Page 70 of Quinton's Quest

I gazed around the entire space. “Bedrooms in the back?”

“Yep. Two of them. One very masculine and one with flowers and pink. I don’t want Mom to think I’ve replaced her, so it stays as it’s always been. Maybe one day…” He plugged his electric kettle into the wall.

I pointed to the loft space. “That must be amazing.”

He grinned. “View of the forest. Very peaceful. Eastern exposure, so I sometimes see the sunrise.”

“Ugh. I only see sunrises if I have to.”

He laughed. “Yes, that was Mom’s perspective as well. I like to go up there and—” He stopped.

I arched an eyebrow.

“Well, it’s complicated.” He turned away and headed to a cupboard. He pulled down a box of tea and rifled until he found the one he was clearly searching for.

“Complicated?” Slowly, I advanced toward the kitchen.

He pulled down a mug. Then turned to meet my gaze. “A guy’s got to have some secrets.”

My senses went on high alert.It’s not that simple, is it? Is he hiding something in the loft?

He chuckled again. “Nothing interesting, I promise.” He pressed his fingers to his left temple.

I strode to him. “I haven’t even asked how you’re doing. Open your eyes.” I didn’t have a penlight, but I’d at least be able to see his pupils.

“I’m fine, Quinton. CT scan came back clear.”

“There could still be a slow bleed or swelling.”

“Sheesh. Way to reassure a guy. They did an MRI as well—to be safe. I’m really okay.”

“When do you see the neurologist for a follow-up?”

He rolled his eyes. “Day after tomorrow unless the headache gets—”

“What headache?” I might’ve snapped that.

“The one you’re giving me by asking so many questions. Honestly, Quinton, I’m okay.”

“Something the typical stubborn male would say.”

He burst out laughing. “God, you sound like Mom. Most men are stoic until they’re in pain and then they’re babies.”

“Your mother’s a smart woman.”

“She’s the best.” He feathered his fingers through his hair. “And I would never dishonor her by not being honest with my doctor. I’m off duty for the next week until I get the full okay. Which super sucks because we’re down people after today. All our on-call folks are being called in.”

“Do you want to talk about what happened?”

His eyes darkened. From navy to almost black in just an instant. “No.” Then he rubbed his face. “The kid died.”

“Oh shit. I’m so sorry.” I dealt with death all the time at the hospital—but that didn’t make it any easier. Especially when watching a kid die.

“They said she never regained consciousness. So at least she didn’t suffer. But with those burns—” He swallowed hard. “She wouldn’t have had anything resembling quality of life. I don’t want to say it’s a blessing—because it isn’t—but her life would’ve been a living hell for years to come.”

I hadn’t dealt with many burn patients—those with injuries that severe were sent to Vancouver. But I had patients who came in for follow-up care.Like Adam. He’d landed under my care when he hadn’t taken care of himself and a urinary issue had become serious. Now he and Dean were together—and married—he was doing much better. Still, if I heard about a burn patient, I thought of him. “That’s really sad.”

“I should’ve been able to save her.” Finn closed his eyes and pressed his palm to his forehead. “Just…I honestly thought we’d cleared the house. I was wrong.”