Chapter 5
Isit in the creaky wicker chair on Grandma”s front porch, watching Quincy and Greg install a new fence around Grandma”s property. The old chain link fence was sagging so badly that they barely had to make any effort to pull up the posts and haul it out.
Jeremiah and one of his co-workers came out yesterday and installed a security alarm with cameras around the house that send an alert to our cell phones when triggered.
Quincy and Greg have their sleeves rolled up as they dig holes for the new wooden posts, sweat glistening on their tanned, muscular arms. I find my gaze lingering on Quincy as he easily lifts a post over his shoulder, his biceps flexing.
“Quincy is a nice young man. I always thought you two were good together,” Grandma says next to me. “Easy on the eyes, too,” she adds in a conspiratorial whisper, giving me a playful nudge with her elbow.
I roll my eyes but can”t help smiling. Trust Grandma to openly comment on Quincy”s attractiveness. But she”s not wrong—he looks good out there, tan and sweaty in the afternoon sun. The way his damp white t-shirt clings to his chest makes my mouth go dry.
“Maybe you should give him another chance, dear,” Grandma continues gently. “People make mistakes when they”re young, but it doesn”t mean they can”t grow and become better versions of themselves.”
I bite my lip as I watch Quincy. It”s true he”s been nothing but thoughtful and helpful since I came back to town. Checking in on Grandma and getting others to help fix her house.
He was the reason I left town. I didn’t go to college right away, but I road-tripped across the US and picked up jobs here and there. There wasn’t anywhere I wanted to settle down, so eventually, I enrolled in college and earned a degree.
“I don”t know, Grandma,” I reply with a conflicted frown. “How do I know he cares this time? That he”s not just saying what he thinks I want to hear?”
Grandma reaches over and pats my hand reassuringly. Her skin is paper thin but still warm and comforting.
“You have to look at his actions, not only his words,” she advises. “That boy clearly still has feelings for you. He is working hard to impress you. Why on earth would he be doing all this for us otherwise?”
I consider her perspective as I watch Quincy and Greg work.
Quincy pauses to take a long swig from his water bottle, tipping his head back as his Adam”s apple bobs while he swallows. I”m momentarily transfixed by the corded muscles in his neck and how his jaw clenches. Desire flutters through me, and a flush creeps up my neck that has little to do with the heat from the early-summer sun.
Seeing him work so hard to help Grandma makes me consider that maybe Quincy has changed over the years, maturing into a man I can trust.
Grandma seems to read my uncertain thoughts, giving my hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “Follow your heart, Claire,” she advises wisely. “It won”t lead you astray. You”ve been through so much, and it’s natural to be cautious. But part of healing is being brave enough to open yourself to love again.”
My heart knows she’s right, and I’m tempted to let Quincy back in, to trust that what we have could be even stronger now. It”s comfortable when we”re together and reminds me of how good we were before.
I glance back to where Quincy is still working, now laughing with his buddy over some shared joke. The sound of his laughter, so free and joyous, makes my heart race. Watching him, I soften. If I listen to my heart, it’s telling me to give him another chance.
Needing to steer my conflicted thoughts to solid ground again, I bring up my concerns about the costs of all these repairs and upgrades to Grandma”s property. I know it must be adding up fast between the new fence and the fancy alarm system Quincy”s brother installed.
“I”ll need to stick around town for a while and get a steady job to help pay this off,” I say.
Grandma”s face instantly lights up, and she looks at me like she knows something I don’t. She clasps my hand eagerly. “Does this mean you”ll stay in Jefferson, dear? Not run off again to who knows where?”
I bite my lip, mulling it over. If I stay in Jefferson, will I be constantly torn up seeing Quincy around town if nothing happens? Trapped and longing for the past?
Sensing my hesitation and internal debate, Grandma gently says, “Having you close again would make me so happy. But you should only stay if it feels right in your heart, not just for me.”
I nod slowly, appreciating her wisdom and selflessness as always. “Thanks, Grandma. I need some time to think it all through. You’ll be the first to know when I decide.”
She pats my hand again and gives me a knowing smile. “You”ll make the right choice for you, dear heart.”
Quincy approaches the porch steps, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his arm. He gives us a tired but enthusiastic smile.
