She arrived at the facility with a knot in the pit of her stomach. Should she acknowledge to Tuck that she’d caught Essie’s slip of the tongue? She reminded herself that she’d also spoken without thinking yesterday, and Tuck probably knew that she and Tanner were engaging in physical intimacy, too. How would she feel if he got in the car and said, “Oh, by the way, I know you and Tanner are having sex”? Crystal knew she would be mortified, so she decided to keep her mouth shut about her grandfather’s relationship with Essie.
After parking in the shade of a pine tree, she cut the engine and stared out the windshield at nothing. Recognizing where they were, Rip squirmed with excitement on the passenger seat, eager to see her grandfather. A tap came on the front passenger window, and Crystal nearly jumped out of her skin. Tuck leaned down to grin at her through the glass. Essie stood behind him. Crystal hit the button to unlock the door, and Tuck drew it open, saying, “Toss me a biscuit, would you? I don’t wanna get pinched when I get in the back with Essie.”
Crystal dug in the door pocket for treats and deposited them in her grandfather’s outstretched hand. He brought Essie. Crystal had planned to stop by a deli and get them an assortment of food for a picnic to celebrate the removal of his cast. She’d envisioned parking somewhere along the creek, and she had even put a blanket in the trunk of her car. It would have been special one-on-one time with her grandfather. She couldn’t help but resent that he’d brought his girlfriend without at least asking if she minded.
While the oldsters got in the back of the Equinox, Rip sailed over the console to greet Tuck. Crystal was almost pleased when she heard the dog growl at Essie. Take that, she thought. Good for you, Rip. Let her know she’s horning in where she isn’t wanted.
The thoughts no sooner went through Crystal’s mind than she felt ashamed of herself. She wasn’t a jealous eleven-year-old girl. She was a grown woman who looked back on her life and felt grateful to her grandfather for all the sacrifices he had made to finish raising her.
Essie leaned forward to touch Crystal’s shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind that I came. I rarely get to leave this place, so when Tuck invited me, I just couldn’t say no.”
Crystal smiled at her and noted as she did that Essie was beautiful. Was it any wonder that Tuck had fallen for her? “I don’t mind in the slightest.” And as she said those words, Crystal realized they were sincere. “With you along, it’ll be more fun. It’s a gorgeous day. After Tuck gets his cast off, I thought we might celebrate by having a picnic.”
Essie’s crinkly face broke into a smile. “Tuck, did you hear that? We’re going on a picnic!” To Crystal she said, “Did you bring the food?”
“No. I didn’t have time to make anything. I thought we’d stop at a deli and pick out whatever looks good.”
“Oh, how fun! We never get to do stuff like that. Just going for a car ride is a treat.”
“It sure is,” Tuck seconded. “I want potato salad with extra mayo!”
Both Crystal and Essie laughed. Crystal said, “I’ll buy a squeeze bottle of mayonnaise so you can mix in as much as you want.”
The appointment went smoothly. Crystal sat with Essie in the waiting room while Tuck went in to see the doctor, a man with the surname Payne. It reminded Crystal of the Lingerie Burglar and her theory that one’s name could sometimes direct one’s footsteps in life.
When Tuck emerged from the back room, he wore a broad grin and had a spring in his step. “The X-ray looked great. The fracture has mended. I’m on the road to recovery.”
Essie linked arms with him as they left the building. Crystal walked behind them. They behaved like two excited teenagers who’d skipped school.
For Rip’s comfort, she’d parked in the shade, which made it a longer walk to the car. When they reached the Equinox, Crystal’s heart plunged to what felt like her knees. Through the partially open driver’s window, she saw that Rip had clawed the passenger door. “Oh, dear!”
When Tuck saw the damage, his smile vanished. “You got insurance. Right? And I’ll pay for anything it don’t cover.”
Crystal composed herself. “It’s my fault, not yours. Rip can’t stand to be locked up and left alone. I should have known better than to leave him out here by himself.”
“Damn dog.”
