Nerves practically ate a hole in Tansy’s stomach. Today marked the beginning of her career as a professional baker. A professional event cake designer and creator.
Unless she failed.
She wouldn’t. She couldn’t. Failure wasn’t an option.
Her mom and Gracie Bella had a full day scheduled. It would be good for both of them.
Before she headed to Kitty’s, though, she’d stop to visit her aunt. The whole town seemed certain Coralee was up to something. No surprise there. Coralee was always up to something, wasn’t she?
Feeling both sadness and comfort, Tansy slid behind the wheel of her dad’s Thunderbird. His cherished 2002 T-bird had been one of the first to roll off the newly restarted production lines. Her mother couldn’t bring herself to get rid of it, and this morning, with her vehicle in the shop, Tansy was glad.
She ran in to Tommy’s Texaco and picked up two coffees to go.
Turning onto her aunt’s street, she slowed and took a minute to simply enjoy the whimsical house. On the very outskirts of town, it sat on a little over an acre of land. Tansy seriously doubted there was a single Misty Bottomer who hadn’t driven by more than a time or two to simply see what Coralee was doing.
Fairy gardens bloomed in little clusters throughout the yard, looking as if they’d sprouted up magically. A yellow-brick path wound its way to the front porch. Her aunt was an artist and worked with every possible medium. Statues and colorful, wacky yard art popped up throughout the gardens, alongside fountains and bird feeders. A giant peacock her aunt had created from metal and glass shone in the morning sun, its colors vibrant. Bronze frogs and copper wind art added to the whimsy. As a child, she’d spent hours in that yard. As an adult, she marveled at it.
The house itself was an eclectic mixture of old and new. Stucco siding had been painted in random stripes of blue, green, and yellow. A rooster weathervane perched on the cedar-shingled roof’s peak.
She pulled into the drive and parked beside Coralee’s rusty, old Jeep.
But when she knocked at the door, she got no answer. Tansy decided her aunt must be out for a walk, so she sat on the front porch stairs to wait, the coffee cooling on the step beside her.
Not five minutes later, she spotted Coralee as she turned the corner onto the street. Her hair redder and wilder than Tansy’s own, she wore a purple-and-yellow-polka-dotted I Love Lucy dress with black tights and purple-sequined cowboy boots. Beside her, prancing along like a queen, was her Siamese. For the life of her, Tansy had never figured out how Coralee had trained that cat to take walks with her. But hers was not to question why. Coralee and Tempus took a walk every single day.
Tansy could almost feel sorry for the cat. What a name! Tempus Fugit. Time flies. But her aunt was a huge fan of clocks and had literally dozens strewn throughout her house—on the walls, on end tables and dressers. If there was an empty space, Coralee found a clock to fill it.
“Tansy, honey! Have you been here long?”
“Not more than a few minutes.” She ran to meet her aunt, hugging her tightly. She smelled like lavender and violets—always had.
“I heard you’ve come home to stay.” Coralee took Tansy’s hand in hers as they walked along the bricks.
“I have.”
“Your mother is over the moon.”
“I should have come sooner.”
“You won’t get an argument from me on that.”
Along with everything else, her aunt was nothing if not outspoken. Tansy smiled and handed her one of the coffees, the one laden with sugar.
Coralee took a drink and grinned. “Thank you, baby. It’s perfect.” At the door, she hesitated, searching through her pockets. “Uh-oh. I forgot my key again.”
“Are your windows locked?” Tansy eyed the one on the porch. “I could crawl through one.”
“No need, sweetheart. I’ll give Beck a call.” She pulled a red-rhinestone-covered phone from her pocket.
“Why would you do that?”
“Because he has a spare key.”
“For your house?”
“Sure. I gave it to him for times just like this.”
“Can’t you hide one somewhere? That would be easier.”
“Oh, I have. Several of them, but I’ve used them all. They’re inside the house, too.”
“Coralee, Beck’s busy.”
“He’s never too busy for me, sweetie.” Her aunt patted Tansy’s cheek, then hit one of her speed dial numbers.
