But he couldn’t, not this time. This was a secret he would take to his grave, a secret he must take to his grave.

Not for himself, but for the entity beneath the lake.

“I’ll trust your word,” Quinn murmured with a small smile.

“You better.” She winked and patted his chest. “I know whereof I speak.”

“Really?” Quinn smirked. “How many times have you met the one?”

She cast him a sly look and stepped back, not saying a word.

“What...?” Quinn frowned in curiosity. “Did you... meet someone while I was gone?”

“Maybe.” Emily scrunched her nose and pursed her lips.

“Someone you think might be the one?”

Emily bit her lower lip, smiling. “Maybe.”

Quinn eyed her skeptically. “I thought you said you would know for sure when you met them, that there would be a connection.” He tilted his head. “ Was there a connection?”

“I think so.” She bit her lip again. “We’ve already gone out a couple of times. He’s sweet, kind, and...” She sighed dreamily. “... so handsome.”

Dismissing the unavoidable sting of jealousy, Quinn grinned. “I’m happy for you, Em,” he said, and truly meant it. “He just better treat you right and never hurt you, or I’ll…”

“You’ll what?” Emily squinted impishly, poking his chest. “What will big, bad Quinn do?”

Invite him to the lake. Quinn didn’t say that. He shrugged and chuckled, “Something.”

Emily laughed and hugged him. “You’ll always be my hero.”

Quinn held her deep in his arms. “And you’ll always be mine,” he whispered against her soft hair, his heartbreaking sincerity making the young woman hold him tighter. “After spending so much time looking after me,” he said softly, “You deserve a man who can give you something back.”

Pulling from his arms, Emily stared at him, her brow etched with a stern line.

“You give me plenty, Quinn. I can’t even imagine what my life would have been like without you.

I don’t want to imagine it. You’ve been my best friend since we were in first grade.

If you really think you’re the only one enriched from our relationship, I may have to kick your ass. ”

She smiled, but she was dead serious; Emily hated it when Quinn implied he wasn’t giving as much as he was receiving.

But how could he believe it was an equal give-and-take relationship when Emily had saved his life in every way possible—and continued to do so every day?

Still, he knew better than to argue with the woman.

“Sorry,” he offered sheepishly.

“You better be, buddy boy.” She gripped the front of his shirt and looked into his eyes with affection.

“You know I won’t accept you thinking you’re somehow less than me, or weaker, because you needed to lean on me when your life turned to hell.

If something happened to me, and I needed to lean on you with such gravity… would you be there for me?”

Quinn swallowed, a soft burn in his eyes. “Of course, I would, Em. You know I would.”

“I do know,” she whispered, caressing his bruised cheek. “I know without a shadow of a doubt that you’re the one person who would never let me down. I told you—you’re my hero. And true heroes are there when you need them.”

Quinn nodded and kissed her. “Sorry for being a dumb-dumb.”

Emily laughed softly. “You’re forgiven—this time. Just don’t make a habit of it.”

“Scout’s Honor.” Quinn raised two fingers and smiled.