Harlequin Heartwarming April 2018 Box Set

by Amy Vastine

  They walked inside and turned down the first hallway. An office door was open and female voices and laughter drifted toward them. Tag strode in without knocking. Ally followed. Conversation halted. Three pairs of curious-sister eyes fixed on them—Shay’s, Hannah’s and Iris’s.

  Hannah seemed to recover the quickest. “Hey, Tag. Ally, hi!”

  “You guys know Ally,” Tag said, with a gentle touch to her elbow. “Obviously.”

  Shay’s eyes narrowed. “Are you two here…” She gestured between them. “Together?” Then she focused on Ally and asked in a cool tone, “Or is there something I can help you with, Ally?”

  Tag answered for them both, “If by together you’re trying to ask if Ally and I are on a social outing the answer is yes.”

  Shay opened her mouth to speak, then closed it in a tight-lipped scowl.

  Ally felt encouraged by the reactions of the other two women; Hannah appeared happily surprised while Iris’s knowing smile gave the impression she was downright thrilled.

  Hannah said, “Ally, I’m glad you’re here. I was going to stop by and talk to you today. It’s working! Between the tea and the acupuncture, I haven’t felt this good in so long. Not ever, I think—definitely not since the accident. Thank you.”

  Tag swiveled his head to look at her, adding another pair of curious eyes to the mix.

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help, but truly, I’m just the messenger.” Ally had given Hannah the name of an acupuncturist she knew who had a practice in Glacier City. And the tea was an herbal mix her grandfather made that helped with inflammation. Normally she wouldn’t pass it on, but her grandfather had given her permission, and she’d explained to Hannah that it was only something she’d do for family or friends.

  Hannah asked, “Um, did someone else call you, by any chance? She’s sort of a friend of a friend.”

  “She stopped by.”

  “Already? Well, that’s good, but I was going to ask you first if it was okay.”

  Ally gave her an encouraging smile she hoped conveyed more than she could say. “It’s fine. It was nice to meet her.”

  “Awesome.” Hannah’s face split with a wide grin. “I hope you can help her, too.”

  Shay stood. “Tag, I’ll show you the part I need so you guys can get going on your…outing.”

  * * *

  TAG FOLLOWED SHAY out of the office, trying not to feel concerned by the conversation he’d just witnessed. They walked through the inn until they exited out a set of doors. They kept going across the property to an outbuilding that housed supplies and tools.

  Inside, Shay flipped on the lights and then whirled toward him, her face radiating tension and anger. “Are you dating her?”

  “I’m going on a date with Ally, yes. And simultaneously doing a favor for my sister.”

  Shay dipped her head and pinched the bridge of her nose for a few seconds before accosting him with another scowl. “How much do you like her?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know yet. This is our first date.”

  That answer seemed to appease her, even though she was obviously under the mistaken impression that he hadn’t formed an opinion yet when the fact was that he just didn’t know how hard he’d fallen.

  “Good. There’s still time. How old is she?”

  “Why does that matter?” Why was he being defensive when he had his own concerns about the age difference?

  “Because…it just does. Does Bering approve of this?”

  He scoffed. “Why would I need his permission?”

  Shay sighed. “I’m talking about your campaign. Did you run this by him and Senator Marsh? How do you think it will look to people if you’re dating a twenty-year-old? Especially one who already has a reputation.”

  “She’s twenty-two. And what reputation?”

  “Well, thank goodness she’s at least old enough to legally drink a beer. People are talking about her, Tag. About the clay and the marijuana she gave to Ginger. And now she’s helping Hannah—and others, too, apparently.”

  “She didn’t give Ginger marijuana.”

  “That’s not what I heard.”

  “Before you start repeating gossip, let me assure you that I know what I’m talking about. I was there, Shay, when the conversation with Ginger took place.”

  “Oh. But that doesn’t—”

  “I understand your concern about the medical advice, but Ally is a very intelligent woman.” Despite his defense of her, he couldn’t help but hope she was using that intelligence wisely where this subject was concerned. “She knows what the laws are.”