Tansy’s forehead wrinkled. A headache brewed behind her eyes. Why was it that everywhere she went, people were calling Beck, asking him to stop by? The poor man must be run ragged taking care of the entire Misty Bottoms population.
Despite everything, she found herself more and more impressed with the man he’d become. As a teen, he’d been dependable, but there’d also been a reckless, wild side that, she had to admit, she’d enjoyed. Now? It seemed everyone in town looked to him as the go-to guy. Have a problem? Call Beck Elliot.
After their chat earlier, she wasn’t looking forward to seeing him again so soon. Seemed she wouldn’t be able to avoid it unless she turned tail and ran before he got there. That idea—as appealing as it was—would hurt her pride. So she stood her ground.
“Come have a seat on the porch, Tansy. It’s a hell of a lot more comfortable than those wooden steps. My backside doesn’t have as much padding as it used to.”
They sat side by side, enjoying the warm breeze, the coffee, and each other. They talked about everything and nothing. For all her eccentricities, Tansy wouldn’t have traded her aunt for anyone else’s. She loved Coralee, quirks and all.
Tansy heard Beck’s truck before she saw it.
Coralee set down her coffee. “Ah, the boy’s here.”
“He’s a man, Coralee. He stopped being a boy a long time ago.”
“I’m sure you’d know better than most.”
Heat rushed over Tansy’s neck and face.
Beck got out of his truck, his brows arching when he saw her. “And we meet again.”
“You know what they say about bad pennies.”
He simply grunted.
“I told Coralee not to bother you.”
“That’s okay. I was just comin’ back into town. Still haven’t made it into the lumberyard. Ms. Hattie had a squirrel in her attic, so I’ve been crawling around in insulation. I need to stop by my place for a quick shower and a change of clothes.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to offer her help with that shower. Fortunately, she came to her senses and offered a bland, “And instead of doing that, here you are.”
“Yep, here I am. With the two prettiest redheads in Misty Bottoms—and the most annoying ones.” He walked up one step as she descended one and their bodies brushed.
Tansy doubted grabbing an electric plug with wet fingers would have given her a bigger jolt. Wowser! A quick glance at Beck told her he’d felt it, too. He looked like someone in shock.
But he pulled himself together quickly. Withdrawing a key ring from his pocket, he dangled it in front of her. “I’ve taken to carrying your aunt’s door key and Jeep key in my truck. Saves running back to the lumberyard to pick this up every time she calls.”
“I told her I’d climb in through one of the windows.”
One side of his lip turned up and his eyes went dark. “That I’d like to see.”
“I—”
His phone rang, and he lifted one finger. “Hold that thought.” Into the phone, he said, “Yeah?” His smile faded. “I’ll be right there.”
Hanging up, he said, “I’ve gotta run. Here.” He tossed the keys to Tansy. “I’ll get those from you later. Do not let Coralee keep them. I don’t want to have to change all the locks again.”
Without another word, he was in his truck and backing down the drive.
“Wonder what on earth was that important. I’d hoped he could stay a bit.” Coralee stared at the disappearing truck, jiggling something in her pocket.
Tansy’s brows drew together. “What do you have in there?”
“I don’t know.” Coralee withdrew her hand. “Well, would you look at that. I had my key the whole time.”
* * *
Ten minutes later, Beck wheeled to a stop in front of Jenni Beth’s carriage house. Sam, in full cop mode, stepped out to meet him.
“I appreciate you calling me, Sam.”
He followed the deputy inside and found Jenni Beth perched on the edge of the comfy upholstered chair. She looked tense enough to snap in half. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Beck looked toward Sam for verification and got a slight nod.
“I’ve checked both the French doors and the windows for any sign of a break-in, but I don’t see anything,” Sam said.
“That’s probably because, like Cricket, she never locks up.”
“Touché,” Jenni Beth said. “We weren’t gone long.”
“Charlotte with you?”
“Yes.” Her old Lab roused himself enough to crawl halfway into her lap as she rubbed his head. “Zeke here was asleep in his favorite chair on the back porch. He doesn’t hear well anymore, so even if somebody had pulled into the drive, I doubt he’d have so much as barked at them.”
“Anything missin’?” Beck asked.
