by Lori Leger
He gave her an incredulous look. “We just met. What makes you think something like that?”
She tapped her chest in the vicinity of her heart. “Sometimes the heart sees more than the eyes. I got the gift of that sight from my mother.”
Tanner shook his head. “I won’t be rude by calling it total nonsense, but let’s just say I’m not a believer and leave it at that.”
“You don’t have to believe in something for it to be true, Mr. Collins.”
He left her alone in her room, wondering if Zoe’s claims hit too close to the target for comfort.
Chapter 9
Sarah glanced up from her monitor to see Tanner standing in front of her, holding a square cardboard box.
“I didn’t know you were back yet, and is that what I think it is?” She recognized the colorful logo from the House of Buns.
“I left Houston early this morning to make it in for work. Had this sudden craving for caramel sticky buns and I know how much you love ‘em.” He opened the box, releasing the aroma of fresh from the oven cinnamon rolls covered in buttery caramel and pecans.
“Oh …yes, and they’re still warm.” She took a deep breath, reaching for a delectable roll drenched in sticky goodness. One bite later, she closed her eyes as the decadent flavors melted in her mouth. “Damn, that’s good.”
Tanner laughed and placed the box on the table near the office coffee pot. “I’ve had all I wanted so I’ll just leave the rest here for you and your co-workers.”
She swallowed the bite and licked her lips. “Mm, I guess I’ll share.” She set the bun on a paper towel he’d placed on her desk. “Thanks, Tanner. I’ve been thinking about you, your dad’s surgery and all. How’d that go? No complications?”
“He’s in some pain—he must be because he takes his medication religiously, and he normally hates taking pills.” His brow furrowed with obvious concern. “I know it’s only been a few days, and he’ll start to improve every day, but damn, it’s hard watching him go through that. It’s hard on my mom, too.”
“Is she taking care of him by herself?”
“We hired a nurse to stay full time with him, but Mom still does a lot for him. I think this scared both of them into actually admitting they care for each other.” He scratched at his chin pensively. “It’s been kind of a pleasant experience. Not him needing the surgery, of course. It’s just that lately I’ve seen sides of them they’ve never shown me before. It’s been eye opening.”
“I guess as couples age they aren’t as quick to show affection as they did in their younger years.”
Tanner gave a slow shake of his head, still seeming to mull it over. “My parents seemed to get along very well from what I witnessed growing up, but they’ve never been outwardly affectionate with each other. I never thought my mother would miss not having Dad around, but she was terrified of losing him.”
She kept her silence, letting him sort out things in his own mind. He caught her staring at him and cleared his throat uneasily.
“I’m glad you came by,” she rushed, when it looked like he was going to leave. “It’ll keep me from having to call you later. We’re planning a little party at the ranch this Saturday from about 2 p.m. to whenever. Red’s DJ will be there, but he’ll have to pack up around six-ish to get back to the club. Everyone can either go home or pick it up at the club later that evening. I want Mitchell to meet all the people that have been so wonderful to me since I’ve been here. Good food, good music, but BYOB. Think you can make it?”
“I think I’d sure as hell like to try as long as nothing comes up in Houston with Dad. Thanks for the invite,” he said, beaming at her.
“Thanks for the sticky buns, and uh, feel free to bring a date.” It may have been her imagination but she could have sworn his smile faded a bit before he nodded and left her office.
“Bring a date?” he grumbled to no one in particular as he stepped inside the elevator. Yeah, that’s just what he wanted to do at a party hosted by the woman he couldn’t seem to keep his mind off of, no matter how hard he tried. By the end of the elevator ride, he felt even more dejected, deciding she’d thrown that in as a subtle message. Sarah was not, and never would be, interested in him.
Tanner made his rounds, trying like hell to act cheerier than he felt. A few patients looked as confused as a two-headed turtle, making him wonder if he’d laid it on a little too thick. Mr. Fournet, his grumpiest patient, told him he didn’t appreciate the sarcasm. Too bad Tiffany wasn’t in today. She’d have been able to tell him straight up if he was acting like a douche.
