Seth Quinn’s heart ached at her helpless expression. But what was he supposed to do?
Explain? She wouldn’t understand in her current state. Prove it with his actions? The situation didn’t permit it.
He was at a complete loss!
He wanted to comfort her but was afraid she would start clinging to him again. He worried that in a mont of impulse, he would disregard her condition and take her right then and there!
So, for a mont, he was at a loss for what to do.
But just as he was wondering how to soothe her, Clara Grant actually closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Seth Quinn was stunned for a long mont. He leaned down slightly, and only after hearing the sound of her even breathing did he realize she was truly asleep.
He straightened up and subconsciously glanced down at the part of him that was still stubbornly erect. He gave another wry smile. ’How am I going to put out this fire?’
He sat in the private room a while longer. Once he felt the burning heat in his body had mostly subsided and his arousal was no longer so obvious, Seth Quinn stood up, bent down to lift Clara Grant into his arms, and walked out.
...
In the upstairs study of the Shelby residence, Autumn Shelby was going over her story with Evan Shelby and Yvette Zimrman. They had to make sure they wouldn’t slip up if the Quinn family ever brought up the events of the previous year.
Evan Shelby was clearly satisfied enough with his daughter’s story and its effect, but he couldn’t help but worry.
"Autumn, the Quinns might seem to believe you, but they’re no fools—especially not Seth and Theodore Quinn. What if they actually go to the U.S. to check your dical records and files?"
Autumn Shelby smiled. "Let them check. I have dical records and files. Dad, don’t forget, I really did have depression back then."
"But what about the other information? Has it all been handled?" Yvette Zimrman couldn’t help but ask worriedly.
"Mom, relax. I had him take care of it ages ago," Autumn Shelby said dismissively.
"That’s good." Yvette Zimrman was finally able to relax.
A rare smile touched Evan Shelby’s face, and his tone grew much warr. "Good. As long as the Quinns have no more reservations about you and co to despise Clara Grant, it’s only a matter of ti before you and Seth get back together."
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but start to envision the Shelby family’s future. "Then, with the Quinn family’s backing, our family will be as prominent as we once were."
"Dad, rest assured, we will be," Autumn Shelby replied, her face a picture of confidence.
Yvette Zimrman fell into thought for a mont. She looked at Autumn Shelby and asked cautiously, "Autumn, speaking of him... have you called him recently? Are they doing all right? He and..."
Before she could finish, Autumn Shelby cut her off sharply. "Mom, I don’t want to talk about him right now!"
Yvette Zimrman paused, still not ready to drop the subject. "But, child, he is, after all, your..."
Her words were cut off again, but this ti not by Autumn Shelby. It was the door, which had just been thrown open.
It wasn’t just her; Evan Shelby and Autumn Shelby froze as well. The three of them turned in unison toward the door, where Sarah Shelby stood, her face a mask of fury.
The color drained from all three of their faces. They were all wondering the sa thing: had Sarah heard their conversation?
Autumn Shelby was the first to recover. Her expression imdiately soured with irritation as she snapped at Sarah, "Sarah Shelby, were you raised in a barn? You don’t even knock before barging into soone’s room!"
Evan Shelby glanced at her instinctively but said nothing.
Yvette Zimrman strode up to Sarah Shelby and demanded furiously, "Who let you co up here without being announced? Mrs. Wyatt! Mrs. Wyatt! What am I paying you for? Are you all dead? Don’t you even know to announce when soone cos in?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers