Read Online Quinn's Woman by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online Page A

his brother at the local bed and breakfast where Gage was staying. He’d offered to reserve a room for Quinn, as well, but Quinn preferred the anonymity of hotels. B and B’s required interaction, something he wasn’t always good at.

    He’d spent most of the previous day with his brother. The two of them had talked about the discovery of new relations. There weren’t just new half brothers to consider. There was also a half sister, spouses and children. Each of the Haynes seemed to believe in large families.

    The large, extended Haynes clan was a far cry from the world he and Gage had known back in Possum Landing. While the Reynolds family boasted aunts, uncles and cousins, the actual numbers didn’t come close to those of the Haynes.

    He parked his rental car and walked up the front stairs of the large, restored Victorian house. Gage was waiting for him inside the front parlor. Travis Haynes was with him.

    “Hey, Quinn.” Gage shook his hand, then slapped him on the back. “You’re still in town. I thought you might have to bug out.”

    “Not this time.” Quinn’s work required him to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. More than one visit home had been cut short.

    He greeted Travis. “If you’re here, then who’s running Glenwood?”

    Travis laughed. “My youngest brother.”

    The three men settled into the overstuffed sofas in the parlor.

    “Quinn, I have to warn you that my wife is already talking about a big family get-together,” Travis said. “We’ve had quite a few since Gage, Nash and Kevin showed up. I figured Elizabeth had it out of her system. But now that you’re here, she’s worried you’re going to feel left out. So brace yourself. We’re talking picnics, bowling nights, barbecues, that sort of thing. Wives, kids, dogs and babies.”

    Quinn figured his brother must have hinted that he wasn’t much for socializing. “I can probably muddle through a barbecue or two.”

    “Good. I’ll do my best to keep the plans simple, but honestly, Elizabeth doesn’t listen to me. She’s always been independent.”

    He spoke with the confident affection of a man secure in his relationship. Quinn knew Travis had several kids and ties to the community. Gage would be able to relate to a life like that, but for Quinn it was as foreign as life on Mars. He’d turned his back on normal the day he’d accepted his current assignment. At the time, he’d been warned that he was unlikely to ever be able to go back. The job wouldn’t stop him, but what he’d seen, what he’d become, would.

    At first Quinn hadn’t believed them, but now he knew they were right. He lived in a shadowy world that didn’t have room for relationships, caring or commitments. For a long time he hadn’t minded, but lately he’d started wondering if there was something else out there. Something beyond staying alive and getting the job done.

    “We’re all talking about how you got the drop on D.J.,” Travis said with a grin. “Last time I saw her, she was still furious about you cutting your ropes and getting away while she was sleeping.”

    Quinn shrugged. “She was good.”

    “Not good enough,” Travis said. “I don’t know what it is you do, but you’re well trained.”

    Trained didn’t begin to describe it.

    “Who is she?” he asked. “I know she’s into teaching women self-defense and keeping kids safe, but where did she get her education?”

    Travis raised his eyebrows. “Interesting. The lady was asking about you, too.”

    The information pleased Quinn. He liked knowing that D.J. had been thinking about him. Had it been as more than just a potential instructor? He remembered her temper, her competence and the soft pressure of her light kiss.

    Trouble, he thought. But the best kind.

    “Are you interested in her?” Gage asked. “She’s nothing like your usual women.”

    Quinn laughed. “True enough.”

    Gage looked at Travis. “My brother tends to seek out beautiful women