Green Eyed Temptation (Halos & Horns

by Lori Leger

  Daniel bent over the car seat and straightened, bringing Briana with him as she cooed and tugged at his face lovingly.

  Leah approached, nuzzling the baby’s neck. “Hello sweet girl,” she purred to her granddaughter, before turning her attention to Tiffany and Red. “Hey, you two, Sarah just told us supper is ready.”

  Tiffany smiled at her step mother. “We brought guests, I hope y’all don’t mind.”

  Leah hugged her step-daughter. “Of course not; Sarah just cooked a huge pot of spaghetti.”

  “Along with garlic bread and a salad,” Sarah added. She turned as Angelique walked up with a tall, blonde man she’d never seen before. “Hello, Angelique, it’s good to see you again.”

  Angelique took Sarah’s hand and squeezed it. “My God, you look fantastic. The LeBlanc’s must be taking good care of you.”

  Sarah beamed at her host and hostess. “They’ve been wonderful.”

  Angelique turned toward the driver of the Lexus. “This is a good friend of mine, Tanner Collins. We finally decided we had to see these gorgeous twins everyone’s been talking about.”

  Sarah narrowed her gaze toward Tiffany at the mention of Tanner’s name. Tiffany’s nod and laughter told her she was on the right track.

  “Yes, that’s the same Tanner I was engaged to,” Tiffany admitted.

  Sarah turned back toward the man to study him. Tall, built, good looking, blonde, and blue eyed … dressed casually in jeans, un-tucked polo shirt, and a leather jacket. Definite hunk possibilities, despite the fact that there was something off about the way he carried himself. He moved as though he weren’t quite comfortable in his skin. Whatever his reason, it initially made her feel as uncomfortable as he acted. Rather than be rude, she ignored the spidey-sense that urged her to retreat from him, and instead, extended her hand.

  Tanner grimaced, seeming put-off at the wary expression on her face. “It seems that, once more, my reputation has preceded me,” he said before offering her a bright smile. “Relax, Sarah, I’m not the ogre you may have heard I was.”

  “Not anymore, anyway,” Tiffany and Angelique stated in unison, resulting in an all-around burst of laughter at his expense.

  Tanner gave a good-natured chuckle. “You’d think they’d at least cut me some slack for making the effort.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Everyone has been saying how strong and courageous you’ve been through this ordeal. Given my history, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that no one mentioned how drop dead gorgeous you are.”

  “Probably not,” Daniel said in clear warning to the former womanizer.

  Tanner nodded in agreement as everyone laughed, and gave her a gracious smile. “I really have heard wonderful things about you.”

  Initially uneasy at the way he focused his gaze on her, she calmed at the sound of sincerity in his tone and the way he was willing to poke fun at his previous bad boy reputation. “Thank you so much, Tanner. It’s nice to meet you, too,” she said, offering a cautious smile. A slight pause had her grinning up at him, trying not to laugh. “And it’s too bad I can’t say the same,” she added.

  Tanner seemed to pay no heed to the laughter around them, as he gave her a reluctant nod. “I wish you could too.”

  Sarah gave the kitchen counter one last polish as Leah pushed the button on the dishwasher to begin its cycle.

  “That was a good visit,” Daniel said, with satisfaction. “My granddaughter is growing so fast. I think she’s definitely going to have some height to her.”

  Sarah looked at her diminutive twin girls and groaned. “My poor kids don’t have a chance.”

  Daniel’s chest rumbled as he laughed. “That’s to be expected when you’ve got a midget for a mother.” His face grew solemn as he dared to ask the next question. “What about their father?”

  Sarah shrugged. “I used to think he was tall, but now that I’ve lived in the valley of the jolly green giants, I’m guessing five foot, ten inches isn’t that tall for a guy.”

  “Not in my family, it isn’t,” Daniel snorted. “My two older brothers had a good three inches on me and I’m six foot three in my socks.”

