Page 6 of Sultry Nights

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."

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