“We have different ideas on a relationship Marianne that’s why we never worked. I want kids, lots of them. So does Tammy. I want to live here.” He splayed his hand out. “With my family. You are a city girl—high society.”
Marianne reached into her purse and pulled out a tissue to wipe her eyes. “I understand.” She took a deep breath and looked at him. “I see the way you look at her. I just wanted it.”
“Maybe one day you will.”
They spent a few more minutes talking, and then Lance walked her to her car.
Colt was waiting for him in the house. He didn’t say anything but his eyebrows rose.
“She’s gone. Apparently she chartered a plane.”
“Like I said, you must be a great lay.”
Lance chuckled and shook his head.
***
It was a crazy shift. It was a good thing her apartment was only about five blocks from the hospital because her feet were killing her. She called Lance to let him know she was walking home. She was learning to consider another in her life and it wasn’t as hard as she thought it would be despite the argument.
“I’ll pick you up.”
“Lance, I can walk, you are being too protective. Besides, I had a killer shift and I need a hot bath. I don’t want to wait.” She could hear him sigh.
“Fine. I’ll meet you in about a half an hour, but do me a favor.”
“Anything.”
“Leave the door unlocked, slather up that body of yours and stay in the tub.”
She laughed. “I will tame that alpha male yet.”
He chuckled. “Yeah? You might just do that love.”
A thrill went through her.Love.“You’d better hurry Lance, I don’t like cold baths.”
“I’ll break a speed record, but I’m on my way.” He hung up.
She laughed and tucked her cellphone in her purse. She may have even had a bounce in her walk.
Lance took the steps to her apartment two at a time. He had an image of what she looked like all wet and in the tub and couldn’t wait to join her. He tried the door and it was locked. He knocked—hard. “Tam!”
No answer.
He called and pounded on the door. Then he pulled out his phone and called her apartment phone. He could hear it ringing. He even heard the answering machine. Maybe she got caught at work. He called her cell. It went to voicemail.
He hung up and went back down to the ranch truck. His phone rang.
Relieved he looked at the caller ID. It wasn’t Tammy, it was his brother Jake.
He answered, “Jacob?”
“I need you in Emerg now.”
“What—”
“It’s Tammy, she was hit by a vehicle tonight.”
“Are you fucking kidding? This isn’t funny Jake!”
