Be with Me

by Jules Bennett

  “I only stayed a few times.”

  Jade tossed a glance over her shoulder. “That’s how it all starts. Do you have a toothbrush there yet?”

  The instant image of a yellow toothbrush next to Tanner’s green one flashed through her mind.

  “I rest my case,” Jade stated with a nod and a smile. “Not judging. I think it’s great if you move in with him, actually. I’ve said it before, but you two are good for each other.”

  Well, they were certainly compatible between the sheets. And Melanie had to admit she adored his mother and stepdad. She’d felt so welcome and . . . loved. As crazy as that sounded to say, considering she’d only spent a few hours with them, Melanie knew they were good people. From her experience, she liked to think she was an excellent judge of character.

  “He told me about his fiancée and baby.”

  “I was hoping you two would open up to each other.” Jade moved to the cabinet next to the fridge to pull out a bowl. “You’ve both endured quite a bit.”

  “I can’t even imagine losing someone you love, and a baby,” Melanie murmured. “At first I thought he was trying to be controlling and possessive, but his actions and worry are completely justified.”

  “He’s not a jerk,” Jade said as she dipped out her soup. “Cash, on the other hand, is arrogant and a total prick at times, but Tanner and Jax . . . total sweethearts.”

  Melanie couldn’t help but smile and fold her hands over the place mat. “Trouble with Cash?”

  “No trouble. He keeps trying to warn me about Brad, but it’s none of his concern and Brad is a nice guy.” Jade rolled her eyes. “Cash just has to get over the fact that he doesn’t impress me like he does the other ladies in this town. He dates younger girls who are easy to charm. I know better.”

  Jade definitely knew better. Her sexual harassment suit had forced her to look at things in a whole new light. Now she was more cautious than ever before. Not that she’d ever been in a long-term relationship, but Jade at one time had hearts in her eyes and marriage on her mind. The whole workplace debacle had tarnished her spirit.

  “Cash isn’t a bad guy,” Melanie said. “He is a bit . . . confident.”

  “You mean arrogant, like I just said.”

  Melanie shook her head. “I think a certain level of confidence is attractive in a guy. Maybe you should try going out with Cash. How weird would that be if we all ended up together?”

  Jade let out a snort and settled onto a bar stool next to Melanie. “I wouldn’t go on a date with Cash, let alone end up with the guy. Yeah, he’s hot and sexy, if you find tattoos and muscles attractive.”

  “Ironically, I do.”

  Jade laughed. “Damn it, I do, too. But still, Cash is . . . well, he’s Cash. I went to school with him and even then he thought he was God’s gift to anything wearing a skirt. Or nothing at all, which is how he prefers.”

  Melanie came to her feet and stepped back. “As much as I’d love to discuss this with you, that kale soup is making me question the lunch I had. I’m just going to get my things and head out.”

  Jade spooned up another bite and slurped it. “Tell Tanner I said hi.”

  Melanie shook her head and smiled. No need to deny exactly where she was going. She’d fallen into an easy pattern of being with Tanner and he was all too eager to get her to move in with him. Part of her wanted that, too. But was it too early? Was this just her clinging to some semblance of hope for a positive future? Could all of this between them really be that easy?

  When they’d first met there had been so much tension, but looking back now she recognized it for exactly what it was. Total attraction.

  Melanie gathered a small bag and headed out the front door to her car, parked on the street. She’d gotten used to the smaller ride; she was even used to the pillow behind her back. The horn, on the other hand, was still a tad embarrassing when she had to use it. But she still wouldn’t change a thing. She was thrilled the sale of her overpriced SUV would help out in some small way toward the airport renovation.

  The grants that were set to come through would be everything, though. Melanie smiled as she drove to the other side of town toward Tanner’s house. Earlier today she, Jade, and Livie had driven to Atlanta and found some fabulous flooring that would work perfectly for the restaurant. They’d brainstormed on their mini–road trip about a vision for the menu and how to go about finding the right people to employ.