  Sarah groaned as she leaned over to embrace her daughters. “Yep, they’re doomed to munchkin land, just like their mama.” Sammi and Danni took time out from gnawing on their teething biscuits to grin adorably up at their mother. She passed her fingers over their gums to feel the teeth just breaking through the skin. “I can’t believe they both got their first tooth on the same day.”

  “I can’t believe it was Tanner who found them,” Daniel growled in disappointment. “I’ve been checking four times a day for the last week, damned determined I would find them first.”

  Leah laughed at her husband. “Babe, there’s still Briana—she hasn’t cut a tooth yet.”

  “Red told me that McAllister babies don’t cut their teeth for nearly a year,” he grumbled. “That’s a long time to wait to buy her a new outfit.”

  “For God’s sake, Daniel,” Leah huffed. “You don’t need an excuse to buy any of these kids a new outfit—just do it.”

  Daniel frowned down at his wife. “It’s not the same, hon. Angelique said it’s supposed to give them good luck if the person who finds the tooth buys the outfit. I wanted to be the one to give them good luck.”

  Sarah smiled at the giant of a man in front of her. “You two have given them more than luck, Daniel. You’ve given us all hope and opportunity, don’t you know that? We were in a women’s shelter before you took us in. I will always be grateful to you and Leah. You’ve made the difference for us.”

  Daniel embraced Sarah in a warm, fatherly hug. “We’re glad to hear that. You’ve become like another daughter to us, Sarah. Leah and I talked about it last night, and we want you to know that you can call this place home as long as you need to.”

  “You’re stuck with us now,” Leah said. “We couldn’t love these two babies more if they were grandchildren by blood.”

  “I never thought I could fall in love with an entire group of people I’ve only known for two weeks,” she said, giving Leah a hug.

  Daniel leaned over to stick his face in front of the two high chairs holding the twin girls. They giggled and both began jabbering to him as they reached out with their sticky fingers. He laughed as he looked up at their mother. “Listen to ‘em go.” He lifted one out of her chair and turned to Leah. “Grab the other one, Maw Leah. Let’s wash off all this rice cereal and applesauce and see what we find.”

  Thanks to Leah and Daniel, Sarah got to take a leisurely shower in the guest bathroom. By the time her hair dried, it was time to put the babies down for the night. Sarah smoothed their curls and patted their freshly diapered bottoms while they yawned and rubbed their eyes sleepily. Within a few short minutes they settled into their sleep positions, their movements executed in perfect synchronization, as usual. With one adjustment to their comforters, she turned on the night light and pulled the door closed behind her.

  Back in her own room, one over from her daughters, Sarah powered on the baby monitor and stretched out on her bed. After two weeks in the LeBlanc’s care she only felt an occasional twinge in one side from her nearly healed ribs. She still wore a brace on one arm, but with Leah and Daniel’s help, she could manage caring for her daughters.

  Burrowed into the warmth of the thick, down comforter, she thought about the new job she’d start tomorrow with an anticipation that made her insides feel like a plateful of Jell-O. Leah had told her not to worry about finding a daycare or sitter for the girls, of course. Daniel insisted that she stay with them long enough to put a good amount of money aside to start up another household.

  As of yet, Liam Nash had only stayed with them part time, switching off with Daniel to have some days to himself. Starting tomorrow, he’d be Sarah’s full time body guard, both at the LeBlanc home and during work hours as well as anytime in between.

  She smiled to herself, remembering Leah’s subtle hints about the benefits of Sarah having a
man like that around, permanently. But what she’d told Mel two weeks earlier still held true. She’d never consider him as anything other than a good friend. Besides, after the nightmare called Troy, she couldn’t say she’d ever be ready to forfeit, or even share, control over her own life by committing to another man.

  In another part of town, someone else lay alone in his bed thinking of warm brown eyes bearing a hint of laughter, a gorgeous pair of dimpled cheeks, and two of the prettiest baby girls he’d ever seen.

