Tough Love: Back to Buckhorn

by Lori Foster

  “I was thinking about that.” When Stack kissed her this time, it wasn’t a kiss to excite, but rather a kiss of affection. “You should have emergency access, just in case. I’ll pick up a phone for you, and we’ll get that taken care of tonight.”

  Shocked, she said nothing as he gave her one last, quick kiss, gathered up his clothes, and prepared to go.

  Vanity kept it together until she told him goodbye at the front door. Then she danced, twirling through the house and laughing with excitement. Maggie and Norwood joined her. The dogs liked her. Stack’s mother and sister liked her. Soon, hopefully, Stack would more than like her.

  She wanted his love. She wanted to be a part of his wonderful family.

  And she wanted Stack Hannigan for forever.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  TABBY NOW HAD golden highlights in her dark blond hair, which the stylist trimmed and shaped, making it fuller. Vanity loved the new look, and, given how Tabby continually shook her hair, touched it, smoothed it, she did, too.

  “It feels better.”

  Vanity grinned. “I love their deep conditioning.” Both women had fresh polish on their nails, and their feet were submerged in bubbling pools of warm water over polished pebbles.

  Turning her head to face Vanity, tears in her eyes, Tabby smiled. “Thank you for this. It’s been...well, amazing.”

  Gently, Vanity smiled at her. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Having you here made it so fun. We should set up regular appointments.”

  That made Tabby laugh. “This place is awesome, but also high-end. I’ve never even been in here, and I definitely can’t afford to visit. This is a onetime, very special day for me.”

  The nail techs returned to the room, so Vanity didn’t say anything more. But if Tabby would agree, well, she’d love to have a regular salon day with her. Stack’s sister emoted with flair, but she was also honest and enthusiastic, and despite the siblings’ continued bickering, Vanity knew Tabby truly loved Stack, and vice versa. While their feet were buffed and massaged, and their toenails painted, she and Tabby indulged in idle chitchat.

  “You and my brother are getting awfully cozy.”

  “I know.” Vanity still wanted to hug herself. “Stack is just incredible.”

  Tabby laughed. “I can only speak about him as a brother, but, yeah, he’s pretty terrific.”

  Vanity bit her lip, but she couldn’t hold it in. “We’re officially monogamous,” she blurted.

  “You weren’t before?”

  Oh. No, Vanity couldn’t actually explain about her illicit proposition to Tabby’s brother. So instead she said, “We’d sort of...tried it on for size. You know, to see if we’d suit.”

  Grinning, Tabby said, “And you do.”

  “We do!”

  “I’m glad. Stack has dated some real wieners, but we like you.”

  “We?”

  “Mom and me.” Tabby looked away and shrugged. “Phil, too.”

  “I’m glad, because I like you and Lynn a lot, also.” She preferred not to touch the subject of f’ing Phil.

  Vanity had prepaid, including gratuity, so as soon as they were done, they headed to the front lobby.

  That’s when she got her first look at Tabby’s winter coat.

  Damn. She’d arrived at the spa before Tabby and had already been in a seat when a hostess showed her in. Until now she hadn’t realized that Tabby wore a threadbare coat at least five years old. It didn’t look all that warm either.

  Vanity took a quick peek at the clock. Bummer. If she didn’t leave now, she’d be late meeting with Stack. But surely he could wait an hour or two.

  She couldn’t, in good conscience, send Tabby out into the winter storm without first trying to get her something warmer.

  “Are you in a rush?”

  Seeming very distracted and maybe a little sad, Tabby glanced back at her. “No. Just heading home to check on Mom. She’s feeling much better, even insisting that she wants to move back to her own place. I’ve liked having her there. She’s good company in the evening.”

  Where was f’ing Phil in the evenings? “If Lynn doesn’t need you, do you think we could hit up the mall for an hour or two?” Vanity took her hands. “Please, please, don’t be offended. But I’m having so much fun, and you’re such great company, I’d love to spend a little more time with you. Shopping with a friend is as much fun as the salon with a friend.” She tried an engaging smile. “I know you’re on a budget, so don’t worry about that. This will still be my treat. A special day for the two of us. What do you say?” And to better her odds, Vanity added, “Pretty please?”

