He thought about Roni and wondered who she’d talk to now that her grandmother was gone. Angela? Elisa? He tried to imagine her discussing his past with them, and his gut twisted. Who in their right mind would encourage her to give him a shot when she’d worked her ass off to escape the very life he’d walked willingly into?

He climbed from the truck and headed up the walk toward the front door. Tinkerbell, Bullet’s rottweiler, bounded around the side of the house, barking.

“Hey, Tink. I didn’t see Bullet’s 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.”