Harlequin Heartwarming April 2018 Box Set

by Amy Vastine

  “That’s awesome. Between my connections with wildlife organizations and your involvement in all the pilot and paramedic associations over the years, we seem to have made a lot of friends. Are you ready for our trip next weekend?”

  “I will be. My biggest challenge is to find a tux before then. Senator Marsh’s assistant emailed me a list of stuff to bring, and I guess I need one for that party we’re going to. I haven’t worn a tux since our senior prom. She said I should go ahead and buy one because I’ll need it a few times in the next year. What a pain.”

  “I’ve got two,” Bering said. Tag wasn’t surprised. Bering and Emily sometimes attended formal affairs in the lower forty-eight with Emily’s wealthy family. “Too bad we’re not the same size. Juneau should be nice, though. Are you going to see Kendall? You should ask her to the party. You two always looked good together. And she probably knows a ton of people.”

  Tag’s last, and only, serious girlfriend, Kendall, lived in Juneau. They might have looked good, but they hadn’t been a good match. Besides the age-old issue of the city girl and country boy who can’t meet in the middle, there hadn’t been much of a spark.

  Unlike with Ally. That strong pulse of electricity seemed to vibrate between them without any effort whatsoever. Kendall had managed to find that with someone else. The fact that she’d done so while they were still dating had also been a problem.

  “Her fiancé might not appreciate that.”

  “She’s engaged? Already?”

  “That’s what I heard. And we broke up a year ago. But since we’re talking about women, can I ask you a question?”

  “A year? Really? That seems unbelievable. Time goes by so fast now that we’re oldies, huh? And, yes, you can ask me anything, you know that. But if it’s about women I highly doubt I’ll be able to help. Emily vexes me on a daily basis.”

  Tag forced out a laugh. His cousin just had to make a crack about age. “Your lack of confidence on this subject is disheartening, considering the fact you’ve been married for years now. But lucky for you, this isn’t about their behavior in general. I’m just asking for an opinion.”

  “You know I’m always up for giving one of those.”

  “Do you think I’m too old to date a twenty-two-year-old?”

  Bering’s head snapped up. He looked at Tag, curiosity stamped all over his face. “My gut reaction to that question is probably yes, that seems young. But, since I’m guessing this is a personal concern, I will follow it up with a firm I think it would depend on the twenty-two-year-old.”

  Tag nodded. Ally was most definitely not a typical twenty-two-year-old.

  “And what you’re looking to get out of the relationship. If you’re just wanting someone to hang out with and…wait, are we talking about Ally? Is she only twenty-two?”

  “How did you know?”

  “Dang. Dude, you could have given me a heads-up. I just lost the next three date-night choices to my wife. Emily said after the basketball game that you two were into each other.”

  “That sounds like a real hardship. And Emily is too perceptive for her own good.”

  Bering chuckled. “Fair enough. And tell me about it, she reads me like a book. But if this means I’m watching the cooking channel for the next three weeks in a row, I will never forgive you.”

  “If date night includes watching the cooking channel, you have more serious problems than not forgiving me.”

  “Just wait until you have kids. Trust me—an hour together of uninterrupted TV is a date.”

  This time the jab to his chest was even sharper than normal. With the election bearing down on him, it felt like he might never know. Dating Ally wasn’t going to get him any closer to a family, either, and yet he was beginning to feel like he couldn’t not spend time with her. He couldn’t even be in the same room with her and keep his hands to himself. And they’d agreed to keep it casual. How he was going to manage that he had no idea.

  “Seriously, though, the fact that you asked my opinion tells me you like her.”

  Tag felt himself smiling. He couldn’t remember the last time just talking about a woman made him feel like this. “I do. She’s…” He didn’t even have words to describe how cool she was. “I can’t…”

  Bering was studying him, grin as wide as the entire state. “Uh-oh.” He clapped Tag on the shoulder. “I get it, my friend. And I say go for it.”

