Just Breathe (The Protectors Book 2)

by Leeanna Morgan

  “I could say the same thing about you.”

  “I’ve got a lot to do so I decided to come into work early.”

  “I read the note.”

  Kelly relaxed. She’d left a message on the kitchen table telling Tanner where she’d gone. They’d had a big discussion last night about her not going anywhere alone.

  “Where’s Luke?”

  “Upstairs in my apartment. He’s probably sound asleep by now.”

  Tanner crossed his arms. “He’s supposed to be making sure you’re safe.”

  “He is—from a distance. He didn’t get much sleep last night and I thought being here might stop him from thinking about Melissa.”

  Tanner didn’t look as though he appreciated her thoughtfulness. “I’ll stay with you until Luke wakes up. Do you want me to unpack some boxes?”

  The last thing Kelly needed was his help. After last night, she was confused about what type of relationship they had. When Luke told Tanner about his break-up, he’d become more withdrawn than she’d ever seen him. Nothing Kelly said had made any difference. She’d gone to bed feeling as though she really didn’t know him.

  “I don’t need any help,” she said quickly. “I’ve already refilled the displays and added more stock to the shelves.”

  Tanner’s eyes narrowed. “We didn’t finish our conversation last night.”

  “Which one?”

  “The one where you were thinking about giving Senator Jackson a digital copy of Abagail’s journal.”

  Kelly breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay.”

  “You’re going to give him a copy?”

  She nodded as she moved a Christmas ornament onto another display.

  “That was too easy. What’s going on?”

  She picked up an empty box and carried it into her workroom. “I haven’t been sleeping very well. I’m tired and annoyed. And to be totally honest, I’m sick of Senator Jackson and his corrupt family. As long as he doesn’t get his hands on the real copy of Abagail’s journal he can have as many copies as he wants.”

  “I’m not surprised you’re tired. You’ve been working long hours for weeks.”

  “It’s the worst part of owning your own business.” She slid the box onto a shelf. “Before Rachel went on her honeymoon she told me I was stubborn. She was right. I’m not being stubborn now.”

  “Has this got anything to do with Luke?”

  “If you’re talking about his break-up, then maybe. I need to move on and focus my spare time on my family and business. I’ve been too worried about Senator Jackson.”

  Tanner’s gaze shot to hers. “Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

  “No.”

  His mouth set in a grim line. “In that case, I’ll find a broom and sweep the floor.”

  Kelly frowned. “We don’t open until ten o’clock. I can get everything ready before then.”

  “I’ll sweep the floor.”

  “I appreciate your offer, but it’s not necessary.”

  Tanner didn’t listen. If anything, his frown deepened. “We need to talk about us.”

  Kelly tidied the paper, scissors, and tape sitting on her workbench. “I noticed the way you nearly fainted when you saw the engagement ring Luke bought.”

  “I was surprised.”

  Kelly stared at him. That would have to be the understatement of the year. “Why did you look as though you’d seen a ghost?”

  “It brought back some memories I’d prefer not to dwell on.”

  “You were engaged?”

  He nodded. “For about a month before my fiancée realized she didn’t love me.”

  “How did you feel after she left?”

  “Devastated. I’d worked hard to be the person I thought she wanted. But in the end, none of that mattered.”

  “You shouldn’t have to reinvent yourself when you’re with the person you love.”

  He took a deep breath and stepped toward her. “No one thought I’d amount to much. Everyone wrote me off as damaged goods. I had no friends apart from the guys I met in the military. Until I met Carla, I’d never had a relationship that lasted more than a couple of weeks. Sometimes it’s easier to hide behind the person people want to see.”

  “But that person doesn’t exist.”

  “He’s as real as you and me.”

  “Anyone can pretend to be someone else. It takes courage to be yourself.”

  Tanner held her hand. “It takes more than courage. You need to trust that the person you’re with will accept you for who you are. I trust you, Kelly. But sometimes my insecurities pull me to places I don’t want to go.”

