As You Turn Away (The Walker Boys) (24 page)

“Oh so I’m a horse now, eh?” Jonah grinned, even though Jamie couldn’t see him.

“Yep!” Jamie said, hugging his neck tighter. “You’s a big, fast horse. Go!”

Jonah obediently walked faster, pausing when he came to the small set of bleachers off to the side of the softball field. He loved bringing Jamie here when Reece had him. There were so many creative places for kids to play safely, as well as larger things like a jungle gym, swings, and monkey bars for older children. Plus the park had a paved walking track around it, and the ball field was popular with church leagues.

Carefully, Jonah reached up for Jamie, and once he had his arms around him, he swung his nephew down so his feet were on the ground. Jamie ran toward the bleachers, and Jonah caught up with him, there in case Jamie needed him as he clambered up to the middle and the figure who sat there. He plopped contentedly into Quinn’s lap, which made her laugh Knowing Jamie was safe with Quinn, Jonah wandered a few feet away so he could watch both Jamie and the baseball game.

“She looks happy.”

Jonah smiled down at his mother as she paused beside him, and looked at Quinn. “She does,” he agreed quietly. His parents had been understandably uneasy when he first brought Quinn around, but now that they’d been together for a few weeks, Sam was doting on her again, finding it in his huge heart to forgive her. And his mom was making progress, too. “She’s so good with Jamie, so patient with him.”

His mother shot him a gaze, a peculiar smile crossing her lips. “Women have a different way with children than men do sometimes.” She stared out over the ball field, her eyes following Reece as he strode to the plate. “You know, we’re all happier with you back, Jonah.” She nodded toward the field. “I’ve seen Reece actually smiling lately, and that’s something he hasn’t done enough of since Hannah left him.”

Jonah slouched under the compliment, but truth was, he felt like an entirely different person than the boy who came home at the beginning of the summer. The man he was now loved his family and wasn’t afraid to say so or show it. The man he was now adored Quinn with every particle of his being, and told her so every day, making sure she never doubted how he felt about her. He spent time with his brothers, bonding, or with his mother, cooking, and with his dad, working on Baby; they were hoping to have the hot rod actually running before Jonah went back to school.

“I know,” he answered. He glanced at Quinn, who was listening raptly to whatever Jamie was saying. “It’s humbling to know my presence can make so much of a difference.” Jonah tried to fight the smile, but he was never successful when it came to his sweetheart girl.

The crack Reece’s bat made when it connected with the baseball thundered around them, and when Jonah looked for his brother, Reece was already jogging toward first base, to a round of applause from his teammates. Ethan, Darren, Tom Parker, and a few other guys tumbled out of the dugout, hollering. Reece kept his head down, and continued jogging at a steady pace as the out-fielder on the other team yelled out they’d need another ball, and that Reece wasn’t allowed to bat again. There was something familiar and satisfying about watching Reece round the bases. It took Jonah back years, to when the world made sense.

“When you were gone, we weren’t a whole family, Jonah.” His mom put a hand on his shoulder, bringing his attention back to her. “We tried, but we missed you so much. Having you back this summer has been wonderful.”

“It’s not
just
for the summer, Ma.” Jonah stared at her, seeing the sudden shine of tears in her eyes. “You know I’ll be home every weekend, and as often as I can beyond that. I’m keeping my apartment here, since a dorm room comes with my aid package.” He reached up and squeezed her hand in his. “I promise I’m not leavin’ again.”

She nodded, and sniffled, then smiled for him. “I know.” She put her other hand over his, and blinked away her tears. “I know, Jonah. It’s amazing to see you becoming the man you’ve always been meant to be.”

Leaning in, Jonah kissed his mother’s forehead, and pulled her in for a hug with his free arm. “Thanks, Ma,” he whispered. When he pulled away, she let him go and nodded toward the bleachers.

“Go on,” she said, nudging him forward. “Go be with Quinn and Jamie.”

Jonah hugged his mother quickly again, and then hurried toward where Quinn sat. Jamie caught sight of him first and waved, which made Quinn glance up from Jamie. When she saw Jonah, her whole face brightened. Jamie wiggled out of Quinn’s lap and stood on the bleachers, waving his arms as Jonah neared. Jonah jogged the last few feet and took the bleachers two at a time.

