After he left the bed, she fingered the crease in his pillow, realizing they’d journeyed somewhere new together.
She wasn’t sure what to think about that.
She turned to her side, rolling around words in her mind.
Nora Roberts Land.
The One.
Pleasure. Trust. Fear.
When he came through the bathroom door, all chatter in her head ceased. He tucked her against his side, stroking her skin softly.
No one said anything. No one needed to.
When he finally picked up his watch, he sighed. “I really do need to go now.”
They both dressed. When they came out of her bedroom, he took her hand.
“I’m almost sorry we didn’t use the orange couch. Not too many people can say that.”
At the front door, a smile shimmered on her lips. “Well, it’ll be waiting for you when your company leaves.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Reaching into his pocket, he handed her his Swiss army knife. “Don’t let Sommerville have the last word. Hack the flowers up and stomp them to bits if it’ll make you feel better.”
It was still warm from his body. She curled her hand around it. “Okay. Thanks.”
He’d given her his gloves—and now his knife. Funny how they warmed her heart in a way flowers never had.
He settled his hands on her waist and gave her a slow, deep kiss. “It’ll be all right. You’ll see.”
His voice tightened at the end of the sentence. Was he trying to convince her or himself? After what they’d shared in her bedroom, she wasn’t sure either of them knew where they were going.
They’d have to talk about it soon. Her stomach flipped. How would he feel about her writing an article about him being her hero in Nora Roberts Land? Was she ready to even admit he was The One?
She was pretty damn close.
Her fingers cinched his navy scarf. “Have fun with your family. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Can’t wait.” He walked away and then angled back, kissing her again before leaving.
The roses made her nose twitch. She fingered her crystal necklace, studying the bouquet. She realized she didn’t need to pulverize Rick-the-Dick’s flowers. Her anger had floated away. There was a new peace inside her. She felt…solid and centered—nothing like the wobbly mess she’d been in New York.
She took the bouquet to their elderly neighbor’s house to brighten her day. How was that for progress?
***
Tanner reached for his phone only to set it aside again. Damn Sommerville. The flowers had driven his point home. He wouldn’t think twice about fucking with Meredith directly and letting her know Tanner was scum. That would stop the article in a heartbeat.
Sommerville didn’t miss her. He got off on people’s weaknesses.
And now he was preying on Tanner’s.
If it wasn’t for David, he’d tell Sommerville to go to hell and march right back in and tell Meredith the truth in the hopes that she’d listen and forgive him.
But he couldn’t risk David. He’d always looked out for him. That’s what big brothers did. Plus, if he’d stayed home instead of going off to college and traveling the world, maybe he could have stopped David from following in their dad’s drunken footsteps.
He glanced at the house. He didn’t think about his fucked up family life when he was with her. She made him believe something better existed. Made him believe he didn’t have to be alone anymore.
He froze, the wind harsh on his face.
He hadn’t planned on it, but he was in love with her. All the way.
And she loved him too. He knew it.
His gut settled. He couldn’t be sure what Meredith would do, but he had to find out. He’d tell her when Peg left.
Meredith wasn’t supposed to be here much longer. Neither was he. He could find a job in New York to be near her, although he was surprised to realize he’d miss Dare. The damn town was growing on him.
When he arrived home, he settled in to wait for his sister and nephew, pulling out all the files on Ray’s death.
The sooner he could lock up this case, the sooner they’d be free and clear to start a new life together.
Chapter 40
M
eredith’s heart landed with a thud at her feet at the sight of Tanner carrying his nephew on his shoulders.
How could she help but love man who would let a seven year-old mess with his hair?
“He’ll make a good father,” Jill commented beside her at the window, watching them walk up the sidewalk.
Her heart warmed until she felt rosy all over. “Hush.”
“Look me in the eyes and tell me I’m wrong.”
“Why don’t you get the door?” she asked, wanting a little time to herself.
“Get it yourself, Mermaid.” Jill slapped her butt and sailed off.
She pressed her hands to her face. She finally had to admit it. She was in love with Tanner McBride.
Oh boy!
And they were spending a family holiday together. You didn’t get much more Nora Roberts Land than that.
The ground trembled beneath her feet. She’d really found The One. She’d have to tell him—about both her feelings and the article. When Peggy left.
