Dare To Resist (Dare Nation 1)

Christine blushed and grinned. “Well, the way you stepped up and helped my son, I consider you family. So no need to be jealous. I’m here any time you need me.” As she spoke, she patted Jenny’s back.

“Thank you,” Quinn murmured. “I should finish the bottles before Austin returns with all the sandwiches and food. The game starts in an hour.” She didn’t want to sit here and discuss her family’s shortcomings and end up crying on this woman’s shoulders.

“So about Jenny. Austin said there’s been no word from her mother?” Christine obviously got the message and changed the subject.

Quinn shook her head. “No, and nothing from the private investigator, either.” If his guys didn’t get anywhere, she intended to offer up Evie’s services. Her friend was damn good at her job, even if she wasn’t the top PI firm in Miami.

“What kind of woman abandons a baby and doesn’t check in?” Christine asked, cuddling Jenny closer.

Since there was no answer to that question, Quinn merely shrugged.

“Can I take her into the family room?” Christine asked. “I saw a little blanket and a mobile hanging over it. I’ll lay her down and let her play.”

“Of course. Can I get you a cup of coffee or anything to drink or eat?” Quinn offered.

“I’m fine. You don’t need to wait on me, honey.” Christine rose from the chair with Jenny in her arms. “Come on, baby girl, let’s get to know each other.”

Quinn watched as the capable woman headed off with the baby. Now that Christine was feeling better and able to take care of Jenny, Quinn realized her time there was coming to an end, and she didn’t like the way that made her feel.

* * *

Austin arrived home to a full house. He unloaded the subs and the bottles of soda, the chips, and the wings he’d picked up from his favorite place at the last minute. He loved Sunday football.

When he’d played, he’d given the sport his all. But now he loved being a watcher and having a stake in the outcomes thanks to the players he agented.

He was glad to see his mom’s car at the top of the drive, letting him know she was feeling better and up to seeing the baby. He hated when his mother got sick, but he didn’t want Quinn to have an excuse to leave.

The bitch of it was, in just a week, he felt comfortable taking care of Jenny. He had the routine down pat, and she didn’t scream at him anymore. Whether or not he wanted to handle her without Quinn was another story.

With the food in the house, everyone pitched in and helped set up. A little while later, Damon’s game was on the big screen, the Miami Thunder playing in New York, and Jaxon’s baseball game was on the smaller screen Austin used for dual games.

The doorbell rang and Austin went to answer it. So did Quinn and they met up in the entry hall.

“I invited my best friend,” she said, reaching for the door and opening it.

“Quinn!” A woman with long almost-dark hair and tanned skin, wearing a Thunder jersey, pulled Quinn into a hug. “Thanks for inviting me.” She stepped inside, her gaze going to Austin. “And this must be the man of the house?”

Quinn grinned. “Evie Wolfe, meet Austin Prescott, my boss and the baby’s father,” she said. Obviously Evie knew the situation Quinn found herself in.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Evie held out her hand and he shook it. “He’s hot,” she said in an overly loud voice.

Quinn’s cheeks flamed red. “Evie, you promised you’d behave,” she chided her friend, then sheepishly glanced at Austin. “Evie speaks her mind.”

Austin laughed. “Then I think I’ll like her. Come on in,” he said, gesturing inside the house to where the family had gathered.

They walked back to the family room and joined the others. Jenny had gone down for a nap in her room, the baby monitor on the table where they could keep an eye on her. And the women had congregated around the bar where the ice and soda choices were located. Austin watched as Quinn introduced Evie to Bri and her friend, Charlotte, a pretty woman with jet black hair, and they laughed and bonded over whatever women had in common. He was glad his family had embraced Quinn.

Paul walked up to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. He gestured to the couch where Ron sat, engrossed in both games on separate screens.

“How’s it going?” Paul asked.

“It’s going,” Austin said of his life. “It’s weird but I’m adjusting.”

Paul nodded, leaning back against the oversized cushion. “Ron and I opted not to have kids. We love to travel and we were close with you and your siblings. It was enough for us. But there is no doubt children can bring something wonderful to your life.”