  As Vanity watched, Tabby’s face crumpled. Her eyes went red, her bottom lip trembled, and she pulled away to cover her face with her hands.

  Oh, no! Crying? Vanity didn’t hear any sobs, but the way Tabby’s shoulders shook alarmed her.

  “Tabby?” Vanity inched closer, dipping her head to try to see her friend’s face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  In the next second, Tabby had her clutched in a hug so tight, Vanity could barely breathe.

  Uh... Unsure what to make of that, Vanity awkwardly patted her back. “Are you okay?”

  Tabby nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry. It’s just...” She held Vanity back, and to her relief, Tabby smiled. “You are the nicest, most considerate person I’ve ever known. And I...well, things have been so rough lately, and I guess I just...”

  Vanity found her own smile, and this time she pulled Tabby in for the hug. “I know, I understand.”

  It was a few seconds more before the women separated.

  Tabby said, “Just let me call Mom to make sure there’s nothing she needs.”

  “Ohhh, great idea! Tell her we’d love to pick her out something, too.”

  Laughing, Tabby shook her head. “Mom will definitely refuse, but I’ll try.”

  “While you do that, I’ll give your brother a call.” Still giddy about it, she explained, “We’re getting together again tonight.”

  “He’s lucky to have you.”

  “Thank you.” Bubbling with happiness, Vanity stepped a few feet away and thumbed in Stack’s number on her cell.

  He answered with, “I’ve missed you.”

  Awww. Her heart melted. “Same here.”

  “Plan on going straight to bed, okay? I promise to feed you after.”

  Vanity laughed. “This is probably a bad time to tell you that I’m going to be a little late. Maybe an hour or two.”

  He groaned with great feeling.

  Making sure Tabby wouldn’t overhear, she murmured, “I promise to make it up to you.”

  “Talk like that and I’ll get a boner.”

  Vanity imagined it, then issued her own groan.

  With amusement in his tone, Stack said, “Soon, darlin’. Real soon.” He blew out a breath. “You get things hammered out with those security installers?”

  “Yes. They’ve already taken care of everything. Very efficient.” She cleared her throat. “Guess I’ll need to give you the code tonight. And I was thinking...” Taking the next step on the phone seemed easier than in person. “You should have a key.”

  Without missing a beat, Stack asked, “To your place?”

  Very unsure of herself, she nodded. “Yes?”

  “Great idea. I’ll give you one to my apartment, too.”

  Her jaw loosened. He’d accepted that with no hesitation at all. “Um, okay, great.”

  “Did the shelter like your paintings?”

  “They were really pleased. Remember the one of the mama dog and her puppies? They liked it enough that they want to hang it in the shelter lobby instead of including it in the auction. I told them I’d make a donation so they wouldn’t have to sell it.”


  “I remember it. All the paintings are fantastic, though, so I’m sure the shelter will make a bundle.”

  She glowed with his praise. “Thank you.” Belatedly, she realized Tabby was done with her call and waiting. “I guess I should go.”

  “Drive carefully.”

  “You, too.” She wanted so badly to add that she loved him. It felt natural, like the perfect, appropriate thing to say to Stack. Instead she sighed. “See you soon.”

  “Not soon enough.”

  Okay, so his impatience was almost as good. Grinning, Vanity put away her phone, pulled on her mittens, and together she and Tabby went out to her car. “Want to just ride with me?”

  “Since I took the bus, that’d be great.”

  “You didn’t drive?” Vanity unlocked the doors, so they could both get inside.

  “Phil has the car.” Tabby smoothed a hand over the leather seat. “Usually walking to the bus stop isn’t a big deal, but it was awfully icy outside today.”

