Chapter 17

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Stay.

Tanner’s softly uttered plea continued to ricochet between Paige’s ears for most of the morning. His offer was tempting. Not just because last night had been darn near a religious experience. The man knew his way around a woman’s body, that was for sure. More nights like that could easily become addictive.

The question of what happens when Whitney’s situation is resolved continued to nag at her, though. She trusted that he wouldn’t deceive her like Jon did. But would he get bored with her once he didn’t need Paige to look after his niece? By all accounts, Tanner was used to a lot of variety among his partners.

Complicating matters, there was Whitney herself. When Paige arrived to pick her and Emily up for breakfast, Whitney greeted her with her biggest smile yet and a bear hug. Tanner was right that it might not be fair to the little girl to force another change on her. It might even do her harm. Paige already knew her own heart would suffer yet another blow leaving Whitney behind.

“Paige?”

Her father’s voice interrupted her musings. He crossed the inn’s lawn toward where she was pushing Whitney in a wooden swing hanging from one of the stunning live oak trees. The first day she stayed at the B & B, she noticed a small carriage house tucked behind the gazebo. His Bronco was parked out front.

“You and Patricia don’t live at the inn?” she asked once he was beside her.

His lips turned up into a sheepish grin. “We like our privacy.”

Now there was an image Paige didn’t need in her head.

Her dad was out of uniform today, dressed in khaki-colored jeans and a cream-colored golf shirt. His sunglasses shielded his eyes, but the set of his jaw told her that his outfit might be the only thing casual about him right now. She wondered if, like her, he felt as if he was walking on eggshells whenever they were alone together.

“Hey there, Whitney,” he said, offering the girl a soft smile. “Are you ready for the party?”

Whitney nodded enthusiastically.

He turned his attention to Paige. “How ‘bout you?”

She shrugged. “It’s a beautiful day. I’m just happy to be outside in the sunshine.”

He scoffed. “You say that now, but there’s something I think you should know about the McAlisters.” He leaned in as if he was sharing a secret. “They are insane.”

Paige stared at him, surprised he would say such a thing about a family he seemed keen on.

“Insanely competitive,” he clarified with a laugh. “You would not believe the mundane things they compete over. And if there are party games this afternoon—and there always are—be prepared for Patricia’s brood to be cutthroat.”

“I grew up with two older stepbrothers who made burping the loudest into a competition.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure the McAlisters aren’t that bad.”

He shook his head. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

They stood in silence for a few moments as Paige gently pushed Whitney. A car door slammed off in the distance. People were beginning to arrive. Judging from the amount of food in the inn’s kitchen, the entire town of Chances Inlet was invited to the shower.

“So how is your family?” her father surprised her by asking.

More than likely, he was just trying to make polite conversation. Except Paige felt uncomfortable talking about her mom with him. Especially since his second marriage appeared to be a happy one.

When Paige was five, her mother married a widower twelve years older. She suspected the marriage was merely a means to an end for her mother. Once again, it got her out of her father’s house and off the farm. Even if the move was only twenty miles away, it was in town.

Jim Franks was a good man, a loving dad, and a hard worker. He was kind and generous to both Paige and her mom. The fact that the couple never had any children of their own gave Paige pause, though. She wondered if her mom simply settled for the path of least resistance.

“Everyone is well. Mom and Jim are still holding out hopes one of my stepbrothers will make them grandparents soon. They’re looking forward to a cruise they’re taking this summer.”

Her dad shoved his hands into his pockets. “That’s nice. I’m glad she’s happy. When you speak to Heather, please tell her I said hello.”

Wait, what?

Paige nearly missed Whitney when the swing propelled her back.

“You haven’t spoken to her?”

“Why would I need to?” He was studying her quizzically behind his sunglasses. She could practically feel his eyes boring into her.

“Oh, um, I don’t know. I figured you’d call and let her know I was here.”

“She doesn’t know you’re here?”

This was getting awkward. Why did she think her father would pick up the phone and immediately call her mom once Paige arrived? Paranoia? She was so raw when she arrived a week ago, she suspected everyone of being out to get her. Even her father.

“Oh, yeah, of course she knows,” Paige backpedaled. “I don’t know why I thought you two still talked.”

