Brown Eyed Girl (36 page)

“
I do, and I don’t blame you one bit. I deserve everything you throw at me and I understand that I’ve got a lot to live up to next to your new in-laws. They must be wonderful people to have raised a son like Red.”

“
Vivi and Mr. Pete are wonderful. They’re like the parents I never had.”

She couldn’t help but smile when Red muttered a low
burn
comment from behind her.

Daniel groaned.
“I know I deserved that, both your mother and I do, but it’s still difficult to hear it. So, can we meet somewhere to talk in person?”
He suddenly sounded much older and completely exhausted.

Tiffany pulled away and paced the floor for several moments thinking about his request. Finally she spoke. “You can come over on Sunday.”

“
Sunday is fine. I could take you both to lunch.”

“
You can come as early as you want but be here no later than ten a.m. We’ll cook and eat here. The Saints will play at noon so you’re welcomed to stay and watch the game with us.”

“
I’m an early riser, so I can leave here by six thirty and be there by nine. Is that okay?”

“
That’s fine. Do you need the address?”

“
I’ve got it. Thank you, Tiffany, I won’t disappoint you.”

“
If you do, you won’t get another chance from me.” Her voice cracked slightly with emotion.

“
I won’t—I promise.”

“
We’ll see, Dad.” She ended the call and stood staring out the window into the darkness. She watched in the reflection of the window as her husband walked up behind her, felt his arms slip around her waist.

“
Are you okay?”

She nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Did he tell you he wasn’t aware he hadn’t paid for my tuition?”

“
That’s what he said. Apparently your parents haven’t communicated with each other for some time. Who was it that said if you didn’t go to law school, he wouldn’t pay?”

Unfortunately, Tiffany could recall the conversation, nearly word for word. God knows she’d replayed it enough times in her mind, holding down sometimes two jobs during college. “Mother told me. I never discussed anything with my father.” She turned to face him. “What else do you know about my father that I don’t?” she asked, still perturbed at him for going against her wishes.

He backed off, placing raising his hands as a barrier between them. “I’m not going to tell you a damn thing if you’re going to use it against me for the next fifty years.”

She took a step closer and poked her index finger into his chest several times to emphasize the severe repercussions of his actions. “If you don’t tell me now, McAllister, there won’t
be
a next fifty years.”

<><><>

Tiffany sat across from her husband, still shocked at all he’d revealed to her. “So my father is the one responsible for hiring Melinda?”

“
Yes, he and your paternal grandmother—and he dared your mother to fire her. He said she hated Melinda because of it.”

“
I knew she hated Melin, but mother hates everyone.”

Red reached out to her but pulled his hands back when she put her hand up to stop him. “I have a feeling there’s a lot you never knew,” he said, his voice tinged with disappointment.

“
Yeah, well whose fault is that? I don’t trust him to do the right thing. He might start off okay, but I doubt he’s got the stamina for the long haul.”

“
That may be, Doc, but you’ll never know unless you give him a chance.”

“
Maybe,” she said, watching him crack his knuckles nervously. “And you…Do you have any idea how I feel about you going behind my back to set this up?”

He wiped his mouth and sat back in his chair, looking dejected. “I do now, but I swear I was only trying to help the situation.”

“
You interfered, and you kept something from me, Red. I can’t have that.”

He nodded. “I know that now, and I can promise you it won’t happen again. You’re right, I should have run it by you first.”

She twisted her lips and squinted in concentration. What was she supposed to do now? She’d never heard Tanner admit he was wrong in the five years they’d dated, and longer than that, if she counted their childhood squabbles.

“
Doc…Forgive me…Please?” he asked, pulling her gently to him.

She saw sincerity in his eyes, knew he meant it…for now, anyway. Was there a chance he was a man who actually learned from his mistakes, or would he eventually revert to a Tanner? Her heart told her to let it go, that he was nothing like Tanner. But her mind…ah…her mind told her otherwise. She pulled out of his arms, determined to show him she wasn’t a pushover for his blue eyes, soft words, and hard body. “Don’t let it happen again, McAllister,” she said, turning away from him. “I’m going to the room to call Drake.”

“
Hey,” he said, grabbing one of her hands. “It won’t, but I want you to know how proud I was of you for standing up to your father like that.”

She paused, turning her head slightly toward him. “Tell me the truth, Red. Did I sound too bitchy with him?”

“
You sounded like you wouldn’t put up with any crap from him, and you shouldn’t have to.” He whistled and rubbed one side of his face. “Hell, I could even feel the sting of that slap again. I think he was very smart calling you first.”

“
I’m sure
you
had something to do with that.”

He squeezed her hand tightly. “Maybe—But I sure as hell am proud of you, Doc.”

<><><>

Tiffany threw herself on the massive bed and punched in the code for her brother’s mobile.

“
Hey Tiff,”
Drake answered.

“
Hey little brother. Dad is coming here Sunday to talk. I wondered if you wanted to come too.”

“
Aw, hell no. I’ve already had that talk with him, it’s your turn.”

“
When?”

“
This morning. It seems my new brother-in-law paid him a visit. After he left, dad came into my office and got all sentimental on me. He apologized for not being there for us then asked me if it was true about your college tuition. It blows my mind that he didn’t know about it. He asked if there was anything else that he needed to know before calling mother. He also asked if I thought you would be receptive to reconciliation.”

