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“Breathe, baby. Just breathe.” Tanner steps toward me, his hand circling my waist and pulling me to him. I do as he says and take a big breath and look at my mom, who winks at me as she looks from me to Tanner and back again.
“I need a tea,” I murmur as he lets go of me and smiles.
“That’s my girl,” he says, and I grip on to him so I don’t swoon at his feet.My girl.No one has ever called me that before, but I like the idea of being his.
“Come, we have a pot on,” Mom says. “This place looks amazing, darling. You have done so well and so much already.”
Tanner walks me to the dining table, helping me sit as Lacy brings over some tea.
“I will leave you girls to it,” he says, kissing the top of my head before walking back outside with the sheriff.
“Well, I think that one is a keeper,” my mom murmurs as her lips hit her coffee cup. “These flowers you have here are beautiful, Victoria.”
I turn to look at my dining table, noticing what she’s talking about, and balk. Right in the middle is the largest bunch of pink peonies I have ever seen. My eyes widen in shock. They are beautiful.
“How…? I mean, where…” I stumble over my words.
“It seems like I wasn’t the only thing that man flew in for you. These are out of season. He must have arranged for them to be overnighted.” My mom squeezes my hand.
“Tanner will get you anything you need,” Lacy murmurs, and Jasmine sits silently, watching everyone. My heart thuds. I only mentioned my favorite flowers tohim the other night. My eyes are glassy again already as I look at my mom.
“I still can’t believe you are here,” I tell her as we all sit around the table, and I take a sip of my tea, feeling it warm me from the inside out.
“I can’t believe that happened last night.” My mom shakes her head and looks at me with concern. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. I feel much better today.”
“Well, the whole town is talking about it,” Jasmine says with a small smile on her face.
“Of course they are. Probably think I was speeding or had too much to drink,” I say, rolling my eyes as I take another sip of my tea, instantly feeling better.
“I don’t think so. The sheriff found something,” Jasmine says, looking at me seriously, her eyes flicking out the back door.
“My tox screen?” I ask, confused, staring at her, and I hear the back screen door open again as both Tanner and the sheriff walk back in.
“What’s going on?” I ask, looking at everyone, knowing that I am missing something.
My mom grabs my hand, giving it a stronger squeeze.
“We had a team look at the truck this morning,” the sheriff says, and my eyes flick from his to Tanner’s and the deep scowl he now has.
“And?” I ask. I have a feeling that whatever he is going to say will be big.
“You were right. The brakes did fail,” he says, and I take in a big breath and release it. I wasn’t sure if they would believe me or not, but I am glad to now haveproof. My shoulders relax immediately, feeling vindicated.
“So you believe me now?” I ask him, just to be sure.
“That’s not all, baby girl,” Tanner says cautiously, coming to stand next to me, and I look at him, confused.
“What else is there?”
“The brake cables weren’t torn from damage. They were cut. Cleanly,” he says, and my eyebrows rise.
“Cut?” I ask, wondering if I am understanding this correctly.
“Looks like someone tampered with your brakes on the truck. It was deliberate,” Tanner grits out, and I see his jaw pop, not happy. Nerves ripple through me.
“How? When? What?” I can’t find words. I am in shock.