“Once you became an adult, there really was no reason for us to remain in contact. She’s settled into a new life and so have I.” He cleared his throat. “Paige, you aren’t harboring some fantasy about your mom and I getting back together, are you?”

She barked out a laugh. “God, no!”

Was he kidding?

Nothing could be further from the truth. Oddly, she didn’t even dream about that when she was younger. And now, seeing her dad with Patricia, she was glad he followed his own path. They seemed much better suited for one another than he and her mom. Although, she didn’t want him to think she never wished for him to be a part of her life. That would be cruel.

Paige smiled at him. “I realized the futility of that dream a longtime ago,” she told him.

The corners of his mouth relaxed again. “I never got a chance to know you as a little girl,” he said. “But I’m still holding out hope of getting to know you now.”

A boulder lodged itself in her throat.

He picked up Gladys from her perch against the tree trunk. “I’m here whenever you need me, Paige. I always have been.”

“Aunt Paige!” Emily shrieked.

Paige still jumped whenever she heard that moniker in front of her name.

Emily raced across the grass, a beautiful Australian sheepdog trotting beside her.

“You have to meet Tessa.” Emily paused to suck in two big breaths. “She’s Aunt Lori’s dog, and she’s much better behaved than Midas. Watch.” She turned to the dog. “Tessa, sit.”

The dog did as it was told, one blue and one brown eye alertly trained on Emily.

Emily helped Whitney from the swing. “Hold out your hand,” she instructed the younger girl.

Whitney hesitated fleetingly before placing her palm out flat.

“Tessa, shake,” Emily commanded.

As if sensing Whitney’s trepidation, the dog lifted its paw and gently placed it in Whitney’s hand. They were all rewarded with a giggle from the little girl. Paige gasped and looked over at her dad. He smiled broadly before crouching down and calling the dog to him.

“How’s our best girl enjoying living in Washington?” He rubbed the dog’s ears, earning him a lick to the chin for his efforts.

“Come on, y’all.” Emily tucked one hand into Paige’s and with the other took Whitney’s. “Mom wants to introduce you to Uncle Miles and Aunt Lori.”

Tessa ran ahead, announcing their impending arrival with a series of shrill barks.

“Remember what I said about the games, Paige,” her father warned with a smile when he fell into step beside them.

Paige grinned back at him. After all, the man had just removed one of the major stumbling blocks to her remaining in Chances Inlet. He and the McAlisters would be none the wiser to her epic failure. Maybe she could consider Tanner’s offer. She skipped along with the two little girls.

* * *

Tanner scannedthe inn’s veranda looking for Paige. Melinda waved to him from the porch swing where she was juggling both boys. He was surprised to see her at the baby shower until he realized Patricia likely invited all her guests to celebrate alongside family and friends. It was a very “Patricia” thing to do.

He started to head toward his sister-in-law when the sight of Whitney and Paige skipping across the lawn had his heart doing its own skipping. Paige was practically glowing. Her hair was styled into soft waves that made her appear as if she’d just come from the beach. She wore a long-sleeved, jersey dress in navy that hugged her curves at the top and flared out at the hips. A soft sheen of pink lip gloss made her sassy mouth look even more delectable. He groaned thinking about the pleasure those lips gave him.

Whitney spotted him first. She tugged free of Emily’s hand and ran toward him. The delight on her face brought a huge smile to his own face. As soon as she reached him, he grabbed her in his arms and swung her around.

“Hi ya, Whit. Don’t you look pretty.”

She was wearing a pink and white dress with bunnies outlined in puffy cotton circling its hem. Her hair was held back with a big pink bow.

Tanner almost melted when Whitney looped her arms around his neck and leaned in for a tight hug. Over the girl’s shoulder, he locked eyes with Paige. She grinned back at him.

“Whitney, Henry is here.” Emily tugged on Whitney’s leg. “Let’s go show him where the secret cupcakes are.”

“Secret cupcakes?” he whispered to Whitney. “Make sure you save one for me.”

She rubbed her nose against his before shimmying down and taking Gladys from the sheriff. His throat was tight with awe as he watched her link arms with Emily and race away, the sheriff following in their wake.

“She missed you,” Paige said quietly.

