by Ava Miles
“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.
“Hey
!” He reared back.
She shoved him and ran for the house, her laughter making puffs in the cold air. As she raced, she looked up and saw her parents watching her from the window. They looked tanned and rested. And still very much in love.
She’d resigned herself to never having what they had, but each time Tanner swept her off her feet, she believed she could have her own Nora Roberts Land.
Chapter 41
Tanner tucked the sheet around Keith, who wiggled like a worm in the massive king bed. “Night, buddy.”
“Don’t wanna go to sleep yet,” he said, kicking at the covers.
Peggy kissed his cheek. “Too bad. It’s way past your bedtime. Be grateful we didn’t have Thanksgiving here. I would have made you go to bed even earlier.”
“You’re so strict, mom.”
“Comes with the badge.” She tapped him on the nose. “Now kiss Uncle Tanner goodnight.”
When Keith wrapped his little arms around him, Tanner ruffled his hair. The kid’s adoration was up there with his Pulitzer in terms of lifetime accomplishments. He kissed him on the head. “Love you, kid.”
“Love you too. Can Hugo sleep in my room? Please!”
He lifted a brow at Peg.
“Okay, but we’re still not getting a dog.”
“But Mom!”
The stare she leveled would have stopped an armed robbery.
The kid’s frown accentuated the toothpaste in the corner of his mouth. “Okay, sorry. We have to wait until I get older, Uncle Tanner. Jeez.”
“We’ll send Hugo up, but if I hear talking, he’s coming back downstairs.”
Tanner winked at Keith before shutting the door halfway and calling the dog. “Want something to drink?” he asked Peg as they jogged down the stairs to the kitchen.
“Coffee.” She settled on a stool, watching him brew a pot without making conversation.
“What?” he finally asked.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“No, but you’re thinking something. Give.”
She cleared her throat. “You didn’t tell me you were in love with her.”
He dropped the coffee scoop, spilling grounds on the counter. He swore and grabbed a towel.
“I wasn’t sure I should say anything, but this is serious, Tanner.”
“Jesus, do you think I don’t know it?”
“So you are in love with her?”
He glared. “Is that a capital offense?”
“No, but I want to hear you say it.”
“I love her.” Even to his ears, his voice turned hoarse.
She threw up her hands. “Then tell her the truth. The longer you wait—”
“Don’t you think I know that?” He pounded the coffee lid on.
“Okay, I won’t torture you anymore.” She tapped the counter with her nails. “Meredith has some dirt on Sommerville.”
“Jeez, Peg. How did you find that out?”
“I worked it into the conversation. She denied it, but she’s a terrible liar.”
“Yes, she is.”
Her brow rose at his growl. “It was easier for me to ask.”
“She wasn’t suspicious?”
The snort had his teeth grinding. “Please, I’m a professional. What do you want to do?”
“I’m telling her when you leave. Okay? Get off my back. It’s hard enough worrying about how this might affect David.”
“He’s an adult now. Any promise you made mom—”
“Doesn’t have a statute of limitations.” He stared at his toes, reining himself in.
Silence stretched in the kitchen.
She set her coffee aside. “Okay. I’ll shut up. Let’s go through what we know about the kid’s murder again. See if we’re missing anything.”
Tanner knew enough about police procedure to know this was how Peggy worked. Repetition. Going through the files over and over again until something popped.
When he walked into his room an hour later, he wanted to kick the door closed. Nothing had popped.
He thought about what she’d said about Meredith having something on Sommerville. Was he willing to use Meredith to stop the asshole?
He didn’t like anyone else fighting his battles.
Well, he’d tell Meredith about the whole damn thing on Sunday and see what she said. Best lock the doors beforehand or steal her car keys. If she bolted… Well, he’d get her back. He was not losing her.
According to the clock, it was just shy of midnight, but he wasn’t tired. He drew out his phone, staring at their picture like a teenager. He cursed and hit her number.
“Tanner?” Meredith answered in a hushed voice, so similar to how she sounded when he woke her in the night to make love. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah. I wanted to say goodnight. I…wish you were here.”
“Me too. I like your family.”
“And they liked yours.”
Of course, what wasn’t to like? Her family was completely different from his. Her parents were clearly crazy about each other. In his home, there had been constant fights and tears. And that was before his drunk of a father had left them.
“Your sister said you have a younger brother in New York City. Where did he spend Thanksgiving?”
His throat squeezed tight. Damn Peg. He was sure she hadn’t meant anything by it, but it made him break out in a sweat.