  At that moment Emily appeared, Brady on her shoulders and Violet skipping along beside them.

  “Tag!” Violet yelled and waved. She galloped toward him, clutching a plastic bag in her tiny hands.

  “Hey, wildflower.” He bent and scooped her up into his arms.

  “I made you cookies.” Chubby cheeks glowing with a smile, she pressed the bag of partially crumbled treats into his hand. “Snickerdoodles because they’re your favorite.”

  “Thank you, Vi, but you’re wrong about that. You’re my favorite.”

  Tag loved how her entire body shook when she laughed. “I mean favorite cookie,” she cried.

  “Oh, of course. Yes, they sure are.”

  He kissed her cheek, his heart melting like it always did where Violet was concerned. Sticky fingers wrapped around his neck and just like that it reminded him how much care he needed to take with what life had dealt him. It might not be in the cards for him to have kids of his own, but nothing was more important than protecting the family that he did have. And to protect them, he needed to keep Rankins safe. Ensuring the security and happiness of his family and friends was worth way more than the sacrifice that political office would demand.

  * * *

  “CRIKEY, HE REALLY has it in for you, doesn’t he? What are you going to do?” Flynn sat across from Ally at a table in the hospital cafeteria. She’d just finished relaying the details of her latest meeting with Dr. Boyd.

  “Nothing.”

  “How did I know you were going to say that?” He stuffed another bite of cheeseburger into his mouth. “I wonder who his spy is? There’s no way Boyd could have heard about what happened unless someone told him, right? The conversation wasn’t documented?”

  “No, not the specifics. What about that nurse, Nicki?”

  “I don’t know…” Flynn tapped a finger on the table and stared out the cafeteria window. “That seems too obvious. And if it was her, why wouldn’t he have summoned you sooner? I feel like it almost had to have wound through the rumor mill.”

  “Good thought. But any of the family could have innocently repeated snippets of the conversation, too.”

  “True. But I don’t think so. What are you doing this weekend? You wanna go fishing or hiking or something? I need to get out of here for a while.”

  “Sure, but that depends on when and where. I have plans on Saturday.”

  “Something fun?”

  “Hope so.” She waggled her eyebrows at him. “Date.”

  “You haven’t even been here two weeks, and you already have a date? I want a date.”

  “Yeah, and you’re not going to believe who it’s with so I’m just going to tell you it’s Tag James.”

  Flynn brought his chin up like she’d smacked him in the jaw. “Really? I thought you didn’t like him.”

  “Turns out I was a little bit wrong about that.”

  “Wow. Ally… Do you know how old he is?”

  “Oh, no… Not you, too? He’s all twisted up about it. Thinks I’m too young for him.”

  “Well, what is he, like, forty?”

  “Thirty-eight. You think he’s too old for me?”

  “I don’t know… I’m feeling all kind of big brotherly here or whatever.”

  “Aw, Flynn.” Ally put a hand over her heart. “I am so touched, but it’s not like we’re engaged. It’s just a date.” Even though thinking about him, talking about him, looking forward to seeing him made her jitter
y in a way she’d never felt before. Anticipation didn’t seem accurate here. It was more like excitement on steroids.

  “But it’s not just a date, Al. Every time we choose to spend time with another person in a romantic way it means something. Unless you’re, um, focused solely on the physical, it’s like an interview for a life partner. And you need to be sure an age difference like this wouldn’t get in the way of what you want, or what he wants, for that matter.”

  “Whoa. Hold on there, my quasi–big brother. It’s not that much of an age difference. And, besides, I don’t agree. I think you can spend time with someone just because you enjoy their company.”

  “That’s because you’re only twenty-two. And sixteen years isn’t that much to you?”

