Eleven

Bri was back in her own apartment two days, and the pain was still unbearable. It had seeped beneath her skin, soaking her insides, drowning her in misery. She had given in to tears again when Tanner called her.

“Hi, Brianna. How are you? And how was your flight back home?”

The sound of his voice, low, intimate, even asking such innocuous questions, set her pulse thumping. “I’m fine and so was the flight,” she answered, telling herself to grow up, while trying to catch her breath. “How are you, Tanner?”

“Fine.”

Bri frowned at the handset. Was that all he had to say?

“That’s good,” she replied. What else could she say, anyway? Make an ass of herself by admitting she missed him so much she ached? What good could come of that? He’d told her a relationship between them wouldn’t work.

“How is Boyo?” she asked, knowing she should have thought of the dog at once.

“He’ll be fine. He’s still in the hospital, but they removed the bullet, so all he has to do now is heal. And here’s more good news. His pups were born yesterday morning. Seven of them.”

“Lucky number. I’d love to see them. Have you?”

“No, not yet.” He paused. “How is Dani?”

“Better. At least she unlocks her bedroom door and joins our parents for meals. But she doesn’t go out much, and never alone.”

“It’ll take time.” Again he paused, as if having run out of things to say.

“I know,” she said. “One good thing-she has agreed to get professional help.”

“That’s good.” He paused again. “Uh, besides wanting to know how you were doing, I called to tell you I’ve accepted another job.”

For a second, when he said job, hope flared that he was referring to a regular nine-to-five kind. She should have known better, she chided herself. “Another hunt.” It was not a question but a statement.

“Yes, this time in the city.” He went on before she could ask. “An embezzler suspected of having gone to ground in a rough section of L.A.”

“Do you know the city well?” Bri was already worrying, and he hadn’t even left yet.

“Not like I know the mountains,” he admitted, adding, “but I’ll find him.” There was not so much as a hint of false pride or bravado in his voice, just certainty.

“I know you will.” Brianna drew a deep breath. “Will you try not to get yourself hurt while you’re at it?”

He laughed. “I’ll work on it.”

She tried laughing with him, but she couldn’t push one past the tightness in her throat. She didn’t want him to hunt-at least not without her along to watch his back, and having hers caressed with wonderful building passion.

“Brianna?” Concern shaded his voice at her silence.

“Yes?”

“I thought you had hung up.” There was another tight, strained pause, as if he were now having trouble finding words. “I, er, I’d better hang up. I’m leaving tomorrow and I still have to pack.”

“Okay. Goodbye, Tanner. Stay safe.” She wanted to hold him close, keep him safe. Foolish woman.

“I’ll give it my best.” He hesitated, then said softly, “I miss you, Brianna.”

He disconnected before she could reply. It didn’t matter; she wasn’t sure she could speak, anyway, not without sobbing. She stood there holding the phone, unaware of the low buzz on the line or the tears rolling down her face.

Brianna.

Tanner stood stone-still, gripping the handset. He closed his eyes against the ache throbbing through him, the need, the emptiness. He had never felt anything like the longing he was feeling for her, her laughter, the teasing light in her eyes at times, like when she was doling out her precious dark chocolate.

Damn, he thought, being in love hurt so badly, throughout his entire body, his mind, his soul.

Sighing for what could never be, he cradled the handset, telling himself to stop mooning like a kid and get his ass in gear. He had a job to do. Yet, try as he did, Tanner couldn’t shake the thought that he’d miss having Brianna working right there beside him.

The following weeks were a drag for Bri. Spring and the final exams at the university came and went, along with the majority of the students. Although there were always summer students, a lot fewer than usual roamed the campus library.

Bri was bored and restless and hungry with a hollow appetite that had nothing to do with food. When not at work in the library, she worked hard at staying busy. She turned down every invitation to go out with both her women friends and several men. There was only one man who interested her, and he was off hunting a criminal, putting his life in danger. She worked real hard not to think about that.

She spent most of her free time at her parents’ house, with her sister. Though improved, Dani still kept close to home and was now dreading the day she would have to testify against Jay Minnich, who had been extradited from Colorado to Pennsylvania. And even though the man was behind bars and not likely to be going anywhere soon, Dani was still afraid to go out alone, if she went out at all.

The mild weather of spring melted into the hot days of summer. While attempting to keep Dani’s spirits up, Bri felt as if she were being eaten alive inside with worry over Tanner, who hadn’t called again. Was he safe? Was he deliberately not calling to indicate a final break-off of their-What?-friendship? Relationship?

She cried a lot and slept little in her bed each night. And it was in the middle of one of those weepy, sleepless nights when the phone rang, startling and scaring her.

Was something wrong with her parents? Dani? Before panic could set in, Bri grabbed the handset to stare at the lighted caller ID window. It was a cell phone number, one she didn’t recognize. She hesitated before answering in a cautious tone.

“Hello?”

“Brianna?” His voice was low, muffled.

“Tanner?” A full range of emotions, primarily relief, flooded through her. “Is that you?”

“Yes,” he murmured. “I’m sorry to wake you.”

“Oh, that doesn’t matter.” She didn’t tell him she never slept. “Where are you? Your voice sounds strange. Are you all right?”

“Yes, yes, don’t worry,” he whispered. “My voice sounds strange because I have my hand cupped around the phone so no one can hear me. I’m still in L.A., in a twenty-four-hour grungy, hole-in-the-wall diner.”

“What in the world are you doing there?” Even as the words poured out of her mouth, Bri knew it was a stupid question.

“I’m sure as hell not enjoying myself,” he muttered. “I’m working, remember?”