  As soon as her image formed in his mind, Tanner pushed it aside. No way would she ever be his type. Not now. Not ever. And who the hell needs kids, especially when they come in pairs? She seemed like a nice girl, someone wanting to get out of a bad situation in the worst way. She sure as hell didn’t need the likes of him sniffing after her. His mind suddenly overflowed with Angel’s comments from that afternoon. “You’re not the same man you used to be, Tanner. You’re evolving—growing. You’ve told me you want to change and I believe you.”

  “Yeah,” he whispered to the dark bedroom. “And the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Do the lady a favor, and put her out of your mind.”

  He rolled over on his side and punched his pillow, determined to get some sleep. After another hour of tossing and turning, he got up for a glass of water before walking to the windows that overlooked the apartment complex courtyard. For the first time he noticed it wasn’t child friendly.

  It brought to mind the conversation that had taken place between him and the manager when he’d looked at this place. The woman had told him they were looking for young, successful, professionals as tenants. “No pets or children,” she’d told him. The memory of his response to her statement caused him to cringe inwardly. “Is there a difference?”

  Had there ever been a time when he wasn’t a first class asshole?

  His thoughts travelled once more to Sarah and her daughters. Sarah, the girl who’d survived a car accident, only to have her abusive husband beat the bloody hell out of her then lock her up with her babies for days with no food. What he wouldn’t do to have a chance at that sadistic son of a bitch.

  How’d she end up with a maniac like that, anyway? As soon as he’d met her he’d experienced an unfamiliar disturbance. Who the hell was he trying to kid? It had been more like channeling a freaking Doberman, set on protecting its owner. He could well remember the tension, the tightness at the back of his neck, a perfect pairing with his fisted hands.

  Maybe he had changed in small ways, no doubt due to Angelique’s undying eagerness to put him in his place. That woman got off on berating him for the slightest snobbish comment, while forcing him to examine his own self from a different perspective.

  Despite that, he knew a meaningful relationship was miles away. As much as he aspired to change himself, no way in hell would it happen overnight. His one night hook-up earlier that evening was proof of that. Tanner groaned while adjusting himself at the memory of the busty new nurse just recently back from a stint in the Army. But then he smiled, remembering the momentary pleasure in an evening of hot, meaningless sex.

  “Well, hell,” he murmured, trying not to be so disappointed in his fall from grace. “Rome wasn’t built in a day…”

  CHAPTER 16

  By noon the next day, Angelique had congratulated herself several times over for hiring Sarah as her replacement. She used all the software proficiently and knew nearly as much about the computers as their IT team. She’d shown up early, with Liam in tow, looking professional, but chic, and had proceeded to make friends with everyone in the office. Angelique had told her about Dr. Maze’s weakness for sweets, so Sarah arrived with a batch of homemade macadamia and white chocolate cookies, an instant crowd pleaser.

  Angelique passed Sarah’s purse to her while walking out of the office for lunch. “They’re not going to miss me at all around here, honey. You’ve even got Dr. Maze eating out of your hand like a pet monkey.”

  Sarah blushed. “It’s just the cookies and your advice.”

  Angelique stopped midstride to face Sarah, placing her hands on her shoulders. “Stop that, do you hear me? You have done absolutely everything right today, and this place is damn fortunate to have you.”

  “Did someone have a good morning?” Liam asked from just behind Angelique.

  Sarah, who’d caught his gaze as he approached, smiled shyly, but managed a nod. “Someone did.”

  Angelique spun around to face him. “I forgot you were here.”

  “Nice. Just what every guy wants to hear.”

  “Oh, grow up,” she barked. “We were busy.”

  He nodded, wondering how long she would keep up the cold shoulder routine she’d given him for two weeks. At least he knew Mike wasn’t any better off. They’d spent the last two Friday and Saturday nights drinking beer and having the southern man’s version of a pity party. He turned to Sarah. “How’s the new job going?”

  “Good, if my new boss is to be believed,” she answered. “My Excel skills are a little rusty, but I’ll get it back.”

  Angelique snorted. “Don’t listen to her, she’s an expert user in any software we have. She can already run that place with her eyes closed. Where are we going for lunch?”

  “My treat, ladies,” Liam added.

