The Comeback Route -Book 1 Moss Bluff Series

Chapter 28

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Chapter 28

Quinn

I'm in debt to Emma for watching Hope for me. The police station is no place for a child. I should know, I was stuck there plenty growing up. After Beckett left me, I was on my own. My mother's troubles brought their attention and occasionally I would spend an afternoon playing tic tac toe with an officer while I would wait for her to be released. The police took an avid interest in our home although they didn't do anything to help me.

They checked on me at school, and after I started working, a couple of officers would come in on breaks. Mama never held another job after she left Bradford Engineering. Nothing legal anyway. She lived off unemployment and state benefits and relied on others to take care of her needs. She lied, scammed and con to get by. Knowing now what I didn't then, I wonder how much Beckett had to do to supply her with enough that she left him be.

He kept an eye on me. That's what Beckett told me. He tried to make sure she didn't do to me what she did to him. He thought leaving was the best thing for me but it wasn't. She used me, just like everyone else. I had to support her, support myself when I was just a kid. I lost my childhood because of her, because Beckett left. I needed my brother then just like I could use him now.

Beckett has tried to make it up to me. He's been here for me throughout my pregnancy. He is an awesome uncle to Hope. And I know he's going to be a great husband and father for Aubrey. He's stepped up and become the father figure we needed and never had growing up. I couldn't ask for more.

As Leo pulls up outside the station, I look at the old brick building. It's the standard idea of a small town police station. A big two story square building on the outskirts of town. Several designated parking spots lined along the front of the building for visitors. Our spot is the only one filled.

"Hey," Leo took my hand and squeezed. "You don't have to do this. If you're having second thoughts, we can go pick up Hope and have a picnic at the park. It won't break my heart to spend a pretty day outside, with a couple of beautiful ladies."

He's sweet. I'm not ready to get back into dating, but Leo is a nice guy. A good friend, but nothing more. Looking at me from a distance is one thing. Being so giving and caring with us, doesn't mean he is interested in me. No matter how attentive he is.

"I have to do this. I have to face him so we can move on. All of us. I had hoped that Fitz would be in better shape, but he isn't. He needs to get help." I knew that Fitz and I would never end up together. I'm not so blind to see that we never had the connection to make something work long term.

Rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand, Leo's lips lift slightly. "No one would blame you if you didn't want to deal with him. Not after what he did to you and Aubrey. You can move on without a second thought, Quinn. You have family here, friends. You've even got a job waiting for you as soon as we finish the Inn. The Innkeeper of Inn Moss Bluff. You and Hope will have a good life here. It's a good place to raise a family."

He's right. Moss Bluff seems like the perfect place for me to raise Hope. She'll have everything she could ever want here. And with Georgia and Beckett's help, we will have a support system. Once the Inn is complete, we'll have a place to live, a good job and friends in Brynn and Aubrey. A friend in Leo. It'll be good for both of us.

But the past needs to be laid to rest first.

"I need to do this for Hope." Looking away from the building into Leo's dark blue eyes. "We can't move on until we deal with what's happened. I appreciate all your help, Leo. Giving us a place to stay, coming here with me. Thank you, it means a lot."