“Well, what do you ladies think?” he asks eagerly. “The new fence is coming along nicely, huh?”
I take in the sight of Quincy standing there, dusty and sweat-soaked but looking satisfied and proud of the progress and hard work. My breath catches for a hot moment, and I bite my lip, trying to hide the power of my reaction to him.
“Claire, would you be a dear and fetch us some more iced tea?” Grandma asks, fanning herself with a fan I embroidered with her name one year when I was at summer camp.
“Of course,” I say, standing up from the creaky wicker chair, grateful for an excuse to slip away inside and collect myself.
In her cozy kitchen, I pour sweet tea into chilled glasses and take a deep breath to steady my hands before picking up the tray to head back outside. I need to stay cautious, protective of the fragile hope blossoming inside me. No matter how good it feels to let Quincy in again, I swore I”d never give him the power to hurt me like before. Not without being sure he”s truly changed.
When I step back onto the porch, Quincy, Greg, and Grandma are chatting amiably as they sit in the shade. Grandma laughs brightly at something Quincy says, her eyes glinting with joy. Seeing her delight warms my heart and makes me reconsider my lingering doubts about Quincy”s sincerity.
“Oh Quincy, you and Greg here have been such a blessing today,” Grandma says warmly, patting his broad, dusty hand. “Reaffirming this old woman”s faith in the kindness of community. It’s good to see you again, Quincy, and I hope I’ll be seeing more of you, like the old days.”
Quincy ducks his head bashfully at the praise and shrugs his muscular shoulders. “Aww, just glad I could help. When Claire explained what was going on, I knew I had to do what I could to help out.”
“Ma’am, we’re more than happy to help,” Greg says, then takes a long drink of his tea. “It’s a shame what’s happened in this neighborhood. I’m happy to help keep you safe because I assume you’re like my grandparents, who didn’t want to leave the house where they made all their memories.”
Grandma smiles and nods, refilling Greg’s glass of sweet tea. “You’re absolutely right, Greg. I’ll not go from this house willingly. One day,” she turns to me, “this will be Claire’s.”
My heart swells with affection for my grandmother. I can’t imagine being here without her, but that’s something I’ll deal with when that time comes.
“What Quincy says is true. He offered as soon as I told him about your situation, Grandma. I didn”t even have to ask.”
Grandma pats Quincy”s hand again and winks at me over the top of her glasses. “Well, don”t let this one get away again, you hear? A good man like this is hard to find.”
I blush fiercely at her unsubtle matchmaking, avoiding Quincy”s gaze. But I can see his pleased grin out of the corner of my eye.
* * *
“So he really just came over anddid all these repairs? Quincy actually followed through?”
I nod enthusiastically at Tessa. “He really did. He and Greg showed up first thing this morning with all the tools and lumber already loaded in his truck. I honestly can”t believe how much they got done today.”
“Wow,” Tessa says, looking impressed. “Guess those biceps are good for more than just flexing at the bar.”
We share a laugh, but I quickly grow more solemn. “I don”t know how I”m going to pay for everything, though. The materials, new security system, all these fixes...it must be costing a fortune.”
Tessa waves her hand as if this isn’t a valid concern. “I know you’ll figure it out.”
I nod, resolved to find a way to handle the costs that doesn”t mean allowing Grandma to drain her limited funds.
Tessa gives me a searching look. “Speaking of Quincy, did he help just out of the goodness of his heart? Or is there something else going on there?”
I bite my lip, considering the question. “I think he genuinely wanted to help. But...” I trail off, emotions swirling.
“But you still have feelings for him,” Tessa finishes knowingly. After being best friends since kindergarten, she knows things without me having to say them.
I throw my hands up in a helpless gesture. “I don”t know! He hurt me so bad, Tess. I swore I was done with him.”
“Hey.” Tessa scoots closer on the sofa and puts a comforting arm around me. “It”s okay. Just because you still care doesn”t mean you have to get hurt again. Protect your heart first.”
I nod, knowing she”s right. Loving Quincy again feels as inevitable as breathing, but I refuse to be careless this time.
I know there”s good beneath the brash reputation Tessa says he’s gained over the last few years. I see it in how kindly he treats Grandma and his gentleness and affection toward me. He makes me feel like I’m the most important part of his world.