“Not that I can tell.”
“You’re sure somebody was in here?”
“You sound like Sam.”
“Sorry.”
“I’m not sorry,” Sam said. “I’m doing my job.”
“A couple files were on my desk. I didn’t leave them there.”
“Okay,” Beck said.
“But…” She hesitated.
“What?”
She frowned. “The copier was warm.”
“What?”
“I know. That sounds stupid. Maybe it’s from the sun hitting it.”
“But you don’t believe that.”
She shook her head. “No. And the room smelled different.”
Sam’s chin came up. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“Sorry. I didn’t think of it till just now.”
“What did it smell like?”
“I don’t know. I can’t pinpoint it, but I will.”
“I thought you could beef up her security,” Sam said. “That’s why I called. Of course, nothing you do will help if she doesn’t use it.” He gave her the stink eye.
“I will. I promise. My files have a lot of information in them, and I can’t take a chance on somebody getting their hands on them.”
“But you did,” Beck said, “when you didn’t lock up.”
“Jeez, you’re not being very nice.”
“Sorry.” He threw up his hands. “I’m itchy and that makes me short-tempered.”
“You contagious?” Sam took a step backward.
“Hell no. I’m covered in insulation from Ms. Hattie’s attic.”
“Another squirrel?”
“Yep. I’m goin’ out there tomorrow with some plywood and caulking to make sure that whole thing is sealed up tight. After that, I’ll swing by here and install some motion sensors. Maybe a camera, too.”
“And you were on your way for a shower when we bothered you,” Jenni Beth said.
“Actually, I was at Coralee’s. She locked herself out again. And before you ask, yes, Tansy was there.”
“Which totally explains your mood,” she said.
“What mood? I’m fine. Thanks for takin’ care of Jenni Beth, Sam.” With a wave, he hopped in his truck and headed for his place. A shower was exactly what he needed—to wash away both the scratchy insulation and the even more annoying touch of one redheaded pain in the butt.
Had someone really been poking around in Jenni Beth’s office? A lot of new people in Misty Bottoms lately, and almost every single one knew about her and Magnolia House. After all, that was the draw, the reason they were coming.
The thought unsettled him.
* * *
Driving down Main Street, Tansy decided to pick up sandwiches from the diner for her and Kitty’s lunch. Today would be a long day.
She’d emailed the Millers last night, attaching her colored sketches for their daughter’s sweet-sixteen cake. Before she started on it, she wanted to verify that both the design and the colors would work. They’d called almost immediately, and she’d heard Olivia in the background, trying to talk her mom into letting her skip school so she could watch Tansy bring the design to life.
Tansy gave the kid kudos for her efforts, but Olivia wouldn’t be showing up at the bakery today.
When she pulled into a parking space across from the diner, she spotted Moose Jansen. The former high school football star and old friend grinned at her, and she scrambled out of her car.
“Heard you were back, Tansy. You gonna be takin’ over for Kitty?”
“In a sense. You still working at Mr. Harvey’s appliance store?”
“Yes, ma’am. Pays the bills. Denise and I just closed on a house with a nice big yard for our boys to play in.” He laid a hand on the roof of her dad’s T-bird. “It’s right down the road from your aunt’s.”
Tansy held her breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. It always did when Coralee was involved.
Moose lowered his voice to a loud whisper. “Somethin’s goin’ on at her house, Tansy.”
“I stopped in to see her this morning. Everything seemed to be okay.”
“She’s acting kind of strange.”
“Moose, Aunt Coralee’s middle name is strange.”
He laughed, the decibel close to that of a sonic boom. “Guess you’d be right about that.” After a glance at his watch, he said, “Break’s over. Better get back to the store before the boss sends a search team for me. Good to have you back.”
“Thanks, Moose. Tell Denise hi for me.”
“Will do.”
She watched him lumber on down the street; then she scooted into Dee-Ann’s.
Luanna handed her a plastic-covered menu when she eased onto a counter stool.
“I like your hair,” Tansy said. “That shade of blue is perfect with your eyes.”
“Thanks. I got tired of the maroon streaks and decided to try somethin’ different.”
