by Ava Miles
She slid a file toward him. “We have some horse trading to do. You get the dirt I have on you for the dirt you have on Tanner’s brother.”
“I see.” He opened the file. After flipping through the photos, he looked up at her. “Impressive. I wasn’t sure how much you had. You never would show me everything.”
“I’m not stupid. And I’m a damn good investigative journalist. You forgot that.”
“Obviously.” He shoved out of the chair. “I thought you were my wife. Didn’t expect you to spy on me.”
This time, his attempt at guilting her didn’t make her stomach long for a Rolaid. The firelight danced upon his pretty face, the blond highlights in his hair.
She felt absolutely no regret over losing him.
In fact, she felt like she’d been saved from a life-sentence of misery.
Peace uncurled within her like a precious flower, softening her heart. She let it expand with gratitude. The sensation heralded new beginnings—and a final release of the past.
She sat back in her chair. God, she felt wonderful. Wonderful enough to set aside her anger over what this man had done to Tanner. It was time to devote all her energy toward the good things in her life—exactly as she’d decided in the bookstore all those months ago.
Richard strode over to the bar. She followed. “You get the negatives on you, and I get the negatives on David. It’s a simple trade.”
He knocked back a scotch, the peat tickling her nose. “What about your article for Karen on Nora fucking Roberts? Are you planning on using it to ruin my political career?”
“I know you won’t believe this, but I never planned on hurting your career. I only wanted to reclaim something important to me, something our divorce had stolen. Not everything is about you, Richard.”
He scowled. “You threatened me.”
“You pushed me.”
His sigh rushed out as he poured himself another drink. “Yeah, you never liked that. I wish I hadn’t done it.”
She looked at him, truly looked at him, and saw him for the first time. He was selfish, vain even. He gorged on power like a three-year-old gorged on Halloween candy. He used people to get what he wanted.
But their relationship had not been barren of moments of kindness, humor, and even love.
Still, it had always come second to his ambition and his needs—for women, for more money, for the ability to screw with people’s lives.
“Me too. We could have avoided this whole episode.” She fingered a Band-Aid on her hand. “No, I take that back. If this hadn’t happened, I never would have met Tanner.”
His mouth twisted. “You love him,” he accused.
“Yes. It’s ironic, don’t you think? You’re responsible for bringing us together.”
His curse didn’t bother her in the least. “He won’t stick, you know,” he said. “He doesn’t like to be tied down. The man’s never stayed in one place longer than a couple years. He’s a loner.”
She walked back over to his desk. Smiled. “I know who he is.”
He was someone who was willing to give up his life for the woman he loved—a real bona fide hero, straight out of Nora Roberts Land. And he was all hers.
Richard reached for another drink.
“So. Do we have a trade?”
“You don’t give me much choice,” he said. “My political career is more important than some city councilman. I’m going to do great things for this state. Wait and see. ”
“I’m sure you will.” He was a politician through and through, always had been, and God knows he had the adultery thing down pat.
He walked to the safe and dialed in the combination. When it beeped, he opened it with flourish.
She pulled the negatives out of her purse and extended them. When he reached out his hand, she pulled back. “No double-double crossing. Because when I say I want to be done with you, I mean it.”
His mouth tipped up. “You’re tougher than you used to be, Meredith. I don’t like it. And I don’t like your hair either.”
“Well, I do.”
He put his hand over his heart while the fire crackled and popped in the stone hearth. “I’m being straight with you here. You always brought out the best in me, Meredith.”
“Not always, but it’s good to be reminded.” She took the negatives he gave her, putting them in her bag.
“You aren’t going to check them?”
She studied him. “My gut tells me you’re not pulling a fast one. I’ve learned to trust it.”
“You always had good judgment.”
See, Divorcée Woman called out.
He walked over to the bar again. “How about a drink? For old times’ sake?”
“Why not?” she said, setting her bag down.
