Nora Roberts Land(125)
Brian held her gaze. “What do you say, Jill? Friends?”
As she looked into those all-too-familiar eyes, she took the first step to making peace with him. “Friends.” And maybe more, she thought.
Meredith sauntered through the doorway, looking all New York chic in a black Chanel suit. “What are we talking about in here?”
“Friendship,” Brian responded, kissing her cheek. “Welcome back. You look better, Mere.”
“I feel better,” she declared, throwing back her hair, her eyes darting straight to Tanner.
The heat between them sparked. Jill hoped it wouldn’t singe Tanner’s medical machines. She leapt from her chair. “Okay, everyone. We’re taking a break in the cafeteria. Ice cream on me.”
Keith whooped. “Do you want some, Uncle Tanner?”
“Not right now.” Tanner said, punching his pillows.
Grandpa Hale wrapped his arms around Meredith. “Everything all taken care of?”
In response, Meredith made a humming noise in her throat.
“Can’t wait to hear. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall.” Kissing her cheek, Grandpa tapped his way after Keith.
Peggy grabbed her purse. “Meredith, it’s good to have you back,” she said.
“About damn time,” Tanner growled.
“Like most men, he’s a bear when he’s sick. Ignore him.”
“Oh, we’ll manage.” Meredith set her massive purse onto Tanner’s bed.
Brian grabbed Jill by the arm. “Come on. Let’s leave them alone.”
“Wait! So, how did Rick-the-Dick take it?” she whispered, leaning close to Meredith’s ear.
“Surprisingly well. I’ll tell you later.”
Looking over at Tanner, Jill winked. “Have a good talk, you two.”
The standoff had already begun. Tanner sat crossly on his bed while Meredith smiled back at him. The trip to New York had clearly agreed with her.
Catching sight of the new Nora Roberts hardcover sticking out of Meredith’s handbag, Jill executed a twirl as she left the room.
Love did conquer all. Just like Nora always said.
Now, she needed to find her own Nora Roberts Land.
She linked her arm with Brian’s and hesitantly settled her body closer to his.
Chapter 58
About time you got back,” Tanner barked again when the door closed behind Jill and Brian.
His sour mood couldn’t ruin her happiness. She was thrilled to see him again. Even though her family had given her progress reports, his improving health soothed all the worry from her gut. She floated over to him and kissed his cheek. “Someone’s grouchy. Shoulder hurting?”
He slanted her a look. “Yeah, but that’s not why I’m pissed. Why the hell did you take off and tackle Sommerville by yourself while I was stuck here?”
She folded herself into the chair next to his bed. “I needed to handle things myself.”
“I got a text from your ex,” he growled. “He said he wishes us well, and there are no hard feelings. What the fuck is that all about?”
Her brows winged up. “Oh really?”
He punched the bed with his good arm, rattling the frame. “Yes, really,” he mimicked in a nasty tone, not looking at her.
“He did bring us together.”
Tanner snorted. “That’s rich. Like that makes what he did okay.”
“Mhmm.”
“I wanted to handle Sommerville myself.”
She cleared her throat until he finally met her eyes. “Well, I had the means, so I did it. Just like a heroine in one of my Nora Roberts novels, which I totally need to tell you about later.”
His scowl accentuated his scar.
“After you offered your life for mine, I thought one good turn deserved another.”
“I hate that phrase,” he snarled. “That’s not why I did it.”
Her heart warmed. God, she wanted to touch him, but she needed to know one more thing. “I know. Besides, I didn’t want this whole blackmail thing to be between us for another moment.”
He grew silent, fiddling with his IV.
“Your face is still bruised.” The colorful patchwork quilt of pain made her heart beat tightly in her chest.
He ran his hand across his jaw. “Yeah, and I need a shave too.”
She folded her arms. “You should have told me about the blackmail.”
The monitors droned on in the silence.
“I didn’t think I could at first. Then, I thought it would be better to wait until we solved the case.” He shook his head. “It all comes down to one damn reason though. No, two.” He kicked at the sheet that covered him.
Her pulse stopped. “And those are?”
His chocolate brown eyes gleamed at her. “I didn’t want to fucking lose you. Or see you hurt.”