Page 71 of Tanner
She shook her head, half amused and half bewildered, her fingerstracing the printed label on the bag. “Who would have thought a confrontation at the farmers’ market and a silly food fight would turn out to be the best marketing I’ve ever had? People love drama, apparently. And they love my chokecherry turnovers even more now that there’s a story attached to them.”
Whenever the chokecherry thicket came to mind, she couldn’t help but indulge herself in all the memories of the happy times she’d spent there with Tanner. Back then, she was his little sister’s best friend. He’d held the basket while she reached for the ripest berries, both of them laughing when the thorns snagged their sleeves.
Those afternoons had always been her favorite times—sticky fingers, purple-stained mouths, and the sweet-tart taste of fresh chokecherries on her tongue.
How times had changed. She couldn’t believe they were a couple now.
Maybe it would be a good idea to pick some chokecherries of her own. As soon as things settled down, she was going to drag Tanner out there with her. No doubt he would grumble and complain. That was to be expected. Her ace in the hole was that she knew the man would do just about anything if it meant spending the day with her, and she loved him for it.
Junie walked over to the small to-do list magnet on the refrigerator door, picked up the pen, and wrote in her neat handwriting:
Call Tanner about scheduling a trip to the chokecherry thicket.
“There,” she said out loud, tapping the pen against the paper with satisfaction. “Now it’s official. We’re going berry picking soon, whether you like it or not, Daddy.”
The simple act of writing it down made the plan feel real. Turning from the fridge, she looked around and listened. The low hum of the refrigerators, the faint drip from the sink she keptmeaning to fix, and the golden morning light made everything look warm and safe. One glance at the wall clock had her jumping. How was it already time to open?
As if in answer, the bell above the front door jingled. Junie picked up a fresh towel to wipe her hands one more time and pushed through the swinging door into the main serving area, a polite “Good morning, I’m so glad you’re here” already forming on her lips.
The words died in her throat.
Preston stood just inside the door, looking as smug and confident as ever in a crisp button-down shirt and expensive slacks. His smile was warm, almost affectionate, like he had simply stopped by for his usual order and they were old friends catching up.
What about the restraining order? The hearing last week had gone so well. The judge had barely needed to hear more than a few minutes of evidence before extending it to another twenty-four months. Relief had filled her as she walked out of the courthouse with that piece of paper in her hand. And now here he was, standing in her bakery as if none of it had ever happened.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” she said, her newfound confidence deserting her.
Preston’s smile didn’t even falter. He tilted his head slightly as if she had commented on the weather. “Juniper, darling, I’m so sorry I haven’t been here recently. I’ve missed you. Between the sheriff’s patrols and that security company Tanner sicced on me, I haven’t been able to see you at all. I know, it’s been miserable for us both.”
He took a step closer, and Junie instinctively took one back, her hip bumping into the edge of the display case. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She reached into her apron pocket for her phone, but it wasn’t there. That’s right. She’d set it down in the office. Damn it.
Why, today of all days, did Poppy have to call in late because of a doctor’s appointment? Now Junie was completely alone with this maniac.
Preston’s eyes softened as he looked at her, his tone turning almost conspiratorial. “You know this is all Tanner’s doing, right?The restraining order, the extra security… he’s trying to keep us apart. But it won’t work. I know how you really feel. You’ve always been too kind to say it out loud, but I see it. I’ve always seen it.”
Junie’s mouth went dry. She forced herself to stay calm, to keep her voice steady. “Preston, you need to leave. The restraining order is still in place. You can’t be here.”
He waved a hand dismissively, as if the legal document was nothing more than an annoying fly. “We can’t let a little piece of paper keep us apart, can we? You and I have history, Juniper. Ever since our freshman year of high school. You were the only one who was kind to me. The only one who saw me. Understood me. That doesn’t just go away because some jealous cowboy decides he wants you.”
He took another step toward her.
His voice was so reasonable, so warm that, for a split second, he almost sounded convincing. But his eyes lingered on her breasts a little too long. His fingers flexed at his sides like he was holding himself back from reaching for her. His polite smile never quite reached his eyes. And his description of their relationship… it was like he was seeing a version of her that existed only in his head.
She glanced toward the security camera in the corner, relief flooding her when she saw the small red light blinking steadily. Tanner was watching. He would be here soon. She just had to keep Preston talking.
“I’m with Tanner,” she said carefully. “I love him. You need to accept that and leave me alone.”
Preston’s smile faltered for the first time. He took another step closer, his expression shifting into something almost wounded. “You don’t know what you’re saying. He’s poisoned you against me, brainwashed you. But it’s okay. I forgive you. I can help you. I know you’re scared. Once he’s out of the picture, you’ll see how much better we are together.”
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.Junie gaped when he opened it to reveal a delicate diamond ring. It sparkled mockingly under the bakery lights.
He got down on one knee while Junie looked on in horror. “Will you marry me?” he asked softly, his voice full of certainty. “Here, let me put it on your finger.”
The sight of the ring snapped something inside her. All the fear and frustration she had been holding back came rushing forward.
“I will never marry you,” she said, her voice shaking but growing stronger. “We have never been together. I was nice to you in high school, just as I was to everyone. That’s all it was. I don’t love you. I love Tanner. You need to leave me alone. Now get out of here.”
Preston’s face changed in an instant. The pleasant, almost boyish mask he had been wearing cracked and fell away, revealing something colder and far more frightening flickering behind his eyes.
