Page 39 of Shelter for Tanna

“Oh, wow! Thanks! What do I owe you?” Braden was busy opening one of the boxes, and when Tanna finally got a look, she laughed.

Cheese puffs.

“Nothing. Just watch the boys one night so David and I can go out. Hey, Tanna! How’s it going?”

“Going good, Jess. So you’re feeding his addiction?”

His younger sister laughed loudly. “Yeah! They’re his favorite, so when I find these big bags on sale, I grab them.” Tanna suddenly realized that every time he’d brought snacks over, cheese puffs had been one of the things she’d seen.

“Yeah. They’re so healthy. Cheese and all,” Tanna teased.

“Yeah. Cheese. Cheese is good for you,” Braden said with a nod.

“Real cheese might be. These, um, not so much,” Jess said, still laughing. “Hey, Tanna, I’ve got something else in the car. Can you come out here and get it?”

“Uh, sure. Of course.”

“I’ll get some bowls out and put some chili out to cool,” Braden offered, opening a cabinet as the two women stepped outside.

Jessica opened the back door of her car and handed Tanna a clear plastic box of cupcakes decorated in a fall theme. “They had these marked down. I got us some and I got you guys some too. And this.” Pulling something else from the back seat, she showed Tanna another clear plastic box, this one full of fried pies. “They were having a good sale. Figured you might be able to use these for breakfast or dessert or something.”

“Wow, that’s really great of you. Thanks so much. The boys will love these.” Tanna took the second box too and turned to go to the house when a soft hand on her arm stopped her and she turned.

“Tanna, I just want you to know, Braden is a little different from other guys.”

“Oh, I know. Very different.”

“Well, what I mean is… Braden needs to be needed. He’s always been that way. He’s always loved watching our kids because that was something he could do to feel needed. He volunteers to help anybody who needs it. If there’s a problem, he’s right in the middle of the solution. I think it’s why he went into firefighting. Most guys aren’t like that, but he is, and so is our dad. You’ve given him that, and it’s filling a need in his life and a hole in his heart. Lean on him. That’s what hewants. Don’t be afraid to ask him for what you need, and don’t be afraid to say yes when he offers to do something for you. Does that make sense?”

Tanna nodded and smiled. “It sure does. It explains a lot.”

“By the way,” Jessica said as she made her way to the driver’s door of the car, “he’s head over heels in love with you. And for the record, the rest of us are too. Even our boys.” Jess opened the car door and stood with one foot on the floorboard before shooting Tanna a huge smile. “You feel like… family. Your boys do too. I hope this works out for both of you. We all do. See you later.” Before Tanna had a chance to respond, Jessica slipped behind the wheel, started the sedan, and drove away.

Dinner was filled with laughter and chatter, and Tanna was thrilled. Even Max was having a good time. Yeah, he groused several times, but as his usual behavior went, things were going very well. “So I get to sleep in my own room here?” he asked as they were clearing the table.

“Yep. Sure do. Are you going to be okay up there?” Braden asked. “You’re a big boy now. Can you do that?”

“Daniel will be in the other room, right?” Max asked.

Daniel nodded. “Yeah. I’ll be right there.”

“Then yeah. I can sleep up there. Are you and Mom going to do something?” the younger boy asked.

“Probably,” Braden answered before Tanna had a chance to say anything.

Max tipped his head to the side and stared at Braden. “Kissing and stuff?”

Braden nodded. “Yep. Kissing and stuff.”

“Okay. Don’t be too loud. I don’t want to hear all that smacking.”

Daniel started laughing, and so did Braden. Pretty soon Tanna couldn’t help but join in. “No smacking, I promise,” Tanna laughed out.

Max was very matter of fact. “Okay. No smacking. You can smack, just not loud.”

“Got it!” Braden assured him. “Now, it’s time to clean up from dinner, and I’m going to teach the two of you how to load the dishwasher, okay?”

Daniel nodded eagerly. “Okay!”

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