Page 10

CHAPTER TEN

T ANNER POUNDED THROUGH the woods, every awful scenario he could imagine slamming into his brain. Had Callie said she was in a tree? The storm had intensified and with the downpour and whistling wind, he couldn’t be sure.

The name of the Garmets had come through loud and clear, though.

Whatever situation she was in, he hated knowing they were involved.

When he finally spotted Callie, her arms and legs wrapped tight around a sturdy oak limb, she was alone. Sopping wet.

And crying .

Her face was too wet to see any tears, but he could hear it in the broken way she gulped air, see it in her panicked expression.

Before he could reach her, she started explaining. “The Garmets were h-here, but they took off. They had my g-goat. They wanted me to come down, but I didn’t know…”

The tumble of words continued while he went to her and Kam started looking around.

“They’re g-gone now,” she said, her words shivering together. “And I’m stuck in a tree!”

“You aren’t stuck,” Tanner said calmly, sensing she didn’t need to see his anger right now, even if it was aimed at others. He’d left Blu at home rather than risk the dog in the storm, but now he wished he’d brought him along. If Dirk or Lang were still around, Blu would pinpoint them.

Knowing Kam had his back, Tanner ignored his surroundings and reached up for Callie. “Honey, can you swing your leg over? I promise I won’t let you fall.”

Lightning crashed overhead, alarming him. A creek bed that ran through the woods had already filled with the spring rain. The sound of the water rushing past mingled with the downpour and consistently rumbling thunder. The branches of the tree, large and small, swayed from the force of the storm.

A tree was a terrible place for her to be. Then again, on the ground in the darkened woods with Dirk and Lang might have been worse, so he silently applauded her resourcefulness.

She shifted cautiously. “It was e-easier getting up.”

“I know.” Fear had probably provided the impetus she’d needed, and it killed him to think of her being so terrified. “Just bring your foot over the side—that’s it. A little more.” The second her leg was free, he held her above the knee, steadying her, providing a foundation. “See, I’ve got you. Now the other leg.”

“My hands are cold and the limb is w-wet.”

“I swear to you, Callie, I won’t let you fall.”

She stared down at him, chose to trust him again, and then nodded. Once she went to move her other leg, she started slipping and let out a horrified gasp.

Tanner scooped her up, catching her against his chest, cradling her close to his body. He wished he had thought to get a jacket, but he hadn’t. His T-shirt was wet through so even if he offered it to her, it wouldn’t do her much good.

“We have to get out of this storm,” Kam said.

“My g-goat.”

They both listened, heard the near-continuous cry, and Kam took off. “I’ll get him.”

“Watch your back,” Tanner warned. Later, he’d settle up with Dirk and Lang. If they’d hurt the animal, there’d be hell to pay. He’d see to it.

Callie squeezed him in a death grip. “I’m s-sorry I’m such a bother.”

“Shush. You’re not.” He kissed her temple. “I want to get you inside, but I don’t want to leave Kam alone if those bastards are around.”

She nodded, burrowing closer to steal his warmth as they waited.

Less than two minutes passed when Kam came back bare-chested. He’d removed his shirt to create a leash, which he used to lead along the anxious goat. “He was caught up pretty tight in some vines.” His gaze met Tanner’s. “Nearly hobbled.”

“Oh,” Callie said, lunging away and dropping to her knees on the muddy ground to embrace the wet goat. “I’m s-so sorry, baby.”

“He’ll be happiest in his shelter with the others,” Tanner said, catching her upper arm and urging her back to her feet. “We need to get out of the storm. Come on.” Together, two men, a shaken woman, and a frazzled goat, they made their way back to Callie’s property.

Kam secured the gate, then got the goat settled in with the others. “I dried him off with some straw. He has a few abrasions on one of his legs.”

“Oh no,” Callie whispered, her tone filled with horror.

“He’s fine for tonight,” Kam assured her. “We can check it out tomorrow.”

“But—”

“He’s already huddled in with the others.”

Tanner had to fight the urge to lift Callie in his arms and carry her in, just to get her out of this damned weather, but he knew she wouldn’t appreciate that. Through the woods, while shivering and upset, she’d doggedly put one foot in front of the other. She’d watched the goat in front of her but avoided his gaze.

Now that she was in her own yard and the goat safe, she was already bucking up, standing a little straighter and holding herself more tightly.

