Free Soul to Shepherd by Linda Lamberson

remember?”
    Quinn nodded and relaxed his posture some, although the expression on his face remained unchanged. “So even though Dylan’s going to be my new Shepherd, you’re still sticking around,” Quinn confirmed.
    “Yes.”
    “For how long?” he asked.
    “I’ll be around for so long you’ll be sick of me by the time this is all over,” I quipped, but Quinn did not smile in return.
    “Quinn, don’t worry.” I took his hand in mine and tugged gently until he met my gaze. “This will work. It has to.”
* * *
    Dylan left shortly thereafter to get the details of his “assignment,” leaving Quinn and me alone in the portal once again. Whenever he looked at me, all I could see was the reservation pooled in his eyes.
    “Quinn, this is our best chance.”
    “I hope you’re right.”
    “Don’t you trust me?”
    “With my life!” he exclaimed passionately. “I just wish you’d trust me enough to discuss the plan with me rather than keep me in the dark while you’re off with Dylan determining what is and isn’t ‘ our’ best chance and then going ahead and acting on it.”
    “Quinn, I trust you more than anyone. I just didn’t want to worry you over a plan I wasn’t even sure would work. I had no idea whether Tara would be willing to replace me with Dylan as your Shepherd.”
    Dejection filled his eyes. “It doesn’t matter if your plan would’ve worked or not, or whether or not I would’ve worried about it, you still should’ve told me.”
    Guilt washed over me. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I sighed. “I have every intention of including you in the game plan. I’ve just been so used to making the calls on my own. It’s like I need to personally ensure that nothing is left to chance, that no stone is left unturned, especially when it comes to you. But I promise I’ll work harder to keep you in the loop from now on, okay?”
    “Okay.” He seemed to unwind a little.
    I chuckled weakly. “I guess I needed to come to terms with turning over the reins to someone else before I could expect you to be comfortable with the change, you know?”
    “I know.” He tucked a loose lock of hair behind my ear, caressing my cheek as he did—a tender act of forgiveness that made me feel better and worse at the same time.
    “And believe me, I have yet to accept the idea of Dylan being your new go-to guy,” I freely admitted.
    “Yeah, this whole switching Shepherds thing is going to be a little strange,” agreed Quinn.
    “By the way, when did the little bromance between you two begin to brew?”
    “‘Bromance,’ huh?” Quinn laughed. “Is that a spark of jealousy I see in those beautiful green eyes of yours?” he asked with raised eyebrows.
    “Maybe,” I conceded, shrugging my shoulders.
    “Don’t worry, he’s not my type.” Quinn grinned and sat down on the grass, pulling me down onto his lap, facing him.
    “And what is your type?”
    “Let’s see,” he drew the words out, teasing me. “Long brown hair, golden-green eyes, a cute little nose—” He broke off to kiss the tip of my nose. “Kissable lips.” He bit my lower lip playfully.
    “And to think I was worried I’d become the third wheel,” I joked.
    “Never.” Quinn kissed me. “Besides, it sounds like Dylan has found a wheel of his own.”
    “Oh, yeah.” I smiled. “Your Watcher. I wonder how they met.”
    “It was probably when Dylan found me about a month or so ago, although I’m still not exactly sure how he did it. Two weeks into my trip, he just showed up one night while I was camping.” Quinn smiled and shook his head. “He really scared the crap out of me.”
    “That sounds like Dylan.” After what we’d been through, I could only imagine how Dylan popping in unannounced on Quinn would’ve freaked him out. “Subtlety isn’t really his strong suit.”
    “Yeah, well, once the initial shock wore off, I was glad he’d showed up. We talked a lot … about you.” Quinn paused, and I could feel the