  Even though this was Jax and Livie’s baby, they were all taking part in making this airport something grand. This time next year, hopefully their clientele would be from the film and movie industry, coming to make blockbusters and series.

  Melanie wanted to blog about the progress, but would definitely have to run this by Livie and Jax first. That would be something that readers would certainly find interesting, especially considering the publicity Haven had gotten over the last year.

  When she turned into Tanner’s drive, she smiled at the sight in the garage. Piper sat atop Tanner’s shoulders and he was spinning in a circle. Piper’s arms were out wide, her mouth open, no doubt in a squeal, as Tanner gripped her ankles.

  If she ever had a doubt about the type of father he’d be, this put her worries to rest. These guys were so great with sweet Piper. Considering the little girl had been practically raised by three men, they’d all done an amazing job.

  Melanie left her bag in the car and stepped out. The sun had set, but the garage lights were on, as were the porch lights. She headed up the stone drive and her footfalls caught Tanner’s attention. He came to an abrupt stop and Piper’s head kept bobbing.

  “Whoa, Uncle Tanner. That made my belly feel funny.”

  “Don’t puke on my head, little one.”

  Melanie laughed and reached up. “Why don’t I help you down?”

  Piper went eagerly to her arms. “Thanks, Aunt Mel.”

  Melanie caught Tanner’s gaze. “She asked if she could call you that.”

  “A promotion in my name?” Melanie asked, turning her attention to the cutie in her arms. “I’ve never been an aunt before. I think I like it already.”

  “Come see what we’ve been working on,” Piper stated, clapping her hands, then pointing to the back corner.

  “Oh, honey, she doesn’t need to,” Tanner said. “It’s getting late and your mom should be here any minute to pick you up.”

  Piper’s brows drew in. “Why don’t you want Aunt Mel to see my work? Did I do a bad job?”

  “No, of course not.” Tanner gestured toward the back. “Go ahead and show her.”

  Still holding Piper secure in her arms, Melanie moved around the truck and past the motorcycle. In the corner was an old wooden rocker covered with dust from sanding.

  “I got to use the sandpaper,” Piper said, beaming. “But then I got hungry because ice cream isn’t real dinner, so Uncle Tanner had to make me a cheeseburger, so we didn’t have time to paint.”

  Melanie laughed. “Sounds like you’ve had quite an eventful evening.”

  “You weren’t supposed to mention the ice cream for dinner thing,” Tanner murmured with a tug on her ponytail.

  Melanie squeezed Piper tighter. “I won’t tell a soul.”

  A car door slammed behind them and Piper scrambled down and yelled for her mom as she ran from the garage.

  Melanie focused back on the sanded rocker, then glanced at Tanner. “Looks like you guys enjoyed some quality time.”

  Tanner nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets. “We did. I took her earlier while you guys were still in Atlanta and Jax had some lessons to do. She’s a good kid, but, man, I’m worn out.”

  “Aw, poor you,” Melanie mocked. “You can chase bad guys and work long shifts, but a little girl who eats ice cream and burgers was too much to handle.”

  Tanner raked a hand over his hair, messing it up even more and causing dark points to stand on end. “Go ahead, mock me.”

  “Thanks, Tanner,” Livie called from the front of the garage. “I
appreciate you keeping her all day.”

  “Nothing else I’d rather do on my regular day off.”

  Melanie shoved her elbow in his side, earning her a grunt. “Bye, Piper. Glad I got to see you.”

  Piper waved. “See ya, Aunt Mel.”

  As they walked away, Melanie heard Livie asking about Aunt Mel, and Piper explaining. The last thing Livie had wanted when they’d come to Haven just less than a year ago was any form of attachment. She’d wanted to sell her father’s airport, take her money, and get back to Atlanta. Fate had had other plans—namely Jax, Piper, and love.

  The easy way they all fell in love with each other had been so perfect. Melanie knew Livie really wanted the wedding to happen soon, but at the same time the airport was consuming each and every moment of their days.