“He’s a wonderful dog,” she corrected. “He just has some quirks.”
An instant later when Essie got in the back of the car to sit beside Tuck, the dog snarled at her again. Essie met the animal’s glare and placed her hand on Tuck’s knee. “Bring it on, Rip, or behave yourself. We can be friends or enemies. I don’t give a shit which, but either way, I’m not backing down.”
Crystal was shocked by the older woman’s language. In appearance she was a genteel lady, but under that veneer, she was tougher than a pine knot. Crystal wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Rip, on the other hand, seemed to have gotten Essie’s message. He understood tone of voice and manner if not actual words. Essie showed no fear of him, she had challenged his claim on Tuck, and the dog seemed to accept that.
Essie met Crystal’s gaze in the rearview mirror and smiled. “I’m a dog lover, and I’ve never met one I didn’t like. I think they sense that.”
Crystal searched the woman’s eyes and saw only goodness in their depths. She smiled her approval at her grandfather. Tuck nodded slightly and grinned.
The heeler whined at Tuck as if seeking advice. “You heard the lady,” Tuck said. “Friends or enemies, your choice, but I think you’ll be happier if you choose friendship. She don’t scare so easy, and I sure as hell ain’t gettin’ rid of her on your account.”
Crystal started the car, amazed to see Rip surrender to the older woman. She remembered the times when she had allowed the dog to get his bluff in on her. Maybe she should have challenged him from the start.
Crystal stayed in the car with Rip while Essie and Tuck went into Flagg’s for the picnic items. “Don’t forget eating utensils!” she called after them.
A half hour later, the older couple finally emerged from the market. They carried five plastic bags that were stuffed full. Crystal opened the cargo door from inside so they could stow the groceries in back. “Good grief, we could survive for a week on all that food!” she exclaimed with a laugh.
Essie said, “It’s a rare occasion for us! And everything looked so good! We went a little crazy.”
Crystal found a picnic spot along Mystic Creek. A grassy knoll overlooked the sparkling waterway. A short way upstream, a waterfall spilled over rocks, creating a musical sound. A pine tree cast some shade, so she spread the blanket there. Essie displayed the agility of a much younger woman as she lowered herself to the ground. Tuck joined her with a grunt.
“Damned hip.”
“We need to start taking walks,” Essie observed. “And maybe do some exercising together. That would be fun.”
Tuck groaned again, but Crystal saw a twinkle in his eyes. She decided Essie just might be good for him.
Their late lunch was divine. They dined on a trimmed rotisserie chicken, an assortment of salads, and lemon meringue pie for dessert. Crystal had driven a stick into the ground and tied Rip’s leash to it so he could lie on the blanket and partake of the meal.
“Why does food taste so much better on a picnic?” she asked.
Essie grinned. “The tiny gnats add flavor.”
Crystal laughed and helped herself to more pie. Tuck had remembered that lemon meringue was a favorite of hers.
Essie told Crystal about her childhood in Alaska and how she had started having sex with men for money as a young teen. Crystal couldn’t judge Essie for her path to success. She had been loyal to her siblings and given them opportunities. How she had accomplished that didn’t seem important now. If not for Tuck, where might Crystal have ended up as a teenager? She felt certain her parents would have kicked her out the moment they could find a
n excuse.
Crystal had never volunteered to tell anyone about the death of her baby sister, but there was something about Essie that compelled her to tell that story now. Tears sparkled in the older woman’s eyes as Crystal told her how Tuck had rescued her, taken her to his ranch, and given her a fresh start.
“Almost everyone could use a fresh start at some point,” Essie observed. “You appear to have it all figured out now, and that’s what matters.”
Crystal wasn’t sure she had anything figured out or whether she ever would, but she nodded in agreement. She settled a thoughtful gaze on her grandfather, wondering where his relationship with Essie might take him. Seeing the two oldsters together brought her to understand that they truly were still fit and mentally sharp. She had seen couples their age in Mystic Creek, sightseeing in motor homes. When Tuck was finished with his physical therapy, maybe they’d decide to do something like that. She vowed to herself that she would be supportive. Why shouldn’t they take a road trip? Life wasn’t over until the heart stopped beating.
