The Gritty Truth
Page 30
“Mm-hm.” Penny sniffled, tightening her hold on him.
“Let me in there.” Dixie threw her arms around both of them and said, “You finally got your girl after all those months and just had to give her a big old test, didn’t you?”
He chuckled. “Missed you too, Dix.”
“Okay, blubbering Bettys, let Mama Red in there.” Red pried them off Quincy and hugged him even tighter than they had. “I’m glad you’re home, sweetheart. We’re all here for you.”
Hell if he didn’t get choked up all over again. “Thanks, Red.”
Jed sidled in, and Quincy accepted that choked up was probably how he was going to spend the next several hours. “Sorry about your wedding, man.”
Jed clapped him on the back. “No worries. I’m just glad you’re okay. Love you.”
“Love you, too,” Quincy said as he was pulled into another embrace. Several hugs later, he stood before Truman, who was holding Lincoln, and his heart felt like it might beat right out of his chest.
“You did it, bro.” Truman pulled him into a one-armed hug and said, “I’m so effing proud of you.”
“Soeffingproud,” Lincoln said, making everyone laugh.
“Get over here, little man.” Quincy settled Lincoln in his arm and pressed his cheek to his, whispering, “I’ve missed you, buddy.”
“Me too!” Kennedy hollered as she ran over, arms up.
“Get up here, jelly bean.” Quincy hoisted her into his other arm and kissed her, too. “I’ve missed you guys.”
“Isleepedinbooful’sbed!” Lincoln rattled off loudly, earning more laughs.
Quincy winked at Roni, standing with Penny and Angela, loving that she’d included her and Joey in their celebration, and said, “I go away for a month and you move in on my girl? I’m going to have to teach you about respect, little man. It’s a good thing I love you.”
Lincoln wriggled out of his arms and said, “Loveyouuncaincy!”
“Come into the house! I wanna play!” Kennedy said as Quincy set her down, and she ran out of the foyer.
Everyone headed for the living room, but Quincy reached for Roni, wanting a moment alone with her.
“Take your coat off and stay awhile,” she said. “Is this too much? Everyone wanted to see you.”
He hung up his coat and said, “It couldn’t be more perfect. Thank you, and I’m so glad you included Angela and Joey.”
As his mouth came down over hers, Biggs hollered, “Quincy Gritt, get in here, son.”
Quincy grinned against her lips. “I want more of those later.”
He draped his arm around her shoulders, kissing her temple as they entered the living room, where a WELCOME HOME banner hung above the fireplace, and on the mantel was the picture of him and Roni kissing on the slide that had been on their nightstand. There were several other pictures from the apartment there, too, and new ones of him and Roni that they’d taken since the scavenger hunt. The room fell silent as his gaze moved over Roni’s couch and his orange chair. Everyone watched as he tried to make sense of his and Roni’s furniture being there. Their books filled the shelves, and his GED was framed and hanging on the wall beside Roni’s diploma from Juilliard. Their crooked Christmas tree with the same presents underneath it that had been there when he’d gone into rehab was tucked into the corner of the room.
“Welcome home, Quincy,” Roni said softly, gazing up him. “I thought we could use a fresh start, so I rented Dixie’s house. It’s only two hundred dollars more than what we were paying for your apartment, and I can pay the difference. Your belief in me and my dancing really got to me, and with your encouragement and some helpful things I learned about myself in therapy, I decided to talk with Raya and Elisa about putting together a solo contemporary dance performance a couple of times a year at the playhouse. It’ll be my own thing, not through the dance studio. Elisa supports it, and Raya thinks it’s a great idea.”
They both had tears in their eyes as he said, “Baby, all of this, and that?”
She shrugged. “Is it too much too fast?”
He gathered her in his arms. “No, baby. It’s perfect, just like you. But you’re not paying the extra rent.” Chuckles from the guys and awws from the girls rose around them as he kissed her, earning whistles and cheers. “This year we rent the house,” he said quietly. “Next year maybe we’ll get a puppy.” He touched his lips to hers, and the room went silent. “And then a ring, and the next year a wedding.” He tightened his hold on her. “Plenty of time to practice making babies as we make our way to our future.” More hoots and cheers rang out, and he crushed her to him. “Thank you for accepting me and my baggage.”
She gazed up at him with so much love in her eyes and in her heart he was drenched in it as she said, “I love you and all your gritty truths, Quincy, and I always will.”
As he lowered his lips to hers, Lincoln yelled, “Ikissbooful!” and just like that, Quincy was finally, ecstatically, home.
Ready for More Whiskeys?
Fall in love with Diesel and Tracey in RUNNING ON DIESEL, the next book in the Whiskey series. Continue reading for information on Penny and Scott’s novella, more Dark Knights titles, and for a link to see two of the images Quincy received in his Christmas book from Roni.
