Chapter 21

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

The bellabove the door jingled cheerily as a family left the bookstore with a puzzle and several books. Paige re-stacked the books they left behind while Denise worked on the computer. After their appointment in Raleigh, Lou hadn’t been back to the bookstore. Paige had taken to dropping in each morning under the pretext of picking up a book for Whitney. She ended up staying several hours, helping Denise out.

“It looks like I’ll need you to fill out a W-9,” Denise said.

“Not a chance,” Paige replied. “I should be paying you for letting Whitney and me hang out here.” She peered at Whitney who was quietly coloring at the little table in the children’s section. Gladys sat in the chair next to her.

“Good thing then, I guess,” Denise said. “Because I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep the doors to this place open.”

Paige feared as much. The little bookstore had been a balm to her soul since arriving in Chances Inlet. She’d been tossing ideas around in her head for the past several days. “You don’t have to throw in the towel just yet. There are tons of small business loans out there—especially for female-owned businesses.”

The bell jingled again when Kate entered. It was odd seeing carefree, fun-loving Kate wearing a white medical coat. She seemed to adopt a whole new personality when she stepped into her medical director’s shoes. Kate had been stopping by the bookstore every day this week, disappearing with Denise for a walk around the square.

“There are also lots of celebrities who are well-off in Chances Inlet,” Paige continued. “Maybe one of them would be happy to invest?”

Denise exchanged a look with Kate. “It’s not the money,” she said. “I was married before Lou. To a very generous man who kept me safe and accepted me for who I was. He left me with enough money to maintain four bookstores.”

“But you said you couldn’t open one in Manhattan because of the high rents?”

“Yeah, I didn’t want to pay rent to anyone else.” Denise scoffed. “I wanted to own. Lou isn’t aware of the scope of my trust fund. She loves the idea of her and I growing old running this place together. Just the two of us.” Denise cleared her throat. “Of leaving behind a legacy, which would be impossible in New York City. She fell in love with this town the first hour we visited. I thought, what better spot to open a bookstore than a welcoming place like Chances Inlet? This shop is a labor of love from me to her. I wanted to make all her dreams come true for as long as possible.”

Denise’s words were starting to trigger alarm bells for Paige. “But?”

Reaching for a tissue to wipe up her sudden onslaught of tears, Denise nodded at Kate.

“Lou has brain cancer,” Kate said matter-of-factly. “It’s been in remission for over two years. The doctors were hopeful that a new drug regimen they prescribed for her was shrinking the tumors.” Kate left the rest unsaid.

Whitney suddenly appeared at the counter, wrapping her arms around Denise’s legs.

“You are a little angel, you know that?” Denise managed between sniffles. She lifted Whitney up for a fierce hug. “I want to spend as much time with Lou as we have left. There isn’t any time to hire and train a manager, much less additional employees.”

“No need to do that. You already have one.” Paige arched an eyebrow at the woman.

“B-but you are only in Chance’s Inlet temporarily. Until—” she leaned her head toward Whitney.

“I haven’t got anything lined up for the summer yet,” Paige said. It was only a matter of time before they located Donella.

Kate opened her mouth, presumably to protest that Paige was nannying for her, before quickly closing it when Paige aimed a scathing look her way.

“Lou would love knowing her baby was in the hands of someone who reveres books as much as she does,” Denise said with a watery smile. “And, frankly, I was worried about being closed during tourist season. Of course, I might not be away that long.” She hiccupped a sob. “It’s a big commitment, Paige. Think about it overnight and let me know tomorrow.”

“I’m not going to change my mind. Take as long as you want. Tell Lou her legacy is safe with me.”

* * *

“Well,that explains Whitney’s mad dance skills.” Paige was curled up on the sofa in the study staring at Tanner’s image on her cellphone. Despite the crazy news about Whitney’s mother, he looked relaxed and ready for the final round of the tournament the next day where he would be starting in second place. “Ginger was right. She probably did learn to dance as soon as she learned to walk.”

“Mmhmm. I just hope that’s all she learned from her mother.”

“Hopefully the P.I. is correct, and she’s getting help. Based on Whitney’s behavior and demeanor, everything points to Donella being a decent mother.”

“Still, I’m having my lawyers petition the court to give me sole custody.”

What?

Paige’s breathing hitched. Was he serious? Did he realize what he was doing? He said he’d always be a part of Whitney’s life. She took that to mean he’d be supporting her. Not actively raising her.

