Against the Wind, Season 2, Episode 1 (Rising Storm) by Rebecca Zanetti

Danny?”
    “Bryce needed to go work at the church for a couple of hours, and he took Danny with him.” Genuine pleasure lit her intelligent face. “Danny loves the quietness of the church, and he needs to spend time one on one with Bryce.”
    Tucker nodded. Bryce had seemed so withdrawn when Danny had been diagnosed, which had resulted in him pushing everyone away. Maybe he was doing better now. “I’m glad.”
    “Me, too.” Tara crossed her jean-clad legs. “Back to you, buddy.”
    He sighed. “I know I screwed up, but Hannah and I belong together.”
    “Yeah, I can see that.” Tara pointed to the bruise on his face. “I’m thinking that Tate still disagrees?”
    “Funny.” Tucker fingered the painful reminder of his brother’s fist. Or maybe it had been an elbow. “I don’t know how to fix it.”
    “Are you going to keep seeing Hannah?”
    “Yes.” There was no budging on that issue. “What should I do, Tar?”
    She shook her head. “I’m not sure. If Tate found somebody he really loved, maybe he’d understand.”
    “Right.” Tucker shook his head. “There’s more. I think that we hurt his political career with what we did. I mean, people are whispering about Tate and that he was so easily fooled. And that was before we grappled on the ground like angry teenagers.”
    Tara paled. “That’ll kill him.”
    It was telling that everyone was more worried that Tate had possibly lost the election than his having lost Hannah. Tate didn’t have the love for Hannah that he did his ambitions. “There has to be a way to help him with the election.”
    “I’ll think of something,” Tara said.
    “You always do.” Tucker’s stomach growled, but he knew he wouldn’t get a muffin until they finished talking. “How are things? Carol mentioned something about Danny getting out.”
    “I think Carol has been letting him out,” Tara whispered. “We found him almost by the gazebo yesterday, and I know I’d locked the door. That’s one of the reasons Bryce took him today. But when I talked to Carol, she denied unlocking the door.”
    “I’ll make more of an effort with her,” Tucker said. “Take her to the movies and give her some attention.”
    Tara’s eyes sparkled. “That’d be great.”
    The door opened and Bryce walked in with a sleeping Danny in his arms. He gave a quick nod and disappeared upstairs, returning by himself. “Tucker,” Bryce said.
    “Bryce,” Tucker responded, pressing his lips together to keep from smiling. The usually put-together reverend’s reddish-blond hair was askew, and his T-shirt was partially out of his pants. “Busy day?”
    Bryce leaned down and pressed a kiss to his wife’s forehead before dropping into a worn blue chair. “Danny was a handful.”
    Tara leaned forward. “Did you get your work done?”
    “No,” Bryce said with a sigh. He focused on his brother-in-law. “How are you doing?”
    Tucker smiled. “I’m fine.” No way was he going to confess all to Tara’s husband. Not that the whole town didn’t already know his sins. There were no secrets in Storm. Not really. “Tara said that Danny has been getting out.”
    Bryce cut a look at Tara. “Yes, but we’re handling it. Nothing to worry about.”
    Tara pressed her lips together.
    Tucker frowned. He’d never understood why Bryce seemed to keep the Johnson family at arm’s length. Family mattered. Even now, if Tucker really needed help, Tate would be there in a second. Sure, he’d probably punch Tucker in the face before helping, but he’d still show up. “I’m not worried, but I’d like to help if I can. Maybe take Carol out to a movie next weekend?”
    Why did Tara seem to be holding her breath?
    Bryce studied him, his body relaxing into the chair. “That’d be nice, Tucker.”
    “Great.” Tucker stood. “I have to get to work on the ranch now, but Tara? You promised me a muffin.”
     

Chapter Seven
    Tara Douglas waited in the booth at the cafe, feeling oddly guilty for