by Leger, Lori
Daniel LeBlanc took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I’m sure your husband told you he came to visit me today.”
“Yes, he did. Not terribly long ago, actually.”
“He’s a fine man. You’ve chosen well for yourself.”
“He can be, when he listens.” She saw the obvious stiffening of Red’s shoulders at her comment.
“Have I called at a bad time?”
“Honestly, there will never be a good time, so shoot. Why the call?” Her father took yet another deep breath. Funny, he almost sounded terrified.
“Tiffany, I’m sorry for any part I’ve played in trying to get you to marry Tanner. That was wrong of us, I know that now. I spoke to your mother today and told her she’s not to interfere in your marriage, and you have my promise that I won’t either.”
“Thank you.” If there’s even a marriage after tonight.
“I also spoke to her about a few other things, like her refusing to pay your college tuition. I swear to you, I had no idea. I was a fool for leaving the raising of you and Drake to her. I always assumed she was doing what was best for both of you. I never dreamed she would do such a thing.”
Tiffany froze at his confession, anger suffusing her mind and body. “Are you trying to make me believe you had nothing to do with that?”
“I’m not making excuses, I know I dropped the ball and I know I have some heavy-duty atoning to do. It’s my fault that you didn’t feel comfortable enough to come to me. Please believe me when I tell you that I am so terribly sorry.”
“Wait. Are you saying you didn’t know?”
“It’s God’s honest truth, Tiffany. Whether or not you believe me is the issue.”
She remained silent long enough for him to ask if she was still on the line.
“Yes, I’m still here.” She bit her lower lip as Red turned in an agonizingly slow movement to lean against the sink and cross his arms. “How could you not know that?” Her gaze locked on Red’s, trying to hold back tears that threatened.
“I had a law firm to run, Tiffany. I left the family finances to your mother, who probably paid some accountant to do them for her. Honestly, I assumed you chose LSU because you knew I’d gone there. I was proud you were going to my alma mater. Now I see how stupid I was to assume that.”
“I—I didn’t find out until years later that you went to LSU,” she turned her back to Red, biting back tears. Her new husband walked up behind her and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist. She didn’t pull away, almost hated the fact that she took strength from his presence. “I guess I have no choice but to believe you. It doesn’t matter anyway, it’s done.”
“It matters plenty, Tiffany. Is there anything I can do now to make up for it?”
“No.”
“I’ve told Red that I’d like to pay for your honeymoon if that’s okay. Anywhere in the world the two of you would like to go—all expenses paid and first-class everything.
Tiffany’s jaw clenched at her father’s offer. Her first instinct was to hang up on him, but she forced herself to be civil. “Red and I both make plenty of money. We don’t need you to pay for anything.”
“I know that Tiff, I just wanted to do something. I’d really like to do this for you.”
Stiffening, she pulled out of Red’s embrace to pace the kitchen floor. Tiffany caught her husband’s eye, could tell by his grim expression that he was waiting for the explosion. She continued to pace silently, seething inside, until her father asked again if she was on the phone.
“Yes, I’m still here. I’m just thinking about your offer.”
“I hope you accept.”
She stopped pacing and her voice rose sharply. “Do you think that would make everything better?”
“Well, no—but I was hop—”
“Surely, Dad—you can’t possibly think that after thirty-six years you can buy me off like I’m one of your business acquisitions.”
“No Honey, it’s not like tha—”
“Don’t call me Honey!” Tiffany’s voice shook with anger. “You don’t know me well enough to call me by any pet names.”
“I—I’m sorry Tiffany. You’re my daughter and I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“But you did! You do insult me by thinking I would even consider taking a dime from you after all these years! You insult me by thinking you can waltz back into my life after not giving a damn all this time. You and that woman who were both supposed to be caring for me and Drake. You ignored us the entire time we lived in that house and now you want to suddenly make it right? It doesn’t work that way, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you off that easily!”
She caught Red’s eye again, could see him swell with pride for her. He had no idea how difficult it was for her to stand up for herself against her father. Her new husband was clueless to the fact that the only reason she could now was because of his strength and support, whether or not she liked that fact. Even if she didn’t like it, she had to admit it was the truth.
“Tiffany—I—I am so deeply sorry,” Daniel sputtered. “That was not my intention at all. I have no excuse. I’ve been a lousy father and I know it’s late to just be learning this dad thing, but I sure would be grateful to you if you’d let me have a shot at it. I want to change for you and Drake. I want to be a better man. Please, give me the chance to do that.”
Tiffany turned her back on Red, finding it more difficult to be angry with him beaming down at her like she’d just won best in show. “I don’t know, Dad. If you suck at it, it won’t be good. I don’t think I need that kind of aggravation in my life.” She whipped around to cast a narrow-eyed glare at Red. “Believe me, I have enough here at home.” Her husband had the good sense to give her a nod of concession without cracking a grin. She frowned at the sound of her father’s heavy sigh of frustration, thinking this was it. He’d give up and hang up, in that order and she’d never hear from him again.
“I’m obviously not good at making myself understood over the phone. Would you mind if I paid you a visit? I could go over this weekend. Please, I sincerely want to change.”
