Chapter 4
4
Q uinn stepped over a pile of garbage in the middle of what used to be a common room area in the closed-down barracks. Staring at the garbage, he noted beer cans, a couple of empty booze bottles, a piece of cloth that looked as though it was a t-shirt, and chip bags. Someone had tried to burn the pile of garbage but didn't do a great job of it. Good thing, it would have burned a hole in the floor, perhaps the entire barracks.
"Dad, did you see this?"
Quinn moved toward Jared and stared at the wall Jared now faced. Graffiti was sprayed on the entire wall. Names of several people, a date that was actually last week. Fuck Politicians. Suzzane hearts Jamal. An upside-down American flag and some little emojis.
Quinn pulled his phone from his pocket and snapped pictures of the graffiti. "I think we need to secure this place to keep those kids from destroying it."
"I found a broken window on the second floor."
"Okay. I think I have some plywood in the back of the truck. Why don't you grab a sheet and let's board up that window? Then, let's check all three buildings for broken windows."
"I was thinking the same thing. I wasn't sure if you were absolutely going to buy this."
"After seeing it, I want it now more than ever. I'd like to stop them, or at least hinder them from actually burning the place down. Otherwise, I won't have anything to buy." He pointed to the partially burned pile on the floor.
"Yeah. I'll grab the plywood."
He watched Jared exit the building and continued looking at the condition of the barracks. These had been Army barracks for reserve units up until about ten years ago. The Army had moved on to a larger city that offered more in the way of amenities to their reservists and also easier access to food and supplies for the barracks. Since these barracks didn't have a full-fledged kitchen, they needed to bring in food from somewhere, and it was expensive to transport to Blossom Springs. There had been talk for a while about re-inhabiting it a few years after they left, but he'd just gotten word that the Army would rather sell it at a steep discount and not have to continue to pay for repeated repairs, upkeep, and the local taxes on the building. He hoped the decision to sell to him would come swiftly and not drag out for years.
Jared entered the building with a sheet of plywood and proceeded up the stairs to the second floor. Quinn followed behind him.
Once upstairs, Jared set the plywood against the wall and Quinn stepped alongside and lifted the plywood in place as Jared secured the first few screws. They managed it quickly and easily, and as Jared continued to screw the plywood in place, Quinn walked around the rooms .
"What do you think you'll do with this place?" Jared asked.
He continued touring as he spoke. "I think I can make this into housing. We don't have enough here in town, and I think the history alone will make it sought-after."
Jared finished with the plywood and turned toward his dad. "I've almost finished mom's bathroom."
The turn of conversation and the mention of his ex-wife made his body stiffen. Not in a good way. "That's nice," he murmured.
"She wants her kitchen done, too."
Quinn shrugged. "Okay."
Jared scratched his head and let out a deep breath. "I hate being in the middle."
"I haven't put you in the middle. Our divorce is final. I've paid alimony for five years. I'm finished with that. She's had five years to figure out what she would do when I finished my obligation. I haven't asked you a single question about what she has going on over there."
Jared's shoulders dropped. "I know." He pulled his cap off, scratched his head again, and slapped the cap back on his head. "I feel in the middle. She's constantly prying about what you're doing. If you're seeing someone. All that."
Quinn took a deep breath and stepped closer to Jared. He placed his hands on Jared's shoulders and squeezed. "Hey. You don't have to answer any of that. Or you can if you want. I've played this straight up, Jared. I haven't dated anyone since your mom and I divorced. I paid my obligation. I continue to help you and Jenny out. And for the record, I love both of you and I'll always be there for you both. But I made you and Jenny a promise when your mom and I separated. I won't ask you questions about her. I won't pry. Her life is none of my business now, and mine is none of hers. I'm sorry you feel put in the middle. But you're twenty-five years old now. It's time for you to tell her you aren't discussing me with her. If you don't stand up for yourself, she'll continue."
Jared swallowed. He looked into Quinn's eyes. It was like looking in a mirror twenty-five years ago. As Jared matured, Quinn could see it more clearly. Both of them had dark hair and dark eyes. Jared wasn't as tall as he was, but only three or so inches shorter. He was a good kid. A good man. And Quinn was proud of him. But no matter how old you are, your parents are still your parents, and that tends to bring out the insecurity and child inside.
Quinn squeezed Jared's shoulders again. "I love you, Jared. You've got this. Right?"