No longer leaning into him.

“Thank you. I’ll ch-check him first thing in the morning.” Still with chattering teeth, she said, “My back door is unlocked.” She stood there, watching Kam wring the rain from his shirt. “W-when I saw the gate was open, my first th-thought was to find him.”

Without her phone. Without her keys. A woman alone going into the woods. In a thunderstorm .

How many times had he warned her? But, he reminded himself, she’d been alone with no one to call, even if she’d had her phone. That was on him. Anyone could see that she truly cared about the animals.

“I understand,” he said, determined to get her inside where she could warm up. “Could have happened to anyone.”

Kam kept his worried gaze on Callie and her averted face. “Why don’t you two go in?” He said to Tanner, “I’ll run home and get you some dry clothes.”

Tanner started to nod, but Callie stepped away, further separating herself.

“I love you b-both for the rescue. N-no idea what I’d have done if you hadn’t shown up.” With a shaking hand, she shoved back the sodden clumps of her wet hair. “You can both go h-home, now. I’m fine. Thank you for your help.”

Her flat tone sounded like anything but love. More like dread. Guilt. Self-recriminations.

Tanner turned back to Kam. “I appreciate it. Thanks.”

Nodding, Kam ignored what she’d said, acting only on Tanner’s agreement. Callie didn’t look up to debating it with him. Already she was trudging forward, her every step weary as she tried to leave them behind.

Reaching the door before her, Tanner opened it. Callie could be stubborn enough that she might lock him out.

And maybe he deserved that.

As they stepped inside, she asked, “They’ll be okay? My ch-chickens and goats? The storm won’t frighten them?”

“They’re outdoor animals, so they’re used to it.”

Accepting that, she locked the door—belatedly, to his mind—and then bent down to strip off her short, sturdy boots. They were meant for outdoor work. A good choice, but the soaked laces wouldn’t give.

“Here.” Tanner pulled over a kitchen chair and gestured her into it, then he knelt down and, with a little effort, got the laces loosened enough that he could tug off each boot. He set them on the rug by the back door, and then removed his own boots, too.

After peeling off her socks, Callie murmured, “I’ll get some towels,” and she started out of the room, barefoot, dripping, still shivering.

“Callie.” Catching her hand, Tanner gently turned her to face him. “Could you do me a big favor?”

Her downcast gaze lifted, searching his face. With her lashes spiked, her lips pale and her nose pink, she said, “Of course,” like a vow. “Anything.”

Anything was one hell of an offer, but he took it as she no doubt meant it. Now was not the time to tease her. “Since the door was unlocked and the Garmets were already around, let me check the house with you.” When she started to speak, he acted on impulse, putting a quick, firm kiss to her chilled lips, lingering just long enough to add a little warmth. “I can see how it happened. No explanation necessary, but I’ll feel better if I take a look around.”

Her shuddering inhale nearly did him in. “Okay. If you insist.”

“I do. Thanks.” Taking her icy fingers in his, he went through her house. The basement door now had a dead bolt, thanks to Liam. Front door was bolted too. There was no place to hide in the kitchen or living room, and he made quick work of peeking into the bathroom, the two bedrooms, and the closets.

There was definitely something to be said for a small space.

Back to the bathroom, he found some towels, handing one to her before he stripped off his shirt, wrung it out over the tub, and then laid it over the side before briskly drying off.

Callie watched him so closely that awareness warmed his skin.

“You have dry clothes, honey?”

She paused in the process of using the towel to squeeze rainwater from her hair. “Why are you calling me that?”

Grateful that her voice now sounded steadier, he asked, “Honey?”

She nodded.

He hadn’t even thought about it. Treating her gently, reassuring her, had been foremost in his mind. “I guess because it scared me, finding you out in the storm like that.”

Blotting the dampness from her face gave her a second to hide. When she lowered the towel, she appeared resigned. “How did you even know?”

“Glory tried to reach you.” He took the towel from her and briskly dried her arms. At least her teeth were no longer chattering, but shivers continued to chase over her skin. “When she couldn’t, she called Addie to see if you were there—since you often have dinner with us. Because it was storming, Addie ran over to make sure you were okay, and you were nowhere to be found but your car was here. She called me, I called Kam.” He lifted a shoulder. “Kam and I both came straight home.” And good thing. What if they hadn’t? Would she still be in a tree? What would the Garmets have done?