The bell chimed. Meredith headed over to the door with a spring in her step, her green dress dancing with her rhythm.
“Hi, there!” Tanner’s nephew piped the moment she opened it.
He had dark hair and chocolate brown eyes just like Tanner. She found herself smiling. “Hi, yourself. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Meredith, this is my sister, Peggy, and my nephew, Keith,” Tanner noted with a wink. “Keith won’t be eating since he doesn’t like turkey, but we brought him anyway.”
“I do so like turkey! I don’t like veggies. You don’t have those, do you?”
“Sorry, kiddo. My mom insisted we have them,” she joked.
“Please forgive my son.” Peggy extended her hand. Her dark, chin-length hair framed a sweetheart-shaped face. “He wants to stay short all his life.”
“Do not, mom,” Keith cried, pulling Tanner’s hair up straight like he was eyeing it for a haircut.
“Watch the backtalk, please. It’s good to meet you, Meredith. And thank you for the invitation. It’s so nice not to be cooking today.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Keith mimicked.
Peg gave him the behave look. “I hope he won’t be too rambunctious.”
“Not possible,” Meredith’s grandfather replied, walking forward. “It’s nice to have a young gun around. I’m Arthur Hale. Please come inside. Couldn’t get lucky with a heat wave for the holiday, could we?”
Tanner made the introductions as Jill and her parents joined them with oh-so-pleased grins. When her dad said he’d hang their coats, Tanner grabbed Meredith’s arm and led her away. Oh, he looked so handsome in navy slacks and a white dress shirt.
“Thought I’d kiss you while I have the chance.”
When he set his mouth to hers, she forgot anyone else was around. His tongue stroked the seam of her lips, but he didn’t take it deeper. He pressed his forehead to hers, his breath warm on her face.
“Happy Thanksgiving.”
She wrapped her arms around him, the newness of her emotions coursing through her. “Right back at you.”
“Meredith? Can you help me with the potatoes?” her mother called.
Kissing him briefly on the lips, she walked backwards toward the kitchen. “Duty calls.”
Her mother gave her a hearty embrace when she approached. “So, it seems like things have been going well for you while we’ve been gone.”
“Ah…”
“Jill’s kept me informed.” She reached for the beater. “I’m so glad, Meredith.”
“Mom…don’t get too excited. Okay? We haven’t been together for all that long.”
And there were things they hadn’t talked about yet. Her article. Her departure. His. Their future. Teensy-weensy things like that.
Meredith’s mother handed her the butter and cream. “Some things don’t take much time to develop into their perfect form. Like mashed potatoes.”
Rolling her eyes, she took them.
“Don’t make fun of me, missy. Sometimes all you have to do is add the right ingredients and whip. Then voila. You have something magical.”
“Oh, Mom…is this ‘Cooking Meets Psychology Hour’?”
Her mom slapped her butt gently with a wooden spoon. “You’re a smart ass, but I love you. Now whip.”
***
Thirty minutes later, as the last of the mashed potatoes were being served, Arthur turned to Peggy, who was sitting on his right.
“I imagine you’re one heck of a policewoman.”
“Yeah! She’s caught a lot of bad guys. Pow, pow!” Keith’s fingers mimed a gun.
“Thank you.” Peggy smiled and pushed her son’s hand into his lap. “Behave or I’ll make you eat broccoli.”
Keith made a gagging sound.
Tanner ruffled his hair. “Don’t interrupt people’s conversations. If you’re good, we’ll have another snowball fight.”
The boy clapped. “Okay, but you can’t hit people in the head.”
“I’ll try and remember that,” Tanner replied seriously.
Meredith’s mother gave her a knowing smile. Yes, Tanner has his arm around my chair, she wanted to say. She stuck out her tongue. Her mother put her napkin over her mouth to hide her smile. Her father carved more turkey and passed some to Keith, who was bouncing in his chair like a popcorn kernel.
She never would have imagined Thanksgiving would be like this when she’d arrived in Dare, but she was thrilled.
Tanner and Keith went outside for another snowball fight after convincing Jill to join them. Meredith headed out onto the deck to watch, and Peggy came with her. The setting sun cast an orange glow on the snow-covered hills, and snowballs flew through the air amidst squeals and shouts.