  “I’m not worried about her, Tag! She can practice voodoo and get arrested and sent to the gallows for all I care. I care about you.”

  “Voodoo is more of a religion,” a voice said from behind them. “And while I believe in a holistic approach to health, it doesn’t include animal sacrifice or zombies. Although, as a Native American, I do sympathize with the sensationalism and misunderstandings where the voodoo belief system is concerned.”

  Ally stood in the doorway, and Tag marveled at how unruffled she appeared. Like she was recounting a pleasant weather forecast and not defending herself against his sister’s insulting comments. Shay, on the other hand, had enough grace to look embarrassed.

  Ally pointed out the door. “Your sisters had to go so I thought I’d see if I could help.”

  “Ally, I’m sorry you heard that,” Shay said, sounding anything but. “It wasn’t personal. I was just trying to make a point.”

  Ally nodded. “Well done, then. Tag, I’ll wait for you in the pickup.”

  “I’ll be right there.” He hoped his smile communicated some of the admiration he felt for her. Shay wasn’t an easy person to combat.

  They watched her walk away. Tag frowned at Shay. “I don’t think who I date is anyone’s business but mine.”

  “That’s very noble, but also impossibly idealistic. Because, unfortunately for you, when you committed to this campaign, your life became the public’s business whether you like it or not. It’s also your family’s business because we care about you. And dating Ally Mowak is going to imply things about you.”

  “Shay—”

  “No, listen.” She stepped toward him. “I’m sorry that just happened, but maybe it’s a good thing. She should think about this, too.”

  “How can you be so—”

  “I know—” she interrupted. Blowing out a breath, she continued more calmly, “I know I can sound harsh. I know I’m opinionated. Everyone agrees about that. Especially lately because I’m super stressed out, Tag, I’m…” She paused for a few long seconds. “Never mind. That doesn’t matter right now. I’m not sure you understand how difficult running for office can be. I don’t imagine Ally does, either.”

  “Shay, it’s state senator, not king of the world. And to ease your mind where Ally is concerned, it’s not serious, and it won’t get that way. We’re just…hanging out.”

  “Come on, Tag. You are so…good. Do you know that?” Her features softened, reminding him of the sister he used to know before the disappointments of life had so cruelly sharpened her bitter edges. “That’s one of the reasons I think you’re going to win. But I’m also scared for you. You’re not used to people not liking you.”

  Tag sighed. “Shay, relax. Senator Marsh has done background checks and hired an investigator to find dirt on me. There’s nothing. My goodness, as you so derisively refer to it, happens to be an asset in this case.”

  “Tag, what I’m trying to tell you is that these days you don’t have to have any dirt for it to be flung on you.”

  Shay reached out and took his hand, her golden-brown eyes wide and beseeching. His anger dissipated because, despite his sister’s approach, he knew her concern came from a place of love.

  “You’re my brother, but you’re
also the best man I know. Along with Jonah, there’s not a man on this planet that I care about more than you. And, just like you, I’m protective of the people I love. When Jonah came back to town, you were afraid he was going to hurt me, and you went into attack mode. Remember?”

  Tag chuckled, remembering how he’d fretted and stewed before warning Jonah not to break Shay’s heart again. “Yes, I remember. Are you saying you’re afraid Ally is going to hurt me?”

  “Maybe not on purpose. But any way I turn this, I don’t see your hanging out with her being good for you.” She paused, her expression a mix of concern and thoughtfulness. “Or for her, for that matter.”

  * * *

  TWENTY MINUTES LATER Tag and Ally were back on the road, and Tag was mulling over the conversation with Shay. His sister could be a little dramatic, but she made a good point.

  “I’m sorry about that. My sister can be…intense.”

  “It’s fine. I get it. She loves you. You don’t need to apologize for her, and she already apologized for herself. I’m not sure how sorry she was, but either way, it’s not on you.”