To her surprise, she enjoyed the outing so much that she hated to see it end. After dropping the older couple off at the center, she drove home. Rip resumed his seat beside her and hung his head out the open window to enjoy the rush of wind in his face.
“So, what do you think of Essie?” Crystal asked.
Rip responded with a growl, which made her laugh. “I think you’ve met your match in her, buddy.”
Just as she pulled up in front of the gate at home, her cell phone rang. She saw Barney Sterling’s name on the screen. “Hello?”
“Hi, Crystal,” he said. “I just wanted to let you know we tracked down where McVoyer was staying when he came to town. He rented a kitchenette by the week at the Dew Drop Inn.”
Crystal tightened her grip on the cellular device. “And?”
“We found his stash of lingerie. I’m sure some of it’s yours, but we’ve got to keep it as evidence. The good news is, we’ve already got him behind bars. You can feel safe in your home now.”
“Thanks for letting me know, Barney. I’ll rest easier tonight.”
“That was my aim. When we get results on the DNA, I’ll be back in touch.”
Crystal sighed as they ended the conversation. She was relieved to know that the sheriff’s department had apprehended the right man, but she was also disappointed, because Tanner had made arrangements to stay over at her place again tonight. Now she had no real reason to let him do that. She was tempted not to call him so he’d come anyway. Making love with him at night was so . . . everything, the perfect way to end a day. Only that wouldn’t be fair to him or his mother.
Tanner answered on the fourth ring. Crystal envisioned him pulling off onto the shoulder of a gravel road in order to talk. “Hey, you,” he said, his voice as smooth as honey on warm toast. “I can’t wait to see you. If I didn’t have to return the company vehicle, I’d drive straight there.”
“That’s why I called, Tanner. You don’t need to come. Barney just gave me an update.” She quickly related to him the conversation she’d had with the deputy. “I’ll be as safe as can be tonight.”
“I’ll get home so late, anyway, that it really won’t make much difference to Mom. By the time I roll in, she’ll have all the actual work done.”
“Why will you get home late if you don’t come here?”
“You forgot,” he said with a laugh. “Remember those collars I delivered to the salon this morning? I hope you thought to charge one of them.”
Crystal groaned. “I did, but then I totally spaced out. Now I have to drive all the way back to town.” She paused. “It really isn’t necessary for you to be here for the trial run, Tanner. I know how to do everything.”
“But I want to be there, especially if it doesn’t work. Rip may sail over the fence and make a run for the tavern. I don’t want you going into the Witch’s Brew alone. JJ seems like a pretty nice guy, but his patrons are rowdy. And they’ve grown fond of Rip, so they aren’t going to like it when he’s snatched off a barstool and taken home.”
Crystal considered arguing the point. But by relenting, she would get to enjoy Tanner’s company all night. “What sounds good for dinner?”
“You. And I’ll have seconds for dessert.”
She laughed. “I’ll go get the collar and see you when you get here,” she told him. She could almost feel the heat of his strong arms around her. “Drive safely.”
* * *
Rip pushed the limits with the new collar and tried his best to withstand the shocks until he could get over the fence, but the strength of the signals proved to be more than even he could handle. Tanner slipped an arm around Crystal’s waist as they watched the blue heeler back away from the danger zone and turn in circles, chasing his nearly nonexistent tail.
“Mission accomplished,” Tanner said. “Now he can run free on the ten acres and enjoy being a normal dog. No more drinking sprees.”
Crystal stiffened. “Oh, dang it. Jack was supposed to call me today about the blood panel he ran, but he never did.”
As if on cue, her phone suddenly rang. Her stomach bunched into knots of anxiety when she saw it was someone from the clinic. “Hello?”