When he whipped up a dirty martini, a sense of surprise fluttered through her.
“You remembered?”
His face softened. “There’s a lot I remember.”
She drank the martini slowly as he sipped his scotch. Both of them studied the fire in the silence.
“I need to go.”
He nodded and followed her out. When she reached the landing, he helped her with her coat and opened the door. “I’m glad you didn’t die in that avalanche, Meredith.”
She wouldn’t even ask how he already knew about it. He was a journalist, after all.
Her mouth curved. “Me too. Goodbye, Richard. Good luck with the political game.”
The door closed. She walked down the stairs, running over their meeting in her mind. She’d known the instant the fight had gone out of him. As soon as he’d realized a compromise was needed, he’d turned reasonable and charming. Some things never changed.
Well, she had gotten what she came for. What Tanner wanted to do now that he was free and clear would be up to him.
She took a deep breath, inhaling exhaust and whispers of food from the restaurant quarter around the block. Her bustier cinched her ribs, and she touched it lightly with her fingers.
It was time to let something else go.
“Goodbye, Divorcée Woman. Thanks for everything.”
Have a good life, Meredith. You deserve it.
Yes, she darn well did. She headed off in the direction of her favorite lingerie boutique. The first thing she would do was buy cotton underwear—an early Christmas present to herself. With her courage restored, she could return to her old faithful.
Cars streaked by, honking in noisy bursts. Brake lights flickered red when traffic halted. Ah, New York. She was going to miss it, but she was happy to leave it on her own terms. Her future was bright. She knew what she wanted, and by God, she was going to do everything she could do to get it.
Just like one of Nora’s characters.
She was going to fly back home to her own Roarke. He did exist in real life.
He existed for her.
Chapter 57
Ignoring the hospital smell in Tanner’s room—pee-yew—Jill looked up from the legal pad she was doodling on, hoping to see Brian coming down the hall for another visit. There was still a certain wariness between them, like they were trying to decide what to do with each other when everything returned to normal. But he’d been coming around—even bringing delicious meals. She’d realized she’d missed him as a friend—even if she were still attracted to him. The other realization had been her need for a new focus. Writing in stream of consciousness on the pad was helping her to see what bubbled up.
Across the room, her grandpa was playing cards with Peggy and Tanner, and her mom and dad had volunteered to make a run for coffee at Don’t Soy With Me. The hospital stuff tasted like crap.
Footsteps sounded in the hall. She glanced over to the open door. Brian materialized, looking hot in jeans and a blue fleece.
“Hey,” he said to everyone. “How’s it going?”
After the pleasantries were exchanged, he sat on the edge of the ugly floral chair where she was sitting. He pointed to her legal pad, his brows knitting together. “What are y
ou doing?”
“Brainstorming. I need a new project.”
“You get bored too easily,” her grandpa muttered, slapping down his cards. “Just like me. Gin.”
“I think you’re cheating, old man.” Peggy shuffled the cards. “Don’t make me frisk you.”
“My dear, it would be my pleasure,” he responded. “We’re going to need a new deputy sheriff here. You should think it over, Peggy. Dare’s a nice town. I’ll give you and Keith a personal tour when your brother gets back on his feet. Families should be together.”
Peggy’s mouth twitched. “We’ll see.”
“How can I stay here when the person I’m staying for left without a word?” Tanner barked.
“Red hot, anyone?” Grandpa Hale interrupted.
“I’ll have one.” Keith jumped off Tanner’s hospital bed, where he sat perched like a parrot. The kid hadn’t had a meltdown since he’d arrived, thankfully. Seeing him sob in his mom’s arms near Tanner’s bedside had pretty much done everyone else in.
Brian sat on the edge of her chair and peeked at her drawing. “So, what’s it going to be this time?”
“I don’t know,” she responded, looking at her hodgepodge of words and symbols. Everything had something to do with food—but on a bigger scale than Don’t Soy with Me. She made a humming sound as her intuition finally showed her the way. “Maybe I’ll open a restaurant. Something fun and hip.”
