Page 42 of The Unseen
“They just fall out of love. They want freedom, excitement, and the thrill of the chase. It’s not that the sex is better with someone else, it’s just newer.” Gabe walked over to the bed and leaned down to give Quinn a lingering kiss. His gaze was soft and reassuring. He wasn’t as oblivious to her feelings as she sometimes imagined. “I love you, Quinn. I have always loved you, and I will love you till the day I die. You never have to worry about me straying. I’m a one-woman man, unlike Luke, who’s always on the prowl.”
Quinn wrapped her arms around Gabe’s neck and kissed him back. She’d thought she loved Luke once, but having been with Gabe taught her the true meaning of love and partnership. Losing him would be like losing herself. She’d never survive.
“Come to bed,” she whispered as she began to unbuckle his belt. “I’m up for anything you like.”
Gabe’s immediate reaction was answer enough.
TWENTY-TWO
The next morning dawned bright and sunny, but bitterly cold. Frost sparkled on the windowpanes and a stealthy wind moved through the trees. Gabe was already up, getting ready for work. He scooped Alex out of his cot and handed him to Quinn, who took him into bed with her. The baby looked at her with wide-eyed recognition and smacked his lips meaningfully.
“Are you feeling better today, little man?” Quinn cooed to him. Alex tried to smile, baring his toothless gums at her instead. “Hungry?”
Quinn watched him carefully as he nursed, but the discomfort of last night seemed to have been forgotten. He sucked greedily, eager to fill his little belly. “What do you say we go for a walk today? I know, it’s cold outside, but I’ll bundle you up. We can go visit Daddy at work and talk to a nice man called Monty. How does that sound?”
Alex gurgled happily in response.
“Is he eating again?” Emma asked as she came into the room, dressed for school. “Doesn’t he ever do anything else?”
“He’s a baby, Emma. What do you expect him to do?” Quinn asked.
“I want to play with him. I thought he’d be more fun. I still want a puppy, you know.”
“I certainly do. You’ll see Buster in less than a fortnight. He’ll be so happy to have someone to chase, besides Grandma Phoebe.”
“He doesn’t chase Grandma Phoebe. He sits at her feet as she reads her romance novels. It’s no fun for him.”
“No, I don’t imagine it is. Make sure you wear your hat and scarf,” Quinn called after Emma as she retreated to the kitchen to have her breakfast.
“I know. I know,” she called back.
“How’s he this morning?” Gabe asked when he returned to the bedroom, having given Emma her breakfast.
“He’s better. He ate well and now he’s turning all shades of crimson, and you know what that means.”
“I’d better make a run for it then. You’re on nappy duty this morning. Quinn, perhaps you should take him to the clinic. He seemed to be really suffering last night.”
Quinn nodded. “I’ll go this morning. I wish my mum were here. It’d be nice to have someone to talk to about these things.”
“Why don’t you ring Brenda? She’s been helpful in the past.”
“I don’t want to keep bothering her every time I have a question. She’s busy with her own life, and it’s been ages since her boys were little.”
“Then why not join some sort of a mum-and-baby group?” Gabe asked carefully.
“I rang Alison several times—that’s the woman I met at the antenatal yoga class—but her husband’s been offered a job in Glasgow and they’re moving right after the New Year. Shame, I really like her. I’ll look into joining a group after the holidays.”
“Okay. Ring me after the clinic.”
“I will. Gabe, what would you say to buying Emma one more Christmas gift?”
“I thought you’ve already shopped for her.”
“I have, but I want to do something special to make her happy. She’s feeling displaced by the new baby.”
“I’m listening.”
Quinn quickly outlined her plan. “What do you think?”
