Wild Ride: Lance and Tammy (29 page)

Lance stood up concern etched in his handsome expression. “How is everyone?”

“Not good.  My mom is a mess.” She glanced at Vern.

“In case anyone needs to go home for rest.” Lance said answering her unspoken question.

“That’s sweet.” She bit her lip and took a shaky breath. “But I think this is going to be an all-nighter.  If Vern doesn’t mind, would he go get my sister?”

Lance glanced at Vern and nodded.  He left right away. “How are
you
holding up Tam?” he asked sincerely.

That was the first time someone asked her that. “I’m okay.”

“Just okay?”

“You should go home.  You’ve done so much.”

He dismissed that suggestion. “No.  How are you really?”

She nodded answering his question. “I’m in familiar surroundings—a hospital, so my mentality is to be professional.  I know that might seem weird, but it’s working for me.”

He rubbed her arms reassuringly. “I’ll stay here.  You know where I am if you need me.”

She did need him.  She needed him like she needed to breathe. Forty five minutes later her father died surrounded by his whole family. 

Her mother was inconsolable. Anne and Melanie held her at the moment while Royce moved Tammy out into the hall.  It was the early hours of the morning so the halls were quiet.  Lance was still there.

“Lance, take Tammy home—“

“No, I’m fine.”

“Tammy,” Royce interjected. “We’ll be fine. You’ve done more than enough.  Anne and I will take mother and Melanie home and stay with them.  We’ll need you to take the shift tomorrow while arrangements are being made.  You are the strongest out of all of us and we’ll need you.”

“That’s not true.”

He was weary, and doing his very best to keep it together. “It is true. Quit arguing.”

She saw Lance smirk out of the corner of her eye as if to say see-what-I-deal-with?

“Listen, mom’s doctor is going to meet us at home.  I’ll get him to give her something to help her sleep.  Anne and I are both exhausted and you can’t help us if you aren’t rested.  We need you to be there for her tomorrow.  We’ll do the rest.”

“All right Royce.”

He cupped her shoulders and kissed her forehead. “I’m so glad you’re here.”  With that he went back into the ICU.

“Come baby, we’ll go home.”

Her heart constricted over Lance’s soft spoken words.  She could only nod. She was exhausted and she suddenly felt chilly.  It was because she was so overtired.  She rubbed her arms. He immediately stripped off his suit jacket and put it over her shoulders. His warmth seeped into her like warm sunshine. Then, she felt his strong arms around her as he led her down the hall toward the elevator. The warmth from his body heat and his sensual masculine odor calmed her. Vern was already at the elevator pushing the button.

Once back at the penthouse, he led her to her old room, kissed her on the cheek and said goodnight.  Her heart fell. Of course she couldn’t expect him to let her sleep with him after she told him they were over, but she honestly didn’t want to be alone.  She stood at the end of the bed and stared at it.  It looked so big and empty.  Her suitcase was sitting on a small table next to the wall still packed.  When on earth did this get here?  Vern must’ve brought it when she was with her father. 

She was too tired for a shower even though she felt sticky.  She stripped off her clothes where she stood, and crawled into bed naked. Then she cried herself into an exhausted restless sleep.

***

“How is she sir,” Vern asked his boss walked into the great room straightening the cuffs on his immaculate dark navy pinstriped suit. He’d forgone the tie today and had the top few buttons of his shirt open.  He’d already worked out and had a shower.  He’d yet to eat breakfast.  Mavis was busy in the kitchen preparing it.

“She’s  tough. We’ll help her through this.” He lifted his arm and looked at his watch. “Give her another fifteen minutes.  Royce hasn’t called me yet.  I told him specifically to contact me first when they woke up.  I don’t think she slept well last night.” He walked toward the kitchen. “Mavis keep a plate warm.”

“Yes, Mr. Hartley.  Vern, did you want some eggs and sausage?”

“Just a coffee.” He watched his boss thoughtfully.

Lance took a seat as Mavis slid a plate in front of him.

“Is there anything I can do?” Vern asked.

“She’d appreciate the gesture, but no.”

Vern nodded and sipped his coffee. Something was bothering his boss beyond what had happened last night.  He was very preoccupied and that wasn’t like him no matter what tragedy had played out in his life.  Vern had been with him when his friend and family were murdered.  It was the only other time he could compare this mood to.

Lance finished his breakfast and checked his watch again.  Without a word he got up and left the room.

Vern and Mavis exchanged a concerned look.

Tammy had just finished combing her hair when she heard a knock at the door. “Come in.”

Lance opened the door. “Good morning.  How was your night?”

“Awful.” She said walking to one of the decorative chairs and picking up his suit jacket.

“Leave it Tammy.  Mavis will find it.”

“Oh.” She set it back down.  When she turned around he was right behind her.  He cupped her chin and traced a finger along one of the dark circles under her eyes. 

“You look abysmal.”

She sighed heavily. “I know.” He wasn’t being insulting.  She was on day two without any sleep.

“I should have stayed with you last night.”

“I shouldn’t have sent you away.”

He tilted his head studying her expression.  Her tone was heavy with emotion and he caught it. His eyes searched hers.  There was something more there.

“I meant—Lance, I’m so stupid.  I’m scared.”

“That’s all right,” he said softly.

“No I mean about us.  I got scared.”

He took a deep breath and released it slowly.  “I know.”

“This whole episode made me think.  I spent my life letting things go because I didn’t think I was worthy of anything.” She paused building courage.

