Second Time Around by Katherine Allred

look he’d seen in her eyes this morning. And it hadn’t been the look of a woman well-satisfied with her love life.
    He didn’t doubt for a second that she’d fight what she felt. Hadn’t he done the same thing for all these years? But denying his feelings hadn’t changed them. It would be the same for Lanie.
    Right now she was angry and resentful. He’d have to work hard to make her trust him again. And to make himself trust her. Five years of betrayal and pain, true or not, wouldn’t go away overnight for either of them. But if this morning was any indication, Lanie still wanted him. He could work with that.
    “Tough luck, Harper,” he whispered. “It’s only a matter of time until she’s back in my bed.” He could almost feel sorry for the man. Almost, but not quite. Harper wanted his wife and that was something Quinn couldn’t allow. He had one last chance to set right the lives Edward had destroyed, and he would fight tooth and nail to make sure it worked.

4Chapter Seven
    Leg still aching from his morning workout, Quinn stood at the back door, watching as the first of the contractors removed the old beds from the bunkhouse and tossed them in a waiting dump truck. Luckily, they had arrived after Lanie left with her second group of riders. It would give him another hour or two to think up a good explanation for the renovations.
    He was contemplating going out to join them when he saw Duncan detach himself from one group and head for the house. Impatiently, Quinn pushed the door open for him.
    “Well?”
    “They said the building is structurally sound, and the changes we need are fairly simple. It shouldn’t take them more than a week, tops. Fortunately, the contractor has a plumber and an electrician he works with on a regular basis, so that won’t hold them up.”
    “Good. That’s faster than I expected.”
    “He’s got two separate crews working. One has already started on the deck for the hot tub, and the other is working inside.”
    Before Quinn could respond, the phone on the wall next to him rang, and without thought he picked it up.
    “Hello?”
    There was a slight hesitation from the person on the other end. “Quinn McAllister?”
    “Speaking.”
    “This is Jared Harper.”
    Every muscle in Quinn’s body tightened and his jaw went rigid. When he answered his voice was clipped. “Sorry, Harper. My wife is out working, but I’ll be sure to tell her you called.”
    “I wasn’t calling to speak with Lanie.” There was another hesitation. “I think we need to talk, McAllister, but not over the phone. Would you meet me at the Spotted Horse in an hour?”
    “I’ll be there.” Quinn dropped the phone into the cradle.
    Duncan was leaning against the counter, one eyebrow arched. “You’ll be where?”
    “He wants to meet me at the Spotted Horse. It’s a combination bar and restaurant in Watson.”
    “Want me to go with you?”
    5“Thanks, but I doubt it will come down to throwing punches. Besides, one of us needs to be here in case the contractor has any questions.”
    “And what if Lanie wants to know where you are?”
    Quinn started out of the room. “Tell her the truth.”
    * * * * *
    Watson had changed, Quinn realized as he drove through the town. He had seen two new hotels and several fancy restaurants that hadn’t been there five years ago.
    Most of the stores along Main Street now catered to tourists instead of residents. A huge banner spanned the roadway, proclaiming the start of Frontier Days in a few weeks.
    The Spotted Horse hadn’t changed, though. It still looked exactly as it had when he was eighteen and spent most of his weekends at the bar. There were only a few vehicles in the parking lot, but it was midway between breakfast and lunch. He knew it would fill to capacity in an hour or so. During the day the bar section was closed, the business catering to families. At eight on the button, the families left and the bar opened. It was a system that worked well for