Safe Haven (The Protectors Book 1) Read online

  Sophie looked between Hayley and Tank. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.” Tank’s gaze never left Hayley. “Get your jacket, Sophie. I’m taking you to the concert.”

  “I’ll be back in two minutes.” She ran out of the living room, heading straight for the stairs.

  “Are you happy now?” Tank asked.

  Hayley frowned. “My definition of happy has changed since I met you. I appreciate you going with Sophie. She can be just as impulsive as I am.”

  “You’ve forgotten that I’ve already spent a lot of time with your sister. I know what she’s like and you beat her hands down on the impulse scale.” He looked at the open door Sophie had run through. “I didn’t know if you’d still want to go with me to see my parents.”

  “You thought I’d changed my mind?”

  Tank nodded.

  “Why?”

  He looked incredibly uncomfortable. “I might have overreacted in the plane. I’m sorry if I yelled at you. I only did it because I was worried.”

  Hayley sighed. “We were both exhausted. Have you spoken to your parents?”

  “I’ll call them tomorrow. Unless the reporter has been asking more questions, I’m not going to tell them what happened.”

  “Maybe we’re not so different after all.”

  Tank frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “We both care about our families.” Instead of agreeing, Tank seemed to distance himself even further from her.

  “Sometimes that’s not enough,” he said quietly.

  “I’m ready when you are,” Sophie said from the doorway.

  Tank glanced at Hayley before saying goodbye to Alice.

  As he walked out of the house, Hayley had no idea when she’d see him again. She just hoped it was soon.

  The secret he was carrying weighed him down. The sooner his parents knew the truth, the quicker he could begin to heal.

  ***

  Tank stopped his truck in front of a single-story home and glanced at the piece of paper beside him. He’d been gone for a month. In that time Hayley and Alice had moved out of Tess’ home.

  Hayley was staying with her sister and Alice had moved into a nursing home. A lot had changed, but he was pleased to see that one thing remained the same. Hayley still had a bodyguard.

  While he was on his last assignment Tank had thought about her a lot. His feelings had messed with his brain and his heart. He’d thought spending four weeks away from her would change how he felt, but it hadn’t. And now, for more than one reason, he needed to see her.

  Tanner, another security specialist with Fletcher Security, walked toward him.

  Tank pulled himself out of his truck and shook his friend’s hand. “How was Vancouver?”

  “Busy. Isn’t this your day off?”

  “I’m not working. I’ve come to see Hayley.”

  “Alice will be happy. For some reason she misses you.”

  Tank opened the passenger door and took a parcel off the seat. “This is for you.”

  Tanner undid the wrapper and smiled. “Where did you find it?”

  “In a bookstore in Banff. It’s a first edition, but not in the best condition.”

  “Robert Burns can’t be read on pristine paper. Thanks.”

  Tank nodded. “You’re welcome. Apart from missing me, how’s Alice?”

  Tanner held the poetry book carefully in his hands. “She’s moving around more. Hayley said her memory is getting better. She wanted to call you.”

  “Hayley did?”

  “Alice.” Tanner frowned. “Has Cupid shot you with his arrow?”

  Tank locked his truck. “Not in this lifetime.”

  “If you start getting itchy feet, just remember that we’re career bachelors.”

  “Hard to forget when you remind me at least once a month.”

  Tanner grinned. “It’s called positive reinforcement.”

  “More like brainwashing. Don’t worry—I’m not relationship material.”

  “Someone thinks you’re special. Alice remembers every conversation she had with you. The stories about your grandfather were particularly touching.”

  He glanced at Tanner. “If you pass on any family secrets I’ll stop looking for first edition poetry books.”

  Tanner held Robert Burns’ book to his chest. “I won’t say a word. You should know that we had a rough couple of days last week.”

  “What happened?”

  “Alice remembered that her husband died. She cried for two days.”

  Tank sighed. “That must have been hard on everyone. How is she now?”

