“I’m going to talk to Peggy about hiring someone here to watch Kenny.” He followed her into the kitchen. “Someone who can move around and report directly to her. Maybe find out where he’s stowed his truck and the drugs.”
“He’s driving a blue 2010 Ford Ranger now.” She selected an Abba coffee cup for him just to be saucy and a plain blue pottery mug for herself.
“And you know this how?”
“Ah, Grandpa heard it at Bingo.”
Tanner sputtered out a laugh. “Bingo? Again?”
“I told you it’s the best place for information in Dare. Hell, he could tell you who has hemorrhoids on any given day.”
“Thanks so much for that image.”
“Let me say it one more time since I know you’re a man of action. I don’t want you taking any more risks beyond us gathering intel.”
“Fine. You’re right. It goes against my nature, but between you and Peg, I’m pretty much hearing the same tune.” When she handed him the Abba cup, he raised a brow. “Speaking of tunes, how’d I score this one?”
She laughed. “Because Jill called you my Man After Midnight this morning after their song.” Lifting on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek.
“I won’t be your Man After Midnight until my sister leaves. Don’t ask me how unhappy I am about that.” His chocolate eyes gleamed as he drank the coffee. “I’ll miss being with you.”
Her insides warmed. “Well, it’s not like we won’t see each other, but I know what you mean.”
Setting his coffee aside, he reached for her. “Maybe we should make this quality time.”
“You said you couldn’t,” she said, twining her arms around his neck. “Admit it. You want to be able to say you’ve made love on an orange couch.”
“You found me out. Now, shut up and kiss me.”
Feathering the hair at the base of his skull, she opened her mouth and tantalized him with deep strokes of her tongue. He’d worked her black blouse open when the doorbell rang. She pulled back.
He groaned. “You’re kidding.”
“Hold that thought,” she said, buttoning up her shirt.
When she opened the door, her stomach burned. A delivery man held three dozen yellow roses in a crystal vase. Her mouth flattened. That son of a bitch! How dare he send her flowers. She signed in a scrawl and slammed the door.
“You okay?” Tanner sauntered closer.
She threw up a hand and turned her back on him. “Give me a second.” She ripped open the card.
Meredith,
I heard you were back in Dare. I can’t help but think of you on our anniversary. I’m sorry for everything. I thought you should know I miss you. Thanks for your continued support.
Love,
Richard
“Oh my God! I can’t believe him.” Stalking around the living room, she put her hands in her hair and pulled. “That arrogant, pompous…”
Tanner stepped in her path. His jaw ticked. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”
“It’s not what you think. It’s not from an admirer.”
He crossed his arms. “I didn’t think so given the way you’re acting.”
She took a deep breath and touched her bustier with her fingertips. Divorcée Woman would know how to explain the situation. She handed him the card. “It’s from my ex. Today was our anniversary.” She stalked to the window, watching the neighbor kids pelt each other with snowballs. “I can’t believe…a whole host of things, including how he knew I was staying with Jill. It reads like a…okay I’ll say it—a damn political ad.” She kicked a side table. “He’s screwing with my head.”
“Yes, he is,” Tanner growled.
“You don’t need to be worried.” She put her hand on his arm. “I can’t stand him.”
Tossing the card aside, he pulled her over to the couch. “But he can still push your buttons.”
“Of course, he can. He cheated on me! That’s not something you forget.”
Tanner veiled his eyes. “You can tell me if it’s none of my business, but can I ask you something?”
She sat up straighter. “What?”
“What did you ever see in him?”
Pushing off the couch, she threw up her hands. “I don’t have to justify myself to you!”
“I’m not asking you to justify yourself, Meredith. I only want to understand. This thing with Richard changed you.”
Her eyes burned suddenly. “You’re damn right about that. Being cheated on sucks, okay? But it’s even worse to have your judgment called into question.”