“But what will happen if Donella resurfaces? And she reveals you’re not Whitney’s father?”

“My name is on the birth certificate. Legally, the only person who can dispute that is dead.”

Paige wasn’t so sure. A mother’s love for her child was a force to be reckoned with. Donella might have a thing or two to say when she returned. If she returned. Either way, Tanner was taking on more than he realized.

“You’ve got tournaments scheduled for nearly every week this summer. How can you possibly fit Whitney into your life?”

“That’s where you come in. I was hoping I could convince you to stay in Chances Inlet for a few months longer until I can work out something permanent.”

Continue hiding in sleepy Chances Inlet where no one knows her shame? Keep playing house with the sexy golfer? Yes, please.

She ignored the alarm bells clanging in her head.

“Actually, you don’t need to convince me. I’m already staying for the summer. But I took another job in town.”

“Another job?”

She explained about Lou and Denise.

He shook his head. “Life is precious. And none of us has any idea how long we have in this world.” He smiled softly at her. “That’s an incredible gift you’re giving two people you barely know. I have to say, for a woman who was hell-bent on getting out of Chances Inlet, you sure keep finding reasons to stay. Not that I’m complaining.” He winked at her.

“Whitney can come to the shop with me these next few weeks,” she replied, ignoring his flirting. “Cassidy Burroughs is going to help out when she returns to Chances Inlet at the end of the semester. It will all work out. You won’t have to worry about Whitney at all this summer. You can concentrate on what’s most important to you, playing golf.”

When he didn’t respond immediately, Paige couldn’t help but feel as if she’d said something wrong.

“I better get to sleep,” he said, eventually. “Will you make sure Whitney watches tomorrow?”

“Of course. Patricia is having a viewing party at the inn. Everyone will be there cheering you on.”

“That’s great. Night, Paige.”

The abrupt end to their conversation had Paige feeling off-balance and restless. She wasn’t going to lie to herself by nurturing the belief that her relationship with Tanner was anything more than it was: a fun fling while they shared a house. He was a man, after all. The lessons of her past relationships were seared into her brain.

And the pieces of her heart.

The out-of-this-world sex was simply an added benefit for both of them. She may as well enjoy it while she can. Besides, she reasoned, she can’t be taken advantage of if she knows the expected outcome up front. And a guy like Tanner Gillette wasn’t going to be interested in a woman like Paige for long.

No matter how desperately she wished it so.

Pouring herself a sip of his scotch, she carried the glass back to her bedroom. She quickly realized it was probably not the best idea. Its taste and smell reminded her so much of him that she’d likely toss and turn half the night.

She peeked in on Whitney. It had been several nights since the little girl called out for her mother in her sleep. Knowing what she now knew, Paige tried to imagine the fear Whitney must have felt living in a car for months. Had that been the trauma that stole her voice? Or was it her mother leaving her behind with a total stranger? She shivered. Or was it something worse she and Tanner didn’t know about yet?

Paige tucked the covers snugly around Whitney and Gladys. “Your mom did what she thought was best for you,” she whispered. “And she made the right choice. Tanner will keep you safe. And loved. He’ll also find your mom for you. And then the words will come back to you.”

* * *

“Why wouldyou need more than one green jacket, anyway? How often would you wear it?”

Tanner laughed at Paige’s inane question. She looked so innocent lying on top of him, her silky skin warming his. Her swollen lips turned up in a saucy grin. She rested her chin on top of her hands where she’d placed them on his chest. He knew her words were meant to distract him from being annoyed at finishing second at Augusta. Ironically, weeks ago, he would have been pissed at himself for not seizing the win. Except it was hoping he’d be able to lose himself inside of her once he got home that lessened the sting of not finishing first.

He arrived back in Chance’s Inlet close to midnight. Their phone conversation from yesterday was still lingering in the back of his mind. He was ecstatic she was staying the summer in Chances Inlet. And not just because she’d be there for Whitney.

Every time he and Paige made love, he felt the connection between them grow stronger. The very idea should have scared him shitless. Only it didn’t. Instead, he could feel the peace he’d been seeking since Tristan’s death steadily grow within him.

There was a lick of dread nagging at him too, however. He couldn’t get a read on whether Paige felt the same way. She seemed skittish about discussing their relationship. It was so unlike any woman he’d ever met. Tanner was confused where he stood with her.

Despite the late hour, she was waiting up for him in his study when he arrived home. No words were exchanged when she saw him. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. The alluring woman tasted like scotch and sin and he damn near took her on the desk again.