  “So, you stopped by to say good night, or were you thinking of something more?” Tanner asked.

  Melanie smiled and tipped her head. “I have a bag in the car.”

  “Is this an overnight bag or a long-term size bag?”

  He reached forward and took both her hands in his. Melanie stared into those dark eyes and wondered how she could stop herself from falling for him.

  “You look tired,” he told her. “That’s not a ploy to get you to stay, but are you feeling okay?”

  “I am tired and I do plan on staying.” She leaned forward and slid her lips over his. “If the offer still stands.”

  “The offer is always there.”

  “Then for tonight, I’ll stay.”

  He released her hands and wrapped his arms around her waist. Thankfully he didn’t mention that she kept staying one night at a time. To say she was moving in was just too much of a commitment. There was still some fear of letting that last shred of control go if she relinquished her independence.

  “Go on into the house,” he murmured against her lips. “I’ll lock up out here and get your bag from the car.”

  “I’ll get the bag, you lock up here.” She started to turn, but stopped and shifted her gaze back to the rocker. “What are you doing with that?”

  Tanner shrugged one shoulder. “Just a project I’ve been meaning to work on.”

  She hesitated, thinking there was more to the story. Part of her couldn’t help but wonder if this was for the baby, but she didn’t want to ruin any surprise if that was indeed the case.

  Melanie grabbed her bag and purse from the car. As tired as she was, she contemplated telling Tanner about the call earlier from Neville. On one hand she felt Tanner deserved to know, but on the other, she wanted to shield him from her ex and his evils.

  Tonight, she figured she’d just relax and enjoy Tanner. Any issues she had would be there tomorrow, and if things got to a point she felt she couldn’t handle them, then she’d fill him in.

  * * *

  Dueling cells went off at the same time on Tanner’s dresser. He rolled out of bed, leaving Melanie as she rolled over and placed her hand where he’d been.

  If both their cells were vibrating, then most likely this wasn’t a work emergency.

  He’d worked the past four days straight and Melanie had stayed over each night. And each time she’d gone home and come back with just enough for that night.

  One day, he figured he’d come home and she’d have a full suitcase and half his closet full. He couldn’t wait.

  He grabbed his cell and checked the message. A group text. Those were always evil and damn annoying.

  Everyone meet at Bella Vous at 2. Dress nice.

  The message was from Jax. Dress nice? What the hell did that mean, and since when did Jax give a damn about what people wore?

  “What’s going on?” Mel murmured with her head still half into the pillow.

  “We’ve been summoned to the resort this afternoon and—”

  Melanie jumped out of bed and ran toward the bathroom, bumping his shoulder along the way. The next moment he heard her getting sick. Tanner quickly went to the kitchen to get a cold bottle of water and came back. He knew she would want privacy, but there was no way he could just stand by and do nothing.

  He stepped into the adjoining bath and set the water on the vanity.

  “Go away,” she muttered.

  Ignoring her request, Tanner opened the cabinet and grabbed a cloth and wet it. He wrung out the cold water and then pulled her hair back from her neck and laid the cloth on her skin.

  “I’m not leaving,” he told her. “I’m here for all of this.”

  “I’d rather you not see the gross parts.” She grabbed the cloth from her neck and swiped at her face. “Do you care to get me a couple crackers?”

  “Of course.”

  He went back to the kitchen. He had no idea if she truly wanted something in her stomach or if she was using the excuse to get him out of the bathroom. Regardless, he would do anything for her. Pregnancy scared the hell out of him. Obvious understatement, but aside from the worry that something could go wrong, he hated like hell that Melanie felt so miserable.

  Tanner grabbed three boxes of crackers. He had no clue what kind she wanted or how many. By the time he got back to the bedroom, she was sitting on the edge of the bed sipping the water.

  “I think I’m okay,” she told him. “I feel a little dizzy, but hopefully the crackers will help.”

  Her eyes darted to the boxes in his hands. “You really do go above and beyond. Is that an occupational hazard?”

  Tanner set the boxes beside her. “I just wanted to cover all my bases.”

