nice to have company on the drive for a change.â
Tim and Quinn wished Clarabell good luck at the auction before saying their good-byes and heading for the motel office. âSee, told you we wouldnât get murdered,â Tim said confidently.
âToo bad we canât say the same for the pigs sheâs about to buy.â
They both laughed loudly, and Tim held the door for Quinn to enter. A woman greeted them warmly as they stepped inside. âWhat can I do for ya?â She spoke in a strong Southern accent, and her gray hair was as big and round as she was.
âWe just need a room for the night,â Tim said, reaching into his pocket to grab his wallet.
âSure. So what brings you to Sceaty?â she asked as she reached behind her to grab two keys off the hook.
âJust passing through. You have a beautiful town,â Tim replied. And it wasnât a lie. The place was as rural as heâd expected, but from what heâd seen, the landscape was pretty, with bright green grass that seemed to go on for miles due to the flat terrain. Theyâd passed a few quaint shops on the way to the motel, and Tim guessed they were still owned by the same families who had originally opened them. He could see the appeal of a town like Sceaty, with its slow-paced living.
âWhy, thank you,â the woman replied. âHope you enjoy your stay. Itâs room six. To your left when you walk outside.â
Tim handed the woman some money and thanked her before taking the keys. But just when he was about to turn around, he spoke again. âSorry. I totally forgot to mention this, but is this a room with two beds?â
âJust a king bed. Itâs the only one weâve got left. Lots of folks are in town for the auction.â
Tim hesitated, turning to Quinn, whose expression gave no indication of her thoughts. âIf thatâs all you have, itâll be fine, I guess. You have a cot or something, right?â
The woman stared blankly before answering. âWe have a
floor
, honey.â
âRight,â Tim replied with a polite nod before turning toward the door.
â¢Â   â¢Â   â¢
âYou hungry?â Tim asked, tossing the bag onto the small burgundy desk chair near the door.
âYeah, I am, actually,â Quinn replied. âI guess we havenât eaten anything since this morning, huh?â
âNope. Iâm starving. All that talk of swine made me want some bacon or something.â
âI actually may never eat that again,â Quinn admitted. âI did see a pizza place up the road though. Not sure how itâll be, but itâs probably one of the safer bets. How bad can you screw up a pizza, right?â
Tim shook his head and let out a soft laugh. âYou and your safe bets.â
Quinn gave an innocent shrug. âShut up,â she said playfully. âIâm making progress.â She pointed over her shoulder toward the bathroom. âDo you mind if I hop in the shower first? Clarabellâs backseat had some sort of a red stain on it, which I tried to pretend was fruit punch.â
Tim furrowed his eyebrows in disgust. âBy all means.â He gestured to the bathroom. âDonât let me stop you.â Then he added, âActually, why donât you relax and take your time. Itâs been a long day. Do you want me to just go pick it up and we can eat it here?â
âThat works. You sure you donât mind?â
Mind? Is she kidding?
First of all, Tim felt it best to escape the room while a naked Quinn showered just a shabby wooden door away from him. And second, Tim would never mind being alone with Quinn. Because even though he reminded himself hourly that there could never be more between them, that didnât stop him from wanting it. Wanting a private evening with Quinnâone away from piercers, amateur singers, and friendsâthat he could store in his mind for when he
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