Page 15 of Shelter for Tanna

“But he’s not on the spectrum, right?”

Tanna was shocked. Hehadbeen doing some research! “No. And he’s ADD but not ADHD, which is also a little unusual.” She stopped for a second, wondering if she should voice her biggest fear, then decided to go for broke. “Braden, you need to understand that I’m hoping Max can be independent when he’s older, but I’m prepared to take care of him for the rest of my life if I have to. I can understand if you’d rather not take this any farther, and I wouldn’t blame you. It’s a big responsibility to have to consider.”

She watched him sit back in his seat and fold his arms across his chest. “First, I understand that. My dad would tell you not to borrow trouble and take one day at a time. If I commit to something, Icommit. There’s no waffling and no backing away. Second, god forbid it should happen, but Daniel could be involved in an accident tomorrow and wind up being dependent on you for his care for the rest of his life.” Tanna shuddered at the thought. “I know. I don’t want to think about it either. But it’s a fact. If I was with you and that happened, I’m not the kind of man who runs away. My parents didn’t raise me like that. I’d be the first one on the front lines, ready to do whatever was necessary to make it work.”

She shook her head slowly. “You really think you mean that, don’t you?”

Braden leaned forward, planted his elbows on the table, and laid out his forearms, palms up. She could’ve sworn she saw a flash of gold in those deep brown eyes as they gazed out at her from under his dropped brows. Without a second thought, she placed her hands palms-down on his and his fingers enveloped them. “IknowI mean that. I’m thirty-seven. I just had a talk with my dad the other day, told him how tired I am of trying to figure out what women want. He told me when I found the right woman, I’d know it. So do I mean all that? You bet your cute little ass I do, babe. In my world, family means everything?the family we’re born with and the family we make for ourselves. Everything I’ve seen so far tells me that right here, this conversation, this restaurant, this woman, is exactly where I’m supposed to be. If you’re not getting the same vibe from me, tell me. I need to know that.”

Tanna sighed and closed her eyes. She wanted desperately to believe everything he was saying, to believe it was real, that he was who he said he was, and it was hard. Even though she tried, she couldn’t stop the tear that escaped one eye and rolled down her cheek. “I want to believe everything you’ve said, Braden. I really do. It’s just so hard and… I’m so alone and…”

She felt him squeeze her hands and opened her eyes to see a soft smile on his face. “I know, honey. I get it.”

“Do you? Because if you string me along and then dump me, I’m not the only person you’ll hurt or the only heart you’ll break. You’ll hurt my boys too, and that would be?“

“I understand that and I would never do that, Tanna. I’d never doanythingto hurt the boys. Never. Just make me a promise.”

“Okay. I’ll try.”

“Promise me that you’ll give me a chance to prove I’m sincere about all this. That’s all I’m asking for, just a chance, Tanna. If I fail, it won’t be from lack of trying, but I’m going to do everything I can to succeed. When you’ve been disappointed over and over, it’s hard to trust?I know that firsthand. I want you to trust me and know that you can come to me with anything, and I do mean anything, babe. The kids too. So can you give me that chance? Please?”

Tanna nodded as the tears began to fall. “Okay. I promise. I’ll give you a chance.” Her eyes closed again and she dropped her head in shame as sobs tore from her chest. His hands left hers and she assumed he’d probably taken off out the front door to get away.

But in a split second a large, warm body pressed up against her side and a strong arm wrapped around her shoulders. Tanna couldn’t help it?she turned and buried her face in his chest as she cried. She could feel him stroke her hair and heard him whisper, “It’s okay, baby. I understand. Cry all you need to. I’m not going anywhere.”

It had been a very long time since anyone other than Daniel or Nita had hugged her, and that warmth and contact gave her hope. Maybe he did mean everything he’d said. Maybe he was tough enough to go the distance. There was no way she’d ever know if she didn’t at least give him an opportunity to prove himself. “I’m sorry,” she said with a sniffle as she sat up and tried to wipe the tears away. “I didn’t mean to cry all over you.”

A warm palm cupped her cheek and his eyes were sparkling as their gazes met. “I have a feeling you’ve done a lot of crying when you were alone. You can cry in front of me all you want. There’ll be times I’ll cry along with you. We’ll cry together. But if you’ll give me that chance I asked for, you won’t be alone anymore. Yeah, this will take more work than most relationships, but I’ve got a feeling the rewards will be bigger and better too. You with me?”

Tanna nodded. “Yeah. I’m with you.”

“Okay. Do you like wine?”

“What?”

“Do you like wine?” he asked again.

“Yeah. Reds.”

Braden motioned for the server. “I’d like two glasses of wine. Something red.”

“We’ve got a nice merlot,” the young man replied.

“That’ll work.” As the server walked away, Braden patted Tanna’s thigh. “You okay?”

She nodded slowly. “Yeah. I’m okay.”

The two glasses of wine appeared and Braden handed her one, then lifted his glass. “A toast.” Tanna followed suit and waited. “To us. May we both have the courage to give this relationship a fighting chance, and the heart to lean on each other.” They clinked their glasses together before they each took a sip. As soon as they set the glasses back on the table’s gleaming surface, Braden leaned over and dropped a soft little kiss on Tanna’s forehead.

Every speck of fear in her body melted at that simple touch, and Tanna felt blessed to be there with that man. He was strong and kind and sweet, all things she desperately needed in her life. His arm wrapped around her again and he gave her a hug that pulled her up against him once more. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome. Thank you for being here with me. And drink your wine. I think you need it more than anybody I know,” he answered with a grin.

“I never drink because I never know what will greet me when I open the door.”

“I get that, but one glass won’t hurt you. Enjoy it!” His arm squeezed her again and she smiled.

But there was something she wanted, something she’d ask him for if they managed to stick with it for a week. It was important, and she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

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