  Melanie twisted the cap back on the water bottle and set it behind her on the bed. She attempted to smooth her bedraggled hair from her face, then his T-shirt she’d slept in slipped off her shoulder and she tried to right that as well.

  “I’m a mess,” she muttered.

  “You’re beautiful.” He adjusted the shirt, then tucked her hair behind one ear as he sat next to her. “Which crackers do you want?”

  “Any will be fine.”

  He opened one box and handed her an entire sleeve. She chewed on a few and then turned to face him. “What were you saying about the resort?”

  It took him a minute to recall the text. “Jax said for everyone to be at Bella Vous at two o’clock and to dress nice.”

  Melanie’s brows drew in. “That’s weird. Wonder what’s going on.”

  Tanner shrugged. “No idea. It’s my first day off, so I haven’t really talked to him much the past few days. Did Livie mention anything to you?”

  “Nothing. We even went running yesterday, but Jade was busy discussing a guy she’d met that she’s thinking of going out with.”

  Tanner instantly went still. “What guy?”

  “Relax,” Melanie said, reaching for another cracker. “No need to go all big brother. I didn’t get his name actually, but she said he’d just moved here.”

  Tanner couldn’t help but be protective of his friends. Hell, he was protective of the entire town.

  “Are the crackers helping?”

  Melanie shrugged. “I have no idea. I feel like I could go back to bed and sleep for a week.”

  “Go back to bed, then. You have nothing else to do until this afternoon, right?”

  “I have several emails to answer because someone occupied my evening and I didn’t get to them.”

  Tanner wasn’t the least bit sorry they’d spent the night watching an old movie and making love on the sofa. Every time he came home from work and she was waiting for him was like receiving the greatest gift over and over.

  “The emails aren’t going anywhere,” he told her. “At least lie back down for an hour and then get up and work.”

  Melanie handed the crackers back to him and nodded. “Will you wake me?”

  “Of course.”

  He gathered the boxes and the water and waited until she was settled in before heading to the kitchen. She’d still not said a word about Neville calling, and that grated on his trust level. He wholeheartedly trusted her, except in one area. She was going to try to protect him. T
hat much was evident. He’d finally gotten her to open up and feel again, whether she wanted to admit it or not, but he couldn’t break through her determination to shield him from her past.

  There was no one Tanner feared. Not one person. Neville might be powerful, but that meant nothing in the long run. The guy was a grade-A asshole. People like that had skeletons in their closets, and if Neville tried to threaten what was Tanner’s, there would be hell to pay like Neville had never known.

  If Melanie was insistent on protecting him, then he would just have to stay one step ahead of her, because she and this baby were absolutely everything. And nothing would wreck his family again.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Your comeback needs to be stronger than your

  setback.

  —Mel’s Motivational Blog

  The crisp fall afternoon was perfect. Tanner had taken Melanie back to her house and she’d thrown on a simple sleeveless, knee-length dress in green, her favorite color, and she’d paired that with a cream cardigan and little peep-toe booties. She’d thrown on a gold strand with random clear beads, and hoop earrings. Her makeup remained simple, too. She had no idea what was going on, but the resort was a stunning Civil War–era home and the grounds were absolutely breathtaking.

  When Melanie was changing, Jade had been getting ready as well and was equally confused. They’d both tried texting Olivia, but she’d been so vague, she just kept telling them there was a surprise.

  Tanner headed up the long, curved drive toward Bella Vous. The old magnolia trees dotted all around the property demanded attention. Once he reached the top of the drive, the view of the pond and cypress trees was instantly relaxing. Melanie could easily see herself sitting in the shade beneath the trees at the water’s edge and getting more than enough inspiration for her blog.

  Tanner pulled his truck in next to Cash’s and right behind them came Jade in her sporty car. Cash grabbed the door handle and opened for Melanie. When he reached his hand in, she placed hers in his and let him help her down.

  “Go get your own damn girl,” Tanner growled as he killed the engine and got out.