  “You’re not the only one. We all have things we hide—it’s the consequences of being something we’re not that can be hard to live with.”

  Tanner squeezed her fingers. “Talking about consequences, we need to make sure the store opens on time.”

  She looked at her watch. “All I have to do is make sure the money is in the cash register.”

  “And all I need to do is sweep the floor.”

  “You’re as stubborn as I am.”

  He didn’t smile. “Maybe we’re more alike than you think.”

  Kelly didn’t want to think about their similarities. It would only confuse her.

  She let go of Tanner’s hand. “I’ve kept a copy of Abagail’s journal and the decoded version on my laptop. If you still think it’s a good idea to give Senator Jackson a copy, we could do it now.”

  “If that’s what you want to do.”

  Kelly nodded. “Senator Jackson deserves to see who Abagail was. What he does after he’s read the journal is up to him.”

  She turned toward her laptop.

  Tanner held out his hand and stopped her. “I really like you, Kelly. Is that going to be a problem?”

  “I don’t know. I thought I had everything worked out and then last night…I can’t give you an honest answer at the moment.” She looked into Tanner’s blue eyes. “Thank you for telling me about your fiancée.”

  His expression became guarded. “Let’s send the email to Senator Jackson.”

  Kelly sighed. She didn’t know what would happen between her and Tanner, but they could learn more about Senator Jackson. For better or worse, after they sent the email, they’d know what side of the law he operated from.

  And for all their sakes, she hoped he would stand beside them, not stop Abagail’s story from being told.

  ***

  By Wednesday night, Tanner knew he was in trouble. He’d made a promise to himself about how he would act around Kelly. As long as someone else was with her, he would give her space, visit the store less, and leave her to work out whether she wanted a relationship with him.

  But those promises didn’t take into account the way she had gotten under his skin, invaded his thoughts, and kept him awake at night.

  He could function on less sleep than most people he knew, but this was ridiculous. What was even more ridiculous was the elf standing in front of him—the cute elf with the button nose, curly brown hair and shorter than short costume.

  Kelly pulled down the hem of her tunic. It didn’t budge.

  “Why do you need to be an elf?” he asked. “Couldn’t you be a Christmas tree or something?”

  Kelly threw her arms in the air. The short tunic rose to within an inch of being indecent. “There were no Christmas tree costumes. I might give someone at the retirement village a heart attack if I bend over too far.”

  “The green stockings cover your legs.” Tanner was trying to be helpful, but Kelly didn’t look any happier than when she’d come downstairs. If she’d known she was dressed as his favorite fantasy Christmas date she’d be even more worried.

  Kelly looked at her feet. “Maybe if I wore a pair of knee-high black boots it would be better. I’d be warmer and I wouldn’t have as much leg on display.”

  Tanner’s imagination started working overtime. Black boots and an elf costume would be pushing his promise to himself to th
e limit. “Can you swap costumes with someone?”

  “Not this close to the competition.” Kelly looked at his Christmas tree. “Do you have any spare tinsel?”

  “I think so. What have you got in mind?”

  She lifted the edge of her tunic toward him.

  It wasn’t a good move for a man on the edge of a hormonal meltdown. Kelly was totally oblivious to his misbehaving body, and he wanted it to stay that way.

  “I could attach a couple of layers of tinsel to the hem of my tunic. No one would know it wasn’t supposed to be there, not if I’m careful.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “If you haven’t got any more tinsel I could buy some. The Christmas carol competition doesn’t start until seven o’clock on Friday night.”

  Tanner was having a hard time dragging his gaze away from her long legs.

  “Tanner?”

  “Yes?”

  “Are you ogling my legs?”

  “I might be.”

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake. This costume is worse than I thought.”

  Kelly strode from the room and Tanner got his brain back.

  When the living room door opened five minutes later, it wasn’t Kelly who stood in the doorway.

  Tanner raised his eyebrows at the Santa hat on Luke’s head. “Nice hat.”