He rubbed his chin. “Huh. And I’m a chef…”
She trailed her eyes up his chest until she was looking straight into those Bengal tiger blue eyes. “Huh?”
“Are you beating around the bush here?”
“Mwuh-ha-ha-ha!” she uttered in her best villainous laugh because she hadn’t consciously realized until this moment she’d been looking for a way to reconnect with Brian. “You’ve discovered my evil plan.”
Her grandpa snorted; Peggy’s shoulders shook; and even Oscar-the-Grouch Tanner’s lips twitched.
Keith bounded over. “You’re funny, Jillie. Don’t you think so, Brian?”
“Isn’t she just?”
“Keith, come back here. I need you to help Mommy figure out how to beat Mr. Hale.”
The kid’s sneakers slapped against the hospital floor. “Shuffle harder, Mommy.”
Jill set the legal pad aside. “Maybe we should think about joining forces, Brian.”
“All right, you two. You were best friends growing up,” her grandpa muttered. “Cut the crap and stop farting around. Why don’t you make up already?”
“Mommy, Mr. Hale said fart, ” Keith whispered.
Brian held her gaze. “What do you say, Jill? Friends?”
As she looked into those all-too-familiar eyes, she took the first step to making peace with him. “Friends.” And maybe more, she thought.
Meredith sauntered through the doorway, looking all New York chic in a black Chanel suit. “What are we talking about in here?”
“Friendship,” Brian responded, kissing her cheek. “Welcome back. You look better, Mere.”
“I feel better,” she declared, throwing back her hair, her eyes darting straight to Tanner.
The heat between them sparked. Jill hoped it wouldn’t singe Tanner’s medical machines. She leapt from her chair. “Okay, everyone. We’re taking a break in the cafeteria. Ice cream on me.”
Keith whooped. “Do you want some, Uncle Tanner?”
“Not right now.” Tanner said, punching his pillows.
Grandpa Hale wrapped his arms around Meredith. “Everything all taken care of?”
In response, Meredith made a humming noise in her throat.
“Can’t wait to hear. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall.” Kissing her cheek, Grandpa tapped his way after Keith.
Peggy grabbed her purse. “Meredith, it’s good to have you back,” she said.
“About damn time,” Tanner growled.
“Like most men, he’s a bear when he’s sick. Ignore him.”
“Oh, we’ll manage.” Meredith set her massive purse onto Tanner’s bed.
Brian grabbed Jill by the arm. “Come on. Let’s leave them alone.”
“Wait! So, how did Rick-the-Dick take it?” she whispered, leaning close to Meredith’s ear.
“Surprisingly well. I’ll tell you later.”
Looking over at Tanner, Jill winked. “Have a good talk, you two.”
The standoff had already begun. Tanner sat crossly on his bed while Meredith smiled back at him. The trip to New York had clearly agreed with her.
Catching sight of the new Nora Roberts hardcover sticking out of Meredith’s handbag, Jill executed a twirl as she left the room.
Love did conquer all. Just like Nora always said.
Now, she needed to find her own Nora Roberts Land.
She linked her arm with Brian’s and hesitantly settled her body closer to his.
Chapter 58
About time you got back,” Tanner barked again when the door closed behind Jill and Brian.
His sour mood couldn’t ruin her happiness. She was thrilled to see him again. Even though her family had given her progress reports, his improving health soothed all the worry from her gut. She floated over to him and kissed his cheek. “Someone’s grouchy. Shoulder hurting?”
He slanted her a look. “Yeah, but that’s not why I’m pissed. Why the hell did you take off and tackle Sommerville by yourself while I was stuck here?”
She folded herself into the chair next to his bed. “I needed to handle things myself.”
“I got a text from your ex,” he growled. “He said he wishes us well, and there are no hard feelings. What the fuck is that all about?”
