Page 96 of Bad For Me (Rock Canyon, Idaho 5)

“Whoa, now. Let’s not be hasty.”

Everett followed her outside and waited behind her as she locked the door. When she was done, she tossed her hair and sniffed. “If you want my kisses, Rhett, you’re going to have to accept the good with the dog hair.”

She walked past him with her little nose in the air, like she’d just put him in his place. Everett chuckled as he took two long strides and spun her around. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her again, murmuring against her mouth, “I’d do anything for your kisses.”

“Mmm, I’ll remember that.” She nipped at his lips as she held onto his shoulders.

“What about my kisses?”

“Eh, they’re okay,” she said.

“Just okay?” Cupping her face in his hands, he took her mouth with scorching heat, swiping his tongue inside. “How was that?” he asked when he pulled back, breathing hard.

Despite the flush of her cheeks and her hazy eyes, she feigned boredom. “A little better.”

“I’m going to have to just keep kissing you, I guess.”

“I think you should.”

FRED OPENED THE door with a wide smile, and Callie fought the nervous flutters she had about meeting Everett’s family as a couple.

She knew Everett well enough to realize that bringing her to his home for Sunday dinner was a sign he was serious about her, if his heartfelt I love you hadn’t been enough. Still, she’d been lucky enough to wake up before he’d been fully aware and was able to get dressed without him seeing everything. Despite her lingering hang-ups, it was weird how far they’d come in such a short time. Four weeks ago, they had only ever spoken on her radio show, and now she

was about to sit down and get to know his family.

Everett had warned her the day after Justin left that he knew about her alcoholism, and she was actually relieved that the initial shock—and probably anger—had happened without her there.

Still, despite Fred’s open acceptance of her, she was a little worried about Justin. She hardly knew him, beyond what Fred had told her about Justin’s having taken care of him most nights when he was too drunk, but she knew Justin definitely still held a grudge. She couldn’t imagine that he had been thrilled to learn about her past.

She just hoped he’d at least try to understand, for Everett’s sake. Everett loved his brother, and despite their occasional disagreements, she could see that. And she wouldn’t be the problem that drove a wedge between them.

“Callie.” Fred stepped out onto the porch and pulled her into his arms. “I am so glad you could make it.”

“Thank you for having me,” she said.

Fred kept his arm around her and led her inside. “Come on in; everyone is waiting.”

“How are the Broncos doing?” Everett asked behind them.

“They’re up by seven.”

They walked into the living room. Justin was sitting on the couch, watching the TV. He hardly looked up when they entered.

“Excuse Justin. He’s tired after his honeymoon.” Fred squeezed Callie’s shoulders and her heart sank as she realized she’d been naïve. There was no way Justin was going to accept her or give her a chance. He was too jaded from his experience.

“The girls are in the kitchen, looking at honeymoon photos,” Fred said.

Callie took the hint and gave the men a chance to talk. She smiled at Caroline and her sisters as she walked into the kitchen. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Caroline hopped up and gave her a hug. “So, you and Everett worked everything out?”

“Yeah, we did.”

Callie noticed that Valerie kept glancing at her thoughtfully, as if she had something to say and was formulating a way to put it.

Ellie popped a potato chip into her mouth and smirked. “Congrats. He is smoking hot, even with the . . . well, you know.”

Callie tossed Ellie a dirty look, and Caroline laughed. “You better watch what you say about Callie’s man. Roar.”