Page 39 of The Unseen (Echoes from the Past #5)
THIRTY-ONE
London, England
Quinn had just taken a roast chicken out of the oven when she heard Gabe’s key in the lock. He was late, which was unusual.
Emma exploded into the kitchen, looking disgruntled. “Dad was late picking me up,” she complained. “I’m hungry. What’s for dinner?”
“Roasted chicken, potatoes, and peas.”
Emma made a face but didn’t complain. She was about to pluck a roasted potato from a bowl when Quinn smacked her hand lightly. “Wash your hands first. And where’s Dad?”
“Right here,” Gabe said as he walked into the kitchen, as if on cue, and plopped into a chair. He looked tired and annoyed, and yanked irritably at his tie until he pulled it off and tossed it on the table.
“Bad day?”
“You could say that. I couldn’t leave until the police showed up,” he said by way of explaining his lateness.
“Why were the police called?”
Gabe shook his head in dismay. “Two more complaints were filed against Luke. He called Monty a ‘poof’ and made a lewd comment to a student.”
“What did he say?”
“Something about giving her a private tutorial on the nature of Roman orgies. ”
“Good God.”
Gabe reached for the bowl and popped a potato into his mouth. “I’m starving.”
“I’m starving more,” Emma stated as she returned to the kitchen. “I don’t want any peas.”
“Well, you’re getting some anyway,” Quinn replied. “They’re good for you.”
“Fine,” Emma said again, oozing attitude. She sat down next to Gabe and looked at him expectantly. “So why did the police come?”
“Yes, I was wondering the same thing myself,” Quinn said, pinning Gabe with an inquisitive stare.
“I had no choice but to terminate his employment. Four complaints in two weeks are more than the board is willing to tolerate, especially since he never really denied the offenses. Luke grew belligerent and refused to leave. Jane called the police when she heard him threatening me.”
“He threatened you?” Quinn gasped. In all her years with Luke, she’d never known him to be violent or crass. This was completely out of character, but then again, it seemed she didn’t know him as well as she’d thought.
“He said some things. Now’s not the time to repeat them,” Gabe said, his gaze sliding toward Emma.
“You can say it in front of me. I know lots of bad words,” Emma said, smiling proudly.
“Do you now?” Gabe asked, gazing down at her with interest. “And has this newfound knowledge anything to do with Aidan?”
“He says his mum swears all the time, mostly at his dad. She calls him a wank?— ”
“That’s quite enough,” Quinn said as she set a plate before Emma. “Eat your dinner.”
Emma gave Quinn a sullen look but didn’t comment. Instead, she turned toward Gabe. “Did they put him in handcuffs, Daddy?”
“No, they gave him a warning and escorted him off the premises. I hope he’s not foolish enough to return. As is, he’s just about committed career suicide.”
“What’s a suicide?” Emma asked, her mouth full of potato.
“It’s when someone doesn’t value something and allows themselves to lose it,” Quinn replied. She wasn’t about to explain taking one’s own life to a five-year-old.
“You mean like if I lost Mr. Rabbit?”
“Exactly,” Gabe said and dug into his meal. They couldn’t continue the conversation in front of Emma, so they spoke about the upcoming holiday and their trip north, skillfully redirecting Emma’s attention to her upcoming reunion with Buster.
It was only after Emma had finished her meal and returned to her room to play with Emme that Quinn was able to return to her earlier train of thought.
“Did something happen to set Luke off? I’ve never known him to behave so erratically. And he’s always been deadly serious about his career.”
“He’s angry, Quinn. His girlfriend dumped him for another man, his contract in the U.S.
wasn’t renewed, and he returned to London to find that no one had particularly missed him.
And he’s been rejected for several grants.
He was hoping to go off on a dig for a few months in the spring and reestablish his status as a rock-star archeologist, but instead, he’ll spend the next few months searching for a new job. ”
“I know he’s disappointed, but a few setbacks don’t normally prompt a grown man to act out in this way.”
Gabe’s gaze slid away from Quinn. “I could do with a beer.”
“What are you not telling me?” Quinn demanded.
Gabe shrugged.
“Gabe?” She was about to press him further when realization dawned. “It has something to do with me, doesn’t it?”
“Leave it.”
“I can’t. I need to know.”
Gabe sighed and met her gaze. “He’s frustrated and upset and he’s lashing out. He thought he could sweet-talk you into taking him back, but once Alex was born, he realized he’s lost you for good.”
“How do you know this?”
“He told me. Or more accurately, he accused me of stealing you from him and taking advantage of your vulnerability to rush you into making a commitment and having a baby, all in an effort to bind you to me.”
Quinn was about to dismiss this foolish assertion when she saw the doubt in Gabe’s eyes. Luke had hit a nerve, exactly as he’d intended to. She came around the table, sat down in Gabe’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Do you really doubt me?” she asked softly.
“No,” Gabe whispered into her hair. “Never. But Luke is right. I did swoop in when you were vulnerable and I did rush you into an engagement, and then I was careless enough to get you pregnant. Perhaps my motives were selfish.”
“Gabe, I know my own mind. Had I not been ready, I would have said no, to both marriage and baby. I am exactly where I want to be, so can we please put Luke out of our minds once and for all? I don’t want to hear his name ever again.”
“I’m sorry,” Gabe said. “It’s been a strange day.”
“It’s been a strange and wonderful year.” Quinn brushed her lips against Gabe’s, gratified at his body’s instant response. “Should we leave the dishes for tomorrow?”
“Hmm, I think we might have to.”
Quinn giggled as Gabe lifted her up and carried her to the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him.