They made it to his bed where they both poured all their unspoken feelings into worshiping the other. He realized he was worried for nothing. He didn’t need to hash things out with Paige. She let him know her true feelings through her hands, her mouth, and her body. He’d never felt surer about anything in his life.

“You don’t get a second green jacket,” he explained. “The jacket stays at the club in Augusta and that’s the only place you get to wear it. Unless you win and then you get to take it home with you for that year.”

“Seriously?” She scrunched up her face. “That hardly seems fair. It’s your prize for winning. You should get to keep it.”

“Mmm.” He kissed her nose. “Some people have a replica made, but it’s not the same. There’s something mystical and almost holy about the actual jacket, you know?”

“It comes with magic powers?”

He smacked her lightly on the ass.

“Or—” She placed her palms on the mattress above her shoulders and pushed herself up so her lips hovered over his. “Is the jacket like an old lover you can’t wait to get wrapped around your body?”

“There’s no one else I’d want wrapped around my body besides you.”

The words were out before he could stop them. He meant to keep things light. To not pressure her. To not scare her off.

Astonishment lit her blue eyes before a flash of something chased it away and she quickly shuttered her expression. She seemed unsure what to do next, so he wrapped his arms around her and gently curled her in against him. He was relieved when she settled her cheek against his chest again.

They were quiet for several long heartbeats.

“There’s no shame in finishing second,” she eventually said, effectively closing the door to any further elaboration on his comment.

He smoothed a hand over her hair. “Not as long as I’m still ranked number one in the world. That’s all that matters to my father. For him, there’s no point in doing something unless you are the best.”

“The only way to impress your dad is to be number one?”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever impress my father. But I would like him to take me seriously. If I finish the season at the top and win the cup, maybe he’ll understand that my life choices weren’t made just to embarrass him.”

She stiffened beneath his palm. “Why would he think you just want to embarrass him?”

“Because at one time, I did just that. Not on purpose, mind you.” He drew in a deep breath. “When I won at Augusta the first time, I was a twenty-four-year-old cocky jacksnipe who didn’t bother to think before he spoke. Why should I? I was on top of the world. I was so excited to have the big magazines clamoring for interviews that I didn’t consider the implications of the answers I gave.”

She laid her hand over his heart. “Like what?”

The ugly memories flooded back making his stomach roll. “One particular interview veered off into subjects I wasn’t well versed in. Like the effects on the environment caused by rapid development of large-scale communities.”

“Like the ones your father develops?”

“Exactly like those. I naively spouted off what I thought the interviewer and readers wanted to hear.” He groaned. “Big developers should do more to preserve our planet.”

She rolled back onto his chest so she could look at him. “I doubt your father took that well.”

“His first reaction was fairly tame until the protestors started picketing his development sites. One entire community had to be relocated. The loss of income was substantial. But it was the hit to my dad’s reputation that caused the most damage. Up until I opened my big mouth, Gillette Industries never had a blemish on its record. If there’s one thing my father hates more than anything, it’s being caught off guard.”

“Oh, Tanner. You were young, though. And you didn’t have the years of experience your father did at the time. He should have cut you some slack.”

He smiled at her. “You sound like Tristan. He spent three years acting as a buffer between my dad and me. It didn’t help with my father’s opinion when my golf game failed to live up to my early success.”

She pressed a kiss to his neck. “And now you don’t have your brother to run interference with your dad.”

An uncomfortable lump formed in his throat. “I wonder sometimes if things would have been better for my family if it had been me in that chopper. Melinda would still have her husband. The boys would have their dad. My father would still have the son who made him proud.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Don’t you dare talk like that, Tanner Gillette. You and I both know Tristan wasn’t perfect, either. Far from it.”

“To my parents, he always will be.” He rubbed her arms with his palms. “Donella cashed a hundred grand worth of Gillette stock right before she disappeared.”

She blinked in surprise. “Really? Do you think she got that from Tristan?”

“I don’t know where else she would get it.”

“Wow. That’s even more damning evidence that he knew about Whitney, isn’t it?” Her voice sounded as disappointed as he felt.

“Yeah. All indications are that he did. And he paid Donella off with stock.”

She curled against his chest once again. “Don’t you dare ever think the wrong brother died in that crash.”

The fierceness of her words both surprised and delighted him. He brushed a kiss to the crown of her head. He and Whitney were going to be all right. As long as they both had Paige in their lives.