“What about you?”

“Oh, she missed me, too.” She shot him a sly smile.

Saucy wench.

Christ, he wanted to touch her. To lay her down in the grass and taste her sweet skin from head to toe. Too many prying eyes kept him from doing the first. Decorum kept him from doing the second.

“I meant did you miss me?”

She swayed so the skirt on her dress swished from side-to-side. “Hmm. Let me think about that.”

The hell what anyone else in this town thought. He took her elbow, quickly guiding her around the inn toward the gazebo. Luckily it was empty. Lucky for Paige it was still fully exposed to the gossips of the town—not to mention both their families—and would prevent him from thoroughly ravaging her.

At least for right now.

“They’re gone,” he announced as soon as they climbed the steps.

“Who’s gone?”

“The yips. I shot a seventy today. Four under par.”

“Oh my gosh!” She threw her arms around his neck. “That’s wonderful.”

His hands automatically went to her waist. They stood like that for several long heartbeats, the inches separating their bodies feeling like miles. She sank her teeth into her bottom lip. He groaned when she slowly dragged her hands from his shoulders.

“Too many people,” she whispered.

“Mmhmm,” was all he could manage.

His hands lingered on her waist until she started to step back. He slid his fingers down her arms and took her hands in his.

“Your mom must be delighted,” she said.

He snorted. Of course his mother was taking full credit for the achievement. Sonny was busy finalizing arrangements for Augusta next week. If his putter didn’t desert him tomorrow, he was back on track to achieve his goal of winning the cup this season.

Tanner knew that nothing his mother did scared the tremors away. Maybe Janey was right, and it was the sex. Somehow, he doubted that, too. He suspected it was sharing his secret burden with someone who believed in him. Who believed he was doing the right thing. Hell, maybe it was Tristan spreading some good juju from wherever was. He’d like to think his brother was grateful to him for stepping up.

“My mother is already arguing with Sonny about who will be on the bag in Augusta next week.” He rubbed the pad of his thumb back and forth against her palm.

Her shoulders sank ever so slightly. “You’ll be leaving on Monday, then?”

“Yes. Almeda can come back, but—”

“I’ll do it. I’ll stay and help with Whitney.”

A wave of relief rolled over him at her words. He didn’t realize how badly he wanted to hear her say them until she did. He closed his eyes for a second, letting out a thankful sigh.

“I have conditions, though,” she said.

That doesn’t bode well.

He snapped his eyelids up.

“I can’t accept a full year’s salary from you. A weekly wage equal to what I would have earned at Preston is fair.”

That was not what he expected her to say. Though he was grateful for her practicality. It made the relationship between the two of them much less complicated. Unless she took that off the table, too.

“I’m paying you to look after Whitney. Not for sex.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I never thought you were.”

He dropped her hands to run his fingers through his hair.

“That came out wrong. What I meant to say is there’s no pressure for you to do anything you don’t want to do. With me. I mean, I’d like you to want to do everything with me but—” He couldn’t decipher her expression. Was she going to laugh at him or knee him in the balls? “Argh. What I’m trying to say is I want you, Paige. I’ve wanted you since the first moment I laid eyes on you. What I won’t do is take advantage of you while you’re working for me. Unless you want me to.”

Her lips twitched. “Let me put you out of your misery. You are definitely going to get lucky tonight, Tanner Gillette. And if it makes you feel better, I’ll leave a twenty on your nightstand when we’re done.”

He didn’t realize their bodies had drifted back together until he felt the warmth of her words on his neck. “Surely I’m worth at least fifty,” he teased.

She laughed as she leaned into him.

“I don’t blame you, girly-pop,” Bernice Reed’s voice rang out. “Gotta love the way that man fills out his golf pants.”

Paige jumped back, her face flushing crimson.

“Save the hanky-panky for later, you two. I’ve been sent to bring you back to the party,” Bernice announced. “The games are about to begin.”

Tanner groaned. “This family and their games.”

“My dad had the same reaction as you. What’s the big deal with this family and games?”

“You’ll see,” he chuckled. “But don’t worry. I won’t let them intimidate you.” He intertwined his fingers with hers and gave her hand a squeeze. “We’re a team now.”