Hearing voices coming from outside, I go to the front door and pull the curtain aside, blinking in disbelief at what I see. Earl, my seventy-plus-year-old neighbor who looks like the lumberjack version of Santa, has his handgun aimed at a shirtless Tanner, who’s got a bag of garbage in his hand. Without thinking, I swing the front door open, then scream as Earl lifts the barrel in my direction and fires a shot into the air over the top of my trailer. Startled, I slip off the step I’m standing on and land on my ass at the bottom of the stairs, watching in horror as Tanner rushes Earl.

  “No, Tanner, don’t hurt him!” I yell over the sound of the blood now thundering through my veins. Thankfully, he slows down, but he’s still quick enough to disarm my neighbor in one smooth move, tucking the gun in the back of his unbuttoned jeans before stalking back toward me.

  “Sunshine, what the fuck were you thinking?” he asks, hunching down next to me and moving his hand over my head and limbs. Just as I start to tell him I’m okay, he stands, pulling me up with him and wrapping his arms around me so tightly that all the air in my lungs leaves in a whoosh.

  “Are you all right, Cybil? I thought this guy was robbing you,” Earl says, sounding nervous.

  “I told you I fucking wasn’t robbing her,” Tanner rumbles, and I try to wiggle to get free, sure that I’m going to pass out from being held so tightly.

  “How was I to know you weren’t lying? Cybil’s Bronco isn’t here, and I’ve never seen you before.”

  “I explained to you why that was, old man!” Tanner yells, making me jump, and his hold tightens even more.

  “I . . . I can’t breathe,” I choke out as stars begin to float through my vision.

  “Shit, sorry.” He lets me go, and I gulp in air while watching Earl fiddle with the brim of his hat in his hands.

  “I’m okay,” I assure both men once I’ve caught my breath, but neither of them looks appeased. “Really, I’m fine.”

  “You’re shaking and pale,” Tanner informs me before glaring at Earl. “What the fuck were you thinking, shooting in her direction?”

  “I didn’t know it was her. I thought she was someone helping you rob the place.”

  “Right, because it’s normal for people to commit acts of burglary while shirtless and to also stop and take out the trash on their way out.”

  “I don’t like your tone, son,” Earl rumbles, his face getting red with either embarrassment or anger. Probably a little of both, knowing him.

  “Yeah, well, I don’t like my girlfriend getting shot at.” Tanner turns to face me and lifts his finger. “Don’t ever do that again!” he growls, and my jaw goes slack.

  “W-what?” I hold my hand to my chest. “I didn’t get shot at on purpose.”

  “You shouldn’t have come outside like you did,” Earl says, reprimanding me, and I toss my arms in the air.

  “You’re both obviously deluded, because none of this is my fault.”

  “If you had called to let me know you were home, I wouldn’t have worried when I drove by and saw that car outside or when I saw him leaving your house with a garbage bag,” Earl says, and Tanner makes a sound in the back of his throat that I take to mean he’s agreeing with him.

  “Unbelievable.” I shake my head, looking between the two of them. “I’m not doing this.” I turn on my heel and head into the house, leaving them standing outside. Annoyed and in need of caffeine, I go to the kitchen and grab a coffee mug from the cupboard, then slam it down on the counter with a little too much force, causing the handle to break off in my hand. Cursing under my breath, I toss the broken pieces into the trash, then grab a new one, fill it with coffee, and get my creamer from the fridge.

  “Sunshine,” Tanner calls, but I don’t bother responding to the endearment that normally makes my heart flutter. Instead, I focus on dumping creamer into my cup. “You’re pissed.”

  “No, I’m annoyed that you and Earl decided to gang up on me,” I inform him, and he laughs. “I’m glad I can entertain you.” I take a sip of my coffee.

  “I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s not funny that you’re annoyed.” He comes to me, taking the mug from my hand and placing it on the counter before cupping my face in his palms. “You’re just very cute.” His lips brush across mine, and when my lashes flutter open, he slides his fingers back into my hair. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I just lost my mind when I saw that gun pointed in your direction.”