Dee-Ann swung through the kitchen door. “Order’s up, Luanna.”
With a thumbs-up, Luanna headed for it.
“What are you gonna have today, Tansy?” Dee-Ann asked.
“Two BLTs with avocado. Make one no L.”
“You’re still eating BTs?”
“Some things never change.”
Dee-Ann’s gaze lingered on hers. “Truer words were never spoken.”
Tansy frowned. “Why do I get the feeling we’re not talking about lettuce or the lack of it?”
“Maybe because we’re not.”
“Dee-Ann—”
“Tansy—”
They both laughed, and Dee-Ann, with a shake of her head, asked, “Who’s the second for? Your mom?”
“No, I thought I’d take one to Kitty. Save her from that cottage cheese she eats for lunch day after day after day.” Tansy let out a long breath. “I’m starting my first Magnolia House cake today. A sweet sixteen for Olivia Miller’s birthday. Kitty’s offered to let me use her kitchen.”
“Got your aunt’s artistic bent, didn’t you?”
“Maybe so. Time will tell, I guess.”
“I’d intended to call Kitty this afternoon. Will you ask her if she could make me up a batch of her snickerdoodles? I’ve never had much luck with them. I swear she must sprinkle a little magic in along with her cinnamon.”
“I’ll ask her.”
“Hey, Dee-Ann, how about you top me off before you head to the kitchen?” From his seat by the window where he could keep an eye on everything inside and outside the diner, Lem held up his coffee cup.
“You know, I should be chargin’ you by the pot or, at the very least, for seat rental. Why don’t you go bother Lyda Mae for a while?”
“Said she’s busy and needs to concentrate. She kicked me out.”
“No surprise there.” Dee-Ann picked up the coffeepot and headed to Lem’s booth. “Hey, Lem?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m busy and need to concentrate, so why don’t—”
He laughed, a gravelly sound. “Won’t work. You’re a business. You can’t lock me out. It’s against the law.”
“You gonna call the sheriff?”
“Jimmy Don? Nope. His deputy, my pal Sam.”
Dee-Ann rolled her eyes, splashed fresh coffee into his cup, and left to put in Tansy’s order.
“You sure you know what you’re gettin’ into, Tansy?” Lem asked. “You heard about the bride who showed up last month two days before the wedding and announced she’d changed her mind about her colors? Jenni Beth scrambled to come up with tablecloths and napkins and what-have-yous to make her happy. Cricket? That little girl had a ton of flowers she couldn’t use…and needed ones she didn’t have.”
“No, I didn’t.” She imagined the hours that would have gone into a cake—that no one would want. Cricket and Jenni Beth must have been spitting nails—and putting on good faces the whole time.
Dee-Ann stuck her head out of the kitchen. “What are you doin’, old man? Tryin’ to scare our Tansy away? Stop tellin’ tales.”
“Ain’t tales if they’re true.”
“Ain’t necessary to share everything you know, either.”
“All right, all right,” Lem placated.
Tansy listened to the exchange and smiled. Coming home had been the right decision. If only she and Beck could reach some kind of an understanding.
* * *
Damn! What a day. Beck drove around the block a second time, eyes peeled for an empty parking space. Not too long ago, he’d have been hard-pressed to find more than a couple cars on Main. Now, the place was crawling with them—and people. People who actually spent money in Misty Bottoms’ businesses.
Spying a car backing out, he put on his turn signal and waited—impatiently—for the spot. Once parked, he grabbed his tools from the truck bed and headed for Darlene’s Quilty Pleasures. Seemed everybody in town was having some kind of trouble today.
Jenni Beth’s niggled at his mind, though, and wouldn’t shake loose. Then, there was the water in Tansy’s tank. Tommy’d checked his at the station and found nothing. It didn’t make sense.
He nodded at a couple locals, then followed behind them, an ear on their conversation.
“Did you hear Helen got a hundred-dollar tip last weekend at Frenchie’s Beauty Parlor?”
“What’d she have to do for that?”
“One of those out-of-town brides pitched a real hissy fit after Helen colored her hair. Said it wasn’t right and made her do it again. After she cooled off, Bridezilla felt bad enough about her poor behavior that she coughed up an extra hundred dollars.”