RUNNING ON DIESEL
Desmond “Diesel” Black is a Nomad with the Dark Knights motorcycle club. He protects others with his life and always rides alone. Tracey Kline left the only family she had for a man who broke more than her spirit, leaving her untrusting and on her own. When a twist of fate reveals pieces of the other no one else sees, will they be able to help each other mend their past hurts and learn to trust the chemistry and connection that’s too strong to deny?
Buy RUNNING ON DIESEL
IN FOR A PENNY, A WHISKEY NOVELLA
When everything you want is right in front of you, but it’s still out of reach…
Penny Wilson has a successful business, more friends than a girl could ask for, and a boyfriend she’s madly and passionately in love with. Scott Beckley is honest, loyal, hands down the best lover on the planet, and absolutely gaga over his nieces and nephews. Scott’s a keeper…as long as Penny doesn’t ever want to hear those three magical words that would take their relationship to the next level. Scott escaped abusive parents at seventeen and was forced to find his way alone in the world. Even though it’s been more than a decade and he’s reunited with his estranged sisters and built a good life in Peaceful Harbor, Maryland, he’s still tortured by his past. Penny knows he loves her with everything he has, but for a girl who wants a family and a guy who is afraid of having one, love might not be enough.
Buy IN FOR A PENNY
If this was your first Whiskey book, the series began with TRU BLUE, Truman and Gemma’s love story. A link to their story is provided below along with information on SEARCHING FOR LOVE, in which you’ll meet the Colorado Whiskeys at Redemption Ranch, and a link to A LITTLE BIT WICKED, the first book in the Whiskey cousins’ series, The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside. Happy reading!
Fall in love with Truman, Gemma, Kennedy, Lincoln,
and the rest of the Whiskeys in TRU BLUE
There’s nothing Truman Gritt won’t do to protect his family—including spending years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. When he’s finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother’s overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she’s left behind. Truman’s hard, he’s secretive, and he’s trying to save a brother who’s even more broken than he is. He’s never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he’s less than accepting. But Gemma has a way of slithering into people’s lives, and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart. When Truman’s dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he’ll be faced with his toughest decision yet.
Buy TRU BLUE
Meet the Colorado Whiskeys at Redemption Ranch
and fall in love with the Bradens in SEARCHIN
G FOR LOVE,
a deliciously sexy, funny, and emotional second-chance romance
Zev Braden and Carly Dylan were childhood best friends, co-explorers, and first loves.
Their close-knit families were sure they were destined to marry—until a devastating tragedy broke the two lovers apart. Over the next decade Zev, a nomadic treasure hunter, rarely returned to his hometown, and Carly became a chocolatier, building a whole new life across the country. When a chance encounter brings them back into each other’s lives, can they find the true love that once existed, or will shattered dreams and broken hearts prevail?
Buy SEARCHING FOR LOVE
Get ready to fall hard for the Wickeds!
What do a cocky biker and a businesswoman who has sworn off dating bad boys have in common? According to Chloe Mallery, not much. But she couldn’t be more wrong…
Justin came into the Wicked family after a harsh upbringing by a thieving father. He’s gone through a lot to become a true Wicked, and he’s made them proud. Now he’s ready to show the woman he loves exactly what type of man he is. But Chloe has worked hard to move past her difficult upbringing, and she’s wary of getting involved with a man who looks like he’s walked right out of it. When tragedy strikes, will their trying pasts draw them together, or will Justin’s protective nature be too much for Chloe’s independent heart to accept?
Buy A LITTLE BIT WICKED
Bonus Content for THE GRITTY TRUTH
I loved the images Truman and Roni had drawn for Quincy so much, I had to commission two of them and bring them to life. Click the link below to see the two I chose.
www.MelissaFoster.com/bonus-content
Love Melissa’s Writing?
The Whiskeys are just one of the many family series in the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection featuring fiercely loyal heroes, sassy, sexy heroines, and stories that go above and beyond your expectations! See the collection here:
www.MelissaFoster.com/love-bloom-series
Free first-in-series ebooks, downloadable series checklists, reading orders, and more can be found on Melissa’s Reader Goodies page.
More Books By Melissa Foster
Love in Bloom Romance Collection
LOVE IN BLOOM SERIES order
Love in Bloom books may be read as stand alones. For more enjoyment, read them in series order. Characters from each series carry forward to the next.
