The Hunt (42 page)

She laughed. She’d laughed more during the last two weeks than she had in the previous ten years. She looked forward to many years of joy with the man she loved.

The ceremony was peaceful and small, just their closest friends at the Lodge. Quinn’s parents had flown in for the day, joining Miranda’s father, Gray, Nick, a couple of the deputies, and her Search and Rescue team.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Peterson.”

Quinn smiled as he kissed her lightly.

She arched her eyebrows. “Mrs. Peterson? I thought I’d keep my maiden name.”

“Whatever you want, Ms. Moore.”

She laughed and threw her arms around him. “I think Mrs. Peterson sounds perfect.”

He spun her around and she laughed again. When was the last time she’d felt so free?

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Nick approach. She squeezed Quinn’s shoulder, and he released her.

“Nick, I’m so glad you came. How are you doing?”

He nodded without emotion. Her heart twisted for her friend. His eyesight still hadn’t fully returned and glasses didn’t completely correct his problem. The infection had run its course, leaving him thin and hollow-looking. Though he didn’t talk about it, Miranda knew the decision he made to go down to Richard Parker’s cabin alone haunted him.

She hugged Nick tightly. He’d been a solid friend when she’d needed one. “It’s finally over, Nick. We got him.”

“It was my life for years.” He looked at her pointedly. “Your life, too.” He glanced at Quinn. “I’m glad you’ve been able to get beyond it. Really I am.”

“If you want to talk about anything, call me. You know I’d do anything for you.”

“I know, but you’re moving to Seattle.”

“They have phones in Seattle.”

“True.” He smiled wanly. “I’ll be fine.”

Miranda nodded, though she still worried about Nick. He hadn’t bounced back as quickly as she’d thought he would, and had been talking about not running for reelection. She hoped he would change his mind, especially since he’d decided not to remove Sam Harris from his position as undersherriff.

“Take care of her,” Nick said to Quinn with a look that meant business.

“I will.” Quinn wrapped his left arm around Miranda and squeezed while extending his right to Nick. They shook hands and Nick left.

“I’m worried about him,” Miranda said, pulling her eyes from Nick’s retreating back and looking into Quinn’s chocolate-brown depths.

“I know. He’ll be okay. He just needs to do a little soul-searching.” Quinn kissed his wife. “You know I love you.”

She smiled and nodded. “I love you too.”

“Do you think we can sneak back to your place?” He whispered in her ear. Shivers ran through her body as he lightly kissed her neck.

“Ummm. Don’t tempt me.”

“Why not?” He kissed her ear.

“Your mother is watching.”

“So?”

“Quinn!”

He laughed and hugged her. “One hour, max. Then I’m taking you to bed.”

“I don’t know if I can wait an hour.” There was nothing more she wanted to do than take Quinn to bed. Now.

He smiled. “I think we can sneak off in ten minutes.”

“I’m holding you to that.”

And she did.