The last call of the day was the woman who’d lost her infant daughter in the drunk driving incident the previous month. He seated himself and rolled the chair to sit in front of her. Once he completed her check-up, he leaned forward slightly, taking her hands in his.
“From a neurological standpoint, you’re doing fine, Beth. How’s your frame of mind? Are you having any episodes of depression, sleeplessness, or times when you feel overwhelmed?”
“Try all of the above.” She bit her lower lip as tears flooded her eyes. “I miss my baby girl so much, you know? I still wake up in the morning expecting to hear her crying for her bottle and needing her diaper changed.” She wiped her eyes brusquely. “It’s kind of difficult to perk up when you start the day out like that, but my days are getting better. I have to believe that God has a plan for her little soul.”
“Totally understandable reactions to a loss like that. Do you need me to prescribe anything for depression or something to help you sleep?”
“No, it really is getting better, and I don’t want to be zoned out in case my little boy needs me.”
Tanner imagined Sarah in her place, one of Sarah’s girls in the place of the infant this woman had lost. Just for a moment, he felt the ache of her loss pressing at him. He squeezed her hand gently. “I’m truly very sorry I couldn’t save her, Beth.”
She nodded, the sadness in her big brown eyes tugging at his heart.
“I know you are, Dr. Collins, and I’ll be okay in time. I’ve still got my husband, and my little boy. We’d been thinking about trying for another child. Maybe we’ll start thinking about it seriously soon.”
“I think that would be a wonderful idea. Maybe give yourself a couple more months to recuperate before going for it?”
She stood, straightening her blouse. “I’ll do that, Dr. Collins.”
Tanner placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. “Keep me informed, and if the depression or sleeplessness gets to be too much, you let me know, all right? You don’t need to deal with this alone. We’ve got excellent psychologists on staff if you need any kind of treatment in that area, even if it’s just to talk.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, nodding as she walked away from him, still limping slightly from a sprained ankle, another less painful reminder of the accident.
He found himself thinking about her several times that week, even as he lay in bed trying to get some much needed shut-eye. He even caught himself mumbling a quick prayer for her benefit one night. He laughed about it to himself. God was sure to take his sweet time answering any prayer from a guy like him.
Tanner shifted his Lexus into park and got out of the car, reaching inside to grab his small cooler that held a six-pack of beer, and a gift bag containing two bottles of wine for the host and hostess.
Within seconds of Tanner ringing the bell, Daniel LeBlanc, holding a curly-haired toddler, pulled the door open, his deep voice booming a welcome.
“Hey Tanner, how’s it going? Come on in! And before I get too busy and forget to ask, how the hell’s your dad?”
“He’s good, sir. I think this whole heart attack episode must’ve scared the crap out of him because both Mother and his nurse claim he’s being an excellent patient.”
“Oh, yeah, it’s still too fresh in his mind. He’ll get over all that as he starts feeling better.”
Tanner joined in with Daniel’s booming
laughter. “I expect you’re right about that. When he’s feeling spry he’ll be back to his old stubborn self and refuse to take his medicine.”
“Eating fried shrimp ‘po-boys’ behind Celine’s back. You know, I’ve spent a lot of time with those two over the years.” He jerked his head for Tanner to follow him inside. “Come on in, buddy. Everybody’s out back through that door.”
Tanner thanked him and handed him the gift bag. “This is for you and Leah.”
“Thank you! I’ll just turn this over to the lady of the house when I can find her. Here, hold this for me, would ya?”He handed the baby over to Tanner. “Her parents are out back somewhere and I think she needs her diaper changed.”
“Good God, is this Tiff and Red’s?” Tanner lifted the child for closer inspection. The baby, wearing a hot pink romper boasting “Daddy’s Girl” on it, squealed with delight as he faked throwing her up in the air.
