Page 122 of Quinton's Quest

“You take care of him. He’s a great papa.”

“I plan to.” He took her hand. “And I’m going to care for you and Trevor as well.”

“We’re getting a puppy!” Trevor continued to cling to me.

I gazed up to meet my future mother-in-law’s eyes. Her watery eyes. She’d asked permission to bring a puppy onto the property. I’d tried to point out the cabin was hers to do with whatever she liked, but she insisted the family needed to make a decision since this would affect the children as well. Understanding her point, I said I’d be thrilled to have a dog with us. Just, with the irregularity of Quinton’s schedule—as well as the unpredictability of mine—he and I couldn’t sign onto a dog to care for ourselves.

She’d excitedly shown me pictures of her new super-tiny creature.

Vaguely, I’d wondered if she would’ve declined to move in if I’d saidnoto the puppy. Or whether Quinton had led her to believe—correctly—that I wanted both her and the puppy.

My ever-expanding circle.

Suddenly, Trevor launched himself toward Quinton.

Who caught him easily.

That enabled me to crouch down to Melodie’s level. “Did I do okay?”

She nodded enthusiastically. We’d had a long discussion about what all this meant. That her life would go on and she’d just have more people to love—and who would love her. She leaned in. “I like him.”

“That’s good—because I love him.”

“Have you told him?” Her blue eyes bore into my soul.

I blinked. Of course I had. Except… I held up a finger.

She nodded.

Everyone in the room was talking animatedly as Lucia was passing around piggies, and Archer was following after her with Nanaimo bars. A recipe for indigestion if I’d ever seen one. “Uh, one second, everyone.”

A hush fell.

I turned to Quinton—who still held Trevor. “I love you.”

He chuckled. “I kind of figured.” His gaze softened. “Or, rather I hoped.”

While holding Melodie’s hand, I leaned over to give him a kiss. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Well, finally.” Dean put his hand on Quinton’s back. “Mate, I didn’t know if you’d ever find anyone to take the plunge with.”

“He makes me want to be a better man.” Quinton smiled at me.

“You’re the best man I know.” In my mind, I apologized to Gideon. Ours had been a love born of long recognition—Quinton was a bolt of lightning that landed me on my ass. And knocked sense into me.

He blinked. “Forever?”

“Hell freaking yes.”

He laughed. “Tender ears.”

“Always.” I squeezed Melodie’s hand. “Do you want a pig in a blanket or a Nanaimo square?"

“Both!” Trevor kissed Quinton on the cheek. “Put me down.”

“Yes.” Quinton did exactly that. Then he tucked himself against me as each child took a piggy from Lucia and a square from Archer.