Tiffany’s legs nearly buckled at his offer. She pivoted back and forth a few times, trying to comprehend what she was hearing from him, before stopping. “Look, I’m warning you now—unless you intend to keep up this new relationship you seem to want with me, don’t bother putting us through this. I don’t want to put forth an effort on someone who’s going to forget about us as soon as he’s out of range. I want our children to know their grandparents, but if you neglect them like you did Drake and me, I’ll make sure you never see them. They’ll already have one set of wonderful grandparents in Gardiner, and they won’t miss you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I do, and I don’t blame you one bit. I deserve everything you throw at me and I understand that I’ve got a lot to live up to next to your new in-laws. They must be wonderful people to have raised a son like Red.”
“Vivi and Mr. Pete are wonderful. They’re like the parents I never had.”
She couldn’t help but smile when Red snorted and muttered a low “burn” comment from behind her.
Daniel groaned. “I know I deserved that, both your mother and I do, but it’s still difficult to hear it. So, can we meet somewhere to talk in person?” He suddenly sounded much older and completely exhausted.
Tiffany pulled away and paced the floor for several moments thinking about his request. Finally she spoke. “You can come over on Sunday.”
“Sunday is fine. I could take you both to lunch.”
“You can come as early as you want but be here no later than eleven a.m. We’ll cook and eat here. The Saints will play at noon so you’re welcomed to stay and watch the game with us.”
“I’m an early riser, so I can leave here by six thirty and be there by nine. Is that okay?”
“That’s fine. Do you need the address?”
“I’ve got it. Thank you, Tiffany, I won’t disappoint you.”
&n
bsp; “If you do, you won’t get another chance.” Her voice cracked slightly with emotion.
“I won’t—I promise.”
“We’ll see, Dad.” She ended the call and stood staring out the window into the darkness. The pane reflected her husband’s image as he walked up behind her. She felt his arms slip around her waist.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded and wiped the barest trace of moisture from her eyes. “Did he tell you he wasn’t aware he hadn’t paid for my tuition?”
“That’s what he said. Apparently your parents haven’t communicated with each other for some time. Who was it that said if you didn’t go to law school, he wouldn’t pay?”
Unfortunately, Tiffany could recall the conversation, nearly word for word. God knows she’d replayed it enough times in her mind, holding down sometimes two jobs during college. “Mother told me. I never discussed anything with my father.” She turned to face him. “What else do you know about my father that I don’t?” she asked, still a little perturbed at him for going against her wishes.
He backed off, raising his hands as a barrier between them. “I’m not going to tell you a damn thing if you’re going to use it against me for the next fifty years.”
She took a step closer and poked her index finger into his chest several times to emphasize the severe repercussions of his actions. “If you. Don’t tell me now, McAllister. There won’t be. A next fifty years.”
Tiffany sat at the snack bar next to her husband, still shocked at all he’d revealed to her. “So my father is the one responsible for hiring Melinda?”
“Yes, he and your paternal grandmother—and he dared your mother to fire her. He said she hated Melinda because of it.”
“I knew she hated Melin, but mother hates everyone. I always wondered what kind of power Melin had over mother. If mother threatened her in any way, she seemed to take it with a grain of salt.”
“Now you know she had your dad’s support. Your nanny was the last link between you, your father, and your grandmother.”
She shook her head. “I’m amazed that I never knew.”
Red reached out to her but pulled his hands back when she put her hand up to stop him. “I have a feeling there’s a lot you never knew,” he said, his voice tinged with disappointment.
“Yeah, well whose fault is that? I don’t trust him to do the right thing. He might start off okay, but I doubt he’s got the stamina for the long haul.”
“That may be, Doc, but you’ll never know unless you give him a chance.”
“Maybe.” He cracked his knuckles nervously, with good reason, since he wasn’t out of the woods yet. “And you. Do you have any idea how I feel about you going behind my back to set this up?”
He wiped his mouth and sat back in his chair, looking dejected. “I do now, but I swear I was only trying to help the situation.”
“You interfered, and you kept something from me, Red. I can’t have that.”
He nodded. “I know that now, and I can promise you it won’t happen again. You’re right; I should have told you.”
She twisted her lips and squinted in concentration. What was she supposed to do now? She’d never heard Tanner admit he was wrong in the five years they’d dated, and longer than that, if she counted their childhood squabbles.
“Doc. Forgive me. Please?” He pulled her gently to him.
She saw sincerity in his eyes, knew he meant it—for now, anyway. Was there a chance he was a man who actually learned from his mistakes, or would he eventually revert to a Tanner? Her heart told her to let it go, that he was nothing like her ex. But her mind—ah—her mind told her otherwise. She pulled out of his arms, determined to show him she wasn’t a pushover for his blue eyes, soft words, and hard body. “Don’t let it happen again, McAllister.” She turned away from him. “I’m going to the room to call Drake.”
“Hey,” he said, grabbing one of her hands. “It won’t, but I want you to know how proud I was of you for standing up to your father like that.”
She paused, turning her head slightly toward him. “Tell me the truth, Red. Did I sound too bitchy with him?”