  With each passing minute, Vanity disliked Phil more. “I’ll drive you home after we’re done.” Luckily the snow had stopped, and without the wind, it didn’t feel so miserably cold. After Vanity started the car it didn’t take long for the heater to warm the interior, especially with the help of heated seats.

  Tabby kept looking around. “I like your car.”

  “Thanks. I do, too.” It wasn’t a luxury car by any stretch, but she supposed any new car held appeal. Driving out of the lot, Vanity tried to find the right words. “Didn’t Phil say something about finding a new job?”

  Tabby looked away. “I don’t think so.”

  “Oh. I thought maybe that’s why he needed the car.”

  Tabby just shook her head.

  Ooookay. A dead end there. Vanity wasn’t sure how to tactfully ask her about the money she’d given Phil for work boots and such. So she didn’t. Right now, it didn’t matter. She just wanted Tabby to have fun.

  The salon wasn’t far from the mall. In true power-shopping mode, Vanity bought herself a few new, cozy sweaters and convinced Tabby to accept two new outfits, new boots, a coat, scarf and mittens.

  Within an hour and a half, they were heading home. The roads were clear, the air crystal cold, the early evening a beautiful shade of blue-gray.

  Looking somewhat dazed by it all, Tabby kept glancing at the bags in the backseat. “It feels like my birthday and Christmas all rolled together.”

  “I loved it,” Vanity assured her. “This has been so much fun.”

  “I think you’re nuts, but it’s a terrific kind of nuts.” Admiring her manicured nails, Tabby added, “I don’t know how to thank you enough.”

  “I know how. Promise you’ll wear one of the new outfits when we go to the movies.”

  Her head lifted. “You still want to?”

  “Shoot, yes! You’re terrific company. And you know what? You have to start going to the MMA competitions with me. You’ll love my friend Yvette. She’s married to Cannon Colter.”

  “Stack’s friend.”

  “Right, do you know him?”

  For the rest of the ride home they talked about the fighters, the competitions, and by the time Vanity pulled up to the curb, she’d gained Tabby’s promise to go to some of the local SBC fights with her. Denver Lewis would fight in a week in Columbus, and even though Vanity offered to pay her way, Tabby said she couldn’t yet afford the time off work.

  Soon, though.

  Parked at the curb, Vanity turned to face the passenger seat. “Did you need help carrying everything in?”

  Tabby shook her head. She bit her lip, looked at the packages again—and drew in a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry!” Eyes wide, she fanned her face and tried to keep the sudden well of tears from falling. “I’m such a dope and an emotional mess and you’re being so nice and understanding, and for some reason that only makes it worse.”

  Vanity stared in horror. The last few words had been a wail, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. She reached for Tabby’s hand. “What am I making worse?”

  “My stupid tears!” Tabby choked, the tears dropped, and frantically she pulled away to dig in her purse for a tissue. “Damn it!”

  Vanity opened the glove box and pulled out several to hand to her. “Take a breath.”

  She did, then let it out with more garbled apologies.

  Stack hadn’t been kidding about his sister being dramatic. Never in her life, even after she’d lost everyone, had Vanity cried with so much...verve.

  She sort of envied Tabby the ability. “I’d like to help, but I need to know the problem.”

  Tabby blew her nose, blindly reached out for more tissues—which Vanity supplied—then cleaned the tears off her cheeks. “It’s not your problem to deal with.”

  “We’re friends now. At least, I hope we are.”

  Even more dramatic, Tabby said, “I hope so, tooooo!”

  Vanity almost smiled at the forlorn way Tabby said that. “Friends share.”

  Nodding, Tabby swallowed hard. Waffled, sobbed a little more, and finally confessed, “Oh, God, Vanity. I’m pregnant.”

  “You’re...oh. Oh!” Her thoughts scrambled. “I think maybe that’s wonderful...isn’t it?”

  “It would be. I mean, I love kids.” Hand over her midsection, Tabby said more softly, “I especially love this kid. And Mom will go nuts.” Her gaze sought Vanity’s. “I only just found out, and I’m not very far along. Only five weeks. But I want the baby. I swear I do.”

