Nathan's parents talked softly at the island in the kitchen. They were hand washing the few dishes that were left dirty. The broken coffee canister was gone. He could smell fresh coffee brewing. Along with something savory that smelled more like Thanksgiving than anything else. Natalie sat in the breakfast nook, she stared out the window, her shoulders slumped. "Hey," he said as he entered the kitchen. Maybe he liked that his in-laws jumped like a couple of teenagers busted for making out on the living room sofa. That had been him and Nate … a couple of times. Then and now. They'd been busted as adults more than they should have been. "I should ask who has keys to the house, but I figure it's all of you so I'd be wasting my time asking for them back, wouldn't I?"
"Absolutely." Nate's dad set a cup of coffee on the island and reached for a plate of doughnuts. "Plus there's a duplicate or two hidden up at the house. So it wouldn't do any good."
Quinn pulled the stool out and fell heavily onto it. The coffee smelled like heaven. "Where's the munchkin?"
"We thought it would be best to leave her in Orlando with Delia. We didn't have all of the information at the time. I'm sorry, dear." Nate's mom tried to hide the fear that flashed briefly in her eyes. "I'll get them on the next plane."
"No," Nate said coming into the room. He was dressed for work in gray dress pants and a black polo shirt that fit him like a second skin. He even wore nice shoes instead of his usual boots. He'd pulled his hair back into a severe ponytail and had shaved. Quinn loved when he got all gussied up. Even if it wasn't for him. "Let Emma stay at Disney. She doesn't need to be here right now."
He stopped at the island to kiss his mother and hug his father. They both held on to him longer than usual. "Where are you headed? We just got here," his mother asked as she looked him over. Her gaze lingering on the white patch of gauze just below the sleeve of his shirt. He'd been shot. No one had told her it was just a graze. They'd been in a hurry because they thought it was Nate who'd been shot. Jesus.
"We heard about Drew," his father said, looking upset. "Is there any news on his condition?"
"None that I've heard," Nate replied, reaching for a travel mug to fill with coffee. "This isn't the stuff that was on the floor is it?"
"No, we bought some gourmet beans. They were in the luggage. Guess it wasn't a frivolous purchase after all." She didn't ask why the coffee was on the floor. Quinn could tell she wanted to. "You boys need to hire a full-time housekeeper. This place is a mess."
"We'll get on that." Nate grabbed a doughnut and placed a kiss on his mother's forehead. "I have to get to the station. I'll be back later. We'll talk then."
He didn't stop to give Quinn the time of day as he left. Natalie stood up so fast she knocked over the chair and followed him. Catching him on the back porch. She hooked his wrist and held on. He looked at her for a long moment before nodding. Quinn couldn't see her lips to read what she said. Nate pulled her close and hugged her. He left her on the porch and came back. "Hey, dad, you blocked the car in."
"Oh, sorry, I'll move it." His dad was off the stool and heading for the door.
"No time, toss me your keys. I'm late."
The keys flew across the room and Nate was gone.
Quinn rubbed his neck. Why in the hell was everything about the last couple of days like some bad retelling of Groundhog Day? The last time Nate had borrowed one of his dad's cars, he hadn't come home.
"Sit down, sweetheart." Nate's mother placed her hand over his. She met his gaze, there was worry in her eyes. "It's going to be okay, Quinn."
"You don't know that," he said like a spoiled kid who wasn't getting his way. She rubbed his palm with her thumb and he could breathe again. "How's Lonnie?"
Natalie left the room. She looked like she needed to be anywhere else but here. She should go home and sleep. "He's going to be fine," Nate's mother assured him. She sighed and watched her daughter run from the house out into the yard. "Maybe … maybe you should go talk to her. Convince her to rest. If not for herself, then for the baby."
"Nate is going to be pissed if you knew about that before today. He thinks everyone keeps secrets from him." Quinn left the coffee on the table and went to the fridge. He grabbed a couple of bottles of grape soda and popped the tops off.
"What he doesn't know could fill the Grand Canyon," Nate's father said winking at Quinn. "Dinner is in half an hour."