The Passing Storm(22)
The answer came immediately. This wasn’t really about Connor. Prior to her death, Lark was Yuna’s go-to babysitter in a pinch. Quinn wasn’t much older. A teenager was a livelier companion for a small child than any adult.
Rae turned on the tap. “It doesn’t matter when Daddy picks you up. We’ll have fun until he comes for you.”
Kameko took the paper towel Rae handed over and set it by the sink. She proceeded to flap her hands through the air. A game, and she was having fun. “What am I having for dinner? Can I have a snack too?”
“If we get out of your mother’s hair, you can have whatever you want.” Except juice boxes.
In the stockroom, most of the new merchandise was unpacked. Quinn was placing the last packages of floral wire on a shelf.
Rae glanced back at the shop, where Yuna swiftly rang up sales. “So . . .” She returned her attention to Quinn. “Looks like we’re both on babysitting patrol.”
“Should I have asked you first? I figured since you and Yuna are friends . . .”
“You did great. It was nice of you to bail her out.” The standoffish behavior wasn’t doing either of them any favors, and she lightened her tone. “Hey, do you mind if I take Kameko in my car? I keep her old car seat in the trunk.”
“Actually, that works better. There’s something I have to take care of.” Quinn seemed reluctant to elaborate. “Can I meet you back at the house?”
“Sure.”
Refusing to pry, she zipped Kameko into her snowsuit. Together, the trio went out.
A brisk wind blew across Chardon Square. Quinn’s truck was parked in front of the craft emporium. He was about to climb in when Rae stopped him.
The front tires were nearly bald. Leaving Kameko at the curb, she walked around the truck. The back tires were passable. Not much tread left, but they’d get through the winter.
“Change of plans, Quinn.” She pulled out her phone and dialed Rudy’s on Route 6. “We’re taking your truck in for new tires. The ones in front are shot.”
“I can’t afford new tires.”
“Well, I can.” He began to object, and she cut in. “No arguing. Follow me to Rudy’s and drive carefully.”
Chapter 8
Hurrying out of Rudy’s Tires, Rae climbed into her Honda Civic.
In the back seat, Kameko withdrew a sparkly wand from her backpack. As they pulled out of the lot, she waved it at the service technician beside Quinn’s truck. For his part, Quinn resembled a boy separated from a favorite toy. He stared forlornly out the passenger-side window.
Pulling onto Route 6, Rae merged with the afternoon traffic. “You’ll have your wheels back first thing tomorrow,” she assured him.
“You don’t mind driving me in?”
“It’s on my way to work.”
Quinn studied his hands. He began picking at a ragged nail. “How much were the tires?” He’d stayed with Kameko while Rae went inside.
“Not much. Rudy gave me a discount.” A lie. She’d purchased expensive, all-weather tires. Although Quinn was responsible, he was still a young driver. She’d sleep better knowing he was safe on Geauga County’s icy roads. “It’s not a big deal. Stop worrying about it.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
“Aren’t you planning on culinary school someday? Save your money.”
“Then let me do something in trade.”
“Fine. Work it out with my dad. But fair warning. His to-do list is a mile long.”
Kameko, bored, twitched in the car seat. “Can we play tag?” She bobbed the wand near Quinn’s ear.
From over his shoulder, he grinned. “When we get to the house? I guess.” The grin fading, he cleared his throat. “I still have to make a stop. It’s important.”
Unease centered in Rae. After the conversation with Kameko regarding Lark and heaven, her emotions were too close to the surface—barely skin-deep. She wasn’t prepared for new surprises. The day was unusual enough. If not for babysitting duty, she’d gladly don boots once she returned home to hike the farm until her emotions settled.
“Are we picking up more of your belongings?” She reminded herself that the Galeckis were still vacationing in Atlanta. Whatever else today offered, there’d be no confrontation.
“I cleared out my stuff last weekend, but I do need to stop on my parents’ street.” Quinn rubbed his lips together. He looked embarrassed, although she couldn’t imagine why. “It’ll only take five minutes.”
Accepting the cryptic response, Rae followed his directions to a residential area northeast of Chardon Square—a poorer area of town, with the houses standing in tight rows. Before the garage of a cramped white dwelling, a garbage can was overturned. The contents spilled across the snow. Farther down, a black shutter hung askew on a faded-blue house.
Curiosity edged past her unease. Which place belonged to Mik and Penny? She slowed the car to a crawl.
Her knowledge of the Galeckis’ current life was restricted to rumors about Mik’s testy behavior at Marks Auto and the drunken fights Penny waged with other women in local bars. Penny was reputed to have a work history involving multiple firings. She never held a job for long. Before their son entered Rae’s life, her interest in the couple’s personal life had been nonexistent. Quinn’s eyes, pinned on the road, gave no indication which dwelling was his childhood home.