“Hi, Crystal. Jack Palmer. Sorry I didn’t call earlier, but I had two emergencies. I know you’re worried about Rip, so I’ll cut right to the chase. His blood work came back completely normal. No liver damage.”
Her shoulders sagged with relief. “I can scarcely believe it, but that’s wonderful news. Is it okay to start him on his medication, then?”
“Absolutely. Just follow the directions on the bottle. The stuff may make him sleepy, but I doubt it. It’ll probably just mellow him out and help prevent any negative effects from the sudden cessation of alcohol consumption.”
Crystal gave Tanner a thumbs-up so he would know the news was good. “I just tried a new collar on Rip. He can’t go under or over the fence now.”
“Good,” Jack replied. “The shocks won’t harm him. Drinking alcohol will. Keep the collar on him, and maybe you’ll have the problem solved.”
After Crystal returned her phone to its case, Tanner swept her off her feet and into his arms. She let loose with a startled cry, and Rip came charging across the yard, snarling and baring his teeth.
“It’s okay, Rip,” Crystal said, aiming for a soothing tone even though Tanner’s embrace made her nerves leap to attention. When the dog continued to threaten him, she yelled, “Margie!”
Rip whined and sat, apparently still convinced Tanner had done something to hurt her. With a laugh, Tanner carried her to the porch while she tossed biscuits to the blue heeler to afford them both safe passage into the house.
When Rip tried to follow them inside, Tanner blocked his way. “Oh, no. If that one little cry set you off, you’ll really go nuts in a few minutes. When she climaxes, she shrieks.”
“I don’t, either,” Crystal protested.
“Wanna bet?” he challenged.
* * *
After a lovemaking session that Crystal was sure she would never forget, she had to face the fact that she’d never felt this way about a man, and she sensed that Tanner was falling for her, too. The realization frightened her. Love didn’t factor into her life plans. Forming bonds didn’t, either. She’d learned that the only way to avoid heartbreak was to never be vulnerable in the first place.
Tanner held her close, trailing his fingers over the small of her back in circles that delighted her nerve endings. “Do you mind if we talk?”
That was a danger signal. Men who felt nothing for a woman didn’t want to engage in pillow talk after having sex. “What about?”
“Us. Where we’re going with this.”
A lump formed in her throat. To any other man, she would have said, Nowhere. I made that clear from the start. But with Tanner, she’d already stepped over an invisible l
ine and started to care for him. She couldn’t hurt him with a flippant reply. “Okay, let’s talk.”
“I’ve been giving our relationship a lot of thought.” He nuzzled her hair. “Your business is here in Mystic Creek. I work out of Crystal Falls. On the surface, it appears impossible for us to be together as a couple. But I spoke to my boss this morning before I left to cover my route.”
“What did you speak to him about?”
“I asked if I could possibly keep the Mystic Creek route. He agreed to let me make the switch. He even said I can keep the company van here at night, drive in early to the distribution center, and get it loaded before I come back here to make deliveries. It would work perfectly, Crystal. My workdays would start an hour earlier, but I’d get home earlier in the afternoon to spend quality time with the kids. My mom and I could sell our homes and move here. My boss has agreed to the plan.”
She’d been sure he wanted to talk about a long-term relationship, but this went beyond her wildest imaginings. “You’re going to uproot your kids? Sell your houses?” She raised herself on one elbow.
“Why not? Don’t look so astonished. I love this little town, and so do they. I think it would be a fabulous place for them to grow up. There’s hardly any crime, the schools are good, and when there’s a threat to the community, the sheriff’s department acts quickly.”
Crystal could think of a dozen reasons why not, none of which would make the slightest bit of sense to him. And they suddenly didn’t make a whole lot of sense to her, either. Only, he needed to understand she wasn’t the prize he believed her to be. “Tanner, I know this all seems like a reasonable next step to you, but there are some serious pitfalls. I’m awful with kids. You have no idea just how awful.”
“I don’t see how you can possibly be sure of that. You haven’t been around children often enough to know, and you were great with Tori and Michael that one evening.”
“That was only one visit.”