“You sounded like you wouldn’t put up with any crap from him, and you shouldn’t have to.” He whistled and rubbed one side of his face. “Hell, I could even feel the sting of that slap again. I think he was very smart calling you first.”
“I’m sure you had something to do with that.”
He squeezed her hand tightly. “Maybe—But I sure as hell am proud of you, Doc.”
She forced herself to turn away from the sexy as hell grin, not to mention those pheromones rolling off of him in waves. She’d have plenty of time to deal with him later. She walked toward the master bedroom, turning at the door to throw him one last look. He still watched her like a parched man ogling a glass of water. Yeah, she could definitely get some use out of that later tonight.
Tiffany threw herself on the massive bed and punched in the code for her brother’s mobile.
“Hey Tiff,” Drake answered.
“Hey, little bro. Dad is coming here Sunday to talk. I wondered if you wanted to come, too.”
“Aw, hell no. I’ve already had that talk with him, it’s your turn.”
“When?”
“This morning. It seems my new brother-in-law paid him a visit. After he left, dad came into my office and got all sentimental on me. He apologized for not being there for us then asked me if it was true about your college tuition. It blows my mind that he didn’t know about it. He asked if there was anything else that he needed to know before calling mother. He also asked if I thought you would be receptive to reconciliation.”
“What did you tell him?”
“It was up to you. He asked mother for a divorce.”
“He did?”
“Yes, he told her he’d hurt enough people because of her and it was time he started living his life the way he should have been all these years.”
“He told you this?”
“No, she did. She called me to ask if I’d represent her.”
Tiffany’s jaw dropped in surprise. “You’re joking, right?”
Drake chuckled. “I wish I were.”
“What did you say?”
“Hell no! I’m not getting caught in the middle of that shit storm.”
“Good for you.”
“Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t, but she doesn’t need to know that. Tiff, did you know that dad’s had the same mistress for twenty-eight years?”
“Really? Mother always implied he had a bevy of lovers.”
“No, that was more her style than his all these years, it turns out. He’s been with Leah Hanson forever. He bought a nice home for the two of them out in the country. She breaks horses and trains them. They keep a few for themselves out there. It’s a nice little set up.”
“Have you met her?”
“Several times over the years, but I don’t know if she knew who I was. She’s nice, but always seems a little sad.”
“Did they have any children together?”
“No, I don’t think she could. I think he wants to marry her. I don’t know how he could stand being married to mother knowing how happy he was with Leah all those years.”
“Everything revolved around money, Drake. He didn’t want to lose his precious business.”
“Well, Sis, he started with nothing.”
“So did I. I would have given it all up for Red if it stood in the way of us being together.”
“And he knows he’s got a job ahead of him when it comes to you. Were you rough on him?”
“Red told me I was.”
Drake’s booming laugh carried over the lines. “Good, he’ll respect you more for it. I’m wrapping up a few cases and by the beginning of next week I should be able to start looking for two places in Lake Coburn, one to live in and one to operate a business out of.”
“You can stay in my rent house—it’s mine until May. I wish you luck with everything, and I can’t wa
it to have you nearby.”
“Thanks, Sis. Is Christmas still set for your house?”
“Absolutely. Are you still coming?”
“You bet your ass I am. I guess you know what happened with your sister-in-law.”
“Uh uh, I don’t know a damn thing.” She smiled as his deep chuckle filtered through.
“Yeah, sure you don’t. I’ll talk to you later. Love you sis.”
Sunday arrived quickly for the newly married couple. By the time they returned from eight o’clock mass, Daniel LeBlanc was waiting in the driveway for them. Once Daniel and Red shook hands, Tiffany and her father shared several tension filled moments of silence. Red couldn’t help but hold his breath when her dad reached out to touch Tiffany’s shoulder length curls. He saw his wife’s barely noticeable flinch, even if Daniel didn’t. It made him want to wrap his arms around her. But he didn’t. She had to do this on her own terms, even if he’d been the one to set things in motion.
“I haven’t seen your hair like this for years. You look just like you did in high school.” He smiled down at her and shook his head. “My God, I’d forgotten how much you resembled your grandmother.” At Tiffany’s frown, he began to explain further. “You look like my mom—not that deplorable woman who gave birth to your mother.”
“She must have died before I was born, I’m sure I’ve never met her.” Her father’s laughter rang out, sounding unfamiliar—nearly alien to her ears.
“Sure you did. She died when you were a little over a year old, but you two were very close during that time. I’ve got pictures of you together somewhere—if your mother didn’t destroy them. I’ll try to find some for you,” he said, as Red ushered them both inside.
Daniel’s smile broadened as he surveyed their surroundings. “This is a beautiful place you’ve got here. I’ve always loved log cabins.”
“It’s comfortable,” Red told him.
“I noticed the barns and stables earlier. No horses?”
“No, the previous owner had quite a menagerie of animals. I only moved in here from Lafayette about a month ago. We had a horse when I was young that I rode mostly to work my uncle’s cattle, but we’ve already discussed buying a couple once we get the chance to breathe. We’re looking forward to riding together.”