“Humph! I’d hope so. Helen does good work.”
“Yes, she does.” Effie, the town librarian, fluffed her own curls.
“Did you hear…”
Beck was almost sorry he couldn’t listen to the rest of it, but Darlene needed him more than he needed another dose of gossip. The always-impeccable woman looked frazzled. She had a mop and bucket in her back hallway and more than a few strands had escaped her French twist.
Darlene and her dogs were decked out in neon green today. She wore a neon-green sheath, Moonshine wore a vest in the same color, and Mint Julep sported a green knit sweater. Guess that was one of the perks of owning a shop that sold yarn and fabric; every time Ms. Darlene bought a new outfit, she whipped up matching ones for her Cairn Terriers.
“No customers?”
“Not right now, no. It’s been a busy morning and then the toilet overflowed—I’m sorry. I’m upset.”
“And you have every right to be. Tell you what. Why don’t you fix yourself a nice cup of herbal tea? Sit down for a couple minutes and take some deep breaths. Moonshine, Mint Julep, and I will take care of this mess.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Sure you can. Won’t take more than a couple minutes to unplug the commode. Since my mama taught me how to run a mop quite a few years ago, I’m pretty good at it. Go on now, and let us do our thing.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.”
She went to the back room to put on the teakettle, and Beck got out his plunger and snake and went to work. He smiled when he heard her walk past, then soft music wafted through the store.
Peeking around the corner, he saw she’d not only sat down but had pulled up a footstool and taken off her shoes. Way to go, Darlene.
Within twenty minutes, the plumbing in Quilty Pleasures was fixed and he’d mopped up the last of the flood. His tool belt slung over his shoulder, plunger and snake in hand, he stepped out front.
“Okay, Darlene, you’re good to go. Keep that bathroom door closed, so those dogs don’t clog up the toilet with any more of their toys.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks, Beck.”
“You’re more than welcome.” He chuckled. “Nice outfits today.”
“We like them, don’t we?” She reached out her hand and both dogs scurried toward her, nails clicking on the wooden floor.
Beck’s phone rang. “Better take this. Could be another damsel in distress for me to rescue.” He winked at Darlene.
She blushed. “Go on. Get out of here, you rascal.”
He stepped out of the yarn shop and closed the door behind him. “Hey, Kitty. How’s my favorite girl?”
Listening as he slid into his pickup, he checked the dashboard clock. What were a few more minutes? “Be right there.”
Five minutes later, he rolled up in front of Kitty’s Kakes and Bakery. When he recognized Mr. Calhoun’s T-bird, he groaned. Tansy had been driving it this morning.
Pig feathers!
He headed in. “Hey, Kitty. Darlene had a plumbing problem today, too. A pair of terriers were the culprits there. It’s your sink?”
“Yep. The one in the kitchen’s drippin’.”
“Let’s take a look.”
He smelled her even before he saw her, that unique all-woman smell that was Tansy’s alone. Her hips swayed in time to the Thomas Rhett song on the radio, and she sang along as she created magic with those delicate hands.
The cake in front of her was fun, covered in bright colors, with stripes and polka dots and a fancy fondant 16 perched on top. She’d corralled that wild mass of hair somehow into a stubby little tail. Tendrils escaped and curled at the nape of her neck.
A rolling pin in one hand, she wore a frilly little apron. She looked intense. Hot and sexy.
“‘Now, baby, don’t you look at me that way’,” she sang, fussing with the green fondant ribbon.
The air in the room changed, and she knew. Beck had walked in. Her head jerked up.
“What are you doin’ here?”
“Kitty called me.”
He crowded her, gave her no space. Instead of moving past, he stopped. His body touched hers, warmed her. Made her think all sorts of forbidden thoughts. A memory of them dancing in the dark out by the old Frog Pond rushed through her. Beck had turned on his truck radio and left the window down. He’d held her in his arms, and they’d swayed to the music beneath the light of a big, fat moon.
And there’d been roses. Wild roses. Their scent had added to the night’s magic.
Then they’d gone skinny-dipping.
“Tansy!”
