With that thought in mind, I grabbed the cellophane-wrapped flowers and got out of the car. My stride hitched once on the front walk, but I forced myself to the door. Mr. Thomas opened it only seconds after I knocked. He must have been watching from one of the bay windows.
"Glad to see you decided to finally join us," he said.
I winced, despite the neutral smile on his face. I was just used to having him dislike every single thing I did. "I heard that Mrs. Thomas is feeling better, but I wanted to give her these anyway," I said.
"How thoughtful."
I took a deep breath and handed Mr. Thomas a long, heavy bag. "And here's a bottle of aged whiskey for you. I was not sure what kind you drank, so I can return it if it’s not right. I want you to have something that you actually like, so please tell me."
"Owen, I'm sure it’s fine. Whiskey is great, thanks," he said.
"I want to thank you for everything you did for me. Helping me out with the arrest, clearing my record, and for giving me a second chance," I said.
"Well, don't screw it up this time." He opened the door wider and led the way into the house.
I looked around and expected Quinn to bound down the staircase or come jogging around the hall corner from the basement. "Quinn is home, right?" I asked.
"Yes, she'll be down when she's done. Some practice test. She's been studying very hard and her scores are excellent, but she insists on taking every practice test anyway," Mr. Thomas said.
"Studying?" I rubbed my chin. I had been so wrapped up in my own situation that I had completely missed a big change in Quinn's life. Here I was already screwing up the second chance I had been given.
Mr. Thomas saw the look on my face and laughed. "Don't worry. It’s a big secret. I mean, I got it out of her, but then again I am the king of cross-examinations."
"So whatever it is, Quinn is doing well?" I wanted to look around for a hidden camera. This was not the Mr. Thomas I was used to encountering.
"Yes, she's really found her way. It’s the perfect blend of her skills and her desire to make her own schedule and have some freedom. Plus, I think she likes the idea of all the excitement," he said.
"Excitement. Freedom?" I asked. It sounded as if Quinn was going to take off for some fantastic career and leave us all behind. Was that why Mr. Thomas was so happy? Did he know she would soon be breaking my heart?
"Exactly how I feel about it. I'm more like you. I like work I can do in my home office. I mean, sure, I have to go and visit clients in jail now and then, but mostly, I can work from here," Mr. Thomas said. He clapped me on the shoulder. "That's at least something we have in common. I even suppose your tournaments are a lot like when I go trial. All those people watching you, waiting to hear what you say."
I realized my mouth was hanging open. "Yes, except you are actually helping people."
"No need for flattery, Owen. I finally managed to read that magazine article on you. Sounds like you inspire a lot of people. Real leadership skills and all that."
It was a relief when Quinn came down the stairs. She was stunning in tight dark jeans and a black buttoned shirt. The shirt was tucked in around her tight waist and the buttons undone just enough to make my pulse jump. She had finally given up the pastels that her sister insisted were best for her complexion. Quinn looked confident, sexy, and completely aware of her effect on me.
"Oh, speaking of the home office, I hear my phone," Mr. Thomas said.
I belatedly realized I had not heard a ringer, but by then Quinn was already in my arms. Her chestnut hair fell over my arms as she tilted back and smiled up at me.
"You look so shocked. I know my father did not say anything mean, so what on earth were you two talking about?" she asked.
"I don't know, but whatever it was, we agreed on it," I said.
Quinn laughed and the sound broke my reverie. I kissed her sweet strawberry lips and the world felt right again.
"Turns out getting arrested was the best thing that ever happened to you, huh?" she asked.
"If you are not angry with me for the way I freaked out, then, yes. Your father saved my ass and now we're getting along. That is the best possible outcome. Maybe I should have gotten arrested months ago."
"Back when I was still a good little nursing student? I probably would have written you off for good."
"Yeah, speaking of that. I love all these changes in you I'm seeing. Want to clue me in on what's happening?" I asked. "Your father says you are studying for something. He seems really proud of you."
Her cheeks took on the strawberry hue of her lips. "He is proud of me. He actually told me that the other day. I think my heart stopped for a full thirty seconds."
Before I could ask her more, Mr. Thomas rejoined us in the foyer. "That was my lieutenant buddy down at the precinct. He says that Jasper Collins is now officially in custody and has been charged. Your friend Trent did a great job meeting other people at that party. Through his information, we tracked down half a dozen witnesses that said Jasper offered to sell them marijuana."
"Good old Trent," I said.
Quinn smacked me on the arm. "He's turning out to be a real friend."
Mr. Thomas smiled again. "So, it looks like you are free and clear and just in time for your big tournament."
"Oh, I'm glad I caught you before you left!" Mrs. Thomas called from the top of the stairs. "I want to wish you luck and all of that."
Normally, I cringed at the sound of Mrs. Thomas' voice. It was hard to tell what edge her mood would give her words, but more often than not, they were harsh. That day, though, she seemed more at ease and when her smiling eyes met mine, I saw they were not clouded. Her normal fog of worry, anger, or depression had lifted.
"I'm glad to hear you are feeling better, Mrs. Thomas," I said. I handed her the flowers and fully expected her to throw them back in my face.
"These are delightful. Not quite my taste, but delightful. Thank you, Owen," she said.
Quinn smiled at me. Her mother was definitely feeling more like herself. "Are you heading out now?" she asked her mother.
"Yes, sorry. Can't break my appointment. Making progress and all that. Your father is going to drive me like he always does and then we'll meet you in Vegas. Good luck, you two!"
"It’s mostly him," Quinn said. "I'm just playing for fun."
"What?" I asked. The way her father had talked about freedom and excitement I had started to think she was taking up a career in the professional gaming world. "I thought you were in the competitor bracket."
"I switched," Quinn said. "Call me crazy, but I decided maybe I could just have a little fun for once."
"As long as that is all you do in Vegas," Mr. Thomas warned. "No crazy dancing or big bets or little white chapels. You hear me?"
"What?" Quinn asked. "You don't trust me not to do anything you wouldn't do?"
I felt a knot in my chest come undone when they all laughed. My parents were rarely home and had not been since high school. I realized that was one of the reasons I had not broken up with Sienna when things got bad. No matter how they felt about me, the Thomas family had been the only family I had for a long time. To see them happy and together unlocked a deep longing.