Free Quinn by R.C. Ryan

hauled in the back of a truck.
    “You going to be okay alone here?” Micah glanced over at Cheyenne.
    “And why wouldn’t I be?”
    When he opened his mouth she held up a hand to stop him. “I said I’d be fine.”
    “Uh-huh. And I told your daddy at his grave that I’d look out for you.”
    “I know that. And you do. But you didn’t promise to be a nursemaid, holding my hand every minute of the day.”
    “All the same, I wish this place wasn’t so far away from civilization.”
    “Wishing won’t change things. Besides, maybe being isolated is a good thing.”
    The old man paused in his work. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    She merely smiled. “Being this far off the beaten track, it isn’t easy for someone to just happen to be passing through.”
    Quinn looked up. “I did last night.”
    “That’s different.” Annoyed, Cheyenne stabbed another pancake and smothered it in syrup.
    “Different?” Quinn glanced from Cheyenne to Micah. “What’re we talking about here?”
    “Nothing.” Cheyenne’s eyes narrowed on the old man, as though issuing a warning.
    Micah shrugged. “I have a right to worry. I’ve known her since she was a runny-nosed kid.”
    She huffed out a breath. “My nose never ran.”
    “But your mouth did. Still does. You think you know it all, but you’ve still got a lot to learn. Who taught you to ride? To rope? To birth a calf?”
    “You did.”
    “That gives me the right to worry.”
    She shoved back her chair and crossed the room to brush a kiss over his weathered cheek. “Yes, it does. And I appreciate it, Micah. Really I do. But I’ll be just fine here.”
    “I know. Just don’t go taking any chances.” He stuck out his hand to Quinn. “Nice meeting you, wolf whisperer.”
    “It was nice meeting you, too, Micah. Thanks for the fine food.”
    “Any time.” After patting his pocket to assure that he had his pipe and tobacco, the old man headed toward the door, shoving the wheeled cart ahead of him, before pausingto turn to Cheyenne. “If the weather holds, I could be back by sundown.”
    “Wishful thinking.” She lifted a hand to wave him off before pouring another cup of coffee.
    At the sound of the truck leaving Quinn carried his empty dishes to the sink, where he began to rinse them and set them in the dishwasher.
    He glanced over. “Is there some reason why Micah is worried about leaving you alone?”
    “Of course not.” She turned away, avoiding his eyes.
    “Last night you suggested that I was someone’s bully. Would you care to explain?”
    His question was met with complete silence.
    He studied her for a moment before giving a slight nod of his head. “Well then, I’d better be leaving, too, and let you get to your chores.”
    “Wait.” She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned a hip against the counter. “Sorry. You deserve an explanation. There was an… incident some time ago with a neighbor. I think it’s left me spooked.”
    “You think you’re in danger?”
    She shook her head. “Not really. But when I saw you in the barn holding that rifle, Deke was the only one I could think of.”
    “That’s what you said. One of Deke’s bullies.”
    “I guess he’s been on my mind. I hate the fact that a longtime friend and neighbor could let me down.”
    Quinn shrugged. “People have a way of doing that.”
    She nodded. “Yeah.” She looked up. “Are you heading home to family?”
    “Yeah.”
    “A wife and kids?” She’d wanted to ask that sooner,but there had never been a time that seemed right. Now, she realized, she was holding her breath as she waited for his answer.
    “No wife. No kids. But I’ve got a father, grandfather, and two brothers.”
    She let out a long, slow breath. “Tell me about them.”
    He arched a brow, realizing that she was trying to draw out their good-bye. In a way it was flattering. He really would have enjoyed spending more time with her.
    He leaned a hip against the counter. “Right about now