Page 5 of Sultry Nights

"You got it."

Thomas set the vanity down, leaving it on the dolly. He brushed his hands together. "Let me know if you need help getting it inside."

"I will. Thank you so much, Thomas. You've helped me so much. How about I bring you some fresh cinnamon rolls in the morning?"

He chuckled. "I'll never turn down your cinnamon rolls, Hanna. But please know you don't owe me anything. I'm happy to help you out."

"I appreciate that. Tell June to expect cinnamon rolls in the morning."

He chuckled as he stepped through her door, closing it tightly behind him. She heard him close the tailgate on the truck and grinned. Just like her dad.

4

Quinn 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.

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