What had they intended to do?

Groaning, Callie dropped against him, her face ducked beneath his chin. “So much trouble for me.”

“Hey, you’re worth that.” And more. “We look out for each other around here. Addie knew how careful you were being and she said you never leave the door unlocked unless you’re right there. Only this time, you weren’t.”

“She’s right. Both Liam and I were in the yard after we finished cleaning out the gutters and downspouts. With the first raindrop, I insisted that he head out for his date.” She paused. “Did you know he had a date? I was so excited for him. All he does is work.”

Tanner smiled at her enthusiasm for Liam. “He’s determined.”

“I know. I worry about him.”

Of course she did. Because she cared, about everyone and everything, and he’d left her alone.

Before he could get annoyed with himself, she got back on track. “After Liam left, I went to make sure the animals were in their shelters. That’s when I realized one goat was missing.”

And of course she’d acted on instinct, immediately going to investigate.

“I thought I’d find him in the yard, but he wasn’t there. I looked everywhere.” Her shoulders tensed, her voice lowered. “The back gate was open.”

He’d bet money that neither Callie nor Liam would have left it like that.

As if he’d said it aloud, she shook her head. “We were nowhere near that gate, Tanner. If the goat got it open, I don’t know how. I fastened it the way you showed me.”

“How about we figure that out later?” Goats could be clever when they saw something tasty on the other side of a fence. Usually, though, they tended to stick together.

“Poor Glory,” she said, switching tracks yet again. “I shouldn’t have left my phone inside, but I didn’t want notifications going off while I was working with Liam.”

“I’m sure by now Kam has told Addie, and Addie has told Glory, so she knows you’re okay.”

Her groan was more humor than misery. “It’s like a sick phone game with me at the center of it all.”

No, it was like a woman alone who had a history with aggressive assholes, and now had two of them living next door to her. “Come on.” With an arm around her, he led her to her bedroom. “Get changed into something dry, okay?”

Looking miserable, she nodded.

As he started to step out, he noted the way she went rigid, bracing herself to be alone. Fuck it. He couldn’t do it. “One more favor?”

She closed her eyes. “What?”

“Don’t complain when I stay right here while you change.”

That had her eyes flaring wide. “Here?”

Truthfully, he said, “I need to be close to you.” He would never forget the fear he’d seen in her face as she’d clung to that tree. “I’ll turn my back,” he offered. “How’s that?” The subtle easing of her shoulders told him he’d made the right move.

“Okay. Just…give me one minute.” Now in a rush, she opened drawer after drawer, pulling out a shirt, shorts, socks…and panties. Tiny panties, made of silky material and lace in a frosted peach color.

Tanner wanted to look away, but he hadn’t yet talked himself into it. Callie was pale and still shaken, her wet clothes clinging to her body, her brown hair hanging in heavy hanks down her back and over her chest. And even now, so disheveled and unsettled, she had the ability to twist him into knots.

When she dropped everything on the foot of her bed, he got himself together and faced away. Unblinking, he stared through the bedroom doorway to the hall. “Kam will be here shortly.”

“I’m hurrying,” she said.

“I didn’t mean that.” He’d just been speaking to keep from thinking so much. Envisioning her as she changed. Imagining those wet clothes peeling away from her naked body. He ran a hand over his face. “I only meant we’d both be dry soon. Then I’d like to talk to you.”

Sounding grim and defeated, she said, “All right.”

Outside, the storm continued to rage. Loud rumbles of thunder reverberated throughout the house. Strobes of impressive lightning danced through the blinds. Steady sheets of rain lashed the windows.

Heavy storms weren’t uncommon in Kentucky this time of year, but tonight felt different. Maybe because he was in Callie’s bedroom. Every crack of lightning lifted the hairs on the back of his neck. Never in his adult life had he been so attuned to a woman, hearing her every breath, feeling her every movement.

Sensing her continued upset.

It made him want to rage as violently as the storm—not against her, but for her.

“Kam shouldn’t come back out in this,” she whispered.

The muscles of his arms contracted, tightening in his shoulders and neck. Already she wanted to send him away when they both knew she’d prefer not to be alone.

Then she suggested, “You could just wrap up in a blanket or towel, and we could put your clothes in the dryer.”