Her brows winged up. “Oh really?”
He punched the bed with his good arm, rattling the frame. “Yes, really,” he mimicked in a nasty tone, not looking at her.
“He did bring us together.”
Tanner snorted. “That’s rich. Like that makes what he did okay.”
“Mhmm.”
“I wanted to handle Sommerville myself.”
She cleared her throat until he finally met her eyes. “Well, I had the means, so I did it. Just like a heroine in one of my Nora Roberts novels, which I totally need to tell you about later.”
His scowl accentuated his scar.
“After you offered your life for mine, I thought one good turn deserved another.”
“I hate that phrase,” he snarled. “That’s not why I did it.”
Her heart warmed. God, she wanted to touch him, but she needed to know one more thing. “I know. Besides, I didn’t want this whole blackmail thing to be between us for another moment.”
He grew silent, fiddling with his IV.
“Your face is still bruised.” The colorful patchwork quilt of pain made her heart beat tightly in her chest.
He ran his hand across his jaw. “Yeah, and I need a shave too.”
She folded her arms. “You should have told me about the blackmail.”
The monitors droned on in the silence.
“I didn’t think I could at first. Then, I thought it would be better to wait until we solved the case.” He shook his head. “It all comes down to one damn reason though. No, two.” He kicked at the sheet that covered him.
Her pulse stopped. “And those are?”
His chocolate brown eyes gleamed at her. “I didn’t want to fucking lose you. Or see you hurt.”
Inside she was glowing, but he wasn’t getting off that easy. “Quite a gambit. Crushing me to bits in one move, thinking I would come back in the end.”
His jaw clenched. “I’m sorry. I hated doing it, but I couldn’t think of another way to protect you. After Peg…I couldn’t fucking risk you! I was willing to lose you if it meant keeping you safe.”
She had to take a moment to clear her throat. His raw emotion triggered her own. How could she have ever thought badly of him?
“You were willing to die to keep me safe.” She leaned closer, gripping the hand rails of his bed
.
His scowl seemed more menacing under his thick stubble. God, he must have looked like a badass with a full beard.
“I was going to find a way to get out of it! I don’t have a fucking death wish, and it’s not that I don’t trust you.” The white straw toppled out of his styrofoam cup when he fiddled with it. “Besides, you’re one to talk.”
“So, we make a good pair.” She rested her chin on her hands. “I went to New York to show you that you can trust me—and that I can handle myself.”
His eyes fired. “I know you can.”
She snorted.
“I do. It’s just that I don’t want you to get hurt if I’m around to stop it. Call it the He-man gene, but I have it. Get over it.”
Her brows rose even as her heart soared. “You are surly.”
He pinned her in place with his gaze. “I was worried you weren’t coming back!” He looked away. Swallowed hard. “That you couldn’t…forgive me,” he whispered.
Her heart pounded in insistent thuds. It took a minute to answer. “I’ve decided my life is here. I told my grandpa and dad that I want to take over the paper.” She finally reached for his hand and threaded their scraped fingers together, careful of the IV. “Tanner.”
He met her gaze, his eyes pinched at the corners. God, he was so beautiful.
“I do forgive you. All the way.” She smiled softly. “I love you.”
His hand squeezed hers in a death grip. “Thank God. I wasn’t…I hoped…I love you too. I meant what I said on the mountain. Dammit, I’m not doing this right. These damn drugs.”
She scooted closer, wanting to crawl up next to him on the bed. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I hurt you, and I want to make it better.” He snorted. “Shit, I sound like Keith. I have something for you.” When he leaned over to the side table, wincing, she leapt up.
“Let me get that, you macho ape.”
It was a pale cream box tied up in a moss green ribbon.
“There’s no way you tied this,” she commented drolly.
He sputtered out a laugh, holding a rib. “Maybe I have hidden ribbon-tying talents.”