“Yep, that’s Brianna. She’s a beaut, ain’t she?”
“She’s changed so much in two months, I don’t know if I’d have recognized her.” He gazed at the adorable toddler then froze as he heard a vaguely familiar sound, followed by the unmistakable smell of poop-filled diaper. “What’s the deal, man? It seems like every time I hold one of these things, they do this.”
Daniel’s laughter rang out as he opened up the back door leading out to the deck. “Quick, bring her to her parents out there. I don’t mind feeding and rocking ‘em to sleep. I’ve even been known to change a pissy diaper or two, but this Paw Paw draws the line at changing the old number twos. That’s what parents are for.”
The appearance of Tanner holding Brianna at arm’s length drew Sarah’s gaze like a drowning woman to air. She remembered how he’d held one of her daughters the exact same way and obviously for the same reason. She approached him just as Tiffany took Brianna off his hands.
“You should be getting used to that by now.” She grinned at him.
“I seem to have that effect on babies, don’t I? How are you, Sarah?”
“I’m good, thanks. I hope you’re hungry. Red and Mitch started cooking before sunrise.” She pointed to a corner of the deck. “Put your cooler down in that area.”
He grabbed a beer before stashing the cooler aside. “So where is the man of the hour?” he asked, looking around.
“He’s over there, talking to Mel. The two of them are comparing battle scars, I think.” She watched their animated discussion for a moment, before turning back toward Tanner.
“Yeah, Mitch definitely looks like he’s in the middle of something; I’ll catch him later. Are the twins out here?”
“They’re napping.” She pulled on his shirtsleeve. “But, we have another set of twins here today, a pair of adorable little boys. Look, there they are.” She pointed out two toddlers, who looked to be a couple years old.
“That’s got to be Jackson’s boys. My God, I bet that’s exactly what he looked like at their age.”
“So, you already know Jackson and Giselle?”
“Jackson, Red, and I all played baseball together for LSU.”
“I didn’t know that. I don’t know much about baseball,” she admitted, wrinkling her nose. “I do love football, though. A good weekend for me is watching any team in the SEC on Saturdays, and all day Sunday watching NFL. I start suffering severe withdrawal symptoms after Super Bowl Sunday.”
“Any football, or do you have favorite teams?”
“LSU and the Saints of course, but I watch everything.”
“I have season tickets for two to all Tiger’s home games. Maybe you’d like to come along some time. I know some serious tailgaters who know how to party.”
She managed to pick her jaw up from the floor. “Don’t tease me, Tanner. Are you serious?”
His gaze grew somber. “I never tease about LSU football. So, can I count on you to come to a few, or do I need to start asking around?”
“Oh buddy, did you ever just make a huge mistake. Now I really can’t wait for football season.” She clapped her hands in excitement. “I haven’t been to Death Valley stadium in nearly ten years.”
“I usually try to make five or six Saints games during the season if I have time. Say the word and I’ll save a ticket for you. I always buy several at a time. It’s more fun going to games in a group.”
“I’ve never been to a Saint’s game … ever.” It took serious effort not to throw her arms around his neck.
He smiled. “After next season, you won’t be able to say that anymore.”
She hopped back and forth on her feet, unable to contain her excitement. “Can I dress up for the games? I’m prepared to do the black and gold face paint, cover myself with fleur de lis and Who Dats, while wearing my number nine jersey.”
Tanner gave her a sidelong glance. “Give it your best shot, but I doubt if you can come up with anything I haven’t seen before. Some fans really get their freak on come game day.”
She released a throaty chuckle and gave him a slow nod. “Is that right? Well, it looks like I’ve got between now and football season to come up with something freakier, then.”
He leaned in closer. “So, are you planning to shock me, or just embarrass me?”
Sarah’s breath caught at his sudden nearness, and her olfactory receptors kicked in. The sexy combination of Tanner’s own chemical make-up combined with some tasteful cologne tantalized her taste buds, making her mouth water. “Maybe I’ll do both.”
