Page 91 of Here and Now
Kai nods. “Your house is so cool. Uncle Quinn, Miles’s house has power all the time. No matter if it storms and he has a room we made into a fort!”
Quinn chuckles. “I love a good fort.” Then he turns to me. “I appreciate you coming up here. I heard about the tree almost falling on the house. I’m glad my sister and nephew were safe.”
“There’s no need to thank me.” I would’ve done anything for them.
Penny speaks up. “This side of Ember Falls isn’t as inhabited as the other. Miles was just being neighborly.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” I explain. “I didn’t check on Mr. Kipland.”
She drops her head, but I catch the smile beforehand. “Well, not during the storm, but we did after. So you still care in a neighborly way.”
“No, I came because I was worried about both of you.”
I meet her brother’s gaze, and he doesn’t hide his gratitude, nodding once. I return the gesture and pass the bowl.
Dinner is easy, and the conversation flows effortlessly. Quinn and Penny tell childhood stories, and Kai is close to bouncing out of his seat when he talks about how much he loves hockey practice.
I know I went into coaching the team begrudgingly, but it’s actually been a lot of fun. The kids are all great, and the fact that Kai has made friends with Ethan makes it better.
Quinn stretches and then places both hands on the table. “Well, I better get going.”
“I’m glad you stopped by,” Penny says, placing her hand on his. “Next time maybe call first.”
He chuckles. “And ruin the fun? Never.”
“It was great meeting you,” I say as I get to my feet and extend my hand.
“I feel the same. Be good to my sister.”
“I will.”
Penelope huffs. “Come on, let’s get you in the car.” She places both hands on Quinn’s back and pushes him toward the front door. Kai follows them, laughing.
I start to clean up in the kitchen, giving them all time. As I’m washing the dishes, she comes back in.
“Miles! What are you doing?” she yells.
“The dishes.”
“Yes, I know that, but please stop. You’re my guest.”
I want to be much more than that.
“And you fed me. The least I can do is clean up.”
“This night is really not going the way I expected,” she says under her breath.
I chuckle. “Where’s Kai?”
“Getting in the shower and ready for bed. Please, I beg you. Leave the dishes.”
“How about you dry and I’ll wash?” I offer.
She shakes her head but grabs the towel and leans against the counter. “Thank you for doing the dishes and being so great with my brother.”
I smile warmly. “What, you don’t bring your big brother on all your dates?”
Penny laughs. “I don’t. It was definitely unexpected. I thought that we were ... going to be able to ... you know?”