“Yes, of course,” she said. “Are you getting anywhere with your hunt?”

“Yeah, I’m practically on this crook’s ass,” he answered with soft satisfaction. “But that isn’t why I called. You’ll be receiving a delivery sometime tomorrow. Since it’s Saturday, I hope you’ll be home.”

“A delivery?” Bri frowned. “I’ll stay home until it arrives, but what is it?”

“I don’t have time to go into it now.” His voice was lower, rushed. “There’s a letter with it that will explain everything. I gotta go now.”

“Okay, goodbye.” She swallowed a need to protest. “Please take care.”

“Always.” His voice dropped to barely a whisper. “Goodbye, Brianna.” There came a pause, making her think he had disconnected, then with a sigh he said, “I miss you, Brianna. I love you.” A click. He was gone.

I love you.

Throughout what was left of the darkness, Bri held his words close, warming her heart, even as fear for his safety chilled every bone in her body. By first light she had made a decision. Like it or not-and Tanner very likely wouldn’t like it-she was going back to Durango, to him, to be his partner in everything.

Tanner claimed to love her, and she knew she was in love with him. So his work was dangerous. Bri knew she could deal with the danger so long as she was beside him, watching his back.

Rising with the summer sun, Bri began getting her things together, as many of her things that would fit in her car. She could send for the rest later. She decided she would keep the apartment for visits home. No, her home would be wherever Tanner was. She’d keep the place for visits to her parents and Dani.

By late morning her small living room was littered with suitcases, hunting gear and bags full of things she couldn’t fit into her cases. Gazing around her, Bri was wondering how she had ever collected so much stuff when the doorbell rang.

The delivery Tanner had told her to expect. In her flurry of activity, she had completely forgotten. She went to the door, opened it and stood, stunned, staring at the uniformed delivery man.

What in the…? Her thoughts scattered. In one hand he held the handle to an animal carrier. In the other a large shipping bag.

“Ms. Stewart?”

She nodded, numb with confusion. She could see something wriggling through the openings in the carrier. The deliveryman stepped inside, set both items on the floor and thrust a small clipboard at her.

“I’ll need your signature, ma’am.”

Bri signed on the line, managed a smile and a murmured “Thank you” and closed the door behind him.

Carefully she picked up the carrier, for the first time noticing an envelope taped to one side. She’d get to the letter later, Bri thought, but first she peeked into the opening and exhaled a soft, “Ooh. Hello, there, little one.”

The puppy inside gave a low whine, while the tail wagged in excitement. Though the dog didn’t look much like him, Bri knew it was one of Boyo’s litter, and it was adorable.

Setting the carrier back down on the floor, Bri tore the envelope from the side, ripped it open and began reading the letter from Tanner.

Brianna, this pup is not for you. I wrote this note before leaving for L.A. and gave it to Hawk, along with instructions. I’m sure you knew at once the pup is one of Boyo’s. She was the runt of the litter. I asked Hawk to take Boyo to see his puppies as soon as he was well and to pick out one of the pups. Hawk called to tell me he had done so, and Boyo had immediately singled out the little female runt. She has had her shots, but she doesn’t have a name. She is a gift for Dani-and her right to name. Inside the other package Dani will find food and supplies to get started. Also, there’s a booklet with information about the breed.

Tell Dani she doesn’t need to fear so long as the pup is with her. As you know, the pup will grow-not quite as tall as Boyo but tall enough. She will be loving, loyal and willing to give her own life for her mistress…as you know from experience. Love, Tanner

Tears were running down Bri’s cheeks by the time she finished his letter. Oh, how she loved this kind, compassionate, wonderful, sexy, beautiful and at times arrogant man.

Wiping her eyes with her fingers, Bri grabbed her purse, picked up the carrier and shipping bag and dashed out of the apartment.

Ten minutes later, she burst into her parents’ home. Her mother was coming down the stairs, surprise obvious in her expression. “Bri, what’s your hurry?”

“Dani,” she answered. “Where’s Dani?”

“Out by the pool, but-What do you have there?” she called after Bri as she headed for the sliding door leading to the patio and pool area.

“Come, come,” Bri called back, excitement singing on her voice. “Come see.”

At Bri’s hurried approach, Dani looked as puzzled as their mother. “Bri, what-” That was as far as she got.

“Look,” Bri said, holding the carrier out to her. “This is for you.”

“For me? But…Oh, my heavens! Bri, it’s a puppy.”

“I know.” Bri laughed. “It’s your puppy.” As Dani began fiddling with the latch on the door of the carrier, Bri quickly added, “Wait. Before you take her out, I have this for you.” She handed over the letter.

Dani began to read aloud. It wasn’t long before she was blinking against a sting of tears. It didn’t matter, because both Bri and their mother were also misty-eyed.

“Oh, Bri, what a thoughtful gift. Tanner sounds like a wonderful man.”

“He is…” Bri’s throat was so tight she could hardly get the words out. “Now you can take her out. And don’t forget-you must find a name for her.”

Dani carefully drew the dog from the carrier. “Oh, she’s beautiful!” She cradled the wiggly ball of fur close to her, laughing when the puppy tried to shower every inch of her face with kisses.

Laughing with sheer delight for the first time since her shattering ordeal, Dani looked up at Bri and their mother. “I don’t have to think about naming her,” she said, laughing and crying at the same time. “Just look at her. What else could I name her but Beauty.”

“Perfect.” Bri laughed. “Now hand her over and let me get some of those kisses.”

Bri stayed at her parents’ for dinner. Over an impeccable meal, with Dani at her side, she explained what she planned to do.