About the time I was going to ask her if she wanted to go for a fourth, Archie came over, nudging me, then glancing toward the door. Alright, dude, I get it. Time for his morning walk.
I stood and patted my jean-clad thighs. “Archie walk. Wanna join?”
Biting her bottom lip, she looked at my door, then to me, then back to my door, debating it. Please say yes. Finally, she nodded, albeit a bit reluctantly.
Inside I was jumping like a cheerleader on the sidelines, outside I gave her a cool-guy nod as if to say, yeah, good deal. We walked over toward my front door and I helped her with her jacket. As she lifted her hair out of the back of her coat her sweet scent enveloped me. Dear god, help me.
“Thank you,” she signed to me timidly.
My pleasure, G. My pleasure.
I had absolutely no business still hanging around Tanner. But I couldn’t help but be drawn into his orbit.
Never had I ever thought that a game of Go Fish could be so sweet and sexy. But god, everything this man did made my stupid heart flutter. Watching him shuffle those cards one-handed with the dexterity of a magician made me wonder what else those hands were capable of. And when he helped me get my coat on and gently placed his hands on my shoulder, warmth spread all the way down my body, and I had to practically clench my legs together. I wanted to feel those hands in other places.
And I should not be thinking those kinds of thoughts.
Get your shit together, I told myself as we walked out the door.
We walked around the back of his house, where Tanner showed me his detached garage that housed a couple snowmobiles, a tractor, and other items. He signed more than he spoke, but I got the gist of what he was saying. On the other side of the unit there was a small, fenced-in garden that was obviously frozen over. But I could see remnants of the love he poured into the space during the other seasons.
“Start seeds indoors soon. When ground thaws, I’ll plant,” he said. His eyes got a little misty and a faraway gaze passed over his expression.
“Did you can the pasta sauce I used last night?”
He nodded. “Mom’s recipe.”
“Is she Italian?” I quirked a brow.
“No. Irish. German, Dad’s side.” He chuckled. “Super white.”
I tossed my head back in laughter. “Well, color me impressed.”
He grinned. God, he was so damn handsome when he smiled. “You, Mom? Dad?” he asked as we walked deeper into the woods.
Now it was my turn for my eyes to grow misty. I shook my head and faced him so he could read my words. “They passed when I was a teenager.”
“Sorry,” he said. “Family?” He cocked his head to the side. “Sister? Brother?”
I shook my head again. “Just me.”
His eyes narrowed, and I knew he was asking who raised me.
“Group homes. Foster homes.” His worry lines deepened as I spoke. “Some were nice, some not so much.” I sighed. I thought about where my life could be if they’d been around. Not married to Angelo, probably. Dad would have kept that kind of man away from his daughter. And Mom would have pushed me to finish college.
“Did you really go to Columbia?” I asked. I’d caught a glimpse of his degree hanging on the wall above his built-in desk in the hallway on my way to the bathroom.
He nodded.
Damn. Ivy League.
He pointed at me asking about my school. I shook my head. “I struggled in school because I got bounced around a lot. Never even finished college.” Because Angelo made me quit. I used to be smart when I was a kid, now, not so much. I frowned. Not because of my history, but more so because I was telling him way more about myself than I should. But the words just kept falling out of my mouth so naturally. Everything inside me wanted to open up to this man. Anytime I’d tried to talk to Angelo about my past, it seemingly fell on deaf ears. Yet, ironically, Tanner was an amazing listener.
His face fell and he looked positively ashen. “Sorry,” he repeated again.
“It is what it is.” I shrugged and cast my gaze to the snow-covered trees as we continued on our walk. My gloved hand brushed up against his and suddenly he grabbed it, threading his fingers through mine. And as much as I should have let go, I didn’t want to. It was comforting.
I giggled as I watched Archie jump in and out of the snow drifts. He was having the time of his life. The pooch was so damn cute with snowflakes covering his black, little nose.
About the time I was wondering if it was okay for Archie to be out so long in the cold, Tanner looked at his watch and bobbed his head toward the house, letting me know we should head back. He looked over at the lab about twenty feet away, bouncing through the snow and patted his thigh. Archie blew him off.
I glanced over to Tanner. A shy smile tugged at his lips as he searched his pockets for something he must have misplaced. “Can’t whistle. Never learned. Too hard.”
I quickly yanked off my glove and put two fingers to my mouth and whistled.
Archie’s head popped up and he turned our direction, sprinting toward us.
I just shrugged and grinned. “I got you.”
He grabbed my hand again on our walk back, but I pulled away. He stopped and looked at me, almost wounded, and I felt just awful. “I probably should head back now,” I said, pointing in the direction of my cabin.
“Movie?” he asked, so hopeful.
I sighed. “Tanner, I like you a lot. But I have to leave very soon.” I couldn’t lead him on.
He bobbed his head, as if he understood, but he didn’t seem to care. He leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek. When he pulled back his eyes narrowed, scrutinizing my face. “Movie tonight.” This time he wasn’t asking. But it wasn’t exactly demanding, either. His expression was confident, without being overly cocky, like he knew I’d cave.
I could only smile and shake my head. “We’ll see.”
If nothing else, Tanner was persistent.
He gave me my peace all afternoon while I did my best to try and lose myself in mindless television, but around dinnertime I got some photos of raw, seasoned steaks sent to my phone.
Tanner: About to toss these ribeyes on the grill and I’ve got some baked potatoes in the oven. Hungry?
I’d been so full from the late breakfast that I’d skipped lunch. And my stomach was starting to rumble. I glanced toward the kitchen counter and saw the Ramen. Ugh. He had no clue he was tempting a pregnant woman with food, or how I’d kill for steak and potatoes right then. It was like offering a pulsating, veiny neck to a bloodthirsty vampire.
Me: Are you trying to fatten me up?
God, if he only knew just how fat I was about to really get. Would he still be as persistent?
Tanner: Yup. Just before I toss you in the oven and shut the door, Gretel. (Laughs maniacally)
I chuckled and rolled my eyes. Still unsure, I sat there, chewing on my nail, debating it. I was growing antsy. Partially from boredom, and partially because I was losing time. I’d done the sensible thing earlier and at least checked the local road conditions. Tanner wasn’t lying, according to the navigation app the roads were indeed impassable.