by Lori Leger
He was quiet for several seconds then swallowed audibly. “Thanks, babe. I needed to hear that tonight.”
“Goodnight.” She disconnected and stood there, feeling a little overwhelmed, and a lot like crying. Determined not to feel sorry for herself, she turned toward her kitchen just as the doorbell rang. She opened the door to reveal a beaming Tanner.
“I come bearing gifts.” He lifted a large gift bag in one hand, and a bottle of wine in the other before casting a curious glance around her place. “Are you alone?”
“Yes. Who else were you expecting to see?” As he struggled to find an answer, she waved her hand again and opened the door wider. “Sarah’s not here and I understand how disappointed you must be, considering how you feel about the lady.”
“I’m just a concerned citizen, that’s all,” he insisted. “You damn well know ladies with babies aren’t my preference.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
“Okay, then what the hell’s wrong with you?” he asked, leaning in to get a better look at her. “Did either of those two bozo’s you’re in love with say or do something to hurt you? Say the word, Angel, and I’ll kick their ass for you.”
She placed a hand over her heart. “You’d do that for me?” she fawned, trying to hold back her laughter while batting her eyelashes.
He nodded. “I’d try, anyway. The ex-Navy Seal would probably humiliate me good, but I might have a penny’s worth of luck with Tonto.”
Angelique grinned at him. “He’s six foot seven, you know.”
Tanner shrugged it off. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall, hon. He doesn’t scare me. And just what the hell’s so funny?” he asked, as she snorted and choked on her laughter.
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t see you fighting.”
“Just because I don’t normally choose to go around picking fights doesn’t mean I can’t hold my own. I’ve got skills. Besides,” he said, sticking out one western boot. “I have a feeling these would come in pretty handy in a street brawl.” He smiled down at her. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong now?”
She closed the door and ran both hands through her thick hair. “I don’t know what the hell to do, Tanner. I don’t want to hurt either of them but I’ll have to if I choose. And before you ask—no, I haven’t decided.”
“Well, before you give yourself ulcers, open this.” He thrust the large bag in her face.
“What did you do?” She peeked inside the bag, moved the layers of tissue and gasped in delight. “Oh, it’s perfect! How did you know?” She held up a large bronze, antique finished fleur de lis.
“The lady at the gift shop told me they’re all the rage since the Saints won the Super Bowl.”
“I love it, and I know just where this is going in my new place.” She leaned over and gave him a hug. “Thanks, buddy.”
He gave her a slight bow. “It’s the least I could do, since you’re helping me out.” He lifted the wine bottle. “Where’s your opener?”
She scrunched up her face. “I have to load my car with some things to bring to the house tomorrow morning.”
“Let’s start with a glass of wine and then I’ll help you. How about tomorrow? Will you need help then?”
“I might. Sarah offered to help, so of course that means Liam will be with her.”
“I won’t be there, then.”
“He’s her bodyguard, Tanner.”
He shook his head. “It has nothing to do with him. I’m not ready.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not—done—yet.” He spoke hesitantly.
She opened a drawer and pulled out the wine opener. “Done with what?”
“With me. I don’t want her to get to know me until my metamorphosis is complete.” He shrugged as their gazes clashed. “I want to be better.”
“For her. You want to be better for her,” she added.
“I want to be better for me. I don’t want to stick my big foot in my mouth before I’ve finished, that’s all there is to it.”
Angelique studied him for a moment, feeling her heart soften toward him. She put her hands together and bowed. “You have travelled far in such a short time, young grasshopper.” She laughed as Tanner looked down and shook his head. “I am so seriously proud of you.”
He pulled the opener from her hand and began working on the bottle of wine. “Don’t be just yet. I’ve been known to pussy out before the job is completed. Or at the very least, take the easy way out.”
Angelique took two glasses out of the cabinet and handed him one. “Why don’t you come with me tomorrow and give your new persona a dry run? I think you’re ready to at least break the ice between you two.”
