Harlequin Heartwarming April 2018 Box Set

by Amy Vastine

  Kendall had called him and emailed him several times since that weekend. Her communication always started out campaign related, asking him about attending one event or another or informing him that she’d met with some important person in her ongoing effort to secure contributions and endorsements. Tag appreciated it, but inevitably, talk turned personal, often in the form of an invitation for them to spend time together. That’s when he would find a reason to end the call.

  “You’ll like Laurel,” he assured her.

  “I hope so,” she said.

  They stopped in front of the Rankins Press office. Laurel lived in an apartment above the newspaper’s office, and Ally had agreed to meet her there before they joined the crowd at the Caribou.

  “Wish me luck. I’m nervous.”

  “Good luck. Just be yourself, and Laurel will fall in love with you…” He froze, because he’d almost added the word too to the end of that sentence.

  And, just that fast, he could no longer ignore what his heart had been telling him; he was in love with Ally. He loved her, and the realization left him equal parts stunned and terrified. And disappointed in himself because, despite the logic he’d employed and all the safeguards he’d constructed around his heart, it was too late to stop it now. It would be like trying to turn off the northern lights or halt a storm. It would be funny if it didn’t hurt so much; he’d finally fallen in love, and everything about it was wrong.

  Instead, he kissed her. Because if he couldn’t say how he felt, he was going to show her. A long, sweet moment passed before he pulled away to watch her face. He loved doing that because it was one of the few times her expression was unguarded.

  Her eyelids fluttered open, and when she smiled up at him, his heart swelled. The sensation felt different now, even stronger, and sweeter because he’d acknowledged what it was. Almost immediately that annoying, persistent ache clawed its way back in, scratching at the sweetness. He loved her, and he found that he desperately wanted to say it and he wanted…he wanted more. But he couldn’t have more, and he couldn’t tell her how he felt. It wouldn’t be fair to lay his feelings on her when they’d agreed on the parameters from the beginning.

  She squeezed his hand and said, “I’ll meet you at the Caribou.” He watched her walk inside the building and across the floor until she disappeared up the stairs.

  * * *

  AT THE CARIBOU, Mack had the big screen fired up and the first pitch of the game was about to be thrown and viewed in all its high-definition glory. Emily had reserved two tables up close and personal to the action. Family and friends were filing in and filling chairs. Appetizers had been ordered, and the fragrant scents of garlic and cheese had his mouth watering.

  Tag settled in with a cold frosty beer, Jonah on one side of him and Iris, who was saving the seat between them for Ally, on the other. RJ Filson threw the first pitch for the Mariners. Strike. A fastball and a slider came in quick succession, and the Mariners had their first out. The waitress delivered a plate of nachos to the table. Tag relaxed, determined to enjoy a no-stress, campaign-free evening with his family and the woman he loved. Even the thought of his eventual, inevitable heartbreak wasn’t going to ruin it for him.

  Shay leaned around Jonah and said, “Um, Tag?”

  “Yep?”

  “Isn’t that…?”

  Following his sister’s gaze toward the door, he froze, his mug halfway to his mouth.

  “Hey,” Iris said. “Is that Kendall? What is she doing here?”

  Tag didn’t answer because Kendall had already spotted him and was moving toward the table.

  “Kendall, hi!” Shay rose from her seat and greeted his ex with a hug. They had gotten along well, undoubtedly the attorney connection between Jonah and Kendall providing common ground.

  Ever polite, the rest of his family, sans Iris, chimed in with greetings, even though none of them had been impressed with the way Kendall had ended things. Iris glared openly at Kendall.

  Tag stood. Iris joined him. Kendall moved closer. Iris and Shay were flanking him.

  Kendall reached out and touched his forearm. “Hey, handsome. Are you surprised? I told you I’d see you soon.”

  “Hello, Kendall. Yes, very surprised. I’d assumed you meant the next time I was in Juneau.”

