Tacker (Arizona Vengeance 5)

Fuck. I should decline, but they’re too good. I reach out and nab a hot one, moving it from hand to hand as it cools.

I glance up at Pepper, noting the healthy color of her skin and the smile in her eyes as she watches me. “How are you feeling? Recovery going good?”

Her brow lifts in surprise, even though I’ve been engaging with all the women in constant conversation since I got here. I guess it’s still a bit shocking to them that I actually know how to talk.

“I’m doing really good,” she says, glancing at the engagement ring on her finger with a soft smile. Legend had given it to her in the hospital after she’d been shot by his ex-girlfriend. It scared the fuck out of him…the prospect of Pepper dying.

I remember that feeling all too well. That same sick, twisted pain deep in the pit of my stomach I’d felt after the crash when I had to sit there for hours and watch MJ die beside me.

A rush of panic hits me, the urge to lurch out of my chair and run for the door overwhelming.

Then Nora’s words filter in through the buzzing in my ears. “Take a deep breath, Tacker. Let it fill your lungs, expand your belly. Hold it for three… two… one… and let it out slowly.”

She’d done that hippie-dippie shit on me Thursday at the end of our session. Wanted to teach me a few meditation techniques, then had encouraged me to use it whenever I felt a negative emotion.

I suck in air through my nose, trying to be unobtrusive in what I’m doing, but the closing of my eyes probably gives it away. There’s total silence around me as I fill my lungs, my stomach… then hold the breath and let it out. I do it again, slowly as Nora urged, and then once more for good measure.

When I open my eyes, Brooke and Regan are at the sink, chatting away, but Pepper watches me with sympathy. My face flushes, but I hold her gaze.

Her hand comes to my shoulder, and she gives me a short squeeze. “I meditate, too. It really helps, especially if I wake up from a nightmare.”

“From when you were shot?” I ask.

She nods, adding in a matter-of-fact tone, “It also helps to practice throughout the day. Just a few times, whether you need it or not.”

“Okay,” I reply sort of dumbly. It’s hard to believe that in just a week, I’ve managed to reconnect with my teammates and my best friend, opened up in therapy in ways I never thought I would, and attended a girls’ only party to bake cookies, where I’ve gotten advice on how to meditate.

My world has turned fucking upside down.

A chime from my phone distracts me. I nab it from the counter, setting the cookie I’ve yet to eat back on the plate.

It’s a text from Dax. Have you been by the house yet? How’s Regan?

Suspicious now, I glance around the kitchen at the women, realizing this was a setup. Dax knew damn well this was going on, and he’d sent me right into the midst of this gaggle of female hormones.

I don’t hesitate, typing back quickly. She’s great. In fact, I convinced her to divorce you and marry me.

Not funny, dude, he replies.

Laughing, I tuck my phone away, not bothering to respond. My silence will irritate the shit out of him, which he deserves.CHAPTER 12NoraI’m waiting for Tacker by the paddock closest to the long driveway off the main road to the ranch. I want to work with Starlight today, so I’m planning to intercept him.

I’m surprised when he pulls in, driving what looks to be a sparkling new truck. He sees me and I wave, pointing for him to park alongside the paddock.

Tacker exits his truck and rounds the front to meet me. I’m pleased to see an easy smile on his face. He’s already such a different person in just a few short weeks. He has miles to go, but he’d absolutely made it over a major hump.

“You’re driving,” I note, nodding toward the truck.

He glances at it. “Yeah… my attorney advised me to plead to a careless and reckless. I have to take a substance abuse and safe-driving course, but I managed to get my driving privileges back.”

“That’s great,” I say, starting toward the paddock gate. Tacker follows. “We’re going to work out here today.”

“With a horse?” he asks, his tone not quite fearful but not happy either.

“No, with a two-headed pig,” I tease with a laugh.

“Strangely, I’d be more comfortable with that,” he mutters.

With perfect timing, Raul comes out of the barn, holding Starlight by her lead. She plods placidly along behind him. I open the gate, taking Starlight from Raul, who nods at Tacker in greeting.

“What are you up to today?” Tacker asks in greeting.