Chapter 3
So let me get this straight—you ran into Quincy?” my friend Tessa asks, her eyes wide with surprise as we sit down for brunch.
I stir my coffee, avoiding her gaze. “Yeah, it was totally random. We were both at the hardware store.”
“Uh-huh.” Tessa arches an eyebrow knowingly. “And how was it to see him?”
I resist the urge to spill everything—how seeing him made my heart race like old times, how badly I wanted to fall into his arms and feel his touch. Instead, I shrug and say, “It was fine. He seems the same as he ever was. “
“Claire, you know that’s not true,” Tessa says, making me squirm with her direct gaze. It was always hard to fib to her. “And how did he act when he saw you?”
“It was fine. It”s not like you’re thinking,” I say quickly.
Tessa shakes her head, seeing right through me. “Are you still carrying a torch for him?” she asks pointedly.
I stir my coffee again, avoiding her gaze. If I”m honest, a part of me has never fully gotten over Quincy. He was my first love. I’ve never loved anyone since him. I’ve barely even dated since I left Jefferson.
Not that I can admit that to Tessa. I’m not ready to hear everything she has to say about Quincy when I haven’t even figured out how I feel about him. It’s been years since we saw each other, but I never would have predicted how intense it was to see him for a few minutes. It made me yearn for something that ended between us a long time ago.
“He offered to help fix up Grandma”s place, if you can believe it,” I admit.
“He did what?” she asks, clearly surprised. “Are you taking him up on this offer?”
“Well, kind of. He said he was going to talk to his brother and some guy who works construction. I’m… I’m honestly not sure if he’s going to follow through. In case it doesn’t work out, I haven’t told Grandma yet. Either way, I’ll figure out how to keep her safe, but having help would make it easier.”
Tessa considers what I’ve said and nods. “Yeah, well, I’m not sure how far I’d trust him, either.”
Tessa asks about my grandmother, and I”m grateful for the change of subject. We make plans to get together again soon, and she promises to bring a casserole over.
As we part ways, Tessa makes me swear to call her after I see Quincy to dish all the details. I protest that nothing worth reporting will happen, but the look she gives me makes it clear she”s not buying it.
Maybe she can see I”m not as over Quincy as I try to tell her. I don’t know—yet—if I can trust him, but I do know he has a lot to make up for if he wants me to consider giving him a second chance.
I’m not going to let him break my heart a second time.
* * *
The hinges creakas I pull open the heavy front door to find Quincy standing on the worn welcome mat. He’s with a taller, broader man who can only be his brother Jeremiah. I always heard about Quincy’s older brother, but Jeremiah was already serving in the Army by the time I got to know Quincy.
“Hey, come on in.” I step back to allow them space to enter.
Quincy”s eyes light up when he sees me. “Thanks for having us over. This is my brother, Jeremiah. He’s one of the owners of Ghost Security.”
Jeremiah steps over the threshold and offers me his hand. “Nice to meet you, Claire. Quincy”s told me a lot about you.”
He winks as we shake, and I blush. “Likewise,” I say, feeling flustered. “Come on through.”
What has Quincy told his brother about me? As I lead them into the house, I can’t decide if I’m flattered or embarrassed that he’s spoken to his brother about me.
Grandma sits in her favorite floral armchair, working on a crossword puzzle. She looks up as we enter the living room. Setting down her book and pen, she smooths the skirt of her blue gingham dress as she stands with some effort. “It’s nice to see you again, Quincy. It’s been a long time.”
“It’s good to see you again, too, Mrs. Woods. I wish it were under better circumstances.”
Grandma smiles and waves her hand dismissively. “These things happen.” She turns to Jeremiah and smiles warmly as he gently shakes her hand.
“Grandma, this is Jeremiah, Quincy”s brother,” I introduce.
“Well, aren’t you a strapping young man?” she teases. “It’s very nice to meet you, dear.”