SNOW SISTERS
Sisters in Love
Sisters in Bloom
Sisters in White
THE BRADENS (Weston, CO)
Lovers at Heart, Reimagined
Destined for Love
Friendship on Fire
Sea of Love
Bursting with Love
Hearts at Play
THE BRADENS (Trusty, CO)
Taken by Love
Fated for Love
Romancing My Love
Flirting with Love
Dreaming of Love
Crashing into Love
THE BRADENS (Peaceful Harbor, MD)
Healed by Love
Surrender My Love
River of Love
Crushing on Love
Whisper of Love
Thrill of Love
THE BRADENS & MONTGOMERYS (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls)
Embracing Her Heart
Anything for Love
Trails of Love
Wild, Crazy Hearts
Making You Mine
Searching For Love
Hot For Love
BRADEN WORLD NOVELLAS
Daring Her Love
Promise My Love
Our New Love
Story of Love
Love at Last
A Very Braden Christmas
THE REMINGTONS
Game of Love
Stroke of Love
Flames of Love
Slope of Love
Read, Write, Love
Touched by Love
SEASIDE SUMMERS
Seaside Dreams
Seaside Hearts
Seaside Sunsets
Seaside Secrets
Seaside Nights
Seaside Embrace
Seaside Lovers
Seaside Whispers
Seaside Serenade
BAYSIDE SUMMERS
Bayside Desires
Bayside Passions
Bayside Heat
Bayside Escape
Bayside Romance
Bayside Fantasies
THE STEELES AT SILVER ISLAND
Tempted by Love
My True Love
Always Her Love
Enticing Her Love
Caught by Love
Wild Island Love
THE RYDERS
Seized by Love
Claimed by Love
Chased by Love
Rescued by Love
Swept Into Love
THE WHISKEYS: DARK KNIGHTS AT PEACEFUL HARBOR
Tru Blue
Truly, Madly, Whiskey
Driving Whiskey Wild
Wicked Whiskey Love
Mad About Moon
Taming My Whiskey
The Gritty Truth
Running On Diesel
In For A Penny
SUGAR LAKE
The Real Thing
Only for You
Love Like Ours
Finding My Girl
HARMONY POINTE
Call Her Mine
This is Love
She Loves Me
THE WICKEDS: DARK KNIGHTS AT BAYSIDE
A Little Bit Wicked
The Wicked Aftermath
WILD BOYS AFTER DARK
Logan
Heath
Jackson
Cooper
BAD BOYS AFTER DARK
Mick
Dylan
Carson
Brett
HARBORSIDE NIGHTS
Includes characters from the Love in Bloom series
Catching Cassidy
Discovering Delilah
Tempting Tristan
Standalone Books by Melissa
Chasing Amanda (mystery/suspense)
Come Back to Me (mystery/suspense)
Have No Shame (historical fiction/romance)
Love, Lies & Mystery (3-book bundle)
Megan’s Way (literary fiction)
Traces of Kara (psychological thriller)
Where Petals Fall (suspense)
Acknowledgments
I hope you enjoyed Quincy and Roni’s story as much as I loved writing it. I’m looking forward to bringing you many more Whiskey love stories, including the upcoming Colorado Whiskeys at Redemption Ranch, whom you can meet in SEARCHING FOR LOVE, a Bradens & Montgomerys novel.
If this is your first introduction to my work, please note that all of my books can be read as stand-alone novels, and characters appear in other family series, so you never miss out on an engagement, wedding, or birth. You can find information about the Love in Bloom series and my books here:
www.MelissaFoster.com/melissas-books
I offer several free first-in-series ebooks. You can find them here:
www.MelissaFoster.com/LIBFree
I chat with fans often in my fan club on Facebook. I hope you’ll join me there.
www.facebook.com/groups/MelissaFosterFans
Follow my author page on Facebook and Instagram for fun giveaways and updates on what’s going on in our fictional boyfriends’ worlds:
www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor
www.instagram.com/melissafoster_author
If you prefer sweet romance, with no explicit scenes or graphic language, please try the Sweet with Heat series written under my pen name, Addison Cole. You’ll find many great love stories with toned-down heat levels.
The sketches included at the end of this story were created by Oliver Harbour, an exceptional artist, caring friend, and all-around amazing guy. Thank you, Ollie, for sharing your talent with me.
T
hank you to my awesome editorial team, Kristen Weber and Penina Lopez, and my meticulous proofreaders, Elaini Caruso, Juliette Hill, Marlene Engel, Lynn Mullan, and Justinn Harrison. And as always, heaps of gratitude to my family for your endless support, and for putting up with me and my crazy hours and chats about fictional characters.
Meet Melissa
Melissa Foster is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. Melissa has painted and donated several murals to the Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC.
Visit Melissa on her website or chat with her on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups and welcomes an invitation to your event. Melissa’s books are available through most online retailers in paperback and digital formats.
Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name Addison Cole.
www.MelissaFoster.com
Free Reader Goodies: www.MelissaFoster.com/Reader-Goodies