  “No, it’s not.” Was it? She tried to ignore the niggle of doubt sprouting inside her. She couldn’t help but wish for a mom to talk to, or a grandmother, a sister, an aunt. A bubble of sadness expanded inside her. People said you couldn’t miss what you’d never had, but Ally knew they were wrong about that. She’d always pined for a feminine connection of some kind. Not that she wanted it to replace her relationship with Abe, just supplement it a little.

  Right now, she’d settle for a girlfriend. She thought of Iris, felt like maybe they were headed toward that. Disappointing that she was Tag’s sister. That seemed to preclude any advice seeking.

  “You do realize you’re breaking the half plus seven rule, right?”

  “The what?”

  “You know, the relationship rule that says you shouldn’t date anyone younger than half your age plus seven years.”

  “That’s ridiculous. Where did you hear that?”

  He pointed a french fry at her. “Hey, I didn’t make it up. It’s a thing. Don’t you read Cosmo?”

  “Cosmo? Of course not. I read medical journals and National Geographic. Besides, he’s not looking for a relationship. And I told him the same.” Which was only sort of a lie. She had told him that, but she didn’t know if she really meant it.

  The problem, as Flynn had just inadvertently pointed out, was that she didn’t know much of anything where relationships were concerned. She made a mental note to pick up a few of those magazines.

  * * *

  THE WOMAN WAS sitting on her porch when Ally got home that evening after work. She bolted to her feet as Ally approached. Tall and thin as a willow switch, she had sharp symmetrical features to match. Everything about her appeared lovely but fragile, like a piece of finely spun sugar. Bluish smudges beneath her eyes suggested she was also exhausted.

  “Hi, Ally? Ally Mowak?”

  “Yes, hello.”

  She reached out a hand. “Cami Hughes. It’s wonderful to meet you.”

  Ally shook it and noted the cold clamminess of her firm grip.

  “Thank you. You, too.”

  The woman nodded, her gaze roving over Ally like she was trying to make a decision.

  Ally offered a gentle smile. “I love meeting new people. But why is it nice to meet me, exactly?”

  “Oh.” Cami’s eyes widened for a split second before she let out a short laugh. “I’m sorry. I’ve heard that your grandfather is Abe Mowak, the Native doctor healer guy?”

  “Yes.”

  Cami cast furtive glances up and down the street before blowing out a breath. “I was wondering if you might be able to help me with, um, alternative medical treatments? I can pay you cash.”

  “I see. Why don’t we go inside and talk about it?”

  Ally unlocked her door, and they both went inside. Ally set her bag down and flipped on the light.

  “Please, have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?”

  “No, thank you. I’m good.”

  Cami settled on the sofa and Ally sat across from her in an overstuffed chair.

  “What’s bothering you, Cami?”

  “It’s my thyroid. I’ve been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Mood swings, fatigue, insomnia, weight loss, my hair… But it’s the fatigue that’s killing me.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I have no energy. I’m so tired of feeling like I’m going to drop at any moment. Please, I hope you can help me. I’m sorry…” She wiped at her cheeks and pressed one fisted hand to her pursed lips.

  Ally’s throat went tight as sympathy welled within her. How could she not try and help? She plucked a tissue from the box on the end table and passed it to Cami.

  “Cami, before we talk about this further I need to make a few things very clear. I’m not a medical doctor like my grandfather. I am a paramedic with the highest certification, and I served four years in the Army as a medic. Like my grandfather, I believe in a holistic approach to medicine, and that means a combination of what we call the old ways and the new, traditional and modern. Whatever works, in other words. The best approach for the condition.”

  Cami nodded. “I understand. How much do you charge?”

  “That’s another thing—I don’t charge. I don’t have a practice or a medical license to practice. I don’t treat patients. What I can do is give you some ideas about where you can go and who you can see to possibly get treatment. And this discussion I give freely. But in doing so, I might also suggest that you see a naturopath, an osteopath, an acupuncturist, a physician who’s a specialist or some other professional if I suspect your condition warrants it.”