“You don’t think it’s too soon? I mean, you and the others know I’ve changed, but she didn’t know how bad of a shit I was before.”
Angelique’s laughter bubbled out before she could stop it. “I wouldn’t worry about that. She knows enough.”
Angelique and Tanner had nearly finished hanging the living room curtains when Sarah and Liam arrived.
“What a great place,” Sarah exclaimed, getting her first glimpse of the house. “Liam, isn’t this place fantastic?”
His frown gave visible evidence of his displeasure. “It’s okay, I guess,” he grumbled. “Her other place is better.”
“Shhh. You’ll hurt Sonny’s feelings,” Angelique hissed. “I forgot to say goodbye to him yesterday, and we had a hell of a time getting the front door opened this morning.”
Liam rolled his eyes. “I still like your other place better.”
“You’ve got to be kidding?” Sarah asked, incredibly. “This place is gorgeous, twice the size, and half the price. What’s not to like?”
Liam spoke through clenched teeth. “Location, location, location.”
“Fortunately for you, his opinion doesn’t matter,” Tanner muttered from the top of the step ladder.
Sarah’s gaze sought him out. “Oh, hello,” she said, timidly. “I didn’t see you up there.”
Tanner nodded in her direction as he began to climb down the ladder. He missed the last step and landed somewhat awkwardly, nearly tripping over a bag of sheer curtains and some hardware. He recovered, and attempted to act like he was unaffected, without quite pulling it off. “Hello, Sarah.”
“I’m sorry, I know we met the other day, but I can’t remember your name,” Sarah told him.
He passed a hand along the back of his neck. “Tanner Collins.”
She pointed at him, grinning. “Tiffany’s ex, right?”
He leaned over to pick up his bottle of water, shaking his head. “I guess I won’t live down that identity anytime soon.”
Sarah looked up at the curtains he’d just hung. “Are you an interior designer?”
Tanner coughed on the sip of water he’d just taken. “Hell no. I’m a doctor,” he sputtered.
“Oh. Sorry about that. I don’t remember anyone mentioning that before. Or if they did, I was too out of it to remember.”
Liam placed his hand familiarly on Sarah’s shoulder and leaned close to whisper loudly into her ear. “It’s quite an understandable error, Sarah. Especially since he did such a fabulous job on the drapes,” he said, with a slight lisp to the letter s.
Tanner sent him a seething glare. “What do you plan on doing here today?”
“Heavy lifting,” Liam answered, as he flexed his muscular arms.
Tanner snorted. “She’s not moving in, Nash. She’s just doing some decorating to get it out of the way before she does.”
“I guess I’ll have to sit here and be bored, then, because I’m obviously not as talented as you are at decorating.”
Tanner picked up a hammer and a portable drill that doubled as a screw driver. “She needed my tools.”
“I bet that’s not the only tools you offered,” Liam growled.
Tanner walked up, and stood nose to nose with the man. “What the fu—” He stopped, casting a glance in Sarah’s dir
ection. “What’s your problem, Nash?”
Angelique cleared her throat. “Gentlemen, excuse me.” Neither man seemed to hear her.
“You’re my problem,” Liam said, poking at Tanner’s chest. “I know what kind of an asshole you are.”
“You might know what kind of asshole I used to be.” Tanner pushed Liam’s hand roughly aside.
“Hey!” Angelique yelled, stepping between the two men. They both looked at her, finally hearing her speak. “Are you two finished with your pissing contest?”
“This pussy—” Liam began.
“That prick—” Tanner chimed in, pointing an accusing finger at Liam.
Angelique raised her hands and lowered her voice to an ominous hiss. “Have either of you fools noticed what this is doing to Sarah?”
Liam lowered his head, but Tanner’s head whipped around toward Sarah, who’d pressed herself into a corner as far as she could get. Their loud confrontation had obviously brought back some disturbing memories for the woman who looked like she was trying to vanish into the woodwork.
Tanner took two steps toward her. “Oh God, I’m sorry, Sarah.” She squeezed her eyes shut as he took another step and reached out to touch her arm. “Are you all right?” He winced visibly as she jerked away from him.
