Page 84 of Tempt Me

Carys smiles at her sister. “Okay, Siobhan, go make a baby with a stranger and raise it alone. I will always support you, even when you’re a flipping moron.”

Siobhan kisses Carys’s head. “You’re a good sister.”

Seeing them bond stirs my longing for Austen. While Tack hangs out with Pork Chop and his boys, I find a quiet spot in Carys’s house.

When I call my sister, she can tell I need help coming down from the last day. Rather than ask questions, Austen talks about her day. Soon, I send her the gothic mansion’s photos, and we talk renovations. For a few minutes, Austen feels like she’s in the room with me. We get so engrossed in home design, I’m startled to realize nearly an hour has passed.

“Mom’s on her way here,” I tell Austen. “I’m afraid she’ll take over everything, and I’ll lack the energy to push back.”

“It’s understandable for you to doubt yourself, but you’ve always been strong. When Suzanne pushes too hard, you’ll stand up to her. When Tack needs something to be happy, you’ll give it to him. When this madness with that Parker asshole bears down on you, you’ll carry the weight. Just remember to ask for help. So many people love you, Hunter.”

My sister’s words offer me the shot of confidence I’ve lacked since I woke this morning. Once we hang up, I track down Tack outside. He’s standing in the yard with a sleepy Indigo and the two dogs.

“Austen and Walla Walla are coming to visit next week,” I tell Tack after offering him a lingering kiss. “I’m excited for you to start a bromance with her hubby.”

Tack grins at me while Indigo shakes his head.

“Don’t worry, man,” Tack taunts Indigo. “My bromance with you can handle a little competition.”

“I already tolerate you sucking up to Bear. I think I can handle this other guy.”

While the men tease each other, I hear approaching SUVs. All my maturity spills out of me as I run toward the vehicles. My mom is out the back door as soon as the SUV stops moving. We collide and hold on tight.

The world spins with her arms around me. I flash back to the mugger, the attack in the garage, the shootout on the street, my time with Tack, the farm’s quiet, the online judgment and lies, and finally how I’m facing years of media attention and legal issues.

As Suzanne holds me, I suddenly feel ready for what’s coming. I know who I am. I know who I love. I know I can hold my head up high.

Suzanne surprises me by hugging Tack. Also startled by her affection, he stares at me as if asking for help.

“You saved my baby,” Suzanne coos as she traps him in her hug. “If you two are ever having relationship problems, come to me and I’ll help sort them out in your favor.”

Tack chuckles while I roll my eyes. Suzanne frees my man and makes a move for Indigo.

“You saved my baby, too.”

Backing away, Indigo mutters, “I don’t need a hug.”

“I offer them to so few people. You should feel special,” she insists and forces herself on him.

Indigo looks embarrassed by her affection, but he doesn’t break free until she releases him. Suzanne pats his cheek before reaching over to do the same for Tack.

“I’ve seen those videos of that horrible day. I still can’t believe you two boys were so brave.”

Tack shrugs and smiles at me. “What could I do? The woman I love was in danger.”

Suzanne smiles at him and then looks at Indigo who’s slowly inching away from her. He also shrugs but doesn’t offer a reason for his bravery.

My mom realizes she’s making the men nervous, so she dials down her affection for them and directs it at me. We hug more before going inside to see Carys and Ripley. Tack doesn’t follow, seeming happier outside with his brothers and the boys.

I know one day he’ll feel more comfortable in my ritzier world. We’re both adjusting to so many changes.

In a month, life will be different again. In a year, we’ll be rolling with new problems and blessings. In ten years, we’ll be different people, but I believe we’ll still only want each other.

TACK

Despite Suzanne’s hug and encouraging words, I’m still worried she’ll find a reason to shut down my relationship with her daughter. Not right away, of course. She’ll wait until Hunter feels comfortable in her skin again. Then, Suzanne will gently point out all our differences. Over time, Hunter will realize her heart can’t belong to a member of the Backcountry Kings Motorcycle Club.

Life shifts very quickly, distracting me from my worries about Suzanne. A week after Matt Parker is arrested, Hunter owns the gothic mansion. We visit the newest Knutsen estate after the paperwork has been filed with the city. Hunter promises if the house is too weird or wrong in some way, she’ll get it fixed.

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