  “She’s okay.” Tanner opened the front door. “If you get a chance, try Hayley’s lemon curd muffins, but don’t take the last one.”

  Tank walked inside and followed the sound of Hayley’s voice. She was talking to someone, laughing at something they said.

  When he reached the kitchen, he stopped in the doorway. Hayley had her back to him. She was rolling pastry and talking to Tess and her mom as they set the dining table.

  Alice was the first to notice him. “Tank!” She walked toward him with a big smile on her face.

  Hayley turned around. Her surprised gaze connected with his and a soft blush filled her cheeks.

  “I hope you don’t mind me coming to see you.”

  “It’s about time you made an appearance,” Tess said with a smile. “Alice hasn’t stopped talking about you.”

  Tank met Alice in the middle of the room and gave her a hug. “So I heard. How have you been, Alice?”

  “Better now that you’re here,” she said softly. “John told me you’ve been on an assignment.”

  “In the Rocky Mountains.” He waited for the vacant look that Alice often wore, but she was as bright as a button.

  “Did you ski?”

  He shook his head. “There wasn’t enough snow. It’s too early in the season.”

  She squeezed his hand and pulled him to the kitchen counter. “Well, I’m glad you’re here. We didn’t know when you would be back.”

  “My last assignment was a lot longer than usual.” He glanced at Hayley. She was lifting a sheet of pastry into a pie dish. “How have you been?”

  She looked at him before taking a bowl of sliced apples out of the fridge. “Good. We’ve found mom a great nursing home, and I’ve got a part-time job.”

  “She has today off work. Wasn’t that lucky?” Alice added.

  Hayley didn’t look as though she thought it was lucky.

  He passed Alice a small gift he’d bought for her. “I thought you might like this.”

  She opened the box and smiled. “Look, Hayley. It’s a snow globe.” Alice shook the winter scene and turned it toward her daughter.

  “It’s lovely,” Hayley said.

  Tess looked between Hayley and Tank. “I’ll take Alice into the living room. She’ll enjoy choosing some music we can listen to. We’ll be back soon.”

  Hayley watched them leave before lifting another sheet of pastry onto the top of the pie. “The police arrested Carrie Fordyce yesterday. She’d been trying to call Sophie’s ex-professor. This is Tanner’s last day with us.”

  “How does that make you feel?”

  “Relieved. It’s good to know that no one will be following us anymore. Even after Dr. Bernard was arrested, Sophie insisted someone stay with me at night and on my days off. I think it was overkill, but it made her feel better.”

  “Tanner appreciates working with you. He said your lemon muffins are great.”

  Hayley smiled for the first time since he’d arrived. “He has a sweet tooth. Has the reporter been asking more questions about your brother?”

  “You think that’s why I’m here?”

  “It’s not?”

  Tank felt a blush creep up his neck. “Not entirely. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  Hayley slid the pie into the oven. “I’m better than I was the last time you saw me. Mom is enjoying the nursing home, my sister is back fro
m Dallas, and I’ve enrolled in a fashion design class.”

  “You have?”

  “It works perfectly with my job at the nursing home. I decided to do something about following my dreams.”

  “That’s part of the reason I’m here.”

  “You want to enroll in a class?”

  Hayley’s smile made some of his nerves disappear. “No. I’ve been thinking about my parents. I’m going to tell them about David.”

  “Why? If a reporter isn’t writing a story about your brother, they don’t need to know.”

  “I can’t keep lying to them or myself. I feel guilty about what happened. I can’t let go of that until I’m honest with them. I’ll understand if you don’t want to see my parents with me, but I’m hoping you haven’t changed your mind.”

  Hayley poured two glasses of water and passed one to him. “You looked after mom and me when we needed you. I’ll come with you. Where do your parents live?”

  “Denver. It takes about an hour and a quarter to fly each way. We could leave on a morning flight and return in the evening.”

