Unbidden

Chapter 4

Quinn waited about a week after the ski trip to call Shelly and ask her out on their first official date. Robin was surprised but pleased to hear that she accepted.  She asked Robin to babysit for her to which Robin easily agreed.  She dropped Daryn off at Robin’s house after her Friday shift at LGH, promising to give her all the details when she returned.  The plan was for dinner and bowling.

Daryn enjoyed spending time with Robin and all of her animals.  He spent quite a bit of time playing with the dogs and even helped feed Gin.  He missed the animals terribly but Shelly wouldn’t allow him to have any pets of his own. 

When she finally returned to Robin’s shortly after ten that evening he was already sound asleep in one of Robin’s guest rooms.

“You wore him out, I see,” Shelly observed, peeking in on him.

“He loves the animals.  I think he’d do well with a pet of his own.”

Shelly rolled her eyes and ignored Robin’s comment, shooing her back down to the living room.  Robin grinned, figuring she’d have plenty more chances to help his cause.  “So, how was the date?”

Shelly sank onto Robin’s couch with a smile.  “Fun.  We had a good time.  Quinn bowls about as good as I do so we eventually had a contest to see who could break a hundred first.”

Robin smirked.  “Does this mean you like him?”

“Please don’t say I told you so.  I really don’t want to hear it.”

Robin threw her hands up.  “I didn’t say anything!  I’m just glad you had a good time.”

“Well, I did.  Quinn’s going to call later this weekend to plan another date.”

“Ooo, a second date?  You really do like him.”

Shelly threw Robin a withering look.  “Like I said, he’s not as cocky as I first thought.  He’s a lot of fun, has a great sense of humor.”

Robin ticked off a few more points on her fingers.  “He’s a hard worker.  He’s got a steady job.  I know he has a college education and he seems pretty intelligent to me.”

Shelly groaned.  “I knew that list would come back to haunt me.”

Robin laughed.  “I’m just teasing.  I promise not to marry you off yet.  But I am glad you enjoyed yourself.  You’ve got to admit, he doesn’t seem the least bit concerned about Daryn.”

“No, not yet,” Shelly agreed.  “But he hasn’t met him or had to spend time with him.  Some guys are fine until Daryn becomes a real part of their life.  Then they run.”

“Shel, I’m sure Quinn’s not like that.  For one, he just doesn’t seem the type.  Two, Quinn’s got some solid Christian values.  He wouldn’t get involved with you if he was scared of Daryn.”

Shelly shifted on the couch seeming to be uncomfortable with the change in topic.  “I guess we’ll see.  I should get going, get Daryn to bed.”  She stood up, ending the conversation.

Robin let it go and helped gather Daryn’s things.  She knew eventually the topic would need discussed.  There would come a time when Shelly’s faith would become an issue for Quinn.  Until then, Robin decided to follow Todd’s advice and not interfere.

She waited for Shelly to call, ask her to watch Daryn again, but instead she got a phone call from Quinn.

“Hey Robin, how are you?”

“I’m good, just surprised.  Aren’t you supposed to call Shelly for the second date?”

Quinn laughed.  “I already did.  I’ve got a different question for you.”