Cripes, he thought. Did that have to keep surfacing? Wasn’t it enough that he’d already told Candy how his mom had felt? “You remember her saying that?”

“I remember her saying all sorts of things. She went on about the same stuff for years. But I didn’t mind. I liked that Mom trusted me enough to say what was on her mind. It made me feel more grown-up.”

Everyone was grown-up now, he thought, including him and Candy. Was he was wrong about the complication of being friends? If living in her house eased his mind, then wouldn’t having her as a friend do the same thing? Maybe his mom wasn’t so far off the mark about Candy being good for him.

And maybe he was grasping at straws, using his old girlfriend as the baby buffer. With Ivy’s impending arrival creeping up on him, he was obviously too confused to know what to think.

Meagan shifted in her seat, a breeze riffling her shirt and pulling it closer to her oversize bump.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

“Nothing.” He didn’t doubt that she was as scared as he was, maybe even more so. She was having a child that she was barely going to know. He reached across the table, encouraging her to take his hand. His jailbird sister and the little person in her womb.

* * *

Dana was right, Candy thought. Tanner was going to buy her house. He’d made an offer on the phone, and they’d discussed the price and the terms, and now he was coming over to bring a written copy of the agreement and a check for the deposit.

As much as she was going to miss her beloved home, she was happy about the sale. It gave her comfort to know that he and Ivy and Meagan would be the family associated with it.

Still, for her, starting over somewhere else was a daunting thought. But, she reminded herself, she would be staying with Dana and Eric for as long as she needed their help, and their generosity was a godsend, a much-needed opportunity to get her finances in order before she ventured back out on her own.

When the doorbell rang, signaling Tanner’s arrival, she calmly answered it. This time, she wasn’t going to overreact to her attraction to him.

He was dressed in street clothes instead of riding gear, but that didn’t detract from his appeal. Those slate-gray eyes bore straight into hers, giving her a sexy shiver.

So much for not overreacting.

Was she affecting him in a sexy way, too? Even though her appearance was something she downplayed, she wanted him to notice her. A double-edged sword, she thought, as he entered the house and made her heart go bump. Her newfound libido was getting in the way.

But there were other factors involved, too, like the way her ex used to react to her. Vince was a photographer, and he was always critiquing the angles of her face or the lines of her body. Her mom was notorious for that, too. But not Tanner. He’d never told her how to look or act or feel. Mostly, he’d just smiled his approval.

Like now.

Her heart bumped again, and she offered him a seat at the dining room table. He gave her that body-warming smile, and she noticed that he had a manila envelope in his hand.

“Where’s Yogi?” he asked.

“She’s on a playdate with a friend.”

His smile shifted to a sideways grin. “Your pet lives a cool life.”

She warned herself to get down to business. Either that or make Tanner her pet, too. “Before I look over the paperwork, can I get you anything? Coffee, tea, water, juice?”

“Coffee sounds good. I take it black.”

She headed to the kitchen and brewed a single cup for him and tea for herself. She decided to put some muffins on a platter, too, arranging them just so.

Candy enjoyed being a hostess. One of the things she would miss most about her house was the parties she used to have here, particularly the outdoor gatherings. She’d designed her yard for entertaining guests, creating a homey atmosphere. She hoped Tanner would make good use of it, too.

She brought everything to the table. He thanked her for the coffee and took a sip.

She sat next to him. “Would you like a muffin? They’re orange spice and oatmeal. I baked them last night. They’re made from whole-grain flour.” She’d also put applesauce in the batter to keep them moist. “It’s a healthy recipe.”

“Sure. I’ll try one. So you’re the natural-food type? I remember when you used to eat french fries and drink milk shakes.”

“I still indulge in junk food now and then, but mostly I try to eat healthy. I’m a vegetarian now.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. You never liked burgers. You used to wince when I ordered mine rare.”

She winced accordingly, and he smiled once again. Mercy, she thought. A young, handsome, wealthy bachelor, soon to have an infant in tow. He’d been right about being a chick magnet. Even his fear of raising the baby would probably work in his favor. She didn’t doubt that women would be clamoring to come to his emotional rescue.