  “When did you want to go?”

  “As soon as possible.”

  Hayley sipped her glass of water. “Tomorrow’s Saturday. Do you think we would be able to get tickets so quickly?”

  Tank pulled out his phone. “There’s only one way to find out.” He tapped the screen and scrolled through their options.

  “There’s a flight that leaves at ten o’clock in the morning and another that returns at five o’clock in the evening. Do you want me to book two seats?”

  Hayley nodded. “Let me know how much my ticket is and I’ll pay you back.”

  “You don’t need to do that. I appreciate you coming with me.”

  “I know you do, but I’m paying for myself.”

  Alice walked into the kitchen. “We chose a Glen Campbell CD. Can you hear it?”

  Tank listened to the music drifting through to the kitchen. “I can.”

  “Do you remember listening to Glen Campbell in your car, Tank?”

  He looked at Alice and smiled. “I remember.”

  “Hayley knows all the words to his songs,” Alice said proudly. “Gentle On My Mind is one of my favorites.”

  Hayley didn’t say a word, but her smile said plenty.

  Tess sat on a kitchen stool. “I didn’t know your family were such big fans of country music. There are six different Glen Campbell albums in the living room.”

  “I think mom had a crush on him when she was my age,” Hayley whispered. “I’m not the only person who knows all the lyrics to his songs.”

  Alice sat at the dining table with her snow globe in front of her. “Come and tell me what you’ve been doing, Tank.”

  Hayley opened the pantry doors. “You’d better stay for lunch. Mom will want to hear everything.”

  “Thanks.” He put his phone away and took the plate Hayley gave him. “I’ve booked the tickets. We’re all set to go.”

  Tess looked at him. “Where are you going?”

  “To see my parents.” He sat beside Alice and ignored Tess’ curious gaze.

  It had taken him a long time to work out what he needed to do. And for the first time in a long while, what happened after he saw his parents was out of his control. All he could do was tell the truth and hope his parents could forgive what he’d done.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Tank knocked on his parents’ front door. His heart was racing and his palms were sweaty.

  When he called his mom, she’d been excited about his visit. But that excitement could easily turn to heartache once he told his parents about David.

  Hayley touched his arm. “Take a deep breath.”

  The front door opened and his mom smiled at him. Before he could introduce Hayley, his mom wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. “It’s so good to see you.”

  He held her tight. Regret for what he was about to tell her filled his heart and brought tears to his eyes.

  She stepped back and rubbed his arm. “Is everything okay?”

  He nodded and reached for Hayley.

  She stepped forward and smiled.

  “Mom, this is Hayley Elliott, the friend I was telling you about.”

  His mom held out her hand. “Hello, Hayley. I’m Bonnie. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

  “Come inside. Tank’s dad is in the garage fixing our lawn mower.”

  “Again?” he asked. “Isn’t it about time he got a new one?”

  “You know your father. He’s determined not to let the carburetor beat him. I’ve given up mentioning a new mower.” Bonnie smiled at Hayley. “I’ll go and tell James you’re here. Would you like a drink before I find him?”

  Hayley shook her head. “Thank you, but I’m okay.”

  “What about you, Tank?”

  “It’s okay, mom. I can get my own.”

  Bonnie looked at her son. “Make sure Hayley is comfortable. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Tank watched his mom walk away. “I’d better do as she says or I’ll be in trouble. Come into the living room.”

  “Your mom is really nice.”

  “She is.”

  Hayley didn’t sit down straight away. She walked around the room, looking at the framed family photos on the tables and mantelpiece.

  She picked up a family portrait. “You look like your mom and dad. David’s completely different.”

  He walked across to Hayley and glanced at the photo. David’s blond hair and blue eyes stared back at him. The knot in the pit of his stomach tightened, squeezing the air from his lungs. “Grandma used to say we were chalk and cheese.”