  “I kind of got that.” I rest my hands against his chest, biting back the urge to bring up the fact that none of this was my fault. “Is Earl still outside?”

  “Do you mean your very overprotective neighbor?” He skims his nose down mine. “Because that guy is still outside in the driveway, waiting for you to come out and give him a hug. His words, not mine.”

  “I should go out there.” I sigh, shaking my head.

  “While you do that, I’m going to make us breakfast.” He places a swift kiss against my lips, then lets me go.

  Going to the door, I open it slowly, then step outside with my hands up. “Don’t shoot.”

  “Such a smart-ass,” Earl mutters, while I hear Tanner inside start to laugh, obviously no longer angry about the whole “getting shot at” business.

  “Just being cautious.” I head down the steps, and Earl opens his arms wide.

  “You know most people get a fridge magnet or key chain when they go on a trip, not a man,” he says as I wrap my arms around his burly waist and rest the side of my head against his chest.

  “Well, those people aren’t going on the right kind of trips.” I tip my head back and grin up at him, watching as he shakes his head.

  “It’s good to have you back, kid.”

  “Yeah.” I step back when he lets me go. “Do you have dinner plans tonight?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Well, now you do, with Tanner and me.” I motion to the trailer. “We can grill out tonight.”

  “Does your new guy eat meat?”

  “He does, but I’m still going to make vegetables.” I plant my hands on my hips. “You know you’re worse than a kid when it comes to eating things that are good for you.”

  “The point is I’m no longer a kid, which means I get to eat what I like, when I like.” He smiles, causing his beard to shift on his face and the wrinkles around his eyes to stand out even more.

  “Fine.” I roll my eyes. “How about between six thirty and seven?”

  “I’ll be here.” He pulls his keys out of his pocket. “Let Tanner know I’ll bring a case of beer, since I know you don’t got any.”

  “So you two are on a first-name basis now?”

  “He’s a military man and protective of you. He has my respect,” he says, and my heart warms, because that means a lot coming from Earl, since he didn’t even like Galvin, and he knew him for years. “See you tonight.” He gets in his truck, and I stand back, waving as he drives off, then head inside, finding Tanner at the stove.

  “Earl’s going to come over for dinner tonight.”

  “Good, I’d like to pick his brain about some stuff,” he says, flipping over a pancake, and I frown.

  “What kind of stuff?” I hop up on the counter next to the stove and pick up my coffee to take a sip.

  “Work in the area, that kind of thing.”

  “What?” I frown at the side of his head. “Why would you want to know about work when you have a job back home in Montana?”

  “I’m selling my portion of Live Life to the guys,” he replies, and my stomach bottoms out while my chest starts to feel funny.

  “I don’t understand.” I shake my head. “When did that happen?”

  “Yesterday.”

  Yesterday? Yesterday, after he left Montana to fly with me to Oregon?

  “You told me that you love your job and that Maverick and Blake are your family.”

  “Shit changes.” I watch his jaw flex as he shrugs. Seeing that and knowing how Blake felt about Tanner and me getting together, and Tanner now here with me, I can’t help but wonder if this is all my fault.

  “Tanner, I—”

  “Don’t, Cybil,” he says, cutting me off before I can tell him that he needs to really think about this. “We need to eat breakfast; then you should call Bernard to see if Maisie’s been moved to her room so you can go spend some time with her.”

  Chewing the inside of my cheek, I study him for a long moment, trying to figure out what to say, but the waves of frustration or anger coming off him are not making me feel like he’d be open to me saying anything at all. “Okay,” I say, giving in, and he nods once before looking at me and cupping my jaw.

  “It will be okay.”

  “Sure,” I agree, not believing him but praying he’s right.

  Chapter 21

  CYBIL

  Hand in hand with Tanner, I knock on the door to Maisie’s room and peek my head in, seeing a nurse standing next to her bed, with Bernard asleep, taking up the chair next to it. “Is it all right for us to come in?” I whisper when her eyes meet mine.

