Sleepless Nights (The Donovans of the Delta) by Peggy Webb Page A

men.”
    Amanda did, too. Something inside her leapt at the sound of Tanner’s voice. She folded her hands in her lap and tried to look serene.
    The Donovan men came through the door— Matthew, Charles, Glover, Theo, and Tanner. Only Paul and Jacob were missing. They were all tall, rugged, handsome men, even Matthew with his shock of gray hair. They were laughing and joking as Matthew directed Theo and Tanner, carrying an enormous tree, through the library door.
    The tree blocked Amanda from view, so she got to watch them unobserved. She treasured the family scene, cherished it, stored it in her memory to recall in the lonesome times after Christmas when Tanner would be back in Dallas and she would be alone.
    “It’s crooked,” Theo said.
    “It has dignity,” Tanner said.
    “You say that because you picked it out,” Charles said.
    Anna stood and clapped her hands. “My, my, It’s a lovely tree, boys, but do say hello to our guest.”
    The Donovan men turned to Amanda. They smiled and greeted her, all at once. Except Tanner, and she had eyes only for him. He leaned casually against the mantel, looking at her as if he planned to cover her with whipped cream and have her for dessert.
    She didn’t know what she said to the Donovan men. Years of training in small talk had carried her through, for her gaze was locked with Tanner’s. She saw the tiny flames ignite in their depths, noted the languid drooping of his lids. The desire to love and to be loved by this man had never been stronger. And she thanked her lucky stars that the room was full of people.
    “I have a big pot of coffee in the kitchen,” Anna said. “I can serve it in here, or perhaps you’d like to come back there. A fresh pan of gingerbread ought to be ready in about ten minutes.”
    “Amanda and I will join you in the kitchen later.” It was the first time Tanner had spoken. Amanda didn’t miss the significant glances the Donovan men gave each other as they filed out behind Anna. Matthew discreetly closed the door.
    “I’ve been wanting to kiss you since I walked into this room and saw you sitting over there.” In three steps he was beside her. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “Lord, you feel good.”
    “Tanner.” She knew she’d made only a token protest. She could no more resist his arms than she could fly. He pressed her head against his shoulder. It fit perfectly—as it always had.
    “It’s been almost twenty-four hours since I’ve seen you, Mandy. I don’t intend to let that happen again.” He tipped her head back with one finger. “You’re so damned beautiful, I ache every time I look at you.”
    Then his lips were on hers. He tasted of wind and pine trees and soap. It was the tenderest of kisses, a warm, sweet sensation that enfolded her heart. There was no urgency, no demand in the kiss, only a precious touching. If she hadn’t known better, she would have thought it was the kiss of a man in love. Fortunately she did know better. It made what she had to do much easier.
    The sweetness continued for so long, her resolve faltered. She was caught up in the embrace. The crackling hearth fire warmed her outside, and the delicious heat of Tanner’s kiss warmed her inside. As they kissed, his hands gently massaged her back, tenderly smoothed her hair. She died a little inside, knowing it couldn’t last forever.
    Finally Tanner drew back, but he kept his hold on her, cupping her face and holding it so close to his that they seemed to breathe as one.
    “I love you, Mandy.”
    He said it simply, and she almost believed him. But her good common sense told her it was merely his latest ploy.
    “Once I believed that. Not anymore, Tanner.”
    Silently Tanner cursed the fates that had torn them apart and set them on separate paths. Inside, he raged against the empty years and her marriage to Claude. He even raged against the football career that had been the beginning of the end for them.
    He wanted to smash his fist