Be with Me (Return to Haven 2)

Melanie had been married to a wealthy politician; no doubt she’d had a fancier home and lavish lifestyle. Tanner only had a cop’s salary. Not that he was poor. He didn’t really spend his money, so he had a hefty nest egg.

Still, what could he offer her long-term?

Raking a hand over his face, he started his engine. Not only were his emotions all over the place thinking where they’d be years from now, Tanner also had to consider the fact that she might not even want to be part of this town once her involvement in the airport was done.

As he drove home, he blinked against the burn in his eyes and vowed to make this all okay. He needed Melanie and the baby to feel secure and safe. Anything else would be failing on his part.

Chapter Seven

I love when the coffee kicks in and I realize what an adorable badass I’m going to be today.

—Mel’s Motivational Blog

“Officer Lansing will be by around seven.” Tanner held his cell and let his gaze travel around the doctor’s office parking lot. “He is new to the department and not from the area. He’s perfect to put in place.”

“And then what?” Cash asked.

Tanner kept his eye on his rearview mirrors, waiting for Melanie’s car. He was early, but he didn’t want to miss this first appointment. He’d rather wait for her. At least if she saw him when she arrived, she might just take a small step toward trusting him. Anything he could do to ease her worries, he would.

“We’re just setting so

meone in place to listen for chatter. Lansing is a young guy who lifts heavy. He’ll fit right in. You’ll want to be there to sign him up and make sure the appearances are all legit and real. The department is paying the gym fees, by the way.”

“I don’t care about the money,” Cash growled. “I want those guys out of my gym. The thought of drugs going through my business—”

“We’ll get them,” Tanner assured his cousin. No doubt Cash’s mind went immediately to his father, who had been in and out of rehab over the years. “But you’ll have to learn patience.”

Cash snorted. “You know that’s not my strong suit. My patience ran out the second time I caught my wife cheating on me.”

Tanner couldn’t believe Cash had stuck around long enough for there to be a second time, but that had been his business. Between Cash, Jax, and Tanner, the three of them had endured their own personal hell when it came to women. They just rarely spoke of that time in their lives. Tanner knew Cash was a hell of a loyal man and no doubt he’d wanted his marriage to work. Clearly his ex had had other plans.

A flash of an older model black car caught his eye as Melanie pulled in a few spots away. “Listen, man, I have to go. I’ll touch base later.”

“You sure as hell will,” Cash retorted. “I still haven’t heard how the hell you and Melanie . . . well, how you two are suddenly going to be parents. What were you thinking?”

“At the time, I was thinking of one thing. Isn’t that how this happens to everyone?”

“Smart-ass. You know what I meant. I’ll be at Taps later if you want to meet up,” Cash added. “First round is on me.”

Tanner shut off his truck and stepped out, pocketing his keys. “Just make sure you’re at the gym at seven to get things going for Lansing. I’ll text you about a beer later.”

As he disconnected the call and pocketed his phone, Tanner rounded his truck and met up with Melanie on the sidewalk.

She jerked around, clearly startled. “Oh, you’re here.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t be?”

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure.” A smile spread across her face and hit him square in the chest. “I’m glad you made it. I mean, this is awkward, but I want this baby to know both parents, and if you plan on supporting me along the way . . .”

“I do.” Tanner clenched his fists at his sides to prevent himself from doing something absurd like reaching for her. She was still learning to trust him and he had to remember that. “I told you I’m not going anywhere and I meant it.”

“Well.” She glanced toward the entrance to the doctor’s office. “Let’s go see what they have to say.”

Tanner held the door open for her and waited while she filled out all the paperwork. The waiting room was full of pregnant women, some accompanied by toddlers and men who he assumed were potential new fathers. The pictures on the walls were of silhouettes of women in various states of pregnancy. Magazines had bare bellies on the front or women holding newborns. Every single place he looked he was assaulted with the images of what his life was about to spiral into.

He couldn’t stop the assault on his mind of how excited he’d been once before. How the baby’s name had been chosen, the crib had been purchased.

Tanner closed his eyes for a moment and attempted to get his breathing under control. He just needed to relax. There was nothing to worry about. They didn’t have anything to go on in regards to problems. Melanie felt fine and no doubt the doctor would tell them shortly how healthy the baby was.