“Huh? What?”
“Where’d you go?” Beck asked.
She swallowed. Oh, if he only knew. “I was, um, deciding what to do next with this cake.”
“You seemed a million miles away.”
Nope, she thought. Just a few years away.
Standing behind her, he peeked over her shoulder. “Looks damned good to me.”
His warm breath tickled her bare neck. Instant lust ripped through her, and she almost moaned. Instead, she placed both hands flat on the counter and forced herself to breathe. In, out, in, out.
“You smell good. Like sugar and spice and everything nice.”
She laughed. “Good line.”
“I thought so.”
Hot. The man was so damned hot. His body radiated heat.
“I’ll just slide past you here so I can check out that dripping faucet.”
“Dripping faucet?” She glanced toward the sink. Sure enough, water plopped in a slow, steady tune. “I didn’t notice that earlier.”
He set his hands at her waist and squeezed past. One crank on the handle, and the dripping stopped. Hands tucked in the pockets of his well-worn jeans, he turned to Kitty. “You didn’t turn it the whole way off.”
Kitty slapped herself upside the head. “Dumb as a dodo.”
Tansy’s gaze shifted from Kitty to him. Crafty as a fox is more like it, she thought.
“Let me get you a couple doughnuts, Beck.” Kitty hustled into the storefront. “Cup of coffee?”
“Beck, I had no idea she’d called you.”
“I know.” Without another word, he followed Kitty out.
She stared after him a moment, then immersed herself back in her work.
* * *
An eternity later, she was riding a high. Olivia’s sweet-sixteen cake was finished. She’d deliver it to Magnolia House tomorrow for the party. Although not decorated, the cakes for the upcoming weddings were both baked and in the freezer. It had been a good day.
And she’d be part of people’s memories.
She’d help make their special days special. Under her breath, she said, “I feel like a superhero! I did it!”
The high didn’t last long, though. Halfway home, the hours on her feet took their toll and she longed for a hot bath and bed. Exhausted, she turned onto her mother’s street and hit the brakes.
A familiar red truck sat in her mother’s drive.
Her stomach pitched. Not now. She’d already dealt with him not once, but twice today. And danged if she hadn’t forgotten her Wonder Woman bracelets at Kitty’s. She had no defense against Beck right now.
Please, God, she prayed, don’t let my mom have invited him to dinner out of some twisted hope the past would magically dissolve and everything would be as it was. So not going to happen. She and Beck had both moved on.
Okay, so she’d taken a step, heck, a bazillion steps backward since hitting the city limits, but she’d get it together.
Hands on the T-bird’s steering wheel, the heat from this afternoon returned as she thought of Beck. The man was…was…such a man! Why hadn’t he married? She felt guilt over that and, if she was totally honest, relief. And that was downright mean-hearted.
He deserved happiness. A wife and children.
And when that happened, more than a small piece of her would die. Even when she’d lived in another town, it would have hurt. But now? She’d be right here to watch his new life unfold, up close and personal.
Well, she’d deal with that when it happened. Right now, she could adjust her needs from a long hot bath to a quick shower and a change of clothes. She felt hot and grungy. If her mom had made plans for dinner guests, they’d have to be postponed another few minutes.
Purse slung over her shoulder, she marched up the sidewalk, flung open the front door, and stood just inside the living room, gaping like a fool. Gracie and Beck sat cross-legged on the floor playing paper dolls.
A rhinestone tiara perched crookedly on his head and a pink feather boa hung around his neck. Gracie wore a pirate hat.
He glanced up, a crooked grin on his face. “Cat got your tongue?”
She opened her mouth and simply closed it without a word.
“Like my new getup?”
Tansy frowned. “What are you doing?”
Gracie answered. “We’re playin’.”
“I see that, honey.” She smiled at her daughter, a smile that died when she met Beck’s gaze. “I’m wonderin’ why.”
“I stopped by to fix a lock on the garage’s man door, and your mom asked if I’d mind keeping an eye on Gracie while she ran dinner out to Ms. Hattie.”
“Why didn’t she tell me? I’d have arranged something else for Gracie.”
“Beck’s havin’ fun, aren’t you?”
