Deserving It by Angela Quarles

Author:Angela Quarles [Quarles, Angela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Published: 2018-02-07T16:00:00+00:00

Claire

“Dinner’s on,” Conor calls from the kitchen.

I power down my tablet to conserve the battery and step into the main room.

He’s set the table.

A part inside me goes squishy at that. Especially when I notice a couple of candles glowing in the center. I know the candles are because we need to see, but I can’t help thinking it looks romantic, okay? Like it means something.

“Wow, this looks great. Thank you.”

I settle at the table and drape my napkin across my lap. He’s made some kind of sandwich with—I lift the top slice of bread. “Canned ham and potato chips?”

“And sugar, mind.”

“Ooookay.” I take a bite. Different. But surprisingly good. The flavors mix and dance on my tongue, and I close my eyes. Mmmmm.

I open them, ready to tell Conor thank you again, but he’s staring at me with hooded eyes. He’s still bare-chested, though he put his jeans back on.

“What?”

“Never thought watching someone eat would turn me on,” he says, voice low with a trace of surprise.

Warmth blooms in my chest. “Oh yeah?” I take another bite, this time taking my time biting into it, closing my eyes, and giving a good “Mmmm.”

He closes his eyes and groans.

He’s distracted and edgy, but he’s joking with me, interacting, so I know the edginess isn’t about us. There’s no awkwardness in the air, or regret.

I take another bite. “What’s going on?”

He starts eating and, in between bites, tells me about his sister buying a ram and delaying her loan payment.

When he’s done, I say, “You’re worried.” It’s clear he doesn’t believe his sister can take care of the farm and its needs.

“Of course I’m worried. She could lose everything she’s been working her arse off to keep.”

“It’s her farm to lose, isn’t it?”

He falls back against his chair. “But if I hadn’t left—” He breaks off and looks to the side. Guilt wafts from him, so thick I can feel it.

“But you did. And she elected to take on the responsibility.”

He leans forward, eyes intent on me. “And I can be helping her with that. But she won’t see her way clear to it.”

Something else is at work. Something he might not even be aware of.

“Has she asked for help in the past?” I’m trying to figure out why he feels like he has to help. If she fell into some trouble before and he bailed her out…

“No.”

“So she’s never needed your help?”

His jaw clenches, and he glances away. “No. Hasn’t once asked me for help. And I’m clear over here. If I can’t be there mending fences for her, or helping with the feeding or any of the other physical chores, it’s the least I could be doing, yeah, to be sending her money.”

Siobhan seems as if she’s doing fine, and Conor has engaged Brother Mode a bit too hard.

“You like to help. She’s lucky to have a brother looking out for her.” I didn’t mean to reveal anything with that statement, but he looks at me sharply.

His eyes wander my face.

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