Page 20 of Shelter for Tanna

“Can’t blame a mom for wanting more for her kid, can you?”

Braden grasped her chin with his finger and thumb and gazed into her eyes. “No. Never.” Before she could speak, his lips pressed against hers and she felt shimmering sparks of excitement warm the inside of her chest. It had been a long time since she’d been kissed like that, longer than she could remember, and she was hungry for it. He broke the kiss and then gave her another little peck on the lips. “You’re a fantastic mom. These boys are lucky to have you.”

“Thanks. I’m sorry this is my life and I really don’t have a peaceful moment. You know, no time alone together and?”

“It’s okay, really. I understand. It’s fine. I like being here with all of you.” That was hard for her to believe. Her shabby little house, paint peeling off the outside and an interior that hadn’t been painted in at least twenty years, worn carpet, chipped up woodwork? She bet his house didn’t look like that.

Then she remembered something she’d thought about the night before. “I need a favor from you.”

Braden seemed a little surprised. “Whatever you need. All you have to do is ask.”

“I need to…” She stopped, then started again. “It would be good if I could… meet your family.”

Even though one of his eyebrows rocketed upward, he started to laugh. “Uh, okay. I mean, that’s totally doable, but why?”

“Because I want to see the people who raised you, to understand where you came from. And I need to know if they can handle being around Max. I would never get into a relationship with someone whose family couldn’t handle my kids.”

Braden grinned and side-eyed her. “Oh, I promise you, it won’t be a problem.”

“Yeah, but still…”

“I get it. Okay. How ‘bout this? I grill Sunday and invite everybody over to my house. You bring the boys. I’ll get my mom and dad to come, and my sister and brother-in-law and their two sons. How does that sound?”

“That might be too many people. I’m not sure?”

“You want to know if my family can handle being around your boys. I want to know if your boys can handle being around my family. I think maybe this needs to happen sooner rather than later. Then, if you decide you don’t want to be with me?”

“It won’t be about ‘want,’ Braden. It’ll be?”

“I understand. I get it. And I’m telling you, it won’t be a problem, but we’ll just find out for ourselves, won’t we?” The kiss he deposited on her forehead told her he wasn’t going to change his mind. “Sunday. One o’clock. I’ll let you know if they have a conflict but, as far as I’m concerned, you can come whether they come or not. We’ll just make a day of it. How’s that?”

“Sounds good.” The words were there, but inside, Tanna was terrified. Sunday would probably be the last time she saw Braden, and that made her sad. His family would freak out and that would be the end of it.

And it would be over before it really got started.

* * *

Tanna smiled when she glanced down at her phone. “Hey!”

“Hi. Whatcha doin’?”

“Laundry. What are you doing?”

“Truth?”

“No. Lie to me,” she answered with a chuckle.

“Truth is, I’m wishing I was there with you.”

That certainly wasn’t what she’d thought he was about to say. “Oh! Well, I suppose you could come over if you want. It’s not like we’re doing anything important.”

“Okay, I kinda lied. I’m not just wishing I was with you. I’m also cleaning house for tomorrow.”

That made her laugh. “It can’t possibly be that bad.”

“Nah. Just dusty and some cobwebs hanging around, but nothing more. I’m pretty neat for a guy.”

“That’s good because, as you know, we’re not.”

---