  “It’s got flashy lights, too.” Luke pushed a button on the white fur trim above his ear. “What do you think?”

  Bright LED lights in all colors of the rainbow blinked on and off at an alarming rate. “Are you sure you won’t get electrocuted?”

  Luke looked in the mirror above Tanner’s fireplace and straightened his hat. “Kelly assured me it’s been tested under rigorous conditions.”

  “Has it been on anyone’s head when it’s snowing?”

  “I’ve got no idea, but if you suddenly drop to the ground, I’ll take mine off.”

  Tanner narrowed his eyes at his smiling house guest. “I didn’t know I was going to the retirement village with you and Kelly.”

  “You do now. Kelly brought an extra hat for you.”

  “I might be busy.”

  Luke shook his head and the hat dipped sideways. “You don’t get out of being in our Christmas carol team that easily. Last year, the Groovy Grans beat us by one vote. This year we’ve got a secret weapon.”

  Tanner dreaded to think what that might be. “Who are the Groovy Grans?”

  “They’re a motorcycle club for grandmothers. When they’re not riding, they raise money for different projects. Last year they bought two neonatal incubators for the hospital.”

  Kelly returned to the living room wearing jeans and a sweater.

  Tanner sighed.

  “Before I make you an offer you won’t be able to refuse, I’ve got some news. Detective Callahan just called. The police have ruled out Senator Jackson’s involvement in the attempted burglary.”

  Luke frowned. “Did he say anything about a gang connection?”

  “There were no database matches with the fingerprints they took from the store. Detective Callahan doesn’t know for sure what the burglars’ motivation was, but he doesn’t think it had anything to do with the journal.”

  Luke looked at his sister. “Does this mean you’re going back to your apartment?”

  “That’s not a good idea,” Tanner said. “Even though the senator has been ruled out as a suspect, the police don’t know for sure who broke in. You’re both better off here.”

  “I thought you’d say something like that.” Kelly looked at her brother. “Are you happy to stay with Tanner?”

  “Suits me. We’ll be at mom and dad’s in another couple of days, anyway.”

  Kelly grinned. “Great. Now that we’ve got that sorted, I have a proposition for you, Tanner.”

  “Really?”

  She swatted his arm with the Santa hat she was holding. “Don’t get your hopes up. How do you feel about coming to Hayley’s retirement village with us on Friday? We’re singing Christmas carols in a competition they run each year.”

  “You’d better tell me about your secret weapon first.”

  “How did you know we have one?” She pulled the Santa hat onto his head.

  “Luke told me, but he didn’t say what it is.” Tanner couldn’t think straight with Kelly standing so close.

  She felt along the fur trim on his hat.

  He knew she was looking for the light switch, but he felt like a sex-starved jellyfish. She smelled like a bowl of apples, all sweetness and light mixed with just enough spice to make life interesting.

  She tilted her head sideways and grinned. “You look cute.”

  He held back the words that popped into his brain. He was beginning to think he’d been too specific in his promise to himself. Flirty talk was a definite no-goer. It would get him into trouble, make Kelly blush and cause no end of issues with her brother.

  She moved out of the way so that Luke could see what he looked like.

  “It’s just as well Christmas only comes once a year,” Luke said with a grin. “All the ladies are going to throw themselves at you.”

  Kelly looked at Tanner and frowned. “In case you’re wondering, loading our team with handsome men wasn’t part of our winning strategy.”

  Luke sat beside him and pulled his sister between them. “Tell Tanner what we’re doing.”

  Kelly rested her hand on Tanner’s thigh and wiggled her way forward.

  Tanner needed to have a word with Luke.

  “Jackie is making Christmas cookies and gingerbread men. Each resident who comes to the carol competition will be given a free cookie.”

  “You’re stooping to bribery?” Tanner moved sideways. It would give Kelly more room and reduce the chance of her hand gripping his thigh again.

  “Not exactly,” Luke said. “It’s more like a friendly takeover.”

