Grace was up early the next morning to start breakfasts for her guests. She was so tired she had not even heard Chloe come in and climb in the bed next to her. When she got up Chloe was still fast asleep.
Time to get a batch of scones going and all the preparations for the Ulter Fry for Quinn. Grace was having a hard time pinpointing what it was about Quinn that just annoyed her. He was good looking, polite, and well spoken, but just something about him left her perplexed.
As her mind wandered she could hear water running upstairs and knew her guests were up and getting ready to come down. Scones in the oven and hot water in the kettle was ready. The table was all set with cream, marmalade, butter, and cups for tea and coffee.
At 8:30 Grace started serving her first guests. As she brought their breakfasts to them, out of the corner of her eye she spotted Quinn coming down the stairs and did a double take. Yesterday he had been wearing his biking clothes and had been walking in the heat for several hours. This morning he came down freshly showered wearing jeans and a well fitted white t-shirt. He could have passed as a sports celebrity. Grace caught herself staring and suddenly turned to go back to the kitchen. As she did, she almost ran into one of the guests who had gotten up from the table. At this point she was totally flustered and quickly excused herself to the kitchen to catch her breath.
Grace quickly pulled herself together. What was the matter with her? She had seen good looking men before. They had never had this effect on her. She tried to shake it off and get to the business of making breakfast for Quinn. When she delivered it to the dining room, she didn't even look up to face him. She quickly put his dish down asked if he needed something else, then grabbed some finished dishes from the other guests and headed back to the kitchen.
Just as she was getting some more hot water poured into the tea pot, she heard someone at the kitchen door, startling her all over again.
“Excuse me,” Quinn asked.
“Ow,” screamed Grace as she spilled boiling water over her hand.
Quinn ran over to her and pushed her to the sink and turned on the cold water.
“Stay there,” he demanded as he strode to the freezer and filled a bowl with ice cubes. “Here, put your hand in here,” as he added some water.
“It's so cold,” Grace whined as her hand was pushed into the ice water.
“That is probably a nasty burn. I'm so sorry I startled you. Does that happen a lot?” Quinn was feeling very bad. “Here let me take a look.” Quinn gently pulled Grace's hand out of the water. “We may have gotten it cooled down soon enough and you may not have as bad as a burn as I originally thought. Gently pat it dry and I'll be right back. Don't rub it.” Quinn scolded Grace.
In just a few minutes Quinn returned with his backpack, reached in and pulled out a first aid kit.
“I travel with this in case I have an accident. This salve should help some. It works for bad road scrapes and helps to heal them quickly. But you should see a doctor.” Quinn was on a role with helpfulness. He actually seemed very nervous as he gently smoothed the salve on Grace's burn. As he was doing this Chloe entered the room.
“What is happening here? I head a shout. Oh, my, Grace, are you okay?” Chloe was full of questions.
Grace explained how the tea pot slipped out of her hand with the hot water burning her and how Quinn was helping her. Chloe kept looking between Grace and Quinn with this strange look on her face. Grace glared at her and she finally turned to pick up the tea pot and mop up the water on the floor. But every once in a while she'd glance back at Grace and Quinn.
After Quinn applied the salve Grace felt some relief and the pain subsided. Quinn told Grace she needed not to get the hand wet so that the salve would work on the burn, so Chloe finished picking up the dishes from the table and making sure they were washed.
Quinn gathered his things and changed into his biking clothes to walk his bike to town when Peter showed up. Chloe explained what happened to Grace and that they would have to delay their plans until Chloe could take care of some things around the cottage. Grace explained to Peter about Quinn's flat tire and his need to find a replacement tire. Since Peter had to wait for Chloe, he suggested that he give Quinn a ride into town. Quinn accepted but before he left asked if the room he used would be available the same time next month.
After checking the schedule, Grace figured that would be the same weekend she was up at the cottage and was not sure she wanted to see Quinn again, but she gave in and told him she would book the room for him.
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