  “Yep, I just finished up.” She shoots me a smile before taking in the man at my side, getting a look of appreciation on her face that I’ve seen from other women when they come face to face with Tanner. Hell, I’m pretty sure I had that look the first time I saw him in all his glory.

  “How’s she doing today?” I ask quietly, stepping farther into the room.

  “She’s doing great,” she assures me as I let go of Tanner’s hand and take the flowers he’s carrying in one arm. I set them on the stand under the TV before making my way to the bed. The nurse leaves, wheeling her cart out of the room.

  “Hey,” I say quietly when Bernard opens his eyes, and he smiles at me before he looks over at Maisie and sits up.

  “I must have fallen asleep.”

  “I’m sure you’re tired.” I lean over to place a kiss on his cheek. “Tanner and I are going to be here for a while, if you want to go stretch your legs and get a coffee.”

  “Thanks, sweetheart.” He stands, rubbing my shoulder before patting Tanner on the back. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Take your time.” I watch him leave, then take a seat in his chair and pick up Maisie’s hand while Tanner sits on the AC vent next to me. Since his admission this morning, I’ve found out absolutely nothing about why he’s decided to sell his part of Live Life Adventures. But I have found out he’s not open to talking about it. And I know this because when I tried to bring it up while we were showering, he avoided the conversation by distracting me with a kiss before fucking me against the wall. It worked, but then again, when it comes to him, I’m apparently weak.

  “Hey, sweet girl.” Maisie’s fingers tightening around mine bring me out of my head, and I focus on her sleepy pale face.

  “Hey.” I get up and lean over the rail on the bed to kiss her cheek; then I lean back and glance quickly over my shoulder. “I want you to meet someone.”

  “Tanner.” She smiles tiredly as he walks around to the opposite side of the bed and bends to kiss her cheek.

  “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Please call me Maisie. Ma’am makes me feel old, when I already feel ancient lying in this hospital bed.” She pats his hand, resting on the side of the bed, then turns her head toward me. “I’ve missed you, pretty girl.”

  “I missed you too.” Tears cloud my vision, and she forces me to release her hand, then cups my cheek.

  “No tears.”

  “I can’t help it.” I cover her hand with mine and close my eyes. Pain lances through my chest as I flash back to being in this exact position with my mom on more than one occasion. I don’t know what I would do if I lost Maisie.

  “Look at me, sweetheart,” she orders, and I blink my eyes open to meet her gaze. “I’m okay, and I’m going to be just fine.”

  “I know,” I say quietly, and she nods, then looks between Tanner and me. “Now, with you both here, I want to hear everything that happened on your adventure and how you two ended up together.”

  I listen to Tanner laugh, and I smile.

  “There’s a lot to tell you.”

  “Well, I have a lot of time,” she says, so I dive into the story of how we met and everything that went on after.

  Halfway through the story of when I found out Tanner would be my partner for the week, Bernard comes back, with Jade in tow. They pull up chairs and listen to me tell Maisie about everything that happened, including all the beautiful places we visited, Oliver and Lauren’s arguments and escapades, getting lost and then shot at by poachers, and everything in between. By the time I finish, the three of them are staring at me like they’ve never seen me before. Then again, they haven’t; I used to always stick close to home, and I never really took any unnecessary risks.

  “Well, that Lauren woman sounds horrible, but I have to say she redeemed herself by helping you when you sliced your hand open,” Maisie says, shaking her head and smiling.

  “I’m not even a little surprised you put up a tent on your own just to prove a point to her,” Jade says with a laugh.

  “Are we going to talk about her getting shot at?” Bernard asks, and I smile at him.

  “No, Tanner doesn’t like to talk about me getting shot at.”

  “You say that like it’s happened more than once.” He frowns and I smile.

  “Well, this morning, Tanner was taking out the trash when Earl came over to check on my place. He thought Tanner was robbing me, and he pulled a gun on him.”

  “Oh shit,” Jade breathes, and I look at her and nod.

  “I know, and when I opened the door and stepped outside, he shot over the top of my trailer, scaring me so badly I fell down the steps.”

