Page 29 of Wanting You

“Maybe he’s not such an icky jerk,” Ashlynn whispered before walking over to join everyone.

Tanner knew he could have left when Chloe and her family went in the elevator, but he felt like maybe they wouldn’t mind if he stayed. Right now, they might not think they need anything, but wouldn’t it be great if they didn’t have to do anything for themselves right now? So he went and scouted out the cafeteria and decided the selection wasn’t great before going out to his car and finding the nearest coffee shop and buying a variety of things to tide the Donovans over for a little while. He grabbed bottles of water, coffees, and an assortment of cookies, cakes, and chips.

He knew they wouldn’t be as good as what they had at Books & Beans, but he figured it would be okay.

When he stepped off the elevator a few minutes ago, everyone had been in the waiting area except for Chloe. Ashlynn had introduced him to everyone before heading down to her mother’s room, and after thanking him, they had all settled into some casual conversation about his move to Sweetbriar Ridge. He was telling them about his house when he spotted Chloe coming down the hall looking utterly devastated, and he had the strangest urge to just walk over and wrap her in his arms. Of course, her twin was comforting her and then the rest of her family, so Tanner simply stood back and tried not to be too intrusive.

It was mildly fascinating watching them. Everyone took turns hugging Chloe—including her future brother-in-law, Reid—and then her brother was the one to put his arm around her and lead her back to the waiting area. She gave him a weak smile and accepted the bottle of water he offered to her.

“I have coffee too, if you’d prefer,” he lamely offered, but she simply shook her head. Then he sort of stood back and tried to stay out of everyone’s way, even as he listened to what was going on.

Apparently, their mother was put into a medically induced coma because of some swelling in her brain. Part of him wanted to share the story he’d shared with Chloe—but in more detail—but he honestly didn’t want to intrude.

Every once in a while, one of them looked over at him and probably wondered why he was still there, and it made Tanner wonder too.

Yeah, what am I still doing here?

And the answer was…he wanted to help.

Billie got up and went into their mother’s room, and ten minutes later she came out and then Levi went in. They kept up that routine for a couple of hours and still Tanner didn’t leave. Sure, he’d gone and refreshed coffees, and called the school to give Susan an update, but other than that, he sat off to the side and casually played on his phone until he heard someone mentioning a need.

That’s when he ordered lunch to be delivered.

Nothing fancy, just a variety of sandwiches from the local café.

“Tanner, you really didn’t have to do all this,” Levi said before clasping him on the shoulder. “But we really appreciate it. Thank you.”

“No worries. Glad I could help.”

They all ate and talked about visiting schedules and questions they wanted to ask the doctors, but all along, Chloe sat quietly next to Ashlynn and just seemed lost in her own thoughts.

“I hate to say it, but…I really need to go home and nap for a little while and then go and get some baking done,” Billie said when they were all done eating. “Jade has everything under control and we could probably get by with what we have in the freezer, but it will do me good to leave for a little while.” After she hugged everyone, she thanked Tanner for everything and left.

An hour later, Reid was the one to stand up. “I have a shift starting in a couple of hours and need to go home and do a few things.” He looked at Ashlynn. “Are you staying?”

She glanced toward the rest of her family and sighed. “I want to say yes, but…I think I have to agree with Billie. It will do me good to leave for a little while. Sorry, guys.”

“Not a problem,” Levi said. “There really isn’t anything any of us can do. Go check on the salon and we’ll see you later.”

After they left, Tanner figured he probably should go too. Slowly, he got to his feet. “Um…I guess I should get going too.” He looked at Chloe. “Can Levi drive you home or do you want me to take you back to your car?”

Levi looked at the two of them for a moment. “I’m planning on staying through the night. I don’t want Mom to be alone.” Then he glanced at Tanner. “If you wouldn’t mind…?”

Chloe quietly cleared her throat. “I can go get my car and then come back. You shouldn’t be here by yourself either.”

But her brother stopped her. “Honestly, Chlo, we’re all going to be taking turns, so why don’t you go home and tomorrow night will be your night here? Get a good night’s sleep and take care of anything you need to.”

“But…” She looked around nervously, and Tanner could tell she didn’t feel right about going. “Ash said she was coming back, and so did Billie. Why can’t I…?”

Levi moved in closer to her and hugged her. “We both know Billie’s going to go home and crash hard and probably be up baking half the night. Ash is going home and then checking on the salon and when she calls, I’ll tell her not to come back too. There seriously isn’t anything we can do here. You take tomorrow night, Ash will take Sunday night, and hopefully by then, Mom will be awake and we can start looking at when she can go home.”

Her shoulders sagged. “I guess you’re right.”

“Just…promise me you’re going to eat. You barely touched your lunch. We need you to be strong, so…” Then he turned to Tanner. “I hate to ask because you’ve already done so much today, but…”

“I’ll make sure she eats dinner,” he assured him.

“I’m right here, you know,” Chloe huffed. “And I’m not a child.”

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