“The pleasure”s mine, Mrs. Woods,” Jeremiah replies politely, returning her smile. “Quincy tells me you”re in need of some help securing this old place of yours. I”m happy to take a look around and make some recommendations.”
Grandma”s eyes crinkle at the corners as she smiles at tall Jeremiah. “Please, call me Cecily. That goes for you, too, Quincy. No need to be formal with me. It would be wonderful for you two to help out. It”s just me here these days, and now Claire, too,” she nods at me, “and the house is getting harder to manage.”
“Not to worry. We’ll figure out a good plan,” Jeremiah assures her kindly.
Grandma gestures for us all to follow her. “Let me give you a little tour then.”
I look at it through new eyes as we trail Grandma through the house I once called home, seeing the signs of age and disrepair. The wallpaper is faded and peeling in spots, revealing the cracked plaster beneath. The hardwood floors are scuffed and worn, creaking under our footsteps. Many of the windows no longer seal properly, leaving rooms drafty and vulnerable to abuse from the kids running through her yard.
Jeremiah makes notes in a small, leather-bound notebook, carefully checking all the windows, latches, and exterior doors.
When we step out the back door into the overgrown yard, Jeremiah examines the rotting fence boards and the trees obscuring the property line.
“I would suggest trimming these trees and replacing the fence,” he murmurs, jotting something down.
As we tour the outside, Quincy stays close by my side. Now and then, his hand lightly grazes my lower back, sending flutters of desire through me. When we pause on the back porch, he leans in close.
“Hope it”s not too weird that I came, too,” he says under his breath. “I want to ensure your grandmother is safe.” His green eyes echo his sincerity.
“Thank you,” I murmur with a smile I can”t contain.
His thoughtfulness means so much. Our arms brush and I remember how things used to be between us. A flush creeps up my neck when I recall the intensity of our teenage make-out sessions. What I wouldn’t give to kiss him again…
After we finish walking around the property and Jeremiah makes more notes, we all go inside. As we sit in the living, Grandma pours coffee and passes around a plate of cookies.
“Thank you, Mrs… Cecily.” Jeremiah smiles as he takes a cookie.
“You’re very welcome,” Grandma says, leaning back in her chair and sipping her coffee.
“Based on what I saw, I”d recommend installing a video camera security system to monitor the doors and windows,” Jeremiah suggests. “We can set it up so that whenever someone approaches the door or a motion sensor light comes on, you”ll get a text with a video of what”s happening. That way, you can see who”s on your property even if you”re not home.”
Grandma clasps his large hand in her gnarled ones. “Bless you. We surely appreciate any help you can offer.”
“Of course. Keeping you safe is what’s important here. I remember how this neighborhood used to be,” Jeremiah says wistfully. He glances between Quincy and me with a hint of a knowing smile. “You talk it over and let me know whatever security upgrades you decide on.”
“I can tell you now that we don’t need to discuss it,” Grandma says without hesitation. “I accept whatever you recommend. When are you available to install this system?”
Jeremiah nods and looks at his phone. “Let’s see. I can bring a guy out, and we can knock this out in an afternoon. How about Thursday?”
“That quick? That would be wonderful!” Grandma’s face lights up with surprise and gratitude, mirroring my feelings. This is all happening so much quicker than I could have imagined, and it’s a relief to know Grandma’s house will be safer sooner than later.
“Right. I have you on my calendar. We’ll get you squared away.”
Quincy lingers as I hold the door open for him and Jeremiah. “I’ll catch up with you in a minute,” he calls out to his brother, who raises a hand in acknowledgment. He turns his attention to me. “I heard what Jeremiah said about the fence and trees. I’ll call my buddy at Swinton Construction and work out a time for us to take care of that. Sound good?”
“That sounds amazing,” I say, placing a hand on his arm. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
Quincy grins, and my heartbeat quickens. Watching him catch up to his brother on the sidewalk, I realize I can’t wait to see Quincy again.