  “Ally, there is one thing that Shay brought up that I’d like to talk about.”

  “Sure.”

  “I know you’re helping Hannah with her arthritis and that’s great.”

  Ally nodded, her face a marble slab. But he could feel her gaze burning into him. He was glad he was driving so he didn’t have to make eye contact. “My, uh, concern is that, well, she implied that you might be seeing other patients—people,” he quickly amended. “And, apparently, other people are talking.”

  “Gossiping you mean?” She shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t care.”

  “Okay.” He paused, trying to decide whether he should drop it. But the fact was that he cared about her—and himself, too, where the election was concerned. “But Shay pointed out that people—the community—might scrutinize you even more because of the election, because of your involvement with me. I mean, assuming this date goes well and we keep…” He glanced at her.

  “I understand,” she said. Her tone was serious, but her lips were curling up a little at the corners.

  “And that doesn’t bother you?”

  “No.”

  Did she mean that? Tag wasn’t sure she understood what being the focus of town gossip could be like. In addition to being young, growing up in such a rural setting meant she’d been sheltered in certain ways.

  “I think the real question is whether it bothers you,” she said.

  Did it? People talked in Rankins, just like they did in every other small town, but Ally hadn’t committed a crime or done anything terrible. He couldn’t imagine his reputation suffering because of his association with her. So long as her actions didn’t hurt anyone, it didn’t matter. No, his concern was that she was going to hurt herself, and he had a sinking feeling there wasn’t much he could do about that.

  “I’ve already voiced my reservations to you, which are about you and the security of your job.”

  “Okay then.”

  “Okay then,” he agreed. He wasn’t going to allow Shay’s outburst or this topic to ruin their day.

  “Moose!” Ally cried and pointed. Tag didn’t see it but slowed the pickup to a crawl. A cow with twin calves stepped out from the brush onto the road. The trio sauntered across and disappeared into the trees along the other side.

  “Nice catch.”

  She smiled. “My grandfather trained me well. Growing up, I used to go out on house calls with him. As I’m sure you can imagine, that entailed miles of very bad, very remote roads.”

  “Teeming with wildlife.”

  “Yep. One time when I was a little girl I asked him why wild animals seemed attracted to the road. They had miles and miles of wilderness they could travel on, and the road was so dangerous. He said, ‘Remember, Alsoomse, in some ways animals aren’t so different than people. It’s always tempting to take the easy path, even when we know it might not be the best path.’”

  “Alsoomse?”

  “Oh, yeah, that’s my name. It means independent in Algonquin.”

  “Are you Algonquin?”

  “My grandmother was half. She spoke the language.”

  “Huh. Wow. It’s a beautiful name.” Tag chuckled appreciatively. “And it couldn’t be more perfect, could it?”

  She grinned. “My grandfather has always worked very hard to make me live up to it, believe me. But what about Tag? That’s unusual, too.”

  “It’s short for Taggart, which is my mom’s maiden name. Taggart Henry James.”

  “Hmm. I like that. And the concept, keeping a part of your identity in your child. It’s a nice way to honor your heritage. I’d like to name a baby after my grandfather someday.”

  A shockingly painful cramp of longing followed as an image of Ally with a tiny black-haired baby cuddled on her lap materialized before him. His baby fantasies had never been quite so specific, and he reminded himself that Ally’s “someday” was probably a good decade away. Way too far away for him.

  Supposed to be having fun, he told himself, casual and fun. “One time, a cow moose chased a guest into the koi pond at the Faraway Inn.”

  “No way!” Ally said, laughing.

  “True. It wouldn’t be as funny if the guy hadn’t been such a jerk or if he’d gotten hurt. But it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person. These teenagers filmed the whole thing. Hannah was working for Shay back then, and she somehow got a hold of the video. It’s hilarious.”