“Sit down.” He took her hand and made her sit on the side of her bed.  Then he sat beside her giving her his full attention. “Go on.”

“I may just ruin everything, but I have to tell you something.” She swallowed heavily and looked down at her hands folded on her lap.  She could feel that familiar fear creep in.

“I’m listening,” he said quietly.  “Look at me Tam.”

She did.  God, did he have to
look
so good?  He smelled amazing, and if he didn’t sleep it certainly didn’t show on him.  She met his eyes and saw that she had his undivided attention.

“I’m in love with you.”  His mouth fell open. She surprised him but she’d said it and it was too late to take it back. “I was
always
in love with you.”

After a long agonizing pause and a steady look from those heavenly mocha eyes, he nodded. “Well, that does explain a lot.”

“You really couldn’t tell?” She lowered her eyes to her hands again. She felt his warm fingers on her jaw turning her to face him.

“No I couldn’t. You did say that you wouldn’t sleep with someone unless you were in love with them.  I should have figured it out then.” He smiled slightly. “Maybe I just thought I was that charming to convince you.”

She pursed her lips together and swallowed again.  Well, all he did was remove his tie that day and she was his—a simple piece of clothing made her swoon.  Yeah, he was charming all right, and sexy, and seductive, and provocative.

“I bet you think that I could never reciprocate.”

She shrugged. “Look at you.”  She said it dejectedly, like someone like her could never land someone like him.

He shook his head absorbing the compliment like he always did.  “Look at what?  My pretty face?”

She nodded. Pretty seemed too simple a word. He was mouthwatering—everywhere. “Not just that—everything about you is masculine perfection.  You’re like my narcotic.  Highly addictive.  You should be illegal.” He actually chuckled, but took the compliment in stride. Yes, he’d heard it before—many times.

“Everything about
you
is beautiful,” he countered evenly.

She felt her eyes water.

“You are the most passionate, kindest person I’ve ever met in my life.  It’s always about everyone else with you.  You put your needs last.  Tammy, you have a rare gift of compassion no matter what situation you’re in.  I watched you last night.  I
know
you loved your father, probably more than anyone there, and his loss was devastating to you. Yet, you spent all night making sure everyone was informed and taken care of, even your mother who was never kind to you, or your sister, who had stolen your fiancé.  Your willingness to forgive is unthinkable. There’s no way in hell someone like you can exist.  You are more beautiful to me now, tired and burnt out, then you’ve ever been.”

She was crying now.

He reached up and rubbed away her tears with his fingers.  “If anything, last night showed me what I’d lost.  Maybe I should have been more open about what I wanted, but I honestly didn’t know.  For the first time in my life I can say that.”

She hiccupped and he smiled.

“You deserve to be happy Tammy.” He shifted and took her hand. 

Then she felt him slip something back on her finger.  It was the ring she’d left by the sink of his bathroom.  Her eyes met his in stunned silence.

“I deserve to be happy too,” he added.

Her other hand covered her mouth and she sobbed.

“I also never gave you permission to take off the ring.”

Her sight became blurry with tears as she tried her best to see if he was serious.

“So, what do you say?”

She nodded, tears pouring down her face.

He embraced her tightly and kissed her ear.

“You love me?” she sobbed.

“Oh baby, I do.  I really do. I couldn’t possibly settle for anyone less genuine than you are.” he answered deeply.  Then he moved her back cupping her shoulders. “First, you need to understand a few things.”

She nodded too overwhelmed and choked up to speak.

“You know I like control—structure in my life.”

“Alpha male.” She softly repeated his words back to him.  He’d told her that when they first came to New York together.
Trust me Tam, I can see another alpha male a mile away

His eyes glittered. “Very.  Now, no more of these work schedules that you insist on.” She started to protest and he held up his hand. “Do you understand? I will not come second in your life, Tammy.  The only time that will happen is when our children are born.”

She smiled widely. 
Children!
What a wonderful feeling that caused.  All her protests were lost at the mention of children.

“Secondly, we will be making regular visits here so you can be with your family more often.  Family is important, and you will not be avoiding them anymore.”

“Okay Lance.”

“Third, I promise—” he swallowed hard. “I promise to make you happy Tam.”

She flew into his arms sobbing.

He held her tight lowering his face in her hair.  “Finally, and most importantly…honesty from now on.”

She nodded not able to produce words anymore.

He held her for a long time until the tears had stopped and she just dry heaved.

“This was probably not a good time to propose.”

She lifted away from him and shook her head rapidly. “Don’t you ever say that Lance.  This was the
best
time.  I was at one of the worst moments of my life where I thought nothing could make me happy again.  You are everything to me.”

He smiled, bent his head and kissed her.

“I’m all wet-faced.”

“I don’t care,” he murmured against her mouth. “I still think you’re beautiful.”

His phone buzzed. “Shit.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s probably Royce.” He pulled it out saw the number and nodded.  He answered it. His eyes went to Tammy. “We can be there under an hour.  “Really?  I’ll tell her.”  He hung up.

“How’s mom?”

“Your brother said she’s doing really well.  She is actually talking about making the funeral arrangements herself.  She got up early and called the lawyer, and the funeral home already.  Royce said she even had breakfast by the time he and Anne found her. That’s a good sign Tammy.”

“It is.  Apparently my mother is stronger than I’ve given her credit for.”

“Maybe you get that from her.”

Maybe she did.  She never thought about what characteristics she inherited.

“Your father’s humility and your mother’s strength.  The best of both of them.”

She smiled.  He may be right about that.  She just never thought of it that way.