“Or neither,” he countered.
Her eyes widened. The hand holding her drink froze in mid-air, halfway to her lips. “Is that a dare?”
One eye squinted as he pursed his lips. “I think it’s more of a challenge.” He straightened slowly, his eyes pinned on her as he sipped from his bottle of beer. “Shock me if you can, Ssaarraah.”
He spoke her name slowly, drawing it out like verbalized erotica. She stared, unable to break the trance that locked her to her spot. The man was hot. If Tanner were an asphalt highway, she would see waves of heat emanating from his surface.
A voice from behind jarred her, making her jump.
“Hey Sis. What are you two discussing over here?”
“Football!” Sarah answered, too quickly to sound sincere, even to her own ears.
“The air seemed a little too thick for a football discussion. I heard someone say the twins are awake, Sarah.”
“Oh, they’ll need changing before I bring them out.” She headed towards the door.
Tanner waited until she disappeared into the house before extending a hand to Mitch. “Master Sergeant Hebert, I trust you’re well.”
Mitch accepted it, giving it a firm shake. “I am. I hope you remember the discussion you and I had at the farmers’ market the other day.”
Tanner finished his beer, and used the opportunity to move the conversation next to his cooler, and away from curious ears. He grabbed another bottle and straightened. “I remember.”
“Good. I’d be extremely unhappy if you’d forgotten about it. You and I both know you’re not the right guy for her.”
“We’re friends. Have you heard of that concept? You know, two people hanging around together and having fun just for the sake of having fun?”
Mitch took a step closer to him. “The kind of fun a guy like you has would only end up breaking her heart.” He poked his finger in Tanner’s chest and lowered his voice. “Look Collins, you need to go find your piece of ass somewhere else and leave my sister the hell alone.”
Tanner’s pulse pounded furiously as he closed the gap. “I would never hurt her like that.”
“You damn well better not, or your ass is mine, I swear to God!” Mitch snarled.
“What’s going on here?”
Sarah’s unexpected appearance had Mitch backing off and facing his sister. “We’re just discussing a few things.”
“It didn’t sound like a discussion. It sounded like you were issuing orders, except they were about me. I must be mistaken, though, because you’
re bound to know better than that.”
Tanner was thankful she concentrated her piercing glare at her brother rather than himself.
“Look, Sis, I know what guys like him are after—”
“I’m sure you do, because you are a guy like that, and don’t you dare try to deny it.” She lifted her hand to stop his comeback. “I just heard you bragging to Jackson about how girls can’t say no to a guy in uniform.”
Mitch hung his head, at least having the decency to look ashamed of himself.
“You’re right, and I’m sorry,” he said. “But I worry about you.”
“Did Tanner say we were anything but friends?” She cast a sidelong glance at Tanner.
“No.”
“There you have it, but just for future reference, if I was to start up a relationship with a guy, any guy…” she poked at her brother’s chest for emphasis. “It would be of no concern of yours. You clear on that, big brother?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Mitchell murmured.
“What was that, Marine?”
He gave her a sharp salute. “Crystal clear, Ma’am.”
She nodded and jerked her head in the direction of the far end of the deck. “You’re dismissed. I believe Red needs your help with the pit.”
Mitch looked over to where Red was practicing a balancing act with a large pan of poultry and ribs. “Oh hell, there goes the grub,” he said, rushing over to lend him a hand.
Sarah’s throat clearing pulled Tanner’s attention from the scene.
“He’s over compensating.”
“For what?” he asked.
“He feels guilty as hell, for not being around for the whole Troy mess. So he’s being hyper-vigilant. I keep telling him it’s not necessary. I’ll never choose another Troy. After tending to broken bones and black eyes, a little heartache is nothing.”
“Is that what you see when you look at me? A little heartache?”
She took a sip of her beer, keeping her gaze locked on him. “I haven’t quite decided yet. For now, all I expect is a good friend who’s promised to take me to some football games.”