“It was her dad’s. It was important to him, so...”

“Of course it’s important to her. Very important. So it will get done.” Adam still couldn’t meet the man’s eyes. Not this man, of all men. “You have a problem with me, Adam?”

He made himself meet the man’s gaze then. Quinn was looking at him assessingly. “No,” he said flatly. “I have a problem with me compared to you. You’re the guy who did what I should have done that night. Don’t think I’ve forgotten that.” Or ever will....

“You’re wrong, but that aside, I don’t think you’ll ever forget that night,” Quinn said. “I certainly won’t.”

“My point,” Adam said, barely managing not to sound bitter. At least, he hoped he’d managed.

He realized then that Cutter had moved. The dog had come toward them, and now was sitting at his feet much as he had at Amanda’s. And if he’d looked at her the way he was looking at Adam now, it was no wonder she’d surrendered and petted him. He did the same, and again that odd sort of calm spread through him at the first stroke of the dog’s fur.

He took a breath, realizing only then how tightly wound he’d been. He’d once been coolheaded all the time, now he lived with such turmoil he didn’t even remember what it felt like to be calm. Until now.

Cutter made a low sound and turned his head to stare up at Quinn. Quinn looked back at the dog then, oddly, said, “Okay, buddy. Got it.”

Adam barely blinked at the apparent exchange. He supposed any dog that could ease people’s inner mayhem like this might just be able to communicate beyond the average dog.

“You can follow Hayley back to the house,” Quinn said.

Adam blinked then. “What?”

“It’s not far.” Quinn gave him a wry smile. “Or Cutter can ride with you. He’ll make sure you get there, but I can’t guarantee what shape your ears will be in.”

“You don’t want me in your house.” He said it flatly, with certainty.

Quinn drew back slightly, studying him intently enough that Adam felt the pressure building in him again. And as if he’d sensed it, Cutter leaned into him, making a noise that wasn’t quite a whine yet still managed to sound worried.

“Why wouldn’t I want the man who likely saved my life in my house?”

“I—”

“We’re going to have a little talk about some things,” Quinn interrupted, and it sounded like a decidedly ominous promise. Or threat. “But in the meantime, we need to get Amanda off this road, and away from the sight of that car.”

“I...yes, but—”

“I’ll deal with the car, then have the tow truck drop me off at home.”