  They continued to exchange stories, and by the time they reached Glacier City, he realized that for the first time in his life he’d met a woman who’d had as many outdoor adventures as he had, maybe more. Lots of firsts with Ally. Funny how the years between them seemed to be dissolving with every second he spent with her.

  Tag pulled the pickup into the parking lot of the restaurant and turned off the engine.

  “We’re here already?” Ally asked.

  “I know. Shortest drive to Glacier City ever.” Time, he thought, had never meant so much to him as it did since he’d met Ally.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY boat or plane and with a population of just over thirty thousand, Alaska’s capital city of Juneau was the best option if Tag had to spend time in an urban setting. Situated at the base of a three-thousand-foot-high mountain and bordered by the ocean, Juneau offered everything an outdoor-loving city dweller could want. On paper, it should have been enough for him.

  In reality, it was a point on which he and Kendall had not been able to agree. She wanted to live in Juneau, he didn’t and she couldn’t understand why. Tag didn’t want to leave his family or relocate his business, nor did he want to be in a city, even one as small and charming as Juneau.

  But Kendall hadn’t felt that Rankins held enough opportunities to advance her career as an attorney. Tag agreed that, for the ambitious Kendall, it did not. They tried the long-distance thing for a while, but when visits from each direction grew less and less frequent, he felt the inevitable looming. And he was right; Kendall had met someone else and moved on. Tag had thought, and believed still, that if they’d loved each other enough they would have been able to work it out.

  He hadn’t been to Juneau since the breakup, and he’d wondered how he would feel when he returned, if Kendall memories would stir any regrets in him. But now, landing and docking his floatplane at Senator Marsh’s waterfront home, all he felt was relief.

  That wasn’t entirely true, he realized as he and Bering fetched their bags from the plane and started across the dock where Jack and his wife, Gwen, were waiting. There was a surprisingly strong longing-type ache mixed in there, too—he already missed Ally.

  In a weak moment, he’d nearly asked her to come with him. He’d talked himself out of it because he was afraid it would violate the ground rules h
e’d set. If they were going to keep things casual, he needed to act casual. Not an easy feat where she was concerned. He was counting on this weekend to provide some distance and possibly a bit of perspective. He told himself that focusing on the campaign would serve as a much-needed reminder that he couldn’t let himself get too attached.

  The Marshes greeted them on the dock. Jack said, “Tag, beautiful landing, son, as usual. It’s going to be darn convenient for you, when you’re elected, to be able to fly in and out whenever you fancy.”

  Tag smiled. “Thank you, Jack, I appreciate your confidence.”

  “Welcome,” Gwen said, hugging each of them in turn. “I’m so glad you guys could make it.”

  Tag said, “Thank you for having us, Gwen. Are you sure it’s not too much of an inconvenience if we stay here at the house?”

  “Positive,” Gwen assured them. “Look at this place.” She pointed at the mansion behind her. “We have to justify all this space somehow.”

  Jack agreed. “She’s right. The party starts at seven, which gives us plenty of time to get changed. We’ll show you to your rooms. You guys can freshen up or take a rest or wander around the estate. We’ll meet out on the deck as soon as you’re ready. That way, we can discuss a few matters and have a drink before we head out.”

  Jack’s phone rang, so Gwen showed them to the second floor, where they had side-by-side suites overlooking the water. Tag entered his and headed over to the window. Discarding his earlier thoughts about distance and perspective, he pondered texting Ally. Maybe she’d texted him. That would give him all the impetus he needed to call and hear her voice. Patting his pockets, he realized his phone wasn’t there. He checked his backpack and tried to remember the last time he’d had it.

  Last night, for sure, because he and Ally had taken a walk along the bay. He’d snapped a photo of her with his phone; the wind had been tossing silky strands of her long black hair while she laughed and struggled to gather them up.

  He didn’t think he could ever get tired of looking at her. He could speak to her right now if he had his phone. He rummaged through his suitcase, thinking about how he’d pulled her close after the photo and kissed her for the first time. The first time he’d kissed her. The first time since he’d established the hands-off rule.