Still holding onto Meredith, Jill said, “He seems upset. I didn’t know he had a dog.”
“Yes,” she replied in a tight voice. “Get me our regulars. I’ll take it to him.”
Jill waved off the new barista. “I’ll make them. Mere, I still can’t believe it. I mean, some people say bad things happen in threes. What could be next?”
“I don’t know, Jill.”
She was suddenly afraid they were going to find out. She felt like she’d landed in one of Nora’s suspense novels, the darker, edgier kind in which the bad guys killed people.
Chapter 30
H
ugo bounded away, barking his displeasure as wood splinters sliced through the air.
“I told you to stay back!” Tanner yelled. “Why didn’t you listen?”
He knew his anger wasn’t directed at the dog. He cracked the axe through the wood with enough force to make his shoulder throb. His arm was going to regret this venting later, but he needed to pound something.
Ray was dead—exactly as he’d feared.
And it was no accident.
It was all his fault.
Hugo barked again, then took off. Tanner wiped his brow as Meredith’s Audi pulled into the driveway. Christ, why couldn’t she just leave him alone? He didn’t want to see anyone right now. He wasn’t in control of himself. He picked up the axe and swung, shredding bark and wood.
“We didn’t finish our conversation.” She said as she followed the icy flagstone path leading to his chopping block.
“Yes, we did,” he snarled, anchoring the next log. “Now, go away.”
She clenched her arms more tightly to her body when the wind blew. “Ray was your source, wasn’t he?”
He swung the axe. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
She stepped closer. “Well, I do! Since he’s dead, we have a problem.”
“We have more than a problem!” He embedded the axe in the log. “We have a murder. That changes the whole situation. I told you about the warning last night. Do you think it was a coincidence Barlow stopped by to tell Jill what happened? It was another warning. There’s no way he’s not involved. We saw him arguing with Ray’s supplier just a few hours before the kid’s death. So, you’re out of it! We’re done!” Snatching his fleece up, he jogged to the house.
“What the hell are you talking about?” She grabbed his arm. “I’m in this as much as you are. That kid didn’t deserve to die. And neither did Jemma. We have to take these people down.”
He picked her up under her shoulders, carrying her effortlessly to her car. “No, I’m taking them down. You need to forget everything we’ve talked about and stay away from me. Your grandfather, too.”
She kicked him in the shin. He winced. When she raised her knee to his crotch, he dropped her and darted back. “Hey!”
“No, you ‘hey!’ Don’t pull this crap. I am not letting you do this alone, dammit! Jemma was Jill’s best friend. You still need our help.”
Why couldn’t she understand? His breath puffed out in the cold air. “It’s not worth endangering your lives.”
“I’ll keep investigating with or without you, Tanner. So will Grandpa.”
Her green eyes held his. He ran his hands through his hair so he wouldn’t grab her and simply devour her. Didn’t she understand what she was doing to him? First vulnerable and then fierce. How was he supposed to fight against that?
She took off her gloves, shoving them into her pocket. He wasn’t sure what she was doing since it was freeze-your-ass cold outside until she took his hands in hers.
“You have blisters. Let’s go inside. I’ll take care of them for you.”
He pressed their joined hands to her ribs. “Meredith, you know if you come inside, we’ve moved past the pretend stage, right?” Maybe he could intimidate her. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything, but he needed her to stay away from him. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
Her heartbeat increased against his palm, but her gaze stayed fixed on his. The breeze caressed her red hair like he longed to do. He’d heard people talk about having a lump in their throat when they looked at someone. He’d thought it bullshit until now.
“I’m in this all the way now. Exactly like you wanted me to be.”
As the wind rushed over the ridge, blowing through the pines, an unusual warmth caressed his heart. He wasn’t alone anymore. He was so goddamned tired of doing everything alone. He bit his lip. What was he thinking?
He gave into the irrepressible desire to trace the delicate skin of her face, its shape familiar, beautiful. Maybe he was tired, but he couldn’t push her away. He didn’t want to, he admitted to himself, regardless of how much it complicated things. He’d simply have to find a way to protect her. From the people that had killed Ray. And from himself and her ex.
“Then God help us both.”