Was Candy turning into one of those women?

To keep herself from making goo-goo eyes at him—something he’d accused her of doing the last time he was here—she reached for the envelope he’d left on the table.

She opened it, and he bit into a muffin. He drank more of his coffee, too.

After she read the four-page purchase agreement, Tanner handed her the check for the deposit, and they both signed the paperwork. Everything they’d discussed was in there.

She said, “I’ll open an escrow account first thing in the morning.” It was too late to do it today. But once it was done, the escrow office would handle the rest of it, representing and protecting both parties involved. Candy had been through this before, only last time she’d been the buyer. Still, she understood the process.

He finished the muffin. “This is really good, by the way.”

“Thanks.” She was glad that he was enjoying the snack she’d made.

He reached for another muffin and broke it in half, dropping crumbs onto his napkin. “I saw Meagan this weekend, and she helped me decide between this place and another one. I described your guesthouse to her, but I also told her that I could see Ivy running around in your yard. It was a nice image for both of us.”

It warmed her soul to hear it. So much so, she wanted to lift her hand to his jaw and feel the masculine warmth of his skin. But she didn’t, of course.

Keeping things light, she said, “I wonder if Ivy will look like Meagan. She was such a cute kid.”

“She remembers you, how gorgeous she thought you were and how much she wanted to be like you. She even mentioned that there are some pictures of you and me in an old photo album. From what she said about them, I’m guessing they’re from my junior prom.”

Suddenly Candy felt seventeen again, or as close to it as a thirty-four-year-old could get. “That was a fun night.” Happy and starry and romantic.

“From what I can remember, your dress was red and the front of it was...” He made a curved motion.

She was surprised that he recalled something so specific. But she had a vivid recollection of it, too. “That was the first time I didn’t mind wearing a ball gown.” Because she hadn’t been gliding across a stage, being judged for her poise and grace. “It had a sweetheart neckline. That’s a popular design.”

“It looked spectacular on you. It revealed just enough cleavage to drive a poor boy like me wild. I think my tongue was lolling out of my mouth. When I wasn’t sticking it down your throat.”

Feeling far too free, she laughed. “The perils of youth.”

He laughed, too. “I called you Red Hots that night, after those spicy little red candies.”

“I was always some sort of candy to you.”

“The perils of your name.”

She smiled. “So it seems.”

“You really did look hot in that sweetheart dress.”

“It was certainly our fanciest date.” She hadn’t taken him to her junior prom because she’d had a pageant the same day, and those competitions had always come first. She hadn’t gone to her senior one for the very same reason. But by then, she and Tanner had broken up. Curious, she asked, “What was your other prom like?”

“What other prom?”

“Your senior one. Did you go? Was it everything it was supposed to be?”

“It was okay, I guess. I took a girl who was the party type, but that’s what I was into by then. Mostly we got drunk and passed out in the hotel room all of us had rented.”

“All of you?”

“The group I went with. It wasn’t a lone date, like yours and mine. And if it’s any consolation, I had a horrible hangover the next day. Oh, and I got cussed out by my dad. I don’t remember what it was about. I just remember him yelling at me over the phone.”

Candy barely knew Tanner’s father. He’d traveled for work and was hardly ever home. But when he was there, she’d noticed how the family had to jump to his tune. Obviously, it had only gotten worse after the divorce. “You’re going to be better with Ivy than he was with any of you.”

“I’m sure as hell going to try. Maybe I can get some pointers from Eric. He’ll understand the father/uncle thing. It’s probably the same in his tribe.”

“When do you plan to talk to him?”

“I don’t know. But I’d like to meet Dana, too.”

She had a brainstorm. “I can arrange for the four of us to get together. Maybe I can have a barbecue here next Sunday, if everyone is available. They can bring Jude, their son, so you can get used to being around a baby. Or a toddler, in his case. He’s around fifteen months. But he’s still within the age range that Ivy will be while she’ll be under your care.”

“That sounds great. I agree that it might take a little pressure off me to be around their son. I don’t know anyone else who has a baby.”