Jared stared into his eyes for a few beats, then nodded slowly. "Yeah."
"Afterwards, I'll share a couple of beers with you. You'll likely need them."
They both chuckled. His ex could be a handful. And that was putting it lightly. Gawd he was so fucking happy he didn't have to deal with her all that much anymore. The occasional wedding in town or event was it. That was more than enough.
He pulled Jared to him and wrapped him in a hug. "I love you, Jared."
Jared wound his arms around him. "I love you too, Dad."
They stood together for a few moments, then Quinn stepped away. "So, I'm thinking I'll be able to make twelve units out of this place. By merging rooms and bringing the plumbing around, I think they're going to be nice. We'll need a name for them. The Barracks isn't likely going to attract tenants, so we need to come up with something that intimates what it was, but also brings about what it is now."
"Got it. Let me put my thinking cap on."
Quinn nodded and headed toward the door. Outside, he locked the door using the keys the realtor, Margo Price, had given him. He and Jared checked the other buildings, boarded up broken windows, and talked about some of the upgrades they'd make.
After they'd finished, they walked together to the truck. Jared pointed to the ground as they walked. "Looks like whoever is partying here, has a little car. Small tracks all over this area." He pointed to the tracks in the large gravel parking lot.
Quinn nodded. " Great observation."
As they climbed into Quinn's truck, Jared turned to him. "Can we stop at the bakery downtown?"
Quinn's brows bunched together. "You mean Mae's?"
"Yeah. Ms. Valentine's daughter is back in town and now running the bakery, and she makes the best cinnamon rolls I've ever tasted. No lie."
Quinn grinned. "A cinnamon roll sounds great."
"The best cinnamon roll! Seriously, it'll ruin you for any others in the future."
Laughing, Quinn turned them toward town. The barracks were on the edge of town, opposite the town square and his office. They traveled down Main Street, and he honked his horn as he passed Sid's garage. He chuckled when he read the sign: Miracle Garage. If you see something cool come from here, it's a miracle. Sid's tongue-in-cheek humor had the town buzzing.
Once they reached the town square, he turned right and traveled through the first turn in the square and stopped outside of Mae's Bakery.
"I haven't been inside here for years."
Jared shook his head. "You've been missing out."
"I'm trying not to spread out, which is why I haven't been here."
Jared laughed as they exited the truck.
Stepping inside was like walking into heaven. The smell of fresh baked goods filled the room. It was warm inside, but not as warm as it was outside. Cute little tables and chairs were placed near the windows. Two of them had patrons sitting at them enjoying...cinnamon rolls. They were huge.
"Hey there, Jared. How can I help you?"
Quinn turned from staring at the cinnamon rolls the customers were eating, to staring at a gorgeous dark-haired, blue-eyed woman carrying a tray of fresh cinnamon rolls.
"Hi, Hanna." Jared turned toward him and nodded. "This is my dad. Quinn Kurtz. Dad, this is Hanna Valentine. She's taken over the bakery now."
Quinn swallowed to push away the dryness. He nodded. "Hello, Hanna. It's nice to meet you."
She smiled, and it was breathtaking. "It's nice to meet you too."
Her bright blue eyes moved to Jared's. "You're just in time. These came out of the oven about five minutes ago. The frosting is still melting."
"That's my favorite time." Jared stepped toward the counter. "I'll take two, please."
Hanna grinned. "You sure?"
Jared laughed. "Yeah. One for me, one for my dad. He's never had one of your cinnamon rolls, and I want to be the first to introduce him to nirvana."
Hanna laughed. She had dimples and perfect white teeth, and her dark wavy hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and wrapped with a net. She turned to set the warm cinnamon rolls on the counter, and he could see she wore a pair of jeans that fit her body perfectly. From the front, she was covered in an apron.
Hanna looked into his eyes, and he couldn't have looked away if he tried. "I hope you feel the same way as Jared. He's been my best customer these past few weeks."
Quinn blinked and realized she'd spoken to him. "He has great taste and doesn't boast about much, so I'm sure they'll be as delicious as he's claimed."
He stood woodenly by as Hanna rang up their order, then deftly slid their rolls onto small white plates.
She looked into his eyes as she handed him his order, and all he could do was stare. "Enjoy." She brightly added.
He nodded, took his plate, and followed Jared as if he couldn't think a thought for himself. What kind of dumbass had he just become?