  Tank frowned. “David was about twenty-one years old when that photo was taken. We were at a cousin’s wedding in California. He’d been on leave and I made the most of having my older brother with me. By the end of the vacation, he was ready to go back to where he was stationed. I followed him everywhere.”

  “You must have missed him when he joined the Army.”

  “I did. Even though we used to fight like crazy, home never felt the same after he left.”

  He wiped his hands on his jeans and sat on the sofa. Within minutes he was on his feet again, gazing through the window that overlooked the backyard. He’d never felt so uncomfortable, so unsure of what would happen.

  “Can I change my mind and have a glass of water?” Hayley asked him.

  Tank breathed a sigh of relief. At least he’d have something to do while he waited for his dad. “Of course you can. Come with me.”

  Hayley followed him through the house. “Something smells good.”

  The rich, garlicky sauce of his mom’s lasagna filled the kitchen. “Mom’s recipe won the Offutt Air Force Base award for best lasagna. She kept the ribbon on our kitchen wall for more than a year.” He took a glass out of the cupboard and filled it with water. “Here you go.”

  A door closed and Tank jumped. His mom and dad were walking along the hallway. They’d be here soon, ready to spend time with their son and Hayley, but not ready to hear what he had to say.

  His mom’s head appeared around the doorframe. “There you are.” She looked over her shoulder and smiled. “They’re in the kitchen, James.”

  His dad strode into the room and smiled at Hayley. “It’s always a pleasure meeting Tank’s friends. Welcome to Denver.”

  “Thank you. You have a beautiful home.”

  “It’s a notch above the different air force homes we’ve lived in.” He walked over to Tank and hugged him. “How are you, son? We haven’t seen you in months.”

  Bonnie rolled her eyes. “Don’t pay any attention to your dad. We know you have a busy life.”

  Tank took a deep breath. “It’s okay, mom. Dad’s right. I’ve been working through a few issues. I needed time to figure out what I was going to do.”

  Hayley glanced at him.

  He wasn’t going to say anything until later, but there wa
s no way he’d be able to eat lunch if he didn’t tell his parents about David. His stomach was twisted in knots, coiled so tight that he wanted to be sick.

  His mom handed her husband a cup of coffee. “Why don’t we sit in the living room while we’re waiting for the lasagna. We could get to know each other better.”

  His dad glanced at his mom.

  Tank knew that look, and it wasn’t good. The expression on Hayley’s face told him she’d seen it, too.

  “Dad, I think I need to tell you something.”

  “Sit down, first,” his mom insisted. “You look as though you’re ready to pass out.”

  Hayley pulled him toward the living room. “Your mom’s right. Sit down and put your head between your knees.”

  Tank didn’t bother arguing.

  Hayley pushed him into the first seat she saw. “Put your head down. You should feel better in a few minutes.”

  While he sat in the chair, feeling like an idiot, Hayley talked to his parents. They were impressed that she was a nurse. If they’d known about her mom and how she cared for her, they would be even more impressed. Looking after a family member with Alzheimer’s took guts and determination. But mostly, it took a heart that could withstand the highs and lows of living with someone who didn’t remember you.

  “What brought you to Bozeman?” Bonnie asked Hayley. “It’s a long way from Chicago.”

  Tank lifted his head and waited for Hayley’s reply.

  “My sister is a scientist. She developed a supplement and left Chicago while the patent was being approved. With Tank’s help, mom and I followed her to Bozeman.”

  Tank sensed his dad’s interest in what she’d said. “You were Tank’s client?”

  “That’s right. My sister asked Fletcher Security to look after us. Tank was given the assignment.”

  “The supplement must have been important.”

  “It was…is,” Hayley said. “I’m sorry I can’t tell you more. Sophie signed a confidentiality clause with the pharmaceutical company that bought the formula. We can’t say anything for a few months.”

  James nodded. “Fair enough. What are your plans for the future? Are you going to stay in Bozeman or head back to Chicago?”