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“You need a thick skin to be around us McKenzie’s.”
“Did I hear the McKenzie’s mentioned?” Charlotte interrupts, joining us on the porch.
I glance behind her. “No Tanner?”
“He’s making me a sandwich and then he’ll be joining us.”
“Good.” I sigh, relieved that maybe my son will come around sooner rather than later.
Madison chews her bottom lip and getting to her feet, she caresses over my shoulders. “I’m going to have a talk with Tanner.”
I watch her go, my eyes still lingering once she’s disappeared inside.
Charlotte chuckles. “I’m glad you finally saw sense.”
“Me too.”
43
Madison
Tanner pauses with a knife loaded with mayonnaise in his hand when I walk into the kitchen before stiffly going back to his task. “I’m trying Madison.”
Sighing, I move further into the room and sit opposite him. “I know, and I’m not going to say I know how you feel because I don’t. But I just wanted you to know that I’m in love with your father.”
Tanner winces.
“It isn’t sudden, it’s been building since we first met, and Derek has been pushing me away ever since.” I shrug and wipe a stray tear.
Tanner sits and stares. “I’m not selfish enough to want my father alone for the rest of his life, but, with you, being two years younger than me, it’s weird, okay? I always expected him to find someone around his own age.” He holds his temper in check. “I liked Dee,” he grumbles, and it feels like a kick in the teeth.
“I guess you won’t even give me a chance, huh?” My heart pounds while I wait for his answer, and then he gives me a wry grin.
“Honestly, I don’t know.” He sighs softly. “But I can’t deny the way he looks at you or the pain I see in his gaze when he turns away.” Brushing a rough hand through his overlong hair, Tanner continues, “He’s been alone for so long, Madison, and I can’t help worry about him.”
“I get that, but I promise you I’m not going to hurt him.
I’m not that kind of person. I want this relationship with him to work more than anything.” I reach out and rest my hand on the top of his. “If it means living here with him then I will. I’ll need trips for work, but my office is mobile.” I grin. “I’ll do anything that I have to, so your father is happy. There is only one Derek Jackson, and he’s mine.”
Tanner frowns deeply. “I need time.” He rubs a hand over his face. “Does my father know you consider him yours?”
“I do,” Derek appears in the doorway, and slowly moves closer, placing his hands on my shoulders. He bends and places a kiss to the top of my head. “She’s mine too and I couldn’t be happier.” Derek rubs his hands together trying to play it cool.
“Siesta time,” Charlotte says as though reading my thoughts, staring at her husband.
Turning, I wink at Derek who tries to keep the delight from his face.
Tanner gives us both a curious glance before shoving a plate of sandwiches into Charlotte’s hand, and two sodas and chips into his own. “We’ll see you later.”
My smile slips as they disappear, which Derek notices. Taking my hand, he drops into the chair next to mine. “What happened?”
“He prefers Dee.”
“What? That’s not true.”
“That’s what he told me. I’m too young and Dee is in the right age.” I shrug. “I hate how he’d prefer you to be with Dee.” A tear slips down my face.
“Please don’t get upset.” Derek brushes my tear away with his thumb. “I know he’s a grown man with a wife of his own now, but it’s going to be strange for him to see me with someone.” He winces. “And then he wouldn’t have been expecting me to choose someone younger than him, I guess.”