  “Oh my,” Maisie whispers, and I pat her hand.

  “I’m all right.”

  “Child, you have the worst luck,” Bernard says, then looks at Tanner. “You’re going to have your work cut out, keeping her safe.”

  “I’m starting to figure that out,” Tanner replies with a smile in his voice, and I turn to grin at him. His face softens as he reaches out to touch my cheek with the tips of his fingers.

  “I think I need to sign up for a Montana adventure,” Jade says wistfully.

  “It really was the best time, even with everything that happened.” I laugh, then look at Maisie when she yawns. “Are you tired?”

  “Unfortunately.” She reaches for Bernard’s hand, turning his way. “Why don’t you go home and get some sleep? I know you didn’t get much last night with the doctors and nurses in and out of my room constantly.”

  “I’m all right. Plus, I wouldn’t be able to sleep without you anyway.” He kisses the top of her hand, then glances between Jade and me. “What are you two up to today?”

  “I don’t have plans. I was just going to hang here with Mom.”

  “You have a business to run, and all I’m going to be doing is sleeping.”

  “I got Jeff to cover the store, so I have the day off. I don’t mind hanging around.”

  “I do mind,” Maisie says in that motherly tone of hers. “I’m sure when I get home in a few days I’ll be able to use you girls’ help. But right now, I’m being taken care of, so go to work or do something—I don’t want you guys hanging around all day.” I want to be upset that she wants us gone, but I remember that my mom used to do the same thing when she had to stay in the hospital. She hated me seeing her lying in a bed and hooked up to machines.

  “You can come help me pack up orders; then we can bring lunch back here after we drop them off at the post office,” I suggest, locking eyes with Jade.

  “Okay, sure, if Tanner doesn’t mind me tagging along with you two.”

  “Not at all,” he says, getting up.

  That settled, I push up from my chair so I can lean over and give Maisie a hug.

  “Get some rest, and we’ll be back.”

  “Okay, sweetheart.” She lets me go with a kiss to my cheek, and I turn to give Bernard a hug. I take Tanner’s hand and leave the room, with Jade following behind after hugging both her parents.

  “Do you want to ride with us and leave your car so you don’t have to pay for parking twice?” I ask Jade when we get into the elevator inside the parking garage.

  “No, I’ll meet you two at the house. I’m going to stop by the bookstore to check on Jeff. Do you want me to bring you a coffee from Brew’s?”

  “You know the way to my heart.” I smile, and she laughs as the doors open on the floor where she parked.

  “What would you like, Tanner? Wait, don’t tell me.” She holds up a hand while keeping the doors open with the other one. “Hot coffee, black, no sugar.”

  “Iced coffee, cream and sugar.” Tanner grins.

  “Well, aren’t you just full of surprises.” She gives me a look, then backs out. “See you two in an hour, tops.”

  “See you in an hour.” I wave goodbye to her as the doors close, then lean into Tanner’s side and let out a deep breath.

  “You doing okay, sunshine?” he asks softly, sliding his arm around my waist while resting his lips on the top of my head.

  “Yeah, the last few days have just felt like a whirlwind,” I admit as the doors open. I start to step off, but I stop when Galvin and Chris come around the corner. Like yesterday, seeing them together doesn’t make me feel hurt or angry; it just makes me feel stupid. It’s obvious to me now that they love each other and probably always have. If I hadn’t been so blind to the truth, I would have recognized that Chris’s dislike for me was actually jealousy and that Galvin’s insistence on keeping us separated was because he was trying to protect the man he loves.

  “Hey, guys.” Galvin breaks the silence, looking between Tanner and me, and I catch Chris step closer to his side, as if to protect him from me. “Are you two going to see Maisie?”

  “We’re just heading out,” I say, leaving out that Maisie was getting tired. Even exhausted, I know she’ll be happy to see him. Like me, she kind of adopted him while we were all growing up, so she might have been upset about what happened between us, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t still love him. And given what I know of his parents’ reaction to him marrying Chris, I’m glad he still has Maisie and Bernard.