Quinn tipped her face up to his, and Jonah kissed her lightly on the lips, resisting the urge to let his kiss linger. There would be ample opportunity later—when they weren’t in front of his very young, very impressionable nephew. “Hey you.” He settled in beside her, and laughed as Jamie crawled back into her lap, then across it to him. “Jamie,” he scolded.

“It’s fine.” Quinn shook her head. “He loves you more than me.” She put on a fake-sad expression, complete with mock-sniffles as if she was crying, which got Jamie’s attention.

“NO!” Jamie immediately faced Quinn. “I love you alots, Quinnie.” He squinted at her, then at Jonah, and seemed to be considering. “I loves everyone,” he finally announced. “But you are mine, Quinnie.”

Jonah smiled; someone had been spending too much time around Darren. Quinn made a small, strangled sound, and Jonah locked eyes with her. “That so, little man?”

“Yes!” He moved his hands to his hips, throwing out his chest in such a perfect, miniature imitation of Reece that it was all Jonah could do not to laugh. “I bringed her flowers the other day, and she said they was pretty. I said she was mine.”

“Ah, so the flowers won her over? I knew
I
was forgetting something.”

Quinn’s hand was over her mouth, and her eyes were closed. Jonah reached around Jamie for her free hand, squeezing it in his. She opened her eyes but as soon as she glanced at him, she started laughing. Jonah couldn’t help but join in, despite Jamie’s puzzled look.

“Why are you and Quinnie laughing, Uncle Jonah?” He screwed up his face at Jonah, narrowing his eyes.

“Sorry, bud, we just got our tickle-boxes flipped over.” Jonah reached out for Jamie with his other hand and tousled the little boy’s hair. “Can we share Quinn?” He made his best puppy dog eyes, knowing that would amuse Jamie. “Please?”

Jamie sighed. “O-kaaay,” he said finally. “I
guess
we can.” He threw his arms around Quinn’s neck, and she hugged him close.

