Tanner’s mouth relaxed a bit more. “Since we’re both being truthful here, I’ll admit that I wasn’t overly impressed with you that night, either.”
Joanna dropped her gaze. “I can imagine. I hope you realize I don’t usually dress like that.”
“I gathered as much when I dropped Nicole off yesterday afternoon.”
They both paused to share a brief smile and Joanna instantly felt better. It hadn’t been easy to blurt all this out, but she was relieved that they’d finally cleared the air.
“Since Kristen and Nicole are such good friends, I thought, well, that I should set things right between us. From everything Nicole’s said, you’re doing an excellent job of parenting.”
“From everything she’s told me, the same must be true of you.”
“Believe me, it isn’t easy raising a preteen daughter,” Joanna announced. She rubbed her palms together a couple of times, searching for something brilliant to add.
Tanner shook his head. “Isn’t that the truth?”
They laughed then, and because they were still awkward with each other the sound was rusty.
“Now that you mention it, maybe I could spare a few minutes for a cup of coffee.”
“Sure.” Joanna led the way into the kitchen. While Tanner sat down at the table, she filled a mug from the pot keeping warm on the plate of the automatic coffee maker and placed it carefully in front of him. Now that she knew him a bit better, she realized he’d prefer that to a dainty china cup. “How do you take it?”
“Just black, thanks.”
She pulled out the chair across the table from him, still feeling a little ill at ease. Her mind was whirling. She didn’t want to give Tanner a second wrong impression now that she’d managed to correct the first one. Her worry was that he might interpret her friendliness as a sign of romantic interest, which it wasn’t. Building a new relationship was low on her priority list. Besides, they simply weren’t on the same economic level. She worked for a savings-and-loan institution and he was half owner of the largest employer in the area. The last thing she wanted was for Tanner to think of her as a gold digger.
Joanna’s thoughts were tumbling over themselves as she struggled to find a diplomatic way of telling him all this without sounding like some kind of man hater. And without sounding presumptuous.
“I’d like to pay you,” Tanner said, cutting into her reflections. His cheque-book was resting on the table, Cross pen poised above it.
Joanna blinked, not understanding. “For the coffee?”
He gave her an odd look. “For looking after Nicole.”
“No, please.” Joanna shook her head dismissively. “It wasn’t the least bit of trouble for her to stay the night. Really.”
“What about the costume for the talent show? Surely I owe you something for that.”
“No.” Once more she shook her head for emphasis. “I’ve had that material tucked away in a drawer for ages. If I hadn’t used it for Nicole’s costume, I’d probably have ended up giving it away later.”
“But your time must be worth something.”
“It was just as easy to sew up two as one. I was happy to do it. Anyway, there’ll probably be a time in the future when I need a favour. I’m worthless when it comes to electrical outlets and even worse with plumbing.”
Joanna couldn’t believe she’d said that. Tanner Lund wasn’t the type of man to do his own electrical repairs.
“Don’t be afraid to ask,” he told her. “If I can’t fix it, I’ll find someone who can.”
“Thank you,” she said, relaxing. Now that she was talking to Tanner, she decided he was both pleasant and forthright, not at all the coldly remote or self-important man his wealth might have led her to expect.
“Mom,” Kristen cried as she charged into the kitchen, “did you ask Mr. Lund yet?”
“About what?”
“About coming over for dinner some time.”
Joanna felt the heat shoot up her neck and face until it reached her hairline. Kristen had made the invitation sound like a romantic tryst the three of them had been planning the entire time Tanner was away.
Nicole, entering the room behind her friend, provided a timely interruption.
“Dad, Kristen and I want to do our song for you now.”
“I’d like to see it. Do you mind, Joanna?”
“Of course not.”
“Mom finished the costumes last night. We’ll change and be back in a minute,” Kristen said, her voice high with excitement. The two scurried off. The minute they were out of sight, Joanna stood up abruptly and refilled her cup. Actually she was looking for a way to speak frankly to Tanner, without embarrassing herself—or him. She thought ironically that anyone looking at her now would be hard put to believe she was a competent loan officer with a promising future.
“I think I should explain something,” she began, her voice unsteady.
“Yes?” Tanner asked, his gaze following her movements around the kitchen.
Joanna couldn’t seem to stand in one place for long. She moved from the coffeepot to the refrigerator, finally stopping in front of the stove. She linked her fingers behind her back and took a deep breath before she trusted herself to speak. “I thought it was important to clear up any misunderstanding between us, because the girls are such good friends. When Nicole’s with Kristen and me, I want you to know she’s in good hands.”
Tanner gave her a polite nod. “I appreciate that.”
“But I have a feeling that Kristen—and maybe Nicole, too—would like for us to get to know each other, er, better, if you know what I mean.” Oh Lord, that sounded so stupid. Joanna felt herself grasping at straws. “I’m not interested in a romantic relationship, Tanner. I’ve got too much going on in my life to get involved, and I don’t want you to feel threatened by the girls and their schemes. Forgive me for being so blunt, but I’d prefer to have this out in the open.” She’d blurted it out so fast, she wondered if he’d understood. “This dinner invitation was Kristen’s idea, not mine. I don’t want you to think I had anything to do with it.”