“I’ll call them tonight, and if they can come, then I’ll text you and let you know what time to be here on Sunday.”

“Sounds like a plan. I can bring some steaks for us meat eaters to toss on the grill, if that’s okay.”

“Dana and Eric are both meat eaters, so I was going to provide something for the carnivores, but if you want to do it, I don’t mind. I’ll make plenty of salads and side dishes.” She paused to think about what was in store for her. “If this barbecue happens, it’ll be my last hurrah.” Her final party at the house. “As soon as it’s over, I’ll have to start packing and putting things in storage. That thirty-day escrow is going to smack me upside the head if I’m not ready for it.”

“And that baby is going to knock me upside mine if I’m not ready for her.” He stood up, ending the visit. “Hopefully I’ll see all of you on Sunday.”

Candy came to her feet, as well. “I hope so, too.” She wanted to say goodbye to her house in a festive way, but she also wanted to make things easier for Tanner, giving him and Ivy a chance to flourish here.

Chapter Four

On the day of the barbecue, Tanner went to the market and picked up three porterhouse steaks. While he was at the store, he considered a hostess gift for Candy.

Maybe an assortment of candy in honor of his old nicknames for her? No, that wouldn’t do. She was too much of a healthy eater now. Besides, he didn’t want to make this about the past.

A bottle of wine? He shook his head. She might not even be serving alcohol at this get-together.

A bouquet of flowers? That didn’t seem right, either. She could pick flowers from her yard and put them in a vase if she wanted to. How about a potted plant, instead? Once again, he nixed it. A plant would be in the way while she was in transition from the move.

Finally it hit him: seeds. She could plant them when she was resettled and ready to start a new garden. Flowers, fruits, herbs, whatever he could find.

Pleased with the idea, he paid for the steaks, then checked his phone and located a nursery. Luckily, it was only a few blocks away.

He drove there, parked his truck and went into the main building, where he found an impressive display of seed packets. He selected them at random, hoping to get a nice variety.

He looked around and noticed a gift bag, already equipped with a bow, so he grabbed that, as well. Once he paid for everything, he put the seeds in the bag, ready to see Candy.

On his way to her house, he wondered if they were becoming friends, if this was the start of something new and fresh. And if it was, how would it affect the heat between them? Would their attraction get in the way? Or would they be able to rein it in?

By the time he turned onto her street and parked his truck, he was as confused as ever, unsure of what to expect when he was around her. But he wasn’t going to let it bog down his brain. Part of the reason she’d arranged the barbecue was to help him get comfortable in an environment where a baby was involved, and he was determined to do that.

He didn’t see Eric’s, car so he assumed that he and Dana weren’t here yet. There were quite a few other vehicles parked on the street, though. This was the type of neighborhood with lots of activity, especially on weekends.

After exiting his truck, he gathered his purchases, climbed the porch steps and noticed that the front door was open. Was that an invitation to enter without ringing the bell?

Splitting the difference, he knocked on the door frame, then poked his head in and called out, “It’s Tanner.”

No one replied. But maybe Candy was in the backyard, setting things up.

He stepped inside and Yogi came around the corner and flashed her big brown eyes. An untrained dog would have run out the door and down the street. This one obviously knew her boundaries.

“Hey, girl,” he said. “Where’s your mistress?”

She turned and looked in the direction of the kitchen.

Impressed, Tanner patted her head. It was like talking to Lassie. “Thanks. I’ll go on in there and give her the steaks I brought.” Yogi sniffed the market bag, and Tanner smiled. “I’ll give you some of mine after it’s cooked, if you’re allowed table scraps.”

On his way to the kitchen, he put the gift bag on the dining room table. He would give it to Candy in a little while, rather than hand it to her right away.

Upon entering the kitchen, he saw her at the counter, shucking corn. The butcher-block island was filled with food she’d already fixed: a relish platter, potato salad, diced fruit, cheese and crackers, chips, dips.

She was facing the window with her back to him. She was also listening to a music device that was clipped to her clothes and plugged into her ears.

She danced while she worked. A soft sway of her hips. The song must have been light and easy. He could have watched her all day. She was wearing a fitted top, khaki shorts and sandals. The bareness of her legs left him wanting more.

