Page 96 of Down Knot Out
Quinn sits in the middle of Chloe’s floor, ensconced in that silly cow onesie. Its padded udder drags on the floor, and Quinn hikes it up as she works. She’s surrounded by glitter pens and open notebooks, her brow furrowed in fierce concentration as she copies line after line in careful block letters.
In her entire six years, I don’t think I’ve seen her so focused on a single task. On anything that’s not a story.
A different kind of knot forms in my chest as I take it all in. The neatly printed words that fill the page. The way her tongue sticks out at the corner of her mouth in concentration. The tiny feet in fluffy slippers peeking from the bottom of the too-big onesie.
My perfect, complicated niece, taking after her Aunt Chloe so completely that my heart can hardly stand it. “What are you doing, princess?”
Quinn's head lifts, surprise on her face. “Morning, Uncle Blake! I’m copying Aunt Chloe’s book! I’m going to show her when I’m done.”
I step into the room and crouch beside her,ruffling her hair. “Where did you get all those notebooks?”
“Aunt Chloe brought them out for me.” Quinn points to a stack beside her, each cover decorated with stickers and doodles.
A small figure with red hair and fairy wings stares up at me, and I recognize it from Holden’s description of the Aurora Storm books. One of Chloe’s characters. The princess, I think.
“This one is a really old story she never finished.” Quinn holds up the notebook she’s been copying from, careful not to smudge her block letters.
I study her earnest face, each breath tightening the knot in my chest. Her world is glitter pens and borrowed space, a life I’ve built without knowing if it’s right, or if I’m keeping my sister from the same kind of happiness.
“Aunt Chloe has a lot of stories she never finished,” she says softly, her attention returning to the notebook, her brow furrowing in concentration. “Maybe I can help her.”
I watch Quinn for a long moment. Her heart is so big, and all I want is to protect it. The weight in my chest builds until it aches, because Sadie could still take this happiness away.
Holden calls from downstairs. “Pancakes are on the table! Come and get them while they’re hot!”
Quinn bounces to her feet, her excitement for the morning routine overcoming her focus on the task. She hikes up the cow udder and rushes to the door. “Don’t tell Aunt Chloe! I want her to be surprised!”
“Then you should clean up your mess!” I yell after her, but she’s already gone.
I stare down at the scattered glitter pens, and the ache in my chest grows heavier. I’m caught between my niece’s happiness and my sister’s demands. Quinn doesn’t know her entire life could change with the wrong decision. A few words on a piece of paper could take away the life she’s only just begun to embrace here.
“Uncle Blake?” Quinn’s voice echoes from the stairs. “Aren’t you coming?”
I blink the sting from my eyes. “On my way, princess.”
With one last look at the room, I stand and leave the room with heavy steps. I need to tell Quinn that her mom wants to visit, but there’s no way to prepare her for what may happen.
Dominic’s blueprints are perfect, as always, which makes turning him down all the more difficult.
Our bondmate had come up with a surprise for Chloe, a room just for words and quiet. Something that says:You belong here. You get to stay.And he wants Nathaniel and me to bring it to life.
But all I can think of is how hurt she was after her editor’s call, and how Chloe hasn’t opened her laptop since. Another heart I need to guard from hurt.
“It’s not the best time,” I say at last. “What if the call means her series is canceled? This will be a reminder of what was taken from her?—”
“No, this is a reminder of what will always be a part of her. Even if she has to start over.” Dominic cuts me off, certainty in every word. “Believe me, she may be sad now, but Chloe’s been writing for as long as she could pick up a pencil. This setback won’t stop her for long.”
I remember the notebooks filled with stories, many Chloe never finished. Dom’s right, and he understands her better than the rest of us. If he says this will inspire her, I will believe in him.
Nathaniel unfolds his lanky frame from the stool and reaches for the blueprints. “We’ll convert half the office above the garage. It’s the only place in the Homestead to put it.”
I turn to Dominic. “Sure you want to share your sanctuary?”
Dominic’s face lights up with excitement. “I figured that’s where it would go. I already ordered her recliner. It’s identical to the one from her apartment, and Kyle’s picking it up this evening.”
I draw a deep breath, the tightness easing from my shoulders. This will be a good project to take my mind off Sadie. “Where do we start?”
The grin that breaks over Dominic’s face reminds me of when we were still in university, and he beat me in one of our many competitions. “I knew you’d say yes.”