  “Lucky us, we didn’t have to wait that long.” She curled the fingers of one hand around his biceps. “Right?”

  He wished she’d stop touching him. Most of the table, and at least half the restaurant, now appeared more interested in them than the game. Stepping back, out of her reach, he crossed his arms casually over his chest. “What brings you to town?”

  “I had a meeting with a client here so I thought I’d stop in and see how you’re doing.”

  “You have a client in Rankins who can afford for you to make a legal house call?” Iris asked, doubt coloring her tone.

  Kendall shifted a speculative gaze toward Iris. Tone dripping with warmth, she said, “Iris, right? Tag’s little sister? The self-described misfit who hasn’t been home in ages? I don’t think we’ve ever met.”

  “Yes, that’s me. And you’re Kendall, the ‘best-dressed attorney’ in all of Juneau who cheated on my brother and made him feel like it was his fault.”

  Kendall gave her a condescending smile. “Spoken like a devoted baby sister.”

  Tag knew Kendall hated that “best dressed” distinction, given to her by the Juneau Jester, a hip, wildly popular lifestyle blog known for its scathing assessment of the city’s social elite. How in the world Iris had known this would get to Kendall, he had no clue. But he had to give his sister credit for pulling this card.

  Despite Kendall’s smile, which never wavered, her eyes were firing bullets. “You have to spend all your hard-earned money on something, right? What are you doing for work these days, Iris?”

  Iris’s eyes were shooting laser beams. Tag realized he’d made a mistake in telling Kendall that Iris was working for him temporarily while she looked for a job. But Iris was answering his phone, and how was he to know these two would get along like a pair of cranky cats? He decided they could both learn a thing or two from Ally about keeping their emotions at bay.

  Thankfully, Bering chose that moment to join them, greeting Kendall with a handshake and a “Nice to see you again.”

  “You, too, Bering.”

  “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  Shifting into soft and gentle Kendall, she said, “Yes, Bering, I hope so.” Then she focused on Tag. “Tag, my parents are here with me, and we were hoping you might be able to join us? Mom would really like to talk to you. She has some ideas about the campaign.”

  The woman knew how to get what she wanted; he’d give her that. It was about the only thing she could have said that would have torn him away. Across the room, near the door, he saw Sally and Tom Meade visiting with the hostess. It was all he could do not to groan out loud. Maura’s words of warning came to him about never alienating a possible donor. He glanced at Bering, whose enthusiastic expression made the decision a no-brainer, as painful as it would be for him.

  “Sure. Of course. I’d love to see your parents.”

  “He’ll meet you at your table,” Iris told her in a dismissive tone. “As his personal assistant and unofficial campaign manager, I need to have a word with him first.”

  “You know, my first job was working for family, too. Nepotism isn’t so bad when you’re desperate, is it, Iris?”

  “I suppose you’d know, huh, Kendall? Seeing as how you’ve taken desperate to a whole new level.”

  Kendall’s smile flickered, her nostrils flaring in anger as she looked at Iris. Tag was a little afraid of what she might do.

  Before she could respond, Iris took Tag by the elbow and led him away from the crowd. “What are you doing? You have plans with your family and Ally is going to be here any minute.” />
  With a helpless shrug, he said, “I know, and I’m not thrilled about it, but the Meades are very important supporters of mine. You know the campaign has to come first right now. I have to do this.”

  “Before Ally?”

  “Iris, what are you getting at?”

  “Ally will see you with her.”

  Ignoring the twinge of doubt spreading through him, he said, “Ally won’t mind.”

  “Okay, Tag, I didn’t say anything before because it seemed to blow over, but that photo of you and Kendall—”

  “Iris, Ally and I talked about it. I explained everything and she understands how it is.”

  “Understands what, exactly? I don’t understand, and I’m only your sister. Kendall calls you every day. Does Ally know that?”