“You have a great family,” Peggy remarked. “I especially like your grandfather.”
“He’s pretty charming. You have a great family too. Your son is wonderful.”
“He’s a handful, but we do all right. He’s all boy. Has been since he uttered his first word. Truck.”
“Tanner’s obviously over the moon about him.” Jill was right. He would make a good father. Not that she was thinking about that.
Liar, liar, pants on fire,
Divorcée Woman insisted.
Great, instead of her nose growing like Pinocchio, her alter ego was calling her out.
You know how to stop me.
Yes, she did, but admitting to a truth that big was too scary. She walked to the edge of the deck and knocked off the icicles.
“They have a strong bond. Keith is thrilled Tanner’s back in the country. They used to Skype, but it’s not the same.”
“Tanner mentioned you’re divorced too,” Meredith said cautiously.
“Yes, my ex was a dick, and he used it to screw around on me.”
“I call my ex Rick-the-Dick.”
Peggy’s mouth showed a ghost of a smile. “Good one. My ex’s name doesn’t rhyme with anything.”
“Can I ask you…”
“Ask away.”
“You seem so…” She gestured with her hands. “Together. Do you ever have bad days?”
Peggy cocked her head exactly like Tanner did, causing Meredith to break out in goosebumps. “Are you kidding? It doesn’t say perfect on my badge. Last time I checked, it simply said policewoman. Well, not literally. Look, you’re wondering if I doubt myself, right? Sure.”
“How did you get your confidence back?”
Her mouth curved into a wicked smile. “I bought a new gun and went to the range every day, pretending the target was my ex. Word got out. I was good. Scary good. People stopped ragging me at work. Silenced all the pity talk.” She snapped her finger. “My partner told me something in his sick way that clicked. He said if I can work a job where I risk getting shot or shooting someone, I can probably get over an asshole like Frank. It took a man to drill that wisdom home. My mom only patted my hand and told me what a great person I was.”
“I bought a whole bunch of lingerie. It’s not a gun…”
“Whatever works.” She eyed Meredith’s torso. “What kind?”
“La Perla.”
Peggy whistled. “Got a nice settlement, huh?”
“I did pretty well.”
“Have something on him, do you?”
Meredith looked away, off balance. “No,” she lied. “I had a good lawyer.” There was no way she was telling a cop what she had on Rick-the-Dick.
“Lucky you,” Peggy drawled.
Her face heated. Keith’s joyful screams reverberated in her ears when Tanner threw him into the air, Jill pelting them with snowball after snowball. “You’re lucky to have him.”
Peggy grabbed her arm. “You’re lucky to have Tanner. If you’re still having trouble trusting yourself, let me ask you something. Did kids like your ex?”
“Not that I recall.”
“Kids know. Tanner is Keith’s favorite uncle.”
“I didn’t know Tanner had a brother.”
Peggy’s face tensed. “Ah…yes. He’s the youngest. Keith, put your hat back on.”
“Where does he live?”
“Outside New York City,” she said. And then she stood up abruptly. “I think I’m going to join the fight.”
She stepped off the deck and charged her brother before Meredith could ask her anything else. They struggled, but her scissor-kick took him down. He laughed and shoved snow down her coat.
Meredith wrapped her arms around her middle as she watched them. Peggy had acted a bit weird about their other brother. She wondered why Tanner hadn’t mentioned him, but then again, she hadn’t asked him much about his past. Perhaps it was time she did.
“Meredith,” Tanner called out to her, his nose adorably red. “Get your butt over here and join this war.”
Enough serious thoughts. Even though she had a dress on, she decided to enter the fray. She charged him, pelting him with snow.
He glowered. “It’s good to see you don’t throw like a girl.”
Both Hale girls paused for a moment before swooping down on him.
“Traitors,” he called as Peggy and Keith joined the fray.
Meredith jumped on Tanner’s back. Before she could blink, he dumped her on the ground and leaned over her.
“Say surrender,” he singsonged, a lock of hair falling on his forehead.
She met his gaze and smiled sultrily. “I surrender.”
And meant it all the way to her healing heart.
He must have remembered their conversation on Halloween, because his eyes gleamed, and he kissed her tenderly. Since they couldn’t take it any further, she darted her tongue into his mouth and stuck snow down his neck.