“Please don’t,” she hissed.
“Jesus. I won’t. I’m so sorry.” Tanner backed off immediately.
Sarah’s eyes flew open at the man’s hoarsely whispered apology. She turned slowly toward the source, surprised at first, not to see her husband’s eyes glaring at her accusingly, darkening with anger without a moment’s notice. These eyes weren’t the same shade of blue and actually showed concern for her. This mouth wasn’t sneering at her with pure disdain.
Of course this wasn’t Troy. Her husband had never apologized for a single black eye, busted lip, or broken rib, much less for upsetting her. That was her role. I’m sorry for forcing you to beat the hell out of me, Troy. I know I gave you no choice. Because she knew from experience that the bastard wouldn’t stop until she said the words, and sometimes not even then.
This man staring back at her, this handsome, seriously hunky Dr. Collins, seemed crushed, horrified even, that he’d been the cause of her discomfort. She stared up at him, unable to speak, or put into words how touched she was by his concern.
Tanner stared down at her, clearly upset over her state. “I-I won’t. Please, forgive me,” he stammered, before turning to make a quick exit through the front door.
Sarah blinked several times, mumbled something unintelligible. Then she exited through the back door, closing it softly behind her.
Angelique spun around to send a glare in Liam’s direction. “Somebody better tell me what the hell is going on here—and he’d better do it right now.”
Liam stared shamefaced at his shoes, reluctant to meet her gaze. “I don’t know, Angel. I don’t know what the hell to tell you.” He lifted his hands. “I have no excuse.”
“No excuse, for acting like a complete asshole?” Her voice shook with contempt.
Liam looked up, shocked at her tone. “Collins started it with that remark about my opinion not mattering,” he said, defensively.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re not living here.” She shook her head when he lowered his eyes toward the floor once again. “Neither of you showed a bit of concern for either Sarah or me. You just went after each other like two pit bulls while we had to stand by and witness the entire thing.”
Liam walked to the window over the sink until he could see Sarah on the back deck, sitting quietly on one of the built-in benches that lined the perimeter. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He turned to her again. “It’s just that when I see any other guy with you—”
“Tanner’s crazy about Sarah.”
“What?”
“Sarah, and her twins. He’s crazy about all of them. The first time he met her, she was all he talked about for hours. He asks me about her every chance he gets.” She tramped over to the bag of curtains to yank out another sage green sheer. “And besides, it’s not Tanner you should be worrying about.” She cringed at the hurtful words, immediately regretting them.
“What the hell does that mean? That you and Harper have been going at it like rabbits while you give me the cold shoulder?”
“Of course not. But I love Mike, too, Liam – every bit as much as I love you.”
He cocked his head slightly. “Maybe even more?”
She looked at him and sighed. “I don’t know, yet. But …” Angelique let her voice trail off.
“But, I sure as hell didn’t score any points here today, did I?” he finished for her.
Tired of the conversation, she walked out back without another word.
She settled herself beside Sarah on the bench. “Hey, are you okay?”
“Other than feeling foolish by freaking out that way, I guess so.” She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Maybe I need therapy.”
Angelique snorted. “I can give you the name of a good one.”
Sarah gave her a half smile. “Seriously, I don’t want to cower every time I hear loud voices. I don’t want to be this weak person that no one will respect.”
“What are you talking about? Everyone respects you! You’re a survivor.”
Sarah twisted her hands nervously. “I’m a coward. As soon as Troy would begin to yell, I’d start trembling like a terrified puppy. I know I’ve said I’d kill him if he ever turned that rage onto my girls, but the honest truth is I would have been helpless to stop him.”
“You don’t know that. People often find hidden strength when they need it.”
“I’ve needed it, trust me,” Sarah replied, running her hands through her hair. “Oh hell, enough is enough.” She stood up and wiped her eyes. “Come on, you’ve got Sonny to decorate and I’ve got babies to get back to. You didn’t disable my bodyguard, did you?”