  “I believe you.” Taking a leap, Vanity said, “You’re upset because there are other things to consider?”

  “Yes.” Tabby looked down at her hands. “I was finally ready to admit that Stack was right.”

  “About?”

  “Phil.” Tabby blew her nose again. “I found out that he hasn’t even been looking for a job. And he’s back to smoking dope. And Mom said he brought that bitch, Whitney, to the apartment.” Suddenly furious, Tabby looked up. “I put in all the overtime I can get, and Phil blows it on pot and partying with his buddies! That’s bad enough. But he knows I love my brother, he knows things are strained between Stack and me, and he knew, damn him, he knew how Stack would react to Whitney.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Vanity’s thoughts scrambled. Clearly Tabby didn’t wonder if Phil had cheated with Whitney. Stack had said he wasn’t sure, but even if it did happen, maybe, for Tabby’s sake, it’d be better if she didn’t know.

  Breathing hard, Tabby said, “You know Phil is a terrible person. Everyone knows. It’s not like Stack makes a secret of it.”

  “Stack loves you, so he’s biased. I’m not sure he’ll be convinced anyone is good enough for you.”

  That took the steam out of Tabby’s grief. “Really?”

  Smiling, Vanity patted her hand. “You don’t know how much your brother loves you?”

  “Sure I do. Even though we argue almost constantly, we’re still close. I meant the part about him not thinking anyone was good enough.”

  Vanity had only guessed on that. “Brothers are like that, right?” Another guess, but from what she’d seen, most of Stack’s ire stemmed from concern for his sister.

  “Well, he’ll be glad to know I’m finally leaving Phil.”

  “I don’t think he’ll be glad. But it hurts him to think Phil doesn’t put as much into the relationship as he should. Your brother wants you to have an equal partner, not someone who takes advantage of you.”

  “I’ve made such a mess of things. Stack could tell you that my whole life is disorganized.” Tabby did more dabbing of her eyes, and her voice went faint with worry. “Being alone scares me so much. Phil isn’t much, but I can barely take care of me, so how am I going to take care of my baby?”

  This time Vanity could speak with more confidence. �
��You’re not alone. You have Stack and Lynn, and now we’re friends, too, right? I promise you, it’s all going to work out.” Again, Vanity took her hand. “When will you tell Stack?”

  “I don’t know yet.” She gave a watery laugh. “I have to work up my nerve, especially since he told me long ago to kick Phil out. Stack has it together in a way I never have. I... I know I’ve hogged the limelight, but damn it, it’s so easy for him. He wants something, and he makes it happen. Me, I just screw up. Over and over.”

  “So,” Vanity said gently, “now you’re going to stop screwing up. Now you’re going to make things right.”

  Tabby nodded, and more tears fell. “Oh, Vanity, why didn’t I listen?”

  “You gave your marriage a chance. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think it’s admirable. Just as it’s admirable for you to make your own decision on whether or not to continue the marriage.”

  “I’m ending it,” Tabby assured her. She gripped Vanity’s hands. “Just...just not yet. Not while my mom is staying with me. Please don’t say anything to Stack, okay?”

  “I promise I won’t.” Vanity sighed. “A baby. It’s funny, because we’ve only just met, but I’m excited.”

  Tabby sniffled, but her smile slipped into place, too. “You are?”

  She nodded, in awe of one fact. “Stack is going to be an uncle.”

  “Yes.” Tabby actually laughed. “The best uncle in the whole world.”

  * * *

  IN A VERY short time, it seemed they fell into the perfect routine. For the past three days, he and Vanity went about their days doing whatever needed to be done, and then came together again at her house. Sex generally preceded dinner.

  It also preceded breakfast more often than not.

  Every night they slept together, and they stayed in touch throughout the day.

  Stack had to admit, the security system at her house made him feel better about her being without him. And now that she also had the extra cell phone—the bat signal as she had them all calling it—he had little reason to worry.