“I sure am.”
“That’s not the point,” Tansy mumbled.
“Good ears,” Beck said, touching his. “I heard that.”
“I’m sure you did. How’s Ms. Hattie doing?”
“She’s getting old, Tansy.” Beck’s smile disappeared. “We’ve got her house in decent shape thanks to Jenni Beth, who realized how bad things had gotten. But Ms. Hattie’s pride won’t let us do much more—except for chasin’ the occasional squirrel out of the attic.”
“I loved going to the store when Ms. Hattie and her sister ran it.”
Beck laughed. “We’d all get ice cream or soda after swimming in the Frog Pond. You? You’d drink tomato juice.” He screwed up his face.
She shrugged. “What can I say? I love it.”
“And you love me, huh, Mama?”
“I do! I love you so much I could just eat you up for dinner.”
Gracie laughed, then crawled into Beck’s lap to stare into his eyes. “I like you, Beck.”
“I like you, too.”
She clapped her little hands on his cheeks and patted them. “You’re all scratchy.” She rubbed her fingers over his stubble.
“I am. Time for a shave.”
“I don’t have to shave, ’cause I’m a girl.”
“That’s exactly right.” He kissed the top of her head.
“So’s Mama.”
His blue eyes darkened as they found Tansy’s. “I’m all too aware of that.”
Breathless, she took a step back. “I’m, ah, going to get some water. I’m thirsty.”
“Just like your car, huh?” Gracie grinned. “I gave it some water just like you do, Mama.”
“What?”
“You put the big straw in it and give it a drink. Grandma gave me a bottle of water yesterday, and I shared it with your car.”
Tansy closed her eyes. The mystery of the water in her gas was solved. She’d have to let Tommy know so he didn’t worry about it.
Then she heard the chuckle, all male and, despite everything, so sexy. Still…
“Don’t you laugh.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s just—” He totally lost it, gave in to the laughter.
Gracie, unsure what was so funny, joined him.
“You’ve both lost your minds,” Tansy said. “If you hadn’t come along last night, I could have been in real trouble.”
“But I did, and you weren’t.” Beck swiped at his eyes, but still, a couple more chuckles escaped. “I really am sorry. It’s just—” He broke off, swallowing new laughter.
“You aren’t in the least bit sorry.”
“I am.” He pulled Gracie closer and hid his face in her hair.
“Gracie, Mama’s car doesn’t drink water,” Tansy began, ignoring the still out-of-control Beck. “I only give it a drink at gas stations. Water can make it sick.”
The little girl looked crestfallen. “Is our car sick?”
Beck raised innocent-looking eyes to Tansy, but mirth lurked not far below the surface.
Oh boy. “No, but it had a little bit of a tummy ache last night.”
She sent Beck a glare any mother or teacher would be proud of, daring him to start laughing again. “So we won’t give it any more water, okay? Let me take care of the car.”
“Okay, Mama.”
Lifting Gracie, Beck set her on her feet and rose agilely from the floor. “You hungry, Tansy?”
“Why?”
“My mom invited us to dinner.”
She put a finger to her lips. “Let me get this straight. My mom’s feeding Ms. Hattie, and your mom’s feeding us.”
“Yep.”
“Does she know? That you’re inviting Gracie and me?”
“Yes.”
She wanted to. She couldn’t. It would be too familiar. Too much like times long past. Her emotions were too raw, her body too tired to face this tonight. Even more important, she couldn’t let this man become essential. If Gracie got too attached and he left, she’d be devastated—so would her mama. “I’m sorry, Beck, I can’t.”
“I wanna go.” Gracie wrapped herself around Tansy’s leg.
“Sorry, sweetheart.” She rubbed her daughter’s back. “Mama’s too tired tonight.”
Beck gave her a long stare.
“Thanks for watching Gracie. You keep steppin’ up, don’t you?”
“That’s what friends do for each other.”
Friends. Could they simply be friends? She’d never felt this need to melt into a friend before, to be held by him. Right now, though, she had no words.
Beck kissed Gracie good-bye and left.
The door clicked shut behind him, and Tansy closed her eyes on the tears that sprung up.