More skin. More of everything.

Guilty, he glanced around for the dog. Sure enough, Yogi was observing him while he admired Candy. Tanner made a sheepish expression. It was bad enough that he couldn’t control his attraction to her, let alone getting caught by a Labrador.

“Go tell her I’m here,” he said, making a motion he had no doubt the dog would understand.

Yogi did exactly what he asked and went over to Candy and nudged her leg.

Candy turned and spotted him, removing the buds from her ears. “Oh, my goodness. How long have you been there?”

“Not long.” Tanner tried to behave as if he hadn’t been ogling her. Thank goodness the dog couldn’t talk. “The door was open. I assumed it was okay.”

“It’s totally okay. But I lost track of time.” She glanced at the microwave clock.

He glanced at the clock, too. It was 2:11. The invitation was for two. “When do you think Eric and Dana are going to get here?”

She dusted the corn silk from her fingers. “They called a while ago and said they were going to be late. They wanted to be sure that Jude got his nap before they brought him over. Otherwise he gets more hyper than he already is.”

Jude was the kid who was supposed to make the baby thing easier, but he was starting to sound like a holy terror.

“He’s always into something,” Candy continued. “Perpetual motion, like his mother. But you’re going to adore him. Everyone does.”

Tanner decided he would just have to wait and see. He held up the market bag. “I brought the steaks. I promised Yogi a few bites of mine if she’s allowed.”

“She is, and I’m sure she’ll be eternally grateful. She doesn’t understand my tofu ways.”

“Can’t say as I blame her.” He looked at Yogi. She was dividing her gaze between him and Candy, watching them like a tennis match. He lifted the steaks a little higher. “Is it all right if I put these in the fridge?”

“Oh, here, let me do it.” She came forward and reached for the bag. “Where are my manners, just leaving you standing there like that?”

He didn’t mind standing there, as long she was nearby. He gestured to the center island. “Everything looks great.”

“Thanks. Making party food is fun.” She put away the steaks. “If you’re hungry, you can snack while we’re waiting for Eric and Dana.”

“That’s okay. I can wait.” The chips and dip were tempting, though. He was a sucker for guacamole, the spicier the better, and he suspected hers would have a nice little kick.

Still at the fridge, she asked, “How about some lemonade? It’s freshly squeezed.”

“Courtesy of the tree in the yard? I have no idea what I’m going to do with all of those lemons after I move in. Maybe I’ll bag them up and bring them to you.”

She poured him a glass. “I’d be glad to take them. I have a slew of recipes that involve lemons.”

He accepted the drink. “I don’t do much cooking. I plan to rely on the nanny for that. But I guess I’ll have to learn to fix a few meals when Ivy is old enough to eat solid food.” He shrugged, smiled. “To keep her from starving on the nanny’s days off.”

She smiled, too. “It’s easy to cook for little kids.”

“Unless Ivy turns out to be a picky eater.”

“Is Meagan a picky eater?”

“My sister is a picky everything. No, wait, strike that. She has no discretion when it comes to men.” Rather than get worked up about the baby’s deadbeat dad, he abruptly said, “I brought you a little something.”

“You did?”

“I left it on the dining table. I’ll go get it.”

He grabbed the gift bag, came back and handed it to her.

“This is lovely,” she said, looking at the bag.

“It came like that.” A floral design, topped with a curlicue bow. “I can’t take credit for it.”

She opened the bag and uncovered the seed packages. “Oh, Tanner, these are perfect. Thank you.”

“I figured you could plant them when the time felt right. I imagine you’ll want to have a garden at the next place you live.”

“I definitely will. Eric and Dana have a garden in their backyard that was inspired by mine. I can enjoy theirs while I’m staying with them, but I can’t stay there forever. I’ll need to create new roots for myself.” She sorted through the seeds. “I wonder what these combinations mean.”

“Mean?”

“Just about every plant or flower has a meaning. It’s called floriography. In the Victorian era, people used to communicate through the bouquets they exchanged. They used flower-language dictionaries to help them decipher the codes. I just started learning about it, and I’ve been thinking about planting my next garden that way, by grouping specific plants and flowers together to create messages.”