His tension eased, just not enough. With Callie so near, he was bound to stay rigid and on alert.

“No way am I doing that.” It’d be far too tempting to pull her close and lose the insubstantial barrier. She wasn’t herself right now, so he’d stay in his wet jeans before he added to her uneasiness.

Then it no longer mattered because Kam texted him to say: Driving stuff over. Be there in 2.

“He’s already on his way.” Tanner returned the thumbs-up emoji to his brother, then cleared his throat. “Need any help?”

“No, I’m done.”

Slowly, he turned to see her sit on the end of the bed. Her T-shirt was big, her shorts tiny, and over both she wore a man’s flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

He wondered where she’d gotten it, but it didn’t exactly look like Sutter’s style. More like something she’d picked up at a discount department store.

As he watched her, she pulled on thick white socks.

It was far from a stylish outfit, not at all what a rich princess would wear, but it looked comfortably cute.

On her, it also looked sexy.

Callie gathered up her wet clothes and held them away from her body. “I could put these in the bathroom.”

She could, but he guessed she wanted him to go with her. His heart squeezed, seeing her like this, with big solemn eyes and a stoic attitude. “Good plan.” He took them from her and, together, they went into the bathroom and arranged them to dry over the shower rod, tub, and even over a towel bar. Her panties she dropped into a hamper.

Back in the living room, he lifted away the blinds to see her driveway. “Kam should be pulling up any second.”

Silence stretched out, then she whispered, “You could just ride back with him. Who knows how long this storm will last.”

Glancing over his shoulder, Tanner saw that she’d averted her face again. “I’d rather stay with you.”

For the longest time she didn’t move. Tanner didn’t either.

Then, as headlights flashed in her driveway, she looked up and said, “I’d rather that too, but I’ve been enough of a nuisance.”

“You’re not. Ever.” He opened her front door. “Watch for me. I’ll be right back in.” Holding on to the image of her pale face, he dashed out into the rain to save Kam from getting soaked again.

If Callie wasn’t going to use the garage, she’d need a carport. Otherwise, in the next storm, she might get caught in a downpour.

That is, if she was going to stay.

At the car, Kam said, “I’d have brought it in.”

Thankfully the rain was blowing from the other direction, so it didn’t pour into Kam’s open driver’s side window. “Then we’d both be drenched.” Without a shirt, the rain stung and still Tanner hesitated. “The storm isn’t letting up.”

“Nope,” Kam replied. “Forecasted to go all night.”

Glad to have a viable excuse, Tanner nodded. “I’m probably staying here then.”

“Good.” Kam glanced to the door. “I was hoping she’d let you.”

“I haven’t exactly asked yet.” But he was hoping the same. “If I decide to head home, it won’t be for a while.”

“I’ll take care of Blu.”

“Thanks. And tell Addie not to worry.”

With that exchange wrapped up, Kam held out a large plastic bag stuffed full. “Clothes and food.”

“Appreciate it.” Half curved over the bag to protect it, Tanner dashed back to her porch. His bare feet slid over the wet grass, got pricked by random weeds, and he winced as he landed on a few sharp rocks.

When he reached the door, Callie was just putting away her phone.

“Glory?” he asked.

“Yes.” She looked him over. “I’ll get you another towel.”

He watched her for signs of stress, but she moved more freely now. Without as much anxiety, she hustled into the bathroom and returned with one of the towels they’d already used, plus a clean one.

She dropped the used towel on the floor.

He handed her the bag. “It’s heavy. My clothes and some food that Addie sent.” Quickly, he dried his feet on the used towel.

“Such a sweetheart.”

As he ran the fresh towel over his neck, shoulders, and chest, he asked, “Kam or Addie?”

“Both,” she teased back. “But I meant Addie.” After carrying the bag into the kitchen, she dug out his neatly folded jeans, socks, briefs, and shirt, putting them on a chair, then took out a few covered dishes. “Tanner, this smells like fried chicken.” She peeled back a lid and inhaled. “Oh, heaven . It is.”

Smiling at her appreciative tone, he picked up the change of clothes and asked, “How about I change in the living room while you get the food together?” He’d be close enough to hear her but with some privacy so he didn’t embarrass her—and didn’t tempt fate.

“A solid plan,” she said, but before he walked away she touched his arm. “Thank you. For everything. And for…understanding.”

