Page 46 of The Temporary Fiancée
“Remind me about it before you leave,” Maura says graciously.
As we eat, my feelings from earlier about the Quinns’ situation resurface all over again. This time, though, I don’t feel as helpless or angry as I did before. Letting frustration with my father take the reins won’t do me any good—not when there are things I can do to help directly.
I excuse myself from the table for a few minutes to text my assistant. I ask her to begin researching rehab centers, specialists, and private physicians for multiple sclerosis.
I’m sure that, in the past, the Quinns have taken shortcuts when it came to finding medical care. Options were probably thin on the ground. But now, Olivia and I are a team, and money is no object anymore. I’m the heir to the Eastwood fortune, and I’m ready and willing to deploy it in service to Mrs. Quinn’s health.
She should get the best care possible, regardless of how much money she has.
I re-enter the dining room, slipping my phone into my pocket. Olivia, who looked up as I walked in, frowns at the sight of the cell phone.
“Everything okay?” she asks.
“Of course,” I say, nodding. “It’s just work.”
I don’t want to get her hopes up, so I decide not to mention this to Olivia until I’ve found the right doctor. I can spend a lot of money on her family, but not even my nearly unlimited resources can cure MS.
The four of us finish our dinner, and Robert insists on serving us dessert—there’s a half of a lemon meringue pie left over from the other night. It’s every bit as delicious as the pot roast.
After dinner, Olivia helps her mother up from the table, guiding her into the living room to rest on the couch. I can hear the conversation continuing between the two of them—Maura has started telling Olivia something about her own wedding.
I start toward the living room to join them, but feel Robert’s hand on my upper arm. “Do you mind if the two of us speak in the kitchen, Reed?”
“Of course.”
I follow him into the next room, where I can still hear snatches of the conversation between Maura and Olivia, which seems to have transitioned to honeymoon destinations.
Robert tucks his hands into his pockets and leans against the counter, looking at the floor. In a low voice, he says, “You know, I would’ve liked to have gotten a heads up about this engagement.”
A flash of guilt goes through me. “Mr. Quinn?—”
“Robert,” he corrects gently.
“Robert—I’m sorry that I didn’t mention it to you earlier. I was caught up in a bit of a whirlwind.”
He smiles, reaching out to pat me on the shoulder. “I understand. Love is love, right?”
“Yeah,” I say, exhaling. “It ambushed me.”
“That’s how it happens.” He glances toward the hallway fondly, pausing to listen to something Maura is saying about tropical islands and warm, sun-kissed beaches. “You know, it may have been a long time since we’ve seen you, but we both remember you.”
“You do?”
“Sure. While Maura was working for your father, you earned yourself quite the reputation as a little troublemaker.” His smile widens into a teasing grin.
“Well, I hope my reputation doesn’t precede me,” I say amicably. “I’ve done a fair amount of growing up since I was eight years old.”
“I should hope so.” He turns toward the cabinets above the sink, rummaging through the glasses. “You may have been atroublemaker, but you had a good heart. And I’m happy to see that you’re still just as kind as you used to be.”
His words are heartfelt, and for a second, I’m speechless, too touched to respond. Then I say, “Thank you for saying that, sir.”
“‘Sir,’ now?” He chuckles, giving me a wry look over his shoulder. “Please. For the last time?—”
“Robert,” I amend. I offer him a sheepish grin. “Sorry. It’s just a force of habit.”
“You were a good kid,” he says. “And you’re a good man. No matter what the tabloids say.”
The tabloids.Suddenly, the reality of the situation hits me in a wave. Since they knew me as a child, the Quinns have only seen updates on my life from the fuckingtabloids.It’s a miracle they didn’t kick me out of their house at first sight, and an even greater miracle that Mr. Quinn is being so amicable.
