“I see.”
The skeptical tone of Leah’s voice rankled and Tanya frowned. “What?”
“So you were as prepared as possible before facing the firing squad, right?”
Leah’s eyes shone with humor and Tanya raised her hand in mock surrender. “Got me. Come what may, the Party Place will open Saturday. My first priority is getting any remaining invitations out. I mailed quite a few to businesses before I came. It’s the personal ones I’ve been holding on to.” Ignoring Leah’s questioning stare, Tanya walked around her and lifted yet another box waiting to be emptied. “So I’m guessing you’ve spoken to Sasha and she asked you to check up on me?”
“Something like that.”
Tanya took a knife from atop the display cabinet behind her and slashed through the tape on the box’s lid. Just for once, she’d like Sasha to concentrate on her own happiness instead of worrying about everyone else’s. Love for her sister swelled Tanya’s heart. No matter that she hadn’t been there for Sasha when she needed her most, her sister had been there for her, and that was something Tanya intended to repay in every way possible...starting with Matt Davidson’s arrest.
Over and over again, when Tanya had confessed to Sasha how things were getting overwhelming, Sasha had taken time away from Templeton and her cherished Funland to see if she could help. Tanya swallowed. Little did her sister know that Tanya had needed professional help...which meant she’d thrown Sasha’s care back in her face.
Shame washed through her, pushing tears into Tanya’s eyes. She blinked them away and inhaled. “Well, as much as I love Sasha for worrying about me, there was really no need to bother you. I’m fine.” She opened the box and removed a bundle of cream-colored envelopes.
“I see. Is that why you’re having trouble looking at me right now?”
Tanya snapped her gaze to Leah’s. “I have no trouble looking at anyone. You, Caroline and Jay Garrett can think, say and do what you want, I’m happy to be home.”
Leah frowned. “What did Caroline and Jay say to you?”
“Not much. It was the tone of their voices and the disapproval in their eyes that told me all I needed to know.”
“Which is?”
“People are going to be wary of me for a while.” She lifted her shoulders in feigned nonchalance. “That’s okay. People will soon learn I’ve changed. I want a different life here this time around.”
“So this is home now?”
Tanya swallowed against the claustrophobia that threatened. No more running. “Yes.”
“Forever?”
“As much as I can guarantee forever to be.”
“Good.” Leah dropped her arms and came to stand beside Tanya, kindness sparkling in her eyes. “Because you shouldn’t toss us all in the same pot. A few of the people here are quick to share their opinion and make up their minds, but not all of us. So promise me you’ll give others the benefit of the doubt as much as you want them to give it to you, okay?”
Tanya held Leah’s gaze, wondering just how much she knew. Had Sasha told her about the mistakes Tanya had made at work? The breakdown? God, the shoplifting?
Tanya forced a smile. “Okay.”
“Good, because it’s up to you how this goes. You can either upset people from the get-go, or show them you mean business in the nicest possible way. Starting over is why you’re back, right?”
Tanya nodded. “Right.”
Leah narrowed her eyes, suspicion rife in her gaze. “That’s the only reason?”
Her heart picked up speed, but Tanya held Leah’s unblinking study. “What other reason could there be?”
Leah shrugged. “I don’t know. Liam, for example.”
“What about him?”
“Oh, come on.” Leah planted her hands on her hips. “You might be able to fool others in town, but you’ve got no chance with me.”
“What exactly am I trying to fool everyone about?”
“According to Sasha, you left the Cove because of some nonsense your mother had been feeding you, and part of that nonsense was being with Liam was a bad idea. You loved him deeply and there was every chance you two could’ve been the real deal. You can’t tell me the prospect of seeing him again hasn’t sent you into a tailspin.”
Heat warmed Tanya’s cheeks. “I left because it was the right thing to do. Mum needed me and there was no way Sasha was going to leave. Liam and I were good together, but that was it. Now I’m back, I’m not expecting him and me to pick things up where we left off. Time’s passed. He’s changed and so have I. The sooner this town gets on board with that, the better.”
“So, you’ve spoken to him?”
“Yes.”
Leah lifted an eyebrow. “And?”
“And he feels the same. There’s nothing between us anymore.”
Leah sighed and raised her hands. “Fine, so Liam’s out of the picture, but I can’t help thinking he might have a problem with you coming back.”
“Anyway...” Tanya tossed the envelopes back into the box and stormed past Leah to the door. She flung it open. “It was nice seeing you again, but if you don’t mind...”
Leah grinned and, instead of walking to the door, dropped her oversize purse on top of one of the unopened boxes at her feet. “So, where do you want me to start?” Leah continued to smile. “Take that pissy look off your face. I just wanted to see how much gumption you’ve got after what happened to you.”
Tanya shoved the door closed. “What does that mean? How much did Sasha tell you exactly?”
“She told me about the breakdown.”
“She had no right.”
“She had every right. She loves you, and she knows it’s going to be hard for you to settle back into the Cove. I’m here to help, if and when you need me.”
“I told you, I’m fine.”
“I don’t doubt it, but I’m a nurse. I can’t help butting my nose in if I’m concerned about someone.” Leah waggled her eyebrows, kindness and humor shining in her gaze.
Tanya shook her head and smiled. “I’ve got a hell’s chance of rejecting your help whether I want it or not, right?”
“Right. Come here.” Leah pulled Tanya into her arms and squeezed. “You’re going to kick ass. I can feel it. Your guts are still there, missy, and I’m glad because you’re going to have a hell of a fight over the next few weeks.” She pulled back and held Tanya at arm’s length. “Lucky for you, I’m more than ready to help you out with that. So...where do you want me?”
Tanya smiled as optimism bloomed. “Thank you.”
Leah smiled. “You’re welcome. Now...” She leaned down, picked up one of the boxes and laid it on top of another. “Where’s that knife? I could do with slashing something.”
Shaking her head, Tanya surrendered to the inevitable. Leah was a tiny five feet one inch, but known around town as one of the toughest nurses in the hospital’s ER. More the fool anyone who chose to cross her, and Tanya knew that included her.
She walked across the office, snatched up the knife and handed it to Leah. “I need an assistant. Know anyone willing to work with a woman half the town despises?”
Leah