  “Not every day. Ally knows how it is with Kendall and me.” Sort of, he added silently, because he hadn’t told her how much Kendall had been calling. “She knows that photo was a…mistake. She understands how important this campaign is to…everyone. Besides, Ally’s not jealous.”

  Iris lifted a hand and pressed a thumb hard to her temple. Silently, she stared over his shoulder for a few seconds before shifting her gaze back to him.

  “It’s not about being jealous, Tag. Not exactly. It’s about…a lot of things, actually. But right now, it’s about this woman trying to get her hooks back into you. She knows what she’s doing. She’s obviously done her homework, and she’s trying to use this campaign to get close to you.”

  Even if what Iris said was true, it didn’t matter. He couldn’t allow it to matter. “I can handle it.”

  “Fine, go. But that woman is trouble and don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  * * *

  “NOT ONLY IS your grandfather one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever met, but he could also charm the skin right off a snake.”

  Ally smiled at the reporter. “I still can’t believe you traveled all the way to Saltdove to meet him.”

  Laurel shrugged. “Worth every second. I’m not a fan of these interviews that are done through email these days. I can’t get to the essence of a person without meeting them. And in this case, I have to confess, Ally—I’m a little in love with Abe Mowak. I’d go out with him if we lived closer to each other. If he accepted my invitation, that is.”

  Ally chuckled. “I have no doubt he would.”

  She loved to hear people talk about her grandfather this way. Either people seemed to get him or they thought he was totally off base. Much like they did her, she was discovering. At least her grandfather didn’t have to concern himself with all the minute details of living his life, the way Ally did. Because of the nature of her job, she had to be careful about balancing one foot in the old ways and one in the new, while Abe just did what he thought was best without explaining himself. Laurel obviously got him.

  “So, like you and Tag, a little age difference wouldn’t get in his way? You’d be okay calling me Grandma?”

  Ally sobered, wondering if Laurel had a complaint about her relationship with Tag. Ally knew Laurel was a close friend of the family, especially of Shay, Emily and Janie. Janie wrote a column for the paper and Emily was a regular contributor.

  “Ally, I’m teasing.”

  “Oh…”

  “Unlike my dear friend Shay, I don’t think you and Tag should concern yourself with your age difference. Not that you seem to care what people think.”

  This was where she was supposed to reveal the status of her relationship with Tag. Even if she’d known what it was, Ally wasn’t about to bite, but she had to admit the woman was a skilled interviewer. “I care what Tag thinks.”

  Laurel laughed. “You are so much like your grandfather—wise, intelligent, grounded, capable, well-rounded. With a bit of mysterious thrown in to keep things interesting.”

  “Thank you. That’s kind of you to say. He has a way of keeping my priorities in the right place. I can only hope to have his wisdom one day. And I don’t know about the mysterious part—it’s not a quality I strive for.”

  “Yeah, well, I don’t think it’s one you can create. You just have it. You come off as very intriguing.”

  Laurel asked more questions and soon announced she had all she needed. For Ally, the experience was more like hanging out with a friend than being interviewed. She supposed that’s why Laurel had the excellent reputation she did.

  Together, they walked to the Cozy Caribou to find that the place was hopping. It was easy for Ally to spot the pushed-together tables full of James family members and friends in front of the big screen. But she didn’t see Tag. Laurel waved and moved toward an empty chair near Shay. Iris appeared by her side and took her elbow.

  “Ally!” she said loudly, a too-wide smile on her face. “Thank goodness you’re here. I have those samples to show you.”

  “Samples?”

  “Those paint samples.” Iris steered her to the window and began digging through her bag. Fake smile in place, she pulled out a handful of paint chips and fanned them out. Lowering her voice, she said, “This is just a diversion so I could warn you that Tag got kidnapped by his man-eating dragon of an ex and her parents. They are sitting at that table in the far corner right next to the bear carving. Please don’t worry about it, though, okay? I saw it happen and he wasn’t pleased. The only reason he agreed to join them is because of all this campaign…garbage.”