Jonah met her gaze over Jamie’s head, and couldn’t remember ever having been happier.

~~~~~

The night wasn’t truly cool enough to warrant the bonfire, but Jonah and his brothers stood close to the heat anyway. Jonah took a drink from his soda, gaze jumping from his brothers, to the clusters around the flames. Quinn and his mother sat in camp chairs along with Hannah, who was holding a sleepy Jamie. His dad and a few of his friends were farther away, closer to the barn. And Darren and Lanie were huddled together, a pair off to themselves.

Between the warmth of the fire, and the quiet satisfaction of having everyone he cared about nearby, Jonah couldn’t think of anything else he needed tonight. Reece and Ethan were laughing about something, their voices a muted background to the thrumming of Jonah’s heart. His gazed was fixed on Quinn, and on the way she moved her hands as she talked.

“Joe?” Ethan’s voice brought him back to their conversation. “You gonna stare at your girl all night, or you gonna spend time with us?”

Jonah raised a hand, rubbing at the flush he felt on the back of his neck. He shook his head, switching his attention to his brothers. “Sorry, it’s just damn hard not to stare at her.” He chuckled.

“She draws you in,” Reece finished, but he wasn’t looking at Jonah or Ethan, or even Quinn. “You want to be where she is, hear what she’s saying. It don’t even matter
what
she’s sayin’. You just want to be around her.”

Following his brother’s stare, Jonah frowned slightly. Reece’s shoulders were bunched up, and his eyes were narrowed in a way Jonah wasn’t fond of seeing. It meant Reece was focused entirely on something, and when Reece clamped down, he didn’t let go easily. And right now, Reece was fixed on Lanie Shaw. Lanie who, to Jonah’s knowledge, was with Darren.

“Strong words, brother.” Ethan laughed after his statement, but even that didn’t break Reece’s attention. Ethan shifted his weight from one foot to the other, and finally seemed to come to a decision. He elbowed Reece in the side.

Reece turned on him quickly enough that Ethan stumbled back a step. “What?” He blew out a breath, and ran a hand through his hair. “What’d I say?”

“It wasn’t what you said,” Jonah answered softly. “It was who you were lookin’ at when you said it.” He held his brother’s gaze, until Reece flinched. Jonah could have sworn his elder brother’s face was reddening, and he walked over to Reece. “Lanie?” He pitched his voice where no one else could overhear, and he hoped Reece understood his question.

“Ah, shit.” Reece spit out the words. “I know, believe me.” He wheeled around, putting his back to where the couple sat. “I know she’s with him, but I can’t look away and I can’t stay away, either.”

Ethan drew in, completing their trio. “What do you mean, you can’t stay away?” His brother didn’t answer right away, and Jonah frowned again. “Reece?”

Reece’s brows drew together as he flicked a glance at Ethan, then at Jonah. “Sometimes when Delaney’s here, I run into her.” He scowled, shoving his hands in his pockets. “It ain’t nothing inappropriate. It’s a small town, and she doesn’t know that many people. We had lunch together one day, ran into each other a few times shopping. I told Darren about seein’ her,” he said, raising his hands. He cursed, shaking his head. “He’s my friend, and I’d never hurt him.”

“But?” Ethan seemed like he hadn’t wanted to voice the prompt, but it was what both he and Jonah were thinking.

“But…” Reece met Jonah’s gaze, and his eyes were shadowed. “We all know how Darren is with relationships.” He glanced over his shoulder, then back at them. “I care about her. Don’t want to see her hurt without having a friend she can turn to when it happens.”

Jonah threw an arm around Reece’s shoulders, ignoring his brother’s attempts to pull away. “So you just want to be her
friend
?” He grinned down at Reece, enjoying the inch he had on him.

“That’s all I can be,” Reece volleyed back. “She’s a city girl.” He paused, mouth opening, but nothing coming out for a few seconds. “She won’t stay around here, but if she knows someone is friendly toward her, then when Darren breaks her heart, at least…” He lowered his head. “At least she’ll be comfortable coming back to visit Quinn.” He lifted his gaze, pinning it on Jonah. “Speakin’ of, we were talking about
your
girl, weren’t we?”

Jonah crushed his soda can in his hand, eyes moving back to Quinn. She was listening to something Hannah was saying, and leaning forward in her chair. Her hair hung down well over her shoulders as she moved, longer now than when she’d first come back; Jonah loved it, like so many things about her. He weighed his words, turning to his brothers. “Things are good.”

“That’s awful noncommittal,” Ethan remarked, putting his fresh beer to his lips.

Reece let out a deep chuckle. “Where the hell’d you learn
that
word, Ethan?”

Ethan shrugged, lowering the bottle. “I
do
read some. I got good grades in high school, and I didn’t have to pay anyone to write
my
papers.” He smirked pointedly at Reece, and then shrugged at Jonah. “Anyway not to go all deep on you or anything, Joe, but I figured things would be better than good.”

It was Jonah’s turn to evade their gazes. He was having more trouble than he’d realized, finding the right words for his relationship with Quinn. As much as he enjoyed spending time with her, and having her in his life and around his family, something was missing. He spent a lot of time purposefully not acknowledging the truth, but he should have known his brothers were too perceptive to miss it.

“I love her,” he said simply. “And I think she feels the same. I tell her often, and I try to show her, too.” He met each of his brother’s eyes in turn. “I mean, I know it’s fast, but I feel like we’re falling again. But sometimes I wonder if we jumped back into a relationship too fast because it’s like…” He faltered, the words just outside his grasp.

“She’s somewhere else.” Reece nodded. “I’ve seen it, too. We’ll be talking when we hang out, and then she’s not with me anymore.” He frowned, glancing in Quinn’s direction. “She doesn’t even realize she does it, Joe.”

“I don’t understand.” Jonah dropped his empty can into the nearby garbage can, and rounded on Reece and Ethan. “And I don’t know what to do. I’ve made it clear I want a life with her, and I’ve worked hard to get past what happened with us.” He thought about how even though it was clear she appreciated the small gestures, like making her breakfast in bed, or holding her hand in line at the movie theater, something was still very off. “She hasn’t even told me she loves me. And every time I try to define us, she changes the subject. I don’t even know if she considers us a couple.”