Bedford Street Brigade 02 - Love Unbidden by Laura Landon Read Free Book Online Page B

coffee, then set the cup down in front of him. “About last night—”
    “Don’t, Quinn. We said what needed to be said.”
    “But—”
    She held out her hand to stop his words. “Like I said last night. No regrets.”
    Nellie dished up the fried potatoes and eggs, then put several slices of crisp bacon on his plate. “Now eat. There’s jam for your toast if you want some.”
    Nellie breathed a sigh of relief when Quinn began to eat. She was afraid things would change between them and she didn’t want them to. She couldn’t bear it if they did.
    She made a plate for herself and sat down beside him. “What are our plans?” she said as they ate.
    “Jack has come ’round to give me time to go home to get fresh clothes. I’m going to change, then we are all going to Paxton Import and Export. I’m anxious to talk with Phineas Wharton. My hope is that he can shed some light on the ledger that someone is so anxious to get their hands on.”
    “I’ll be ready when you are.”
    “There’s no hurry, Nellie. We won’t leave until Mack comes. I don’t want the house to remain empty.”
    “Do you think whoever broke in the other night will come back?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t know. If they didn’t find what they were after, they might.”
    She sipped on her coffee. “Are all your cases this puzzling?”
    He smiled. “Some of them, yes. Some not so much. Depends on what they are.”
    “You enjoy it though, don’t you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why?”
    He paused, then gently shook his head. “I’ve never given it much thought. I guess it’s my way of helping people. My way of ridding the world of people who want to harm others. Or protecting people from criminals who want to do them harm.”
    “That’s very noble, Quinn.”
    “I don’t do it because I think it makes me noble. I do it to help people who can’t protect themselves. Who can’t defend themselves.”
    Nellie couldn’t stop herself. She reached over and placed her hand atop Quinn’s, then gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad I met you when you came into the bakery that day long ago.”
    “So am I.”
    He gave her fingers an answering squeeze, then they continued eating in silence. When they finished, Quinn rose. “I need to clean up and change clothes. I won’t be long.”
    Nellie kept the smile on her face until he was out of the room, then her smile faded.
    This is how it would be if she could be a part of Quinn’s life. Early morning breakfasts. Private chats before Quinn left for work. Evening walks in the garden. Kisses shared in the moonlight. A life of loving Quinn, and being loved by him.
    If she had any regrets, it was that she’d never know such a life.
    . . .
    Quinn helped Nellie into Mack’s carriage, then they rode to the wharf, to Paxton Import. She was good at making him feel comfortable. Even though he felt guilty as hell about last night, she understood why he regretted his actions. Kissing her was bad enough, but to carry their kiss to the point where passion controlled his reasoning was unthinkable.
    What if they hadn’t stopped? What if he’d taken her like he wanted to?
    Quinn stared out the window as if concentrating on the passing scenery could make him forget what he and Nellie had shared last night.
    “What kind of man is Wharton?” he asked, both because he wanted to know, and he needed some topic to distract him.
    “He’s older than Henry by several years and is quiet by nature. He’s slight in stature, and has an easygoing manner. He’s quite pleasant to be around and we all enjoy his company when he c omes to dinner.”
    “When was the last time he was at dinner?”
    “Oh…” Nellie worried her bottom lip. “It was several weeks ago.”
    “Do you think he could be stealing money from Paxton Import, and planted the money the last time he was in your home?”
    “Mr. Wharton? Oh, no. He’s not the type at all.”
    “And what type is that?” Quinn asked.
    Nellie paused. “Well,