“What, exactly, are you worried about, Kennedy?” Tanny asks, setting her mug down and taking my free hand in both of hers.
“Oh, Tanny. I’m worried about me. I buried that poor girl who we all knew a long, long time ago, but…”
“But what? If you buried her, then there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”
“I wouldn’t think so if I just didn’t feel so…so…”
“So what?”
“So drawn to him. God, it’s like no amount of hate can kill what he does to me. What he’s always done to me. But I know I can’t trust him. He is a man, after all. Even if he makes me feel like no man ever has.”
A look of sadness comes across Tanny’s face. “Despite everything you’ve been through, despite all the reasons you have for feeling the way that you do, you can’t go through life thinking you’ll never find a man you can trust.”
“It wouldn’t be the end of the world.” I try to keep my expression as unaffected as possible. But, like always, Tanny sees right through it.
She reaches over to squeeze my fingers. “But it’s in all of us to want to find someone to share our lives with, to find someone to trust and love. Maybe you more than most.”
“The girl in me used to think so, but now…”
“Maybe this will be good for you, Kennedy. Maybe you need to get some closure. For that girl you buried. And for the woman who took her place. You didn’t become your strong self by hiding from adversity. You got this way by facing it. By overcoming. Don’t let the past color your future. You’re too smart to let that happen.”
All my waffling seems silly now. “You’re so right, Tanny.” Impulsively, I lean over and hug her slight frame to mine. “He’s just a man. One man who I used to know. He has no control over me unless I give it to him. I have nothing to fear. He’s simply bringing me one step closer to my dream. That’s all.”
“One step closer to your dream,” Tanny repeats, patting my cheek reassuringly. The funny thing is, I get the feeling that she’s speaking about much more than just my dancing.
CHAPTER NINE - Reese
I head to Bellano a few minutes before the reading of the will. As I’m pulling into my old spot beside the garage, I see the flash of a familiar chestnut head ducking into the woods to my right.
Kennedy. She’s been on my mind so much for the last thirty-six hours; I’d recognize that head anywhere now.
I’m curious as to why she was here, but I’m also ten times more distracted than I was to begin with. Knowing she’s in the forest right now…so near the place where I took her virginity all those years ago…all alone in the privacy of the trees… God, it makes me throb—the desire to taste how time has matured and sweetened that delectable body of hers.
Damn.
With a muffled growl, I get out of the car and head around to the kitchen entrance. I glance up at the window as I approach the steps. Force of habit. But this time Tanny is standing there, like she used to be, smiling at me as I ascend the stairs.
If I had to guess, I’d say she’s still in the kitchen after having talked to Kennedy.
“Good morning, handsome boy.” Tanny greets me with a smile, a kiss to the cheek and a cup of coffee as I walk through the door.
“Good morning,” I reply, returning her gesture. The smell of garden flowers drifts up to tickle my nose and remind me of all the happy childhood memories I have with Tanny. When I lean back to look down at her, her blue eyes are shining brightly. Happily. She looks more like herself—younger, attractive, loving. Maybe the worst of Malcolm’s death has passed. “You’re looking well.”
She smiles, glancing down at her crisp white blouse and navy blue slacks, and brushing away an imaginary piece of lint. “Why, thank you. I’ve been called in for the reading of the will as well, and I…I…”
I curl my fingers around her thin upper arms. “It’ll be fine, Tanny. I promise.” Her smile is only a little sad today.
“I know it will, my sweet. One way or the other.”
I take a sip of my coffee. “So, have you had company this morning?”
“As a matter of fact I have,” she confirms. “And now I get some more. My two favorite people, two days in a row. I couldn’t be happier.”
“Yes, I thought I saw Kennedy leaving. What did she want?”
Tanny laughs. “She was just visiting. Is that allowed, Mr. Nosey?”
I smile, wanting to press her for information, but knowing I’d better not. Tanny is the type of person that needs a soft approach. To be such a sweet and loving woman, she can be quite stubborn when she decides she doesn’t want to do something. Despite her appearance, she’s a tough woman, so I can’t come at her straight on. “I’m sorry. Of course it is. I haven’t kept up with Kennedy much in the last several years, so I was just curious. That’s all.”
“She’s been doing just fine. Couldn’t be prouder of the young woman she’s become. She went through pure hell, but she didn’t let it break her. She’s made of stronger stuff than what it looks like.”
“Pure hell? What’s that all about?” That piques my curiosity even more.
Tanny begins to shake her head. “Those aren’t my stories to tell. If you really want to know, you’ll have to ask her yourself. Even then, I’m not sure she’d want you to know. That’s for her to decide.”
Now I really want to press her, but I know it won’t do me any good. Tanny has a fierce sense of loyalty. Normally, that extends to me, but it also extends to Kennedy. I know this from years gone by. So, between the two of us, she’ll betray neither one.
Damn.
“Well, I’m sure I’ll find a chance. She’ll be working for me on one of my cruises.”
“She will, will she?” Tanny asks with a sly grin.
I falter for a split second. “Yes. Or did she tell you something different?”
Tanny’s grin melts into a kind smile. “No, she didn’t tell me any different. I just don’t think you should make too many assumptions or take too many things for granted with her. She’s not the same girl you knew all those years ago, Harrison.”
“She’s an adult, Tanny. I’m sure she is perfectly capable of making decisions for herself. And dealing with the consequences.”