“That sounds fascinating. I like that idea.”

“Not all of the dictionaries were the same. Some flowers had several different meanings, depending on what dictionary was being used.”

“That could get confusing.”

“I suspect that some of the messages were deciphered incorrectly.” She studied the seed packages again. “I have a book about floriography. Should I look these up?”

“Sure.” Why not? He couldn’t begin to guess what sort of code would be unmasked. “I chose them randomly, so who knows what will surface?”

“The book is over there.” She headed for the antique cart in the corner. “I think it’s on the bottom shelf.” She bent down and scanned a grouping of books. “Here it is.”

Before she got started, he asked, “Will you look up the ivy plant and see if it’s in there?” He couldn’t help but wonder about the name Meagan had picked for her daughter.

Candy went straight to a glossary in the back. “Let’s see. Oh, here we go. Ivy. The first sentiment is ‘wedded love.’ But it also means ‘friendship.’”

He made a face. “Talk about a contradiction in terms. A man sends a woman a wreath of ivy because he regards her as a friend, and she assumes that he wants to marry her.”

She laughed a little. “That would be a disaster. But I prefer ‘wedded love.’ Most women would, I suppose.”

Most marriage-minded women, he thought, and apparently some divorced ones, too. He was already curious about her failed marriage, and now it was driven even deeper into his mind. But why wouldn’t it be, especially after the importance she’d placed all those years ago on being some future guy’s wife?

She shook the seed packet of a flowering shrub and said, “Let’s see what this means.” After checking the glossary, she pursed her lips. “It says, ‘I am dangerous.’”

“Is that supposed to apply to you or to me?”

“To you. The person giving the plant.” She searched his gaze, her eyes locking onto his. “So, are you, Tanner?”

Dangerous? A man capable of creating peril? How was he supposed to respond to something like that? “I guess it depends on how you define it.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t try to figure it out. Maybe it’s better to just take it at face value.”

And assume that he was? “What do the rest of the seeds mean?” Mundane things, he hoped. He didn’t like feeling that his character was on the line.

She went back to the book. “The next one is ‘protection from danger.’” Her voice turned light. “Oh, my goodness, how funny is that?”

Oddly funny. But he was grateful for the reprieve. “First I tell you I’m dangerous, then I offer you protection from danger. I’m quite a guy.”

“You certainly have a way with floriography.”

“So it seems.”

“Should I keep going?” she asked.

“You might as well.” He was too curious to stop now.

Again, she consulted the book. “Now you’re asking me to dance.”

“I am?”

“Yes. It says, ‘Will you dance with me?’”

“I saw you dancing by yourself earlier.”

Her cheeks flushed. “That was embarrassing.”

“I thought you looked cute. And there’s no need to be embarrassed around me. I’ve seen you dance by yourself before.”

She gave him a pointed look. “Performing on stage is different from assuming that you’re alone in your kitchen.”

He shrugged, trying to get himself off the hook. “As long as we’re talking dances, do you remember what kind of flowers that were on the corsage I gave you when I took you to the prom?”

“Yes, I remember. A girl doesn’t forget the first time a boy gives her a corsage.” She glanced at her wrist, as if the ornament was still there. “It was a white carnation with baby’s breath.”

“And what do those mean?”

She checked the glossary. “White carnations symbolize innocence.” After a slight pause, she added, “That’s what baby’s breath means, too.”

“Go figure. A dangerous boy and an innocent girl.” He was beginning to enjoy these messages, to see them in a whole new way. “Maybe there is something to this flower-language stuff.”

She closed the book with a soft whoosh, fluttering its pages. “You’re only saying that because I got stuck with the innocent mantle.”

“Would you rather have a wild mantle?” He waggled his eyebrows. “Just tell me what flower symbolizes a wanton woman, and I’ll give you one of those the next time I take you dancing.”

“You aren’t taking me anywhere, smarty.”

“According to the floriography, I already asked you to dance.” He bowed like a gentleman caller who was going to waltz her around the kitchen.

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