Turner didn’t know if Tucker was helping his cause with Annie or making it worse. She had a rattled look in her eyes that had him forgetting the pain—mostly—and wanting to cuddle her right onto his lap forever. She looked tired.
No doubt today’s events were the primary cause of that. And she’d been at the hospital for hours. It was time she went home. “He’s kidding, Ann. I promise. Mel would never let us borrow the jet to spirit you away to Mexico. And it wouldn’t work, anyway. Do you and the boys have your passports?”
Annie shook her head. “No. I’ve never been able to take them out of the country, even if I could afford to. Not with them in the custody of the state.”
“After the adoption is final, you should let me take you to Houghton’s estate in Mexico when they’re down there. The boys would love it. Houghton has a waterslide in the back pool.”
“Seriously? Isn’t he a bit old for that?” Although it didn’t surprise her a bit. He’d spoiled her boys rotten when he’d had them—he was a big kid at heart.
“It doesn’t look like a waterslide, and there’s a floating river around it. He had it installed as a gift for Mel and her nieces and nephew a few months ago. Mel can float down the river without tiring out. But they are part of the landscape, and you don’t notice it,” Tucker said. Turner watched his brother for a moment. “If you don’t want to go with the doofus here, I’ll give you a lift.”
Tucker found her attractive; it was obvious in the way his brother was watching her. And his brother, a full ten years younger than he was, had a way with women that Turner just did not.
Big jerk.
It was far too easy for Tucker sometimes. Rich, good-looking, a music executive, Tucker could have his pick of the most glamorous women in the world. But Tucker, like every other Barratt male out there, preferred women with substance.
Like Annie.
Nope. That wasn’t about to happen. Annie was his.
What he was thinking wasn’t lost on him. Turner knew the truth—this was the woman he wanted in his life for a very long time to come.
Until his last day on earth would be a good place to start with that. “She’s mine, Tuck. I found her first.”
Annie’s blue eyes widened. Turner shot her a grin, letting her think he was just teasing.
But he wasn’t.
As his brother’s gaze sharpened, he knew Tucker understood that, too.
Tucker nodded. “I’m going to go to the restroom now that this schmuck is in good—and very pretty—hands. I’ll be right back.”
Like a good brother, Tucker left him alone with the woman Turner wanted.
“What happened?” Annie asked, softly. There was swelling and contusions forming on his otherwise very nicely sculpted male chest. “Were you in an MVA?”
His expression tightened. “No, honey. I’m getting Elliot Marshall here. Tucker will call him for me.”
“Someone did this to you.” She wasn’t stupid. He didn’t want to tell her what had happened. She had no doubt about that. “I’ll get Allen. Leave you alone.”
She wasn’t certain she wanted to know any more details than she already did.
His hand rose to her cheek, startling her. “Stay.”
“It’s none of my business. I’d prefer it that way. The less I know about anything you’re involved in, Mayor Barratt, it’s probably better. Trouble seems to be following you right now.”
“Isn’t that the truth.”
His finger brushed the corner of her lip. Annie thought about moving away. They were in her place of work—someone could walk in at any time.
This was the first time since the storm that he had touched her like this, with the notable exception of the night Izzie had almost died. His arms around her had been just about all that had kept her sane that night.
Just like the last time she had needed his arms around her. That thought had her rocking back on her metaphorical heels.
Turner Barratt had turned into her only port in the storm during two of the most life-shattering moments of her life. She’d walked through the fire those times, and he’d been beside her the whole way. Annie forced herself to step back before she did something stupid. Like let him in even more.
He wanted that; she knew enough about men to know when one was seriously interested. She wasn’t naïve or stupid at all.
She just couldn’t handle a man like the mayor of Finley Creek.
Annie knew her own limits. It was time she remembered that.
“I can’t deal with any more trouble right now, Mayor Barratt. I…just can’t.”
Annie did the only thing she could do. She turned and walked away.