“An invitation to dinner isn’t exactly a marriage proposal.”
“True,” Joanna threw back quickly. “But you might think…I don’t know. I guess I don’t want you to assume I’m interested in you—romantically, that is.” She slumped back into the chair, pushed her hair away from her forehead and released a long sigh. “I’m only making matters worse, aren’t I?”
“No. If I understand you correctly, you’re saying you’d like to be friends and nothing more.”
“Right.” Pleased with his perceptiveness, Joanna straightened. Glad he could say in a few simple words what had left her breathless.
“The truth of the matter is, I feel much the same way,” Tanner went on to explain. “I was married once and it was more than enough.”
Joanna found herself nodding enthusiastically. “Exactly. I like my life the way it is. Kristen and I are very close. We just moved into this house and we’ve lots of plans for redecorating. My career is going nicely.”
“Likewise. I’m too busy with this company to get involved in a relationship, either. The last thing I need right now is a woman to complicate my life.”
“A man would only come between Kristen and me at this stage.”
“How long have you been divorced?” Tanner asked, folding his hands around his coffee mug.
“Six years.”
The information appeared to satisfy him, and he nodded slowly, as though to say he trusted what she was telling him. “It’s been five for me.”
She nodded, too. Like her, he hadn’t immediately jumped into another relationship, nor was he looking for one. No doubt he had his reasons; Joanna knew she had hers.
“Friends?” Tanner asked, and extended his hand for her to shake.
“And nothing more,” Joanna added, placing her hand in his.
They exchanged a smile.
* * *
“SINCE MR. LUND can�
�t be here for the talent show on Wednesday, he wants to take Nicole and me out for dinner next Saturday night,” Kristen announced. “Nicole said to ask you if it was all right.”
“That’s fine,” Joanna returned absently, scanning the front page of the Saturday evening newspaper. It had been more than a week since she’d spoken to Tanner. She felt good about the way things had gone that afternoon; they understood each other now, despite their rather uncertain start.
Kristen darted back into the kitchen, returning a minute later. “I think it would be best if you spoke to Mr. Lund yourself, Mom.”
“Okay, honey.” She’d finished reading Dear Abby and had just turned to the comics section, looking for Garfield, her favourite cat.
“Mom!” Kristen cried impatiently. “Mr. Lund’s on the phone now. You can’t keep him waiting like this. It’s impolite.”
Hurriedly Joanna set the paper aside. “For heaven’s sake, why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“I did. Honestly, Mom, I think you’re losing it.”
Whatever it was sounded serious. The minute Joanna was inside the kitchen, Kristen thrust the telephone receiver into her hand.
“This is Joanna,” she said.
“This is Tanner,” he answered right away. “Don’t feel bad. Nicole claims I’m losing it too.”
“I’d take her more seriously if I knew what it was.”
“Yeah, me too,” Tanner said, and she could hear the laughter in his voice. “Listen, is dinner next Saturday evening all right with you?”
“I can’t see a problem at this end.”
“Great. The girls suggested that ice-cream parlour they’re always talking about.”
“The Pink Palace,” Joanna said, and managed to swallow a chuckle. Tanner was really letting himself in for a crazy night with those two. Last year Kristen had talked Joanna into dinner there for her birthday. The hamburgers had been as expensive as T-bone steaks, and tough as rawhide. The music was so loud it had impaired Joanna’s hearing for an entire week afterward. And the place was packed with teenagers. On the bright side, though, the ice cream was pretty good.
“By the way,” Joanna said, “Nicole’s welcome to stay here when you’re away next week.”
“Joanna, that’s great. I didn’t want to ask, but the kid’s been at me ever since the last time. She was worried I was going to send her back to Mrs. Wagner.”
“It’ll work best for her to stay here, since that’s the night of the talent show.”
“Are you absolutely sure?”
“Absolutely. It’s no trouble at all. Just drop her off—and don’t worry.”
“Right.” He sounded relieved. “And don’t wear anything fancy next Saturday night.”
“Saturday night?” Joanna asked, lost for a moment.
“Yeah. Didn’t you just tell me it was all right for the four of us to go to dinner?”
CHAPTER FIVE
“I really appreciate this, Joanna,” Tanner said. Nicole stood at his side, overnight bag clenched in her hand, her eyes round and sad.
“It’s no problem, Tanner. Really.”
Tanner hugged his daughter tightly. He briefly closed his eyes and Joanna could feel his regret. He was as upset about missing his daughter’s talent-show performance as Nicole was not to have him there.
“Be good, sweetheart.”
“I will.”
“And I want to hear all the details about tonight when I get back, okay?”
Nicole nodded and attempted a smile.
“I’d be there if I could.”
“I know, Dad. Don’t worry about it. There’ll be plenty of other talent shows. Kristen and I were thinking that if we do really good, we might take our act on the road, the way Daisy Gilbert does.”
“Daisy who?” Tanner asked, and raised questioning eyes to Joanna, as if he expected her to supply the answer.
“A singer,” was the best Joanna could do. Kristen had as many cassette tapes as Joanna had runs in her tights. She found it impossible to keep her daughter’s favourite rock stars straight. Apparently Tanner wasn’t any more knowledgeable than she was.