  “I don’t know about you two, but I’m hungry for a big juicy hamburger. Any good places around here?” Sarah asked.

  Angelique nodded as she pulled her keys from her purse. “There’s a real nice mom and pop restaurant just down the street that makes great burgers and sandwiches. I’ll drive.”

  “I call shot gun,” Liam called out.

  Angelique shot him a look that would freeze molten lava. “The hell you do. You’re riding in the back.”

  The door jangled again and Nash glanced up at the thirty-something year old man entering the diner. Though the man looked nothing like Sarah’s ex, he couldn’t rule out the possibility of Troy sending someone in his place to harm or abduct Sarah. In all likelihood, the asshole probably hung out with people who’d do it for very little incentive.

  “Does that guy look familiar, Sarah?”

  “Nope, never saw him before,” she said, wiping her mouth with her napkin before dropping it on the table. “That was the best burger I’ve ever eaten. I’ll definitely be coming back to this place.” She scooted her chair back and pointed to a hallway. “Restrooms?”

  Angelique nodded. “I’ll go too.”

  Liam placed his hand on her forearm. “Could I have a word with you?”

  Angel signaled Sarah to go ahead before she sat back down. As soon as she was out of ear shot she turned to Liam. “Have you ever noticed that she will not drink anything unless it’s bottled or canned and she’s broken the seal herself?”

  “I have,” he said, nodding. “Mike said one of the nurses in the hospital said she was obsessive about it. She’s even that way at the ranch where she knows she’s safe. That’s a good damn indication of one thing.”

  “Date rape?” Angelique said, getting a sick feeling in her stomach at his nod. “Men can be such pigs.”

  “Not all of us, Angel, although some of us can be pretty damn stupid at times. Are you ever going to forgive me?”

  “I forgive you,” she said sternly.

  “That had all the feeling of a root canal.”

  Her eyebrow crooked ominously. “I could take it back.”

  “You’re still pissed at me,” he commented.

  She gave a long, drawn out sigh. “I’m not pissed, I’m disappointed. I shouldn’t have to justify myself to you or Mike. We’re all friends.”

  “Not just friends, Angel.” At her stony silence, Liam leaned forward. “You know, any normal woman would be jumping up and down to have two guys chasing after her. But not you,” he snorted.

  “Chasing after me?” she hissed. “Kids in grade school chase each other. Adults strive for something more meaningful, and that involves trust.” She turned her head to watch a young mother pick up he
r crying newborn. “It sure as hell doesn’t include questioning my motive to move back to Lafayette.”

  “I’m sorry, dammit!” he said, loud enough to cause more than a few heads to turn in their direction.

  “Wonderful,” she groaned, turning a bright shade of crimson. “I just love being part of the main attraction.”

  Liam sat back and clenched his jaw. When the waitress chose that moment to bring the check to the table, he grabbed it from her. He stood up, pulled out his wallet, and threw a five on the table for the tip. “I’ll go pay the check,” he said, stalking angrily off toward the cashier.

  Angelique grabbed her purse and escaped to the women’s restroom. She opened the door, seeing Sarah resting one hip against the wall.

  Sarah grinned crookedly up at her. “Was trying to give you two some privacy.”

  Angelique fanned her flushed face in silence as her co-worker sucked in her breath.

  “Oh oh, What happened?”

  “It’s called a face-off; we’re both stubborn.” She washed her hands, reapplied her lipstick and threw the tube back into her purse. “I think Liam’s under the impression that it’s easy for me to be around him and Mike without wanting more.”

  “You want more?” Sarah asked.

  “Of course I want more. God, you’ve seen those two. They each deserve a spot on the Hunk of the Month calendar. I know from experience that throwing sex into the mix would only complicate things.” She blew out an exasperated breath. “Things are complicated enough as it is.”

  “And now you have to see Liam five days out of the week, all day long, because of me,” Sarah added.

  Angelique slipped her purse strap over her shoulder and faced her. “Under normal circumstances, I’d be fine with it, but he’s not happy that I’m moving back to Lafayette.”