  “A sweet, friendly takeover,” Kelly added. “So, what’s it going to be, Tanner? A quiet night on your own or an evening of Christmas carols and gingerbread?”

  He took off his Santa hat and watched the lights do crazy things. “I’ll join you for Christmas carols, but only if I can stand behind everyone else. How many people are in your team?”

  Kelly grinned. “Including us, there are fifteen. Welcome to Santa’s Little Helpers. You’ll have a great time.”

  Tanner shook the hand she held out to him and sighed. At least he hadn’t made a promise not to touch her.

  ***

  Two days later, Tanner realized he hadn’t had so much fun in years. Santa’s Little Helpers were halfway through their carol extravaganza. Everyone was clapping and singing, and more importantly, munching through a ton of Christmas cookies.

  The Groovy Grans weren’t impressed with Santa’s Little Helpers’ secret weapon. They’d lodged a formal complaint with the Christmas disciplinary board.

  The board agreed with the majority of residents. Without hesitation, they’d allowed the cookies to be distributed and recommended that cookies be included in next year’s competition.

  The only condition was that their secret weapon couldn’t attract extra points. Even so, Tanner was sure the cookies would give them a psychological advantage.

  As Doris Stanley played the opening notes of Jingle Bells on the piano, Tanner thought about last night.

  He’d joined Kelly, Jackie, and Hayley to decorate the cookies. Before he’d left home, he’d told himself he was going there to protect Kelly. But from the moment he’d walked into Jackie’s home, he knew he was there for himself, too.

  The smell of ginger and mixed spice was everything Christmas should be. When Jackie opened the door to the living room, her pine tree had added another layer of nostalgia to the night.

  He’d eaten too many cookies, laughed until his ribs hurt, and drank enough coffee to keep him awake for a month.

  After the monster decorating party he’d driven around town with Kelly, looking at the Christmas lights. By the time they’d made it home he was tired, h
appy, and head over heels in love with her.

  As the first verse of Jingle Bells ended and the second began, Tanner tried to remember if he’d ever had a Christmas that was so full of people. He enjoyed the company of his friends, but he wasn’t the type of person who joined a complete set of strangers to celebrate anything. Yet here he was, surrounded by elves, angels, and men wearing sparkly Santa hats, singing to retirees at a Christmas carol competition.

  Everyone in their team sang their hearts out. Doris ran her expert fingers over the piano keys, helping to create an enthusiastic rendition of a classic carol.

  Four songs and more than twenty minutes later, Santa’s Little Helpers left the stage. They’d done everything they could to win the competition. Now it was up to the judges and residents to decide who would take home the award for best carol singers.

  Luke patted him on the back. “You weren’t bad for a novice.”

  “It’s just as well I’ve been singing those carols for years. Doris played a couple of interesting melodies halfway through some of the carols.”

  “She was being creative,” Luke muttered. “It doesn’t matter how many times we ask her to stick to the program, she keeps improvising.”

  Kelly joined them. “Are you being a Christmas Grinch, Luke Harris?”

  “I was commenting on our unique version of the carols.”

  “Doris keeps you on your toes. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  They sat at one of the round tables at the back of the room. Kelly’s parents joined them, along with Ethan, Charlie, Brett, and Steven.

  He was surrounded by Kelly’s family.

  Kelly’s mom, Denise, gave him a hug. “It’s good to see you. What did you think about our Christmas carols?”

  “The Groovy Grans will have to do something incredible to beat that performance.”

  Kelly’s eyes widened. “I think they’ve brought their own secret weapon.”

  Tanner looked at the stage. Pastor Steven’s youth group was standing at the front of the room with about twenty-five women. The children were all dressed as angels, complete with white gowns and fluffy halos.

  “They can’t do that,” Luke whispered. “It’s against the rules.”

  Tanner smiled. “I joined Santa’s Little Helpers at the last minute. They must have invited the youth group to sing with them.”