Still The One - Carrie Elks Page 0,35

work, but surviving.”

“Any women on the horizon?” he teased.

“Nope.” Logan’s voice was sure. “No time for one if there was. The women of Boston are probably sighing with relief.”

“I doubt that.” Logan was a good looking guy, or at least that’s what Tanner’s female friends told him. “But whatever gets you through the day.”

“Talking of which, I’d better go. We got a party of forty in this evening. And the wine is flowing a little too fast. You take care of yourself, bro. And don’t go breaking anybody’s heart. Especially not your own.”

“Wasn’t planning on it,” Tanner said, his voice light.

“Yeah well. We never do.”

Chapter Thirteen

“Hey,” Tanner said, his voice warm as it echoed through her cellphone. “I was wondering if you’re free for lunch today. To talk business,” he added quickly. “I thought we could meet at the diner around one.”

Damn. “I can’t make lunch. I have to take my mom for an appointment. Can we meet later?” Because she really wanted to talk to him. “Maybe four?”

“At the diner?”

“Why don’t we grab coffee and walk?” she suggested. “It’s a beautiful day.” And maybe if she was surrounded by fresh air she wouldn’t be quite so aware of him. All those gas molecules might dilute his essence.

“Sounds good to me. I’ll get the coffees and meet you in the town square. We can walk down to the creek.”

“I’d like that a lot.”

“See you at four.” His voice was soft, and it held a promise that made her heart ache.

“See you there.”

“Are you ready?” Van called out to her mom, grabbing her car keys and purse. “We have ten minutes to get there.”

Kim walked out of the bedroom in a pair of tight, bleached jeans and a navy tank, her light blonde hair tumbling over her bare shoulders. She wasn’t wearing any make up, but she looked better than she had in days. Van gave her a tentative smile, and Kim smiled back.

This was already going better than she’d expected.

The drive to town took less than five minutes. Van would have suggested they walk, but she knew her mom wouldn’t have gone for it. She was too fragile to deal with meeting people in the street. They’d head straight for the doctor’s office, then home again.

“Here goes nothing.” Kim followed Van out of the front door and down the steps. A warm breeze rustled through the trees and lifted her hair, the golden tips dancing in the wind. Van looked at her mom, taking in her warm, smooth skin and pale blue eyes. Right now she looked like she was in her twenties, not her forties.

She’d always been a good looking woman. And she’d relied on those looks to get her through life. They’d been her blessing and her curse, bringing her joy and pain at the same time.

Parking outside the doctor’s office, Van opened the car door, then walked around to help her mom out. Kim blinked as she emerged into the bright afternoon sun. “You can wait here,” she said, her voice low. “I won’t be long.”

“You sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

Kim shook her head. “I only need a prescription. It’ll take no time.”

Van watched her mom walk into the doctor’s office, then leaned on her car, enjoying the feel of the sun against her skin. She was wearing a dark blue shirt dress, belted at the waist, the hem skimming her mid thighs. Like her mom, her hair was freshly washed and flowing. She felt good today. Maybe it was the fact that things were finally falling into place. Her mom was feeling better, Zoe seemed happy, and she had a job offer that she was almost certain she was going to take.

“Look at you leaning on that car like some kind of model.”

Van grinned as Becca walked toward her. Tanner’s sister was wearing a sleeveless blouse and a black skirt, her dark hair twisted into a messy knot.

“Hey. What are you doing here? I thought you worked at the distillery.”

“I do.” Becca held up a piece of paper. “I’ve been sent on a lunch run. Because my boss is an asshole and thinks I’m his assistant.” She rolled her eyes. “On the plus side, it means I can enjoy the sun instead of being cooped up inside. And if it takes Murphy an hour to make up the order?” She shrugged. “I guess they’ll have to deal with that.”

Van couldn’t help but laugh at Becca’s expression. It was somewhere between disgust and