“Anytime. And, Tanner? I wasn’t kidding. Maybe you need to find yourself a woman. You know, to relieve all that pent-up tension.” Rylan winked at him and Tanner laughed dutifully, but he was far too grouchy to be amused. Women were complicated creatures. They caused any number of troubles, had the ability to stomp on your heart and strip away your confidence. And yet they remained so damned desirable. They could make a man feel like a million dollars and as if he could conquer the world. Even if it was only for one night.

“I’ll see you around, Ry. Thanks for the game.”

More on edge than when he’d entered the Silver Dollar, Tanner crossed the parking lot to his truck and hopped in. He started the engine and turned on the wipers, letting them brush the light dusting of snow off the windshield. Flurries in April weren’t that uncommon, though he was more than ready to leave winter behind for good. Longer days and warm temperatures should improve his mood, right?

He’d driven a little ways down the street when he spotted a car with its hood up in the bank parking lot. The bank was closed this time of night; whoever it was must have stopped to use the ATM, and it was the only car in the lot. As he slowed, he saw someone bent under the hood. By the shape of the snug jeans, it was a woman. And as much as Tanner considered women trouble, he wouldn’t drive away from someone with car trouble. He put on his signal and pulled into the lot.

She stood up as he drove into the spot next to her, and he recognized her immediately. Laura Jessup. Well, if that didn’t complicate matters... Laura had a new baby—and the rumor was that the father was none other than Maddy’s late husband. He’d seen her a handful of times since Christmas. It had been a bit awkward, considering how the families were now connected. More for her than for him, really. He liked Laura. Admired her, too. Maybe she’d made mistakes, but she was handling them.

Tanner had been the volunteer EMT on duty the day she went into labor and called for an ambulance. He knew he wasn’t supposed to let things get personal while on a call, but helping the single mom deliver her baby had been a different circumstance. It was a day he wouldn’t ever forget.

“Laura, hi.” He called out to her as he hopped out of the truck. “Having car trouble?”

She looked relieved to see him. “Hey, Tanner. I went into the bank and when I came out, my car wouldn’t start.”

“Let me try. I can always give you a boost.”

“You’re welcome to try and I appreciate it.” She ran a hand over her hair, which was in a perky ponytail with little orangey-red strands sticking out. “My phone’s out of juice and the baby’s in the back. Sleeping, for now, thank God.”

The baby. Tanner had ridden in the back of the ambulance on the way to the hospital and had been there for everything, including the final ten minutes in the emergency room when she’d delivered. He normally would have turned everything over to the doctors and nurses in the department, but Laura had grabbed his hand and asked him to stay. Begged him, so she wouldn’t be alone.

He’d stayed. Right through to the moment the first cries echoed through the room and Laura had started crying herself. Then he’d stepped back and left the room, more affected than he should have been in his professional capacity.

That had been almost four months ago. As he passed by her to get to the driver’s side of her car, he noticed that she definitely had her pre-pregnancy figure back. Well, maybe a few more curves, but they looked good on her. Real good. She looked more rested than she had the last time their paths had crossed, too. She must be adjusting to mom life. From what he heard, there wasn’t a lot of sleeping going on for the first few months with a new baby.

Giving his head a shake, he slid behind the wheel and turned the key. There was a whirring noise, but it got slower and slower and nothing caught. He glanced into the back seat. The car seat was rear facing, so he couldn’t see the baby’s face—just the edges of a white frilly hat and a pink blanket.

As quietly as he could, he got out of the car. “Looks like we’ll have to try giving you a boost,” he said. “And looking at your car, I’d say you’re probably due for a new battery.”

“Damn it.” Laura let out a big sigh. “Oh well. I guess when you drive an older vehicle you have to expect some maintenance costs.”

Tanner nodded. “I know. I go through the same thing with my truck. Hang on, I’ll pull up closer and get my cables.”

“Thanks, Tanner.” She smiled at him. “Looks like you’re coming to my rescue again.”

His gaze met hers, and heat crept up his neck and into his face. He was blushing, for God’s sake. And all because he’d covered for another paramedic that December day when her baby was born. It didn’t get much more personal than that.

Well, that wasn’t the only reason. Laura Jessup was extraordinarily beautiful. Tall, with a stunning figure, thick coppery hair, arresting blue eyes and a smile that went straight to a man’s gut. The rumor was that Gavin Wallace had fathered her baby while he was still married to Maddy. Looking at Laura now, with her sweet smile and gratitude shining in her eyes, Tanner figured he could understand how Gavin had been attracted to her. Particularly since she and Gavin had been high school sweethearts. She’d be a hard woman to forget.