  Ally glanced across the restaurant, her gaze zeroing in on him immediately. “Garbage?” she repeated, hating the way the tumble of emotions colliding inside her made her voice go hoarse.

  Tone fired with annoyance, Iris said, “Yes, I think all of this campaign crap is over the top. I don’t understand why he’s even doing it. But who am I, right? I don’t live here anymore, and I don’t plan to stay for much longer.”

  Ally forced her attention back to the paint chips that Iris was moving in her hands, but she knew Tag had spotted her. She could feel him watching her. With a marching band playing in her rib cage, she lifted her gaze, and it locked into place with his. Silently, he seemed to plead for understanding. Ally tried to muster it. Knew she failed miserably. And then she wished she could disappear.

  “Ally, stop looking at my dumb brother. I know you want to run right now and I don’t blame you.”

  Ally swallowed a lump of emotion but couldn’t seem to look away.

  Until Iris tapped her arm with the paint chips, and said, “Hey, eyes here and smile, okay? So people don’t suspect this is upsetting you. Especially not that smug witch he’s sitting with.”

  Ally did as Iris instructed and all the feelings of friendship that had been building between them seemed to coalesce at that moment, swirling around and then encasing them in an invisible cocoon. The sensation settled into her, and Ally felt a peace like she hadn’t known since she’d started this crazy journey with Tag. Finally, someone seemed to understand what she was going through.

  Iris asked her, “The question is, do you want to stick around here and pretend you’re fine or do you want to leave with me right now? If I were you, I would leave. Not in a huff, of course. Just in a…” She plucked one of the paint chips out of the group, lifted it higher, pretended to analyze it. “I have somewhere else to be right now kind of way.”

  “Okay.” Ally pointed to the sample. “I wouldn’t know how to leave in a huff if I tried. And the baseball game is on. Everyone knows I love the Mariners. I feel like if I leave, it will be obvious that it bothers me that he’s with her.”

  Iris paused, lowering the paint sample and giving Ally an assessing, satisfied smirk. “I knew it,” she whispered.

  “Knew what?”

  “Nothing.”

  Tapping the color with her finger, Ally read the name Melancholy Blue. How fitting.

  Iris nodded, shifting all the cards back into a neat pile. “You’re right. I would be too…emotiona
l. It’s possible I would punch him. No, her. No, both of them. First her for trying to steal him and then him for not seeing it. Do you want me to just do it for you?”

  And, despite it all, Ally laughed. Because no matter what happened between her and Tag, she knew she officially had her first girlfriend.

  “Atta girl,” Iris said with her own happy grin. “I have no doubt you can pull this off. Let’s go sit.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “ALLY, I’M SO SORRY. I had no idea she was coming,” Tag told her later when they left the Caribou and walked toward Ally’s house.

  “I know. Iris told me.”

  From her vantage point during the game, Ally had been able to see him as he talked and ate with the Meades, all the while enduring what felt like the slow torture of being roasted on a spit over an open flame. Kendall touched him at regular intervals, and while he didn’t respond in kind, he didn’t move away, either. That stupid newspaper photo kept pushing its way to the front of her mind. Iris’s offer to punch Kendall played out in various fantasies and gave her a small measure of relief.

  Kendall and her parents had finally left sometime during the sixth inning, and Tag had joined the others at the table. She’d done her best to play it cool and hoped she’d succeeded.

  “I knew this campaign was going to demand sacrifices, but it’s difficult to imagine how hard it will be until you’re faced with it.”

  This managed to diminish some of her despair and disappointment. Sacrifices she understood. Just like she knew how important this senate seat was to him.

  She felt his gaze traveling over her. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

  “Yep. Good.” Reaching toward him, she found his hand and entwined her fingers with his. The little whooshing sound of his relieved breath managed to further loosen the sting of being displaced tonight.