“He lives in the Bronx with his wife and daughter. My mom spent the holiday with them.”
He pushed off the bed and paced.
“What does he do?”
“Ah…He’s a local councilman.”
God, he hoped she wouldn’t look David up out of curiosity. The recent article in her ex’s paper would be the first Internet hit.
“Wow, a cop, a local politician, and a journalist. That’s a pretty impressive group. Your mother must be proud.”
“Yes, she is. She practically raised us alone while working two jobs. I don’t know how she did it.”
They’d never had much, but she’d always done her best. He’d finally made his peace with her after realizing that.
“She sounds like an incredible woman. I hope I get the chance to meet her.”
He rubbed his throat, liking her train of thought. It implied they’d have a future. “Me too.” Since his gut was churning like a whirlpool with all the unsaid things between them, he changed the subject. “So, since we’re celebrating what we’re thankful for, why don’t you tell me what you’re wearing?”
She made a humming sound. “Thanksgiving ended a few minutes ago.”
“I’m still celebrating.”
“In that case…”
When she told him about her lace and satin undergarments, he settled down and decided acting like a teenager wasn’t such a bad thing in some cases—especially when it took your mind off murder and mayhem.
Chapter 42
Tanner smiled as Keith helped him hold Don’t Soy With Me’s door open for Peg and Meredith. Never too early to start acting like a gentleman.
“Jill, can I help make coffee?” Keith asked as they approached the counter.
Jill bounded toward them and swept him up in her arms. “Sure you can, if it’s okay with your mom.”
Peggy bopped Keith on the head with her gloves. “You listen to Miss Hale.”
“Okay, Mom.”
Jill pulled Keith around the counter. “Looks like we have some customers.”
As Meredith unwound her scarf, Tanner stopped her. He trailed his fingers along her neck as he slowly slid the white scarf off. Her green eyes warmed.
“Don’t make me arrest the two of you,” Peggy murmured. “At least let me get some coffee first.”
“Party pooper.”
“That’s me, Tanner. Let’s order.”
Keith chattered like a magpie as he helped Jill make their coffees. Meredith tensed next to Tanner when Larry Barlow strolled in. Knowing what he had done made it difficult to manage a poker face. Unfortunately Meredith’s sucke
d, so he nudged her.
“Honey, why don’t you grab us a table? I’ll bring the coffees over when they’re ready.”
He thought she was going to argue, but she gave a stiff nod. “Okay.”
Peggy put her hands on her hips, taking in the scene. Decked out in a green winter jacket with Eagle County’s Sheriff’s Department stitched on the front, Peggy would no doubt put two and two together.
“Tanner.” Barlow slapped his leather gloves in his hands.
“Barlow.”
The asshole lifted a brow when Tanner didn’t make introductions. “I don’t know you, ma’am, and I know most people in town,” he said to Peggy. “I’m Deputy Sheriff Barlow.”
She turned, flashing a girly smile. “Hi! I’m Tanner’s sister, visiting from out of town.”
Peggy’s fake feminine side creeped him out. Did she just bat her eyelashes? Dear God, she must be awesome at undercover work.
“Hi there,” Keith cried out, standing on the stool Jill had found for him. “What can I get ya?”
Barlow strolled closer. “Aren’t you a little young to be working here?”
“It’s not against the law, sir,” Keith said, shrugging, “so long as she doesn’t pay me.”
Barlow chuckled. “You’re correct, young man. Who are you?”
“I’m Keith. That’s my mom.” He pointed to Peggy.
The urge to prevent Barlow from talking to Keith was strong. Tanner didn’t think Barlow would do anything, but he wanted him to stay away.
This wasn’t a social call.
“You wanna ride in my police car?” Barlow rested his hands on his police-issue belt. “I do it for all the new kids.”
Peggy’s gripped Tanner’s arm when he took a step forward.
“Nah,” Keith responded. “I’ve been in police cars lots of times.”
Tanner’s insides cramped like he’d consumed bad milk. “Hey, Keith, why don’t you check on our order?”
Barlow straightened and tapped the counter. “You been arrested a lot, son?”
Peggy’s laughter trilled out. “Oh, that’s too funny. My kid loves cop shows. He’s taken a few rides. Honey, Jill looks like she could use your help. Don’t fall behind in your duties.”
“I’m not, Mom.” He turned back to Barlow with a frown. “I haven’t gotten in trouble, Officer. I ride in my mom’s car sometimes. She’s a cop too.”