Angelique released a huff of laughter. “I don’t know what that was about. Tanner and I are just friends, so there was no reason for Liam to get all defensive.”
“Are you sure Tanner is only interested in you as a friend? There seemed to be something else going on there.”
“If there was, it wasn’t about me,” Angelique replied, knowing Tanner would want her to keep quiet.
“Tanner’s a kinder man than people think he is, isn’t he?”
Angelique couldn’t help but smile. “I believe so, but he thinks he needs to be better.”
Sarah fidgeted with her hands again. “When you see him again, please tell him that his apology meant a lot to me. It’s just that I’m not used to getting one, and I didn’t know how to respond.”
Angelique nodded. “I’ll tell him.”
CHAPTER 19
Liam watched from the gate as Sarah worked one of Leah’s horses in the paddock. Nearly a week had passed since the fiasco at Angel’s, and she seemed to be flourishing. She worked the gelding hard, cutting first to the right, stopping and cutting hard to the left, then making the quarter horse back up. Liam gave a low whistle then broke into applause as she rode up to the fence.
“That’s fantastic! Where’d you learn to do all that?”
“Leah taught me how to work him but she trains them, and she’s damn good at what she does.”
“Is he being trained for rodeos?”
Sarah leaned over to pat the horse’s neck affectionately. “The owner originally wanted this guy for cutting cattle, but if his daughter decides to compete like he wants her to, he’s plenty fast enough for pole and barrel racing.”
Liam nodded and climbed over the wooden fence rails to meet her. “I rode quite a bit when I was younger. Think I could give it a shot?”
“I don’t see why not.” She climbed off the horse and handed him the reins. “His name is Cutter.”
He spoke to the horse in soothing tones, allowing him to get used to his scent and the feel of his hand. Liam waited until Cutter had relaxed before adjusting the stirrups for
his long legs. He mounted easily and walked the horse around the paddock then made a round in an easy trot. He made a few more passes and led the horse along the back fence line toward Sarah.
The horse snorted loudly, startling a cotton mouth snake that lay curled around a fence post sunning itself. The snake struck out at the horse’s foreleg, its fangs coming within a fraction of an inch. Cutter reared violently, flipping an unsuspecting Liam off of his back in an awkward spill onto the ground.
Sarah watched in horror, as Liam flew off the back of the horse and landed hard, head first, onto the compacted soil. She yelled for Daniel and took off at a dead run for her bodyguard. Kneeling next to his unconscious body, she checked for a pulse, breathing a sigh of relief when she found it good and strong.
“What happened?” Daniel asked, out of breath from running to meet them.
“Cutter got spooked by a snake and reared. He’s breathing but he hit hard, Daniel. We need to get an ambulance out here.”
He nodded, pulled out his phone and called Tiffany to come over, then called Air Med for immediate transport as his daughter had requested.
“Oh God, I never should have let him ride,” Sarah groaned when Tiffany pulled up a few short minutes later.
“No Sarah, I watched him from the window and he handled himself fine,” Daniel told her. “That could have happened to anyone.” He turned to his daughter. “Think it’s a concussion?”
She nodded. “For him to be out this long—at least a mild one, I’d say. No broken bones that I can see, but we may also be dealing with a possible neck or back injury. There’s no way to tell until we get him in for x-rays and an MRI.”
The air ambulance arrived within minutes to secure a still unconscious Liam and loaded him up, as Tiffany climbed in with the paramedics. Torn between leaving her babies behind or following the ambulance with Daniel, Sarah finally let Red convince her that the twins would be safe with him and Leah.
Angelique sealed the last box, labeled it, and pushed it against the wall. That did it; everything but the bathroom was packed up and ready for the ‘moving men’ first thing in the morning. Mike had asked some of his buddies, as well as Red and Liam to help with the loading and unloading. She and Tanner had made several smaller loads during the week, and as a result, there were only a few boxes to deal with, as well as her large items of furniture.
