“Sure, sweetie. You know if I can help in any way, I will.”
She did, which was why she felt like garbage asking Beth to watch her children so she could play p**n star in Elec Monroe’s coach. “I was thinking of going to Daytona this weekend, on Thursday, actually. By myself. I was hoping you could watch the kids and then bring them down on Saturday with you when you and Johnny come down.”
Beth looked at her in surprise. “Why are you looking to go early? Are you planning a girls weekend with Suzanne?”
“No . . . I’ve been seeing someone. A man.”
“Is it Geoffrey again?” Beth said, and her opinion on him was clear on her face. She placed another bloom in her basket, her floral gloves, tight ruffled blouse, and Capri pants tidy.
It amazed Tamara that Beth could manage to look like she was going for cocktails when she was working in her own garden.
“No, it’s not Geoffrey.”
“Thank goodness. So who is it? How long have you been seeing him?”
“About five weeks. Which I know isn’t really all that long, but he’s such a great guy, Beth.
And he’s been so good to me, I just can’t tell you how much fun I’m having with him.”
“That’s wonderful, Tammy.” Beth smiled. “I can tell by the look on your face that this one is going much better than the last one.”
“It is. So, so much better.” That she could say in all honesty.
“So who is it?” Beth asked, turning back to the bush and taking hold of a stem.
“It’s . . .” Tamara bit her fingernail and willed herself not to vomit. “Elec Monroe.”
Beth dropped her shears in the bush. Her head whipped around. “Elec Monroe, are you serious?”
“Yes,” she practically wailed. “I didn’t mean this to happen, we met again by accident, and I tried to tell him no when he asked me out, I did, but then I just couldn’t resist him, and he’s just wonderful .” Oh, Lord, she was gushing. Tamara leaned against the porch post and tried to control herself. “Beth, I keep trying to be rational, but all that’s happened is that I’ve gone and fallen in love with him.”
She had.
And it was utterly ridiculous that the first time she would admit that to herself or out loud, it was to her mother-in-law, the woman whose son she had previously been married to.
She had lost her mind.
“Oh, my,” was Beth’s opinion.
“What am I going to do?” Tamara asked, giving a heavy sigh.
“What do you mean, what are you going to do?” Beth turned and took both of Tamara’s hands in hers and squeezed them. “You say he’s been wonderful to you?”
“He has.”
“And the kids? Has he met them?”
“Yes, and he’s fabulous with them. He plays with them, and has them wash their hands before they eat, and makes sure Hunter isn’t falling into the fire pit. He brought them gifts when they had chicken pox—an art farm for Petey, a die-cast car for Hunter. He listens to what they like, and he never does anything inappropriate with me in front of them.”
Not in front of them was another story, but she wasn’t going to go there.
“Does he make time for you?”
“I would say all his free time goes to me. And he calls me and texts me from the road.”
Beth smiled at her. “Then, sweetie, I’d say where you’re going is to Daytona for a romantic weekend with your new man.”
Tamara blinked. “But . . . Johnny hates the Monroes. And I know this has to be uncomfortable for you. You know I loved Pete.”
“I know that, Tammy. But you’re a young and attractive woman with a lot of years in front of you. I don’t expect you to be a martyr and spend those alone. All I want is for you to be happy and for Johnny and me to continue to be a part of our grandkids’ lives.”
“Of course. Absolutely. I can’t imagine my life or the kids’ lives without you in it.” She meant that sincerely. “I love both of you.”
Beth teared up and squeezed her hands harder. “We love you, too. You’re the daughter I never had.”
“That’s not going to change.”
They hugged, and when Beth pulled back, she tried to blink away her tears as she told Tamara, “Pete would have wanted you to be happy, too.”
“I know.” She did. Pete had been self-absorbed, but he had loved her, and his children, and he wouldn’t want her to be miserable.
Beth studied her. “You really are in love, aren’t you?”
Tamara nodded and gave a fresh sob. It’s seemed like a good reason to shed some more tears.
“Oh, no.” Johnny’s voice came from behind them. “What the devil has you two crying now?”
Tamara froze. She did not want her father-in-law’s wrath coming down on her right at the moment.
But Beth just smiled and whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it. You just make your plans.
It will all be fine.”
TAMARA had no idea what Beth had said to Johnny, or done to him, she supposed, but whatever it was it had worked because despite the fact that Beth had picked up her kids solo, Tamara had just arrived in Daytona with Elec in Ryder’s private plane.
Contrary to Ryder’s teasing suggestion, they hadn’t used that particular piece of his property to have sex, but to be fair, they probably would have had Ryder, Ty, and Evan not been sitting in the plane with them.
Elec was clearly chomping at the bit to get her alone and have his way with her, and she couldn’t say she objected to that in the least. He had reminded her at least twelve times that it had been ten days since they had had sex.
She was well aware of that fact and wished he would stop referencing that unfortunate little reality.
When they got to the hotel, Elec didn’t waste time stating the obvious anymore. Nor did he give her a chance to do more than give the room a quick glance before he had dumped their suitcases on the floor and pulled her into his arms.
“Whoa,” she said, when he squeezed her so tightly she feared for her ribs. “Slow down.”
“No.” Elec kissed her mouth, her temples, her nose.
Tamara laughed, then pulled back and looked at him. What she saw on his face cut her giggles short. He was so intense, so serious, so focused on her. There was something in his eyes that was different, that was beyond desire. It was a look that told her what they were sharing was special, that their connection was real, solid, wonderful.