The Gritty Truth (The Whiskeys Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor #7) - Melissa Foster Page 0,58
truck.” Quincy bent to love up the pooch as Red came around the side of the house holding Lincoln’s hand. Red wore her leather jacket, while Lincoln was bundled up in a thick wool sweater, his russet hair peeking out from beneath his navy-blue hat. A familiar happiness came over Quincy at the sight of them, taking even more of the edge off.
“I wondered who caught Tink’s attention,” Red called out.
He waved, and Lincoln broke free from her grasp, toddling faster toward Quincy with his arms outstretched and an adorable toothy grin. “Incy!”
Tinkerbell ran after him, and Red hollered, “Tink, slow down!”
The dog slowed to a trot.
“Hey, buddy.” Quincy scooped Lincoln into his arms and kissed his cheek, inhaling the sweet scent of innocence. “Are you being good for Nana Red?”
Lincoln nodded and rattled off something too fast for Quincy to understand.
“What was that?” Quincy showered Lincoln’s cheek with kisses, making him squeal and giggle. “Maybe Nana Red can translate for me.”
“He ate lunch with Papa Biggs on the patio today. Right, honeybun?” She tickled Lincoln’s belly, and he giggled again.
“Where is Biggs today?” Quincy asked as Lincoln grabbed hold of his hair and tugged. He reached for Lincoln’s hand and kissed his tiny fist, earning another heart-melting grin. Lincoln immediately grabbed Quincy’s hair again.
“Papa Biggs is inside changing Axel’s diaper,” Red said, running an assessing eye over Quincy.
“Play wif Tink!” Lincoln tried to wriggle free, and Quincy set him on his feet. Tinkerbell licked Lincoln’s face, and he toddled toward the backyard with the pooch by his side.
“I see you’re babysitting Tink today, too,” Quincy said as Red embraced him.
“If you think Bullet is protective of Finlay, you should see Tink. She won’t let Finlay out of her sight. Poor Fin needed a break. It’s nice to see you, sweetheart.”
“Sorry I didn’t call first.”
“Oh, honey, you never have to call.” She looped her arm around his, and they followed Lincoln and Tinkerbell. “Biggs hasn’t stopped talking about your new gal since she took his picture.”
“I’m not so sure she’s my gal anymore.”
“Oh, baby, is that the trouble I see brewing in your eyes? I’m sorry. You two looked so close, I was betting she was the one.”
He was, too. “I’ve never felt anything like what I feel for her, and it was there even before we started going out,” Quincy admitted. “It happened fast, without any warning. Then we had our first date, and I swear to you, Red, the earth shifted beneath my feet. That’s some crazy shit.”
“Sounds like your little lady’s snagged your heart.” She waved to the patio chairs and said, “Why don’t we sit down and chat. Would you like some lemonade or a soda, honey?”
“No. I’m fine, thanks.” He leaned forward, elbows on knees, watching Lincoln plop down in the grass and toss a ball. Tinkerbell picked it up, ran around the yard, and brought it back to him.
Biggs walked outside, his cane in one hand, baby Axel in the other, and said, “How’s it goin’, son?”
Son. He wondered if Biggs knew how much that endearment meant to him every damn time he said it. “Things are a little complicated right now, Biggs.”
“Then this ought to make your day. Nothing’s simpler than a baby. Feed ’em, change ’em, love ’em up.” Biggs handed him Axel, bundled up in a thick sweater with a blanket around him. Wisps of dark hair stuck out from beneath a cute black beanie with MINI DARK KNIGHT embroidered on the front. Biggs sat beside Red, leaned in for a kiss, and said, “The boy looks good with a baby in his arms, doesn’t he?”
“Aw, Biggsy, don’t go rushing him into parenthood.” Red’s expression warmed as Quincy cradled Axel. “But yes, all our boys look good lovin’ our babies.”
Axel yawned, his tiny eyes squeezing shut.
“You know, I never knew what a family was supposed to look or act like, beyond Tru,” Quincy said, stroking Axel’s cheek. “I always knew he loved me, and I knew our mother had it out for him. But as a family, we were so broken. Tru showed me how to love, but you two and your family showed me how to love like a family loves. You showed me what a family could and should look like.” He looked at Lincoln rolling around on the grass with Tinkerbell, then at Biggs sitting with his arm around Red, her hand on his leg, and Quincy’s chest constricted. “I want that one day—a real family, kids of