is broken, and Hope really has to get to the casino.”
Faith brightened. “If we could just get the truck to the Ginger Palace, Kenji and and the sous chefs could unload the crates this one time. Like Hope said, everybody else can wait a couple of days.”
“Okay, let me see if I can find my guy.” Tanner took out his phone and pressed the speed dial for Jack Sievers, his childhood friend and lawyer extraordinaire.
As the phone rang, Tanner looked at the sisters—two faces so similar, and yet so different, and only one that made his heart leap—and wanted to wipe the worry from Hope’s eyes.
She shouldn’t have to solve all the McNaughton problems by herself.
“Jack? Listen, can you shake yourself free this afternoon, right now? I have a problem.”
“Tanner, I can always count on you when I’m getting bored. Did the feds toss you in the slammer again? I am ready to go mano-a-mano with that hopeless Frelly.”
“No, it’s not about me. I have some friends here. One of them was in an accident with her vegetable delivery truck, and the cops have confiscated everything as evidence. But her business will take a hit if she can’t make her delivery to the Desert Dunes today. I’m hoping that you can ransom the truck and get it over here.”
“Oh, great, Wingate, another prestigious job. And—not that it’s the main thing, but can they pay me? Or am I doing it for a lifetime supply of carrots?”
“If they can’t, I can,” Tanner said.
“If they can’t, I want UNLV basketball tickets,” Jack said. “Put them on.”
“I should buy stock in that stadium,” Tanner said. “Thanks, Jack. The business owner is Faith McNaughton. Here she is.” Tanner handed the phone to Faith.
Faith looked at him, a question in her eyes, as she took the phone.
“This is Jack Sievers,” Tanner said. “He’s a lawyer. He’s been relying on me for friendship since grade school. I thought I’d give him a chance to do something for me for a change.”
Tanner grinned as he heard Jack yell “I heard that!” And then he turned away to let Faith talk to Jack and was rewarded when Hope gave him a shaky smile.
Hope looked at Tanner handing the phone to Faith and almost burst into tears of relief herself. Maybe this horrible day would turn out okay after all. She smiled at Tanner but felt it crack a little around the edges. He put his arm around her.
“What?” he said.
She felt herself relax into him. She didn’t want to—she could stand up for herself and her family. She’d been doing it for a long time. But he’d brought hamburgers and waited with her for Amber and got Troy to come over and called the lawyer and now he had his arm around her and she didn’t feel quite so alone anymore.
Long-term, card players were not for her. But for right now—she wanted to lean a little.
“That was nice, what you did,” she said. “Thank you.”
He rested his cheek against her hair and she felt herself melt.
“Don’t thank me until Jack gets that truck back by dinner time.”
“Whatever he can do is great. Have him send us the bill.”
“He said he’d settle for carrots.”
Hope smiled into Tanner’s shoulder. “No, he didn’t. I really am grateful, Tanner.”
Tanner rubbed his cheek against her hair. “Grateful enough to go for a swim at my place?”
Hope leaned away from him and looked into his eyes. He smiled, a slow and wicked smile, a smile of promise. His eyes held heat, too, and mischief. But his jaw was determined. Hope felt a shiver run down her spine. He was flirting, but he had Intentions. She knew it.
Would she be willing to go swimming? The idea was attractive, but she feared the waters might be too deep.
Faith closed the phone and turned back to them. She looked happier.
“Jack said he’d try, but no promises,” she said. “He said he’d call me. It sounds like he knows what he’s doing.”
Tanner nodded. “He does. He will.”
Faith nodded. “Okay. I’m heading upstairs to see Amber. I know you guys need to get back to the casino. I’ll be fine. Thanks, you guys.” She gave them each a hug, taking care not to jar her injured arm.
“Watch your hairdo when you get up there,” Tanner warned her as she released him. “Trust me, it’s at risk.” He left to retrieve the car from the parking garage while Hope walked Faith to the elevator.
“Mom will get here as soon as