Chapter 31
S
he stayed close as Tanner led her into the kitchen, really wishing he would kiss her. God, she wanted him to kiss her.
He released her hand. “I killed that kid, Meredith.”
Her wish faded. He needed comfort and reassurance now. “No, you didn’t. You know that deep down, but it’s hard to feel it.”
He dropped himself onto a bar stool. “There’s a first aid kit in the pantry.”
She retrieved it, and he lowered his hand into hers, palm up, when she returned.
“I didn’t think they’d go this far. I mean we’re in small-town USA, not fucking Kabul where no one thinks twice about shooting some punk dealer kid over heroin.”
She could tell his mind was replaying all the nightmares he’d seen, so she tried bringing him back. “Despite everything, you liked Ray, didn’t you?”
“Dammit, yes. He was just a good kid out to make a quick buck. He would have made a hell of a lawyer.” He told her how Ray had gotten into selling drugs in the first place. “When he told me, I couldn’t believe it. I know stereotypes don’t always jive, but he was an A student, for Christ’s sake.”
She cleaned a burst blister. “I’m sorry, Tanner.”
He described Ray’s voicemail. She didn’t know what to say, so she covered the raw skin with a Band-Aid. Silence filled the kitchen.
He tipped her chin up. “They know about me now. That puts you at risk. Do you understand that?”
“Yes.” Her gut slithered with unease. “But we’re in this together. Besides, there’s safety in numbers. And I’m a Hale, remember?” she tried to joke. “They won’t do in a Hale. The paper’s too strong here.”
He sighed, and looked down. After a moment he said, “I should have protected him.”
“How?” She cleaned the cracked skin on his knuckles.
“I don’t know, but dammit, I should have done something. Made him leave town maybe.”
“Before the end of the semester?” She arched her brow. “That would have generated more speculation. Plus, they might have shut down their operation. You did what you thought was best, Tanner. You had no way of knowing what would happen.”
She finished with more Band-Aids and lifted his hands to her lips, kissing each owie. “There. All better now.”
“Thanks.” He touched his finger to her cheek. “It helps to have you…” He trailed off and looked away, his jaw working. When he turned back, his eyes were gleaming. “You aren’t going to have a panic attack if I tell you I desperately want to kiss you, are you?”
Her mouth went dry. “Ah…no.”
“Good. Then, come here.”
He framed her face with his hands. “What’s between us has nothing to do with Ray or anything else, okay? I need you to know that.”
Her heart quaked, shifting the landscape of her feelings for him. “Okay.”
He lowered his mouth, kissing her softly. Sipping. Tasting. Her lips tingled. Somehow she’d expected him to be rougher after seeing his rage outside. His gentleness made her want to give him more.
She pressed closer, her body pressing hot against his. He nibbled her bottom lip, and she lurched forward, tangling her hands in his hair. Her tongue traced the seam of his lips, and he opened to her. A healthy steam of lust blew through her like an overheated boiler. She gripped his neck, changing the angle of the kiss. He lowered his hands to her waist, tasting her.
Deeper and deeper and deeper.
His fingers tickled the waistband of her skirt. Her eyes closed as she let herself feel the pleasure of that first touch. God, it had been so long. She wanted him to touch her, take her, devour her.
When his hands rose to her breasts and cupped them through her sweater, her head fell back. He kissed her neck, his breath hot against her skin. She tipped her head back further to give him better access and ran her hands along his strong shoulders. He stood and walked her backwards a couple of steps until she hit the counter. The sensation of being pressed against his entire body made her tremble. Their mouths met again, tongues dancing and retreating, all playfulness gone. His heart drummed against her hand as she traced his muscular chest.
When he caressed her butt and pulled her closer to his arousal, she lurched. Their kiss grew wilder, and her hands gripped his waist as the world tilted. She wasn’t sure how she was standing on her feet anymore.
Something vibrated against her thigh, breaking her concentration. Tanner cursed and stepped back, digging into his pocket.
“Damn phone.” He checked the display. “It’s my sister. I called her last night about Ray. I need to take this, or she’ll worry. Shitty timing.” Brushing a thumb down her cheek, he put the phone to his ear and walked away. “Hey, Peg.”