“Not just any singer, Mom,” Kristen corrected impatiently. “Daisy’s special. She’s only a little older than Nicole and me, and if she can be a rock star at fifteen, then so can we.”
Although Joanna hated to squelch such optimism, she suspected that the girls might be missing one minor skill if they hoped to find fame and fortune as professional singers. “But you don’t sing.”
“Yeah, but we lip-synch real good.”
“Come on, Nicole,” Kristen said, reaching for her friend’s overnight bag. “We’ve got to practise.”
The two disappeared down the hallway and Joanna was left alone with Tanner.
“You have the telephone number for the hotel and the meeting place?” he asked.
“I’ll call if there’s a problem. Don’t worry, Tanner, I’m sure everything’s going to be fine.”
He nodded, but a tight scowl darkened his face.
“For heaven’s sake, stop looking so guilty.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “It shows?”
“It might as well be flashing from a marquee.”
Tanner grinned and rubbed the side of his jaw with his left hand. “There are only two meetings left that I’ll have to deal with personally. Becky’s promised to handle the others. You know, when I bought into the company and committed myself to these trips, I didn’t think leaving Nicole would be this traumatic. We both hate it—at least, she did until she spent the night here with you and Kristen the last time.”
“She’s a special little girl.”
“Thanks,” Tanner said, looking suitably proud. It was obvious that he worked hard at being a good father, and Joanna felt a twinge of conscience for the assumptions she’d made about him earlier.
“Listen,” she murmured, then took a deep breath, wondering how best to approach the subject of dinner. “About Saturday night…”
“What about it?”
“I thought, well, it would be best if it were just you and the girls.”
Already he was shaking his head, his mouth set in firm lines of resolve. “It wouldn’t be the same without you. I owe you, Joanna, and since you won’t accept payment for keeping Nicole, then the least you can do is agree to dinner.”
“But—”
“If you’re worried about this seeming too much like a date—don’t. We understand each other.”
Her responding smile was decidedly weak. “Okay, if that’s the way you want it. Kristen and I’ll be ready Saturday at six.”
“Good.”
* * *
JOANNA WAS PUTTING the finishing touches to her makeup before the talent show when the telephone rang.
“I’ll get it,” Kristen yelled, racing down the hallway as if answering the phone before the second ring was a matter of life and death.
Joanna rolled her eyes toward the ceiling at the importance telephone conversations had recently assumed for Kristen. She half expected the call to be from Tanner, but then she heard Kristen exclaim, “Hi, Grandma!” Joanna smiled softly, pleased that her mother had remembered the talent show. Her parents were retired and lived in Colville, a town about sixty miles north of Spokane. She knew they would have attended the talent show themselves had road conditions been better. In winter, the families tended to keep in touch by phone because driving could be hazardous. No doubt her mother was calling now to wish Kristen luck.
Bits and pieces of the conversation drifted down the hallway as Kristen chatted excitedly about the show, Nicole’s visit and their song.
“Mom, it’s Grandma!” Kristen yelled. “She wants to talk to you.”
Joanna finished blotting her lipstick and hurried to the phone. “Hi, Mom,” she said cheerfully. “It’s nice of you to call.”
“What’s this about you going out on a date Saturday night?”
“Who told you that?” Joanna demanded, groaning silently. Her mo
ther had been telling her for years that she ought to remarry. Joanna felt like throttling Kristen for even mentioning Tanner’s name. The last thing she needed was for her parents to start pressuring her about this relationship.
“Why, Kristen told me all about it, and sweetie, if you don’t mind my saying so, this man sounds just perfect for you. You’re both single parents. He has a daughter, you have a daughter, and the girls are best friends. The arrangement is ideal.”
“Mother, please, I don’t know what Kristen told you, but Tanner only wants to thank me for watching Nicole while he’s away on business. Dinner on Saturday night is not a date!”
“He’s taking you to dinner?”
“Me and Kristen and his daughter.”
“What was his name again?”
“Tanner Lund,” Joanna answered, desperate to change the subject. “Hasn’t the weather been nasty this week? I’m really looking forward to spring. I was thinking about planting some annuals along the back fence.”
“Tanner Lund,” her mother repeated, slowly drawling out his name. “Now that has a nice solid feel to it. What’s he like, sweetie?”
“Oh, honestly, Mother, I don’t know. He’s a man. What more do you want me to say?”
Her mother seemed to approve that piece of information. “I find it interesting that that’s the way you view him. I think he could be the one, Joanna.”
“Mother, please, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m not going to remarry. Ever!”
A short pause followed her announcement. “We’ll see, sweetie, we’ll see.”
* * *
“AREN’T YOU GOING to wear a dress, Mom?” Kristen gave her another of those scathing glances intended to melt a mother’s confidence into puddles of doubt. Joanna had deliberated for hours on what to wear for this evening out with Tanner and the girls. If she chose a dress, something simple and classic like the ones she wore to the office, she might look too formal for a casual outing. The only other dresses she owned were party dresses, and those were so outdated they were almost back in style.
What Makes a Family Page 4
