Tanner reached for their drinks so he wouldn’t deck Barlow.
Peggy pointed across the room. “Go sit by Miss Hale. Good to meet you, Deputy.”
“Nice meeting you,” Barlow said, stepping closer. “Have a safe trip.”
Her eyes turned to slits. “Thanks. We will.”
Tanner’s insides felt like they’d been tossed in a blender. Barlow hadn’t known Peggy was a cop, but he did now. Would he wonder if she was involved? Of course he would.
He kissed Meredith’s frown as he sat down next to her, placing a coffee in front of her. “Drink up,” he commanded gently.
Her worry radiated like the space heater against the window, the blast impossible to ignore.
Peggy wrapped her hands around her cup. “Gee, that was fun.”
“Sure was,” Keith cried, bouncing in his seat, totally misreading her sarcasm.
When Meredith blew out a breath, Tanner wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be all right.”
“What will?” Keith piped up, his young eyes scanning the adults like they were a mystery he needed to figure out.
Forcing himself to wink, Tanner said, “Everything.”
Meredith and Peggy started to sip their coffees, their gazes flicking out the window to watch Barlow tear out of his parking space.
Keith’s smile dimmed. “What’s wrong, Uncle Tanner?”
“I’m just glad you’re here,” He said, pulling the boy onto his lap.
“I don’t want to go tomorrow,” Keith whined, hugging him.
It’s for the best, kid, he thought.
“It’ll be okay,” Peggy assured him.
God, he hoped so. He wouldn’t sleep well until his sister and nephew had left town.
Chapter 43
You sure you have everything?” Tanner asked as Peggy loaded the last action figure into the car.
She patted her chest, where she was hiding the two evidence bags. “I’m good.” She turned to Keith, who was holding Tanner’s leg with one hand and a dancing Hugo with the other. “Are you, young man?”
He lifted his shoulder in the perfect imitation of a sulk. “If not, we can always come back.”
She stared him down. “No. Uncle Tanner will have to pay lots of money to the mailman to send anything you forgot. You don’t want that, do you?”
“I don’t wanna go!”
Tanner picked him up and hugged him tight. “I’ll see you soon. Christmas is only a few weeks away.”
He’d decided he liked this whole family holiday thing. He was already thinking about what he’d buy Meredith for Christmas—and how they would spend it together. Fucking scary thoughts for a man who’d never had roots.
This kid pulled back. The wet gleam of tears alarmed him. Oh, don’t do it, he wanted to say, it rips my guts out. Instead, he gave him another bear hug. “I love you, Keith.”
“I love you too.”
“We’ll call you when we get home,” Peggy assured him.
He set Keith aside. When he turned to Peg, she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“This was nice. I’m glad we met Meredith. Good luck telling her.”
He eased back. “What will she do?”
“She’ll be hurt, and she’ll worry about trusting you. But I think she’ll forgive you. It may take time, though. We divorced ladies need a little extra patience.”
“Got it. Be careful.”
“Always. Keith, let’s go.”
After more hugs and tears, Keith settled into the backseat. As Peggy drove away, she rolled the window down and waved. He lifted his hand in the sudden silence. Even Hugo folded his paws on the cold ground. The wind rustled the trees, but the sound couldn’t compete with Keith’s laughter. His shoulders slumped.
Being overseas was almost easier. Since he rarely saw them, it was hard to miss them—at least like this. Was there a hole in his chest? He rubbed it and walked back to the house. Hugo barked.
At least he could see Meredith now. Tell her and stop worrying about it. He picked up his pace.
When he picked up his phone, he frowned. Sommerville had left him a voicemail. He listened to it while picking up the family room. Damn jerk was reminding him to send another picture. Well, screw him.
Time to man up. He’d show her the file on David. Explain the blackmail. It wouldn’t be pretty, but it was the right thing to do.
Oh, and he would tell her he loved her.
He rubbed his throat. He’d never told a woman outside his family that. Had never allowed himself to feel that strongly for someone. He’d picked a career where objectivity reigned supreme—and he was damned good at it. Transplanting to different cities had suited his needs just fine for his entire life. Until now.