She closed her eyes and savored the lingering imprint of his mouth. Her body raged with heat, but there was something more…A deep, urgent tingling told her she was coming back to life after being numb for so long.
What was the saying about someone having the matches to light the fire inside you? Tanner clearly had the right matchbook for her.
And being with him could just be the biggest story of her life. Had she found her own Nora hero like she’d hoped? He certainly had all the qualities.
Her phone chimed. When she saw her grandpa’s number, she clicked it on and confirmed his hunch that Ray had been Tanner’s source.
When Tanner came back inside, she signed off. “Grandpa wants us to come to the house tonight. He heard about Ray and put two and two together.”
“Good, we can run our plan by him.”
“Do we have one?”
“Peg had some ideas. So do I. It helped to talk it through with her. I was running on adrenaline. You’d better get off to work. I’ll see you tonight.”
She fingered her damp hair, sensing a change in him. “I want to stay.”
He picked up her purse. “You need to go to work like usual, or you’ll raise suspicion. I need to head out too. I’ll see you tonight.”
She frowned as she walked toward him. His face didn’t reveal anything.
Rising on her tiptoes, she decided to test the waters. She kissed his cheek.
He sighed, snuggled her closer, and pressed his mouth to hers. The kiss held the same tenderness he’d shown earlier. Inside her, it was like someone had blown a thousand bubbles, making her float. When he tugged on her lip and drew away, she leaned against him.
“I have your coffee in my car.”
“I already had my jolt for the day. Get going. I only have so much willpower.”
Heck, yeah. “See you tonight.”
She was halfway to the door when he stopped her by saying her name. She turned.
His jaw clenched tightly. “Be careful.”
“Count on it.”
The reminder burst some of the bubbles, making her aware of her own gravity again.
Chapter 32
T
anner firmed his shoulders and knocked on Arthur’s door, wondering how in the hell he was going to deal with two stubborn, single-minded Hales.
Arthur welcomed him in, one white eyebrow arching at the pastry box in Tanner’s hand. “You didn’t have to bring anything.”
Tanner shrugged. “Cover…I’m concerned about you being involved after what happened with Ray.”
“Don’t insult me, boy. I’ve lived a hell of a long time. If you think this is the first time I’ve been in hot water over a story, you’d be dead wrong.”
“What are you two crossing swords over?” Meredith stepped into the entryway just as Tanner set the box on the table by the door. She had on the same blue sweater and gray skirt, and just seeing her made him want to cross the room and kiss her senseless.
“He was underestimating an old man,” her grandfather explained.
Tanner growled as he took off his coat. Why didn’t they understand he wanted to protect them? Was it a Hale family trait? “I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
Tapping his cane like a judge’s gavel, Arthur picked up the white box. “Then, I’ll hear no more about this, or I’ll ask you to leave. Meredith and I can conduct our own investigation.”
He followed them into the kitchen. “Smart of you to get here early so you two could present a united front,” he said to Meredith.
She stopped him with a hand and leaned up to kiss his cheek. “I don’t want you changing your mind. We’re in this together now.”
He liked this affectionate side of her. Of course, he desperately wanted more than a kiss, but his conscience continued to give him fits. He felt like he was being stretched in a dozen different directions.
“Best not argue, son. It’s two to one.”
Tanner rubbed the scar by his mouth. “Fine, but you have to promise to take precautions. These people are dangerous.”
Pouring two single malts into crystal highballs, Arthur said, “What? Do we have the word ‘stupid’ tattooed on our heads?” He handed one of the glasses to Tanner, who resisted the urge to toss it back in one shot.
“I’m going to shut up now.”
Arthur extended his glass for a cheer. The crystal chimed when their glasses met. “Good. Dinner’s ready, so let’s eat.”
Tanner doubted he’d taste the food, but he followed them into the dining room.
“So, let’s talk about what you’re planning.” Arthur folded a blue napkin in his lap.
Someone had lit white candles in silver holders. It was a strange setting to concoct a plan for taking down murderers, but when didn’t the Hales surprise him? Arthur passed around a plate of steaks, a bowl of salad, and a platter of mashed potatoes, and everyone served themselves.