Page 135 of Just Let Go

He went through the paces of his workout for an hour, probably not as tuned in as he should’ve been this close to his race.

After he got back to the cottage and mixed a protein shake, a knock on his door gave him hope. But when he pulled it open, it was Gus, not Quinn, he found waiting there.

He was dressed in uniform and held his hat in his hands.

“Gus,” he said, trying to hide his disappointment.

“Morning, son,” Gus said. “Can I come in a minute?”

What had Quinn told him? Was he here to remind Grady of his bad choices or warn him to stay away from his daughter?

Grady stepped aside so the other man could enter. “What brings you by so early?” He closed the door.

“I’ve got some news.” Gus’s face lit into a warm smile. “That daughter of mine must really care about you.”

Grady’s skin practically tingled at the thought. Was this actually good news?

Gus pulled a sheet of folded paper from his inside coat pocket and held it out to Grady.

“What’s this?”

“It seems the work you’ve put in around here has been sufficient, son. They’re letting you out of your community service early.”

“Quinn did this?” Grady stared at the paper in his hand. Sure enough, it said he was free to go.

Gus nodded. “Judge is hard-nosed behind the bench, but he’s pretty soft when it comes to Quinn. She made a strong case, I guess. Said you’d been instrumental in the success of her opening and the carnival; then she mentioned all of your public appearances and the way you helped train Jaden. He was convinced. You’re not the same man you were when you first got to Harbor Pointe.”

She was giving him exactly what he’d asked for weeks ago, but not at all what he needed now. She wanted him to leave.

“Why don’t you look happy?” Gus stared at him.

Grady tossed the paper on the entryway table and walked into the kitchen, Gus following behind.

“Isn’t this good? I thought you’d be excited.”

“Yeah, it’s great, Gus. Thanks for letting me know.”

The old man stared at him, as if expecting an explanation. How did Grady come clean about any of this with Quinn’s dad? If he wasn’t careful, the family he’d come to care about would run him out of town before he was ready.

“Do you have any coffee?” Gus slid the tall stool out from under the kitchen counter and sat down.

“Sir?”

“If you’re going to unload that heavy burden, I’m going to need some coffee.”

Grady sighed. “I can’t talk about this with you.”

Gus raised a brow. “Doesn’t seem like you have anyone better to talk to.”

He made a good point. Grady found a mug in the cupboard and poured the man a cup of coffee. Gus took a sip, then motioned for Grady to sit. “Let’s hear it.”

None of the story came easily, but when he got to the part about the ball—about Quinn’s mom—he stopped cold. This woman left not only Quinn; she left Gus, too. She left her husband with two little girls and never came back.

“Why do I have the feeling you’re chewing on something I’m not gonna like?” Gus asked, both hands around the warm mug.

“Because I’m chewing on something you’re not gonna like.”

“Were you inappropriate with my daughter?”

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