Quinn's Christmas Wish by Lawna Mackie Read Free Book Online

will be home anytime now,” she whispered.
    He smiled back and placed a kiss on her cheek. He stepped away and bent over to pick up his clothing.
    “I just need a few moment to freshen up,” she stated, gathering her clothes and leaving the room.
    Amanda rushed into the washroom and closed the door, leaning against it. Her heart thundered in a frantic pattern. God, it couldn’t be possible, she’d only met him a day ago. But the ache in her heart told her it was true. She was falling in love with him, or perhaps she was already in love with him.
    She quickly washed and put her dress back on. When she exited she found Samuel pouring himself a cup of coffee. He turned toward her.
    “I hope you don’t mind me helping myself to a cup?” he asked.
    “Of course not.” She blushed. What a silly emotion after what they just shared.
    Amanda walked to the window. “I wonder where Quinn got to?” she worried.
    Samuel walked across the room to stand beside her. “He’s a smart boy, I don’t think you need to worry about him. We had quite the chat today while piling wood.”
    “You did?” she said, turning to face him.
    “He loves you very much,” he said, taking a sip of the coffee.
    “I don’t know what I would do without him.” She spoke with emotion.
    “He wants you to find a husband.”
    “What?” she stammered, shock getting the best of her. “He told you that?”
    He continued to look out the window. “Yes, he pretty much asked me if I would marry you?”
    “Oh my gosh! Samuel, I’m so sorry, I don’t know what must have gotten into him,” she exclaimed. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks with heat. “Perhaps because he was sick yesterday. Please forgive him.”
    His deep-hearted laugh lightened the air. “He knows what a hardship you have without his father here.”
    “We manage,” she replied, hanging her head.
    She felt his crooked finger under her chin. “Yes, I know you manage, but it’s no way for a young, beautiful woman to live.”
    She stared up at him and her stomach did butterflies. “Thank you for saying so.”
    He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand tenderly. “Keep looking at me that way and I’m going to start thinking I can’t live without you.”
    For a moment she wished that could be true. Instead, she changed the subject.
    “I hope Quinn is okay, maybe he had another spell,” she said biting her lip.
    “If he’s not back soon I’ll take a look for him.”
    “Thank you.” She wondered if she’d been wrong to let him go visit with a new friend after school. It was dark and he should be home.

    Quinn, darted out of the forest, back the way he’d come, until he came to the edge of the park. Only then did he slow his pace, but kept moving ahead quickly. His mom would be worried for sure and he wondered if he should consider telling her the truth. Who would believe him? A talking wolf…not likely.
    He continued through the snow when he saw a figure stumble and fall to the ground, where it lay, unmoving. Why couldn’t he just keep walking? Quinn turned and entered the alley, stopping where the man lay face up in the snow. Immediately, he knew who it was.
    “Mr. Jack…you okay?” Quinn asked.
    When no response came, he bent over and shook the man’s coat. “Jack, wake up. You can’t stay out here, you’ll freeze for certain.”
    A grumbled response came from his mouth. Then the man pushed himself to a sitting position and squinted up at him.
    “It’s you,” he slurred.
    Quinn blinked, unsure what to say. “Pardon me, sir?”
    Jack propped himself up against the building and reached in his jacket, pulling out a bottle of whisky.
    “You’re Quinn, Amanda’s son, the one who has spells.” He laughed before taking a drink.
    Quinn was immediately annoyed. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
    Jack laughed even harder and Quinn got angrier. “You shouldn’t drink so much.”
    The laughter stopped and Jack pushed himself up the wall of the