  “I’ve been dealing with this for almost two years now. I can’t do this anymore, one medication after another, so many side effects. Now the doctor is giving me more medicine to treat the side effects. Nothing is working.”

  “I understand. And if, after hearing my history and qualifications and lack thereof, you’re still comfortable talking to me about this, we’ll see what we can do.”

  “I am. I promise, I am. I have a husband and two little kids and I can’t…” She choked on a sob. “I want to be able to take care of them and right now I can’t.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  ALLY OPENED THE door to her date on Saturday afternoon and paused to absorb two facts: she’d never been so conscious of the beat of her own heart, and she’d never seen a man look better in a pair of gently worn jeans.

  “Hey.” Tag greeted her with a lazy smile and not a hint of the nervousness plaguing her.

  “Hi, come in,” she said, waving him inside. A few strides and he was standing in the middle of her living room. A dark green knit shirt showed beneath his brown leather jacket, and she was fascinated by the way the combination matched the color of his eyes.

  She realized she was staring only when he asked, “Is something wrong? Am I too early? I know I’m not late.”

  “Um, no. I was just admiring your…you, to be honest. Your eyes change colors, sometimes green, sometimes brown. You’re so…”

  Right before her, his eyes darkened, and he made a sound, part chuckle, part incomprehensible mutter while grasping the back of his neck in that way he did when he was uncomfortable. He took a step toward her. Her heart jumped toward him. She wondered if he was going to kiss her. That would be a nice change, since she’d been the one making all the moves up to this point. Which was funny, now that she thought about it, because she’d never kissed anyone first. Ever. Until him.

  Her breath stalled while his gaze skimmed her neck and then lingered for a bit on her mouth.

  “I’m sure ‘so’ must be a good thing,” he said, his voice a ragged whisper. A warm shiver skittered across her skin.

  “Pretty good,” she managed.

  “Grab a jacket.” She felt his voice like a warm breeze. “We need to get out of here.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I promised myself I would keep my hands, and my mouth, off you until we get to know each other better. And that’s not going to happen if you keep talking and…looking at me like that.”

  “Okay…” she wheezed, because her heart seemed to have expanded to f
ill all the space in her chest, leaving no room for much-needed oxygen. She wanted to know him, too. So much.

  Flynn’s words flashed through her mind. Maybe he was right that dating was like an interview. She’d just never realized it, because she’d never thought of anyone in those terms before or wanted them to think of her like that. She’d never wanted the interview, so to speak. She did now. Ally turned around and picked up her bag and the jacket she’d placed on top of it earlier and wondered how she was going to manage slow and casual.

  After they were settled in his pickup, he pulled it onto the road and asked, “Do you mind if we make a quick stop on the way out of town?”

  “Nope. I’ll trust that we’re not going to be late for…whatever. I don’t even know where we’re going, remember?”

  “Ah, that.” He glanced her way, a proud-of-himself smile on his face. “I was thinking maybe dinner and a movie?”

  Joy swamped her so thoroughly she couldn’t have stopped her goofy grin even if she’d wanted to. He’d remembered. She could count on one hand how many times she’d seen a movie in the theater. Three times when she’d been a kid and had traveled to Anchorage with her grandfather, once in the Army, and then again last year when she’d been going to paramedic school in Michigan.

  “Sound good?”

  “You have no idea. Well, that’s not true, because you obviously figured it out.”

  “Well, you pretty much told me.” Tag flashed her a grin. “And I’ll admit to paying attention when I’m interested.”

  Yikes. What a perfect thing to say. Already this was the best date she’d ever had.

  The pickup veered onto the road leading up to the Faraway Inn while Tag explained that his sister Shay had asked him to pick up some parts for one of the inn’s hot tub pumps while he was in Glacier City. Ally understood completely. It was standard procedure when you grew up in a remote place to run errands and shop for family and friends whenever you headed to the city.

  “This won’t take long.” He pulled the pickup into a visitor space in the lot.