“
What did you tell him?”

“
That it was up to you. He asked mother for a divorce.”

“
He did?”

“
Yes, he told her he’d hurt enough people because of her and it was time he started living his life the way he should have been all these years.”

“
He told you this?”

“
No, she did. She called me to ask if I’d represent her.”

Tiffany’s jaw dropped in surprise. “You’re joking, right?”

Drake chuckled.
“I wish I were.”

“
What did you say?”

“
Hell no! I’m not getting caught in the middle of that shit storm.”

“
Good for you,” she snorted.

“
Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t, but she doesn’t need to know that. Tiff, did you know that dad’s had the same mistress for twenty-eight years?”

“
Really? Mother always implied he had a bevy of lovers.”

“
No, that was more her style than his all these years, it turns out. He’s been with Leah Hanson forever. He bought a nice home for the two of them out in the country. She breaks horses and trains them. They keep a few for themselves out there. It’s a nice little set up.”

“
Have you met her?”

“
Several times over the years, but I don’t know if she knew who I was. She’s nice, but always seems a little sad.”

“
Did they have any children together?”

“
No, I don’t think she could. I think he wants to marry her. I don’t know how he could stand being married to mother knowing how happy he was with Leah all those years.”

“
Everything revolved around money, Drake. He didn’t want to lose his precious business.”

“
Well, Sis, he started with nothing.”

“
So did I. I would have given it all up for Red if it stood in the way of us being together.”

“
And he knows he’s got a job ahead of him when it comes to you. Were you rough on him?”

“
Red told me I was.”

Drake’s booming laugh carried over the lines
. “Good, he’ll respect you more for it. I’m wrapping up a few cases and by the beginning of next week I should be able to start looking for two places in Lake Coburn, one to live in and one to operate a business out of.”

“
You can stay in my rent house—it’s mine until May. I wish you luck with everything, and I can’t wait to have you nearby.”

“
Thanks, Sis. Is Christmas still set for your house?”

“
As far as I know; are you still coming?”

“
You bet your ass I am. I guess you know what happened.”

“
Uh uh, I don’t know a damn thing,” she said, and smiled when she heard his deep chuckle.

“
Yeah, sure you don’t. I’ll talk to you later. Love you sis.”

Chapter 18

Sunday came too quickly for Tiffany. By the time she and Red returned from seven o’clock mass, her father was waiting in the driveway for them. Once Daniel and Red shook hands, Tiffany and her father shared several tension filled moments of silence. She barely managed to keep from flinching when he reached out to touch her shoulder length curls.

“
I haven’t seen your hair like this for years. You look just like you did in high school.” He smiled down at her and shook his head. “My God, I’d forgotten how much you resembled your grandmother.” At Tiffany’s frown, he began to explain further. “You look like
my
mom—not that deplorable woman who gave birth to your mother.”

“
She must have died before I was born, I’m sure I’ve never met her.” Her father’s laughter rang out, sounding unfamiliar—nearly alien to her ears.

“
Sure you did. She died when you were a little over a year old, but you two were very close during that time. I’ve got pictures of you together somewhere—if your mother didn’t destroy them. I’ll try to find some for you,” he said, as Red ushered them both inside.

Daniel’s smile broadened as he surveyed their surroundings. “This is a beautiful place you’ve got here. I’ve always loved log cabins.”

“
It’s comfortable,” Red told him.

“
I noticed the barns and stables earlier. No horses?”

“
No, the previous owner had quite a menagerie of animals. I only moved in here from Lafayette about a month ago. We had a horse when I was young that I rode mostly to work my uncle’s cattle, but we’ve already discussed buying a couple once we get the chance to breathe. We’re looking forward to riding together.”

Daniel nodded, smiling down at Tiffany. “From what I can remember, you handled yourself pretty good on the back of a horse.”

“
That’s right, both Drake and I rode,” Tiffany said. “We did anything we could to get out of that house every day for a while. To tell you the truth, I’m surprised you were even aware of that.” She made her way to the kitchen to start a fresh pot of coffee.

<>

Red passed his father in law a look of apprehension. “I hope you weren’t expecting to waltz in here to an easy fix. This could take some time, as well as commitment.”

“
I heard she wasn’t pleased that you called me.”

“
No, she wasn’t—and I’m
still
sensing a hint of reservation, like sometimes she wonders if she made a mistake in marrying me.” He nudged his father in law. “You’d better be serious about this, because I sure as hell don’t want to lose her over this.”

Daniel stared after his daughter. “If I wasn’t serious, I wouldn’t be here.” He shook his head. “She’s really lovely with her hair that way.”

“
She’s always been beautiful to me, but I have to admit, I love it like this.” Red watched his wife move comfortably around the kitchen until he heard Daniel clear his throat. He turned to him, surprised to see the older man wearing an unexpectedly tender expression.

“
Do you really love her, Red?”

He nodded. “I can’t imagine my life without her.”

Daniel’s face split in a wide grin. “That’s excellent,” he said, before returning his gaze to his daughter.

“
Do
you
love her, sir?” Red asked him.

“
I sure do.”

“
Then it shouldn’t be that difficult to find a way to show her. That’s all she’s ever wanted from the two of you.”

<>