“It’s not a big deal, okay?” He was glad to be here for her.

“It embarrasses me.” Then she shook her head, as if that word didn’t suffice. “Not that I lost a goat and forgot my phone and left my house unlocked, bad as all those things are. Not even the part with being in a tree.” Her next breath sounded forced, her words pained. “The freak-out, though? God, how I wish I could…not do that.”

To his mind, it took a lot of guts to face your embarrassment, to admit to it and own it. Callie had more grit than she realized. “Some things take longer to conquer. Some things,” he added softly, “stick with us forever.” As he well knew. “Kam and I were both impressed with how you handled yourself.”

Her short laugh was slightly broken, and he noted the fresh sheen of tears in her eyes, but also her slight smile. Such a conflict.

“I hate that I fell apart on you.” Angrily, she shoved back her hair.

“Not on me,” he said softly, though he wouldn’t mind.

“I don’t do that.” She took a step away, but pivoted right back. “No one other than Glory has seen me cry. I’m usually good at holding it together, saving it until I’m alone.”

“Hey.” Holding the clothes in one arm, he tugged her close and bent his knees to look directly into blue eyes wounded with disappointment—in herself. “I hate that you were upset, and I wish you never had reason to cry.” He cupped her cheek, feeling her cool skin against the warmth of his palm. “But if you do, I’m here. You can always lean on me, okay?”

For a long moment her gaze held his and he could almost hear her thoughts. He hadn’t been there, not for the past week—because he’d been avoiding temptation.

Her sad little smile let him off the hook. “Sure,” she murmured, briefly nuzzling her cheek into his hand before stepping apart from him. “I appreciate it.”

“Always,” he reiterated, without knowing how long “always” might be. Not with Callie.

Tense seconds ticked by in silence. There was nothing more he could say; they both knew his preference was for her to sell him the house.

For her to return…to what?

To parents who pressured her? An ex who didn’t deserve her? Divided on many levels, he shook his head—to her and himself—and he retreated to the living room to change into dry clothes. What he wanted long-term, and what he wanted at this particular moment, were at complete odds.

Urge her to go, or convince her to stay.

Point out the many ways that she was out of her element, or praise her for all she’d accomplished already.

Hinder her, or help her.

For tonight, at least, help was the only thing on his mind. Callie needed him and so he’d be here.

The future, whatever it held, could be figured out later.

Rarely had he ever warred with himself like this. He liked to make a decision and stick to it, seeing things as black and white, right and wrong, progress and regression.

The last time that he could recall was when he’d struggled to resist Addie. He’d wanted autonomy, without all the emotions mucking with his head. Yet Addie’s love had been impossible to refuse.

Callie was proving just as difficult…and in many ways he liked it. Because he liked her. More than he’d thought possible in the short amount of time she’d been here.

With his thoughts still bounding everywhere, he pulled up his dry jeans—and suddenly everything went pitch-black and utterly silent. No hum of the fridge or ticking of a clock. No blue light from the small TV or appliances. The only sounds were that of the perpetual wind and pummeling rain against the house.

Giving himself a few seconds for his eyes to acclimate, Tanner called out, “Stand still. I’ll come to you.”

“I’m already here,” Callie said, her searching hands landing against his throat and shoulder.

It seemed the most natural thing to pull her close and hold her. “Is your phone in your pocket?”

She nodded against his chest, then shifted around to pull it free and turn on her flashlight. “Blast. My power is already low. How about yours?”

“It’s charged.” Using the light from her phone, he located his wet jeans and retrieved his phone and wallet from a back pocket. To be safe, he double-checked that the front door was locked, took his discarded jeans to the bathroom—which was now full of wet clothes—and was back to her in under thirty seconds. She hadn’t moved. “Got any candles?”

Surprised, she said, “Yes! Reggie kept them in the kitchen and when Addie reorganized it for me, she put all that type of stuff into one drawer.” She snagged his hand and took him along with her as she went to the cabinet and got them out. “No candle holders though.”

“Not a problem. We can put them on a plate or something.” Stepping around her, he asked, “You mind?”

She waved at the cabinets. “Help yourself.”

He found a shallow but thick white bowl shaped like the bottom of a chicken. Made him wonder if it had a top somewhere, but for now it’d do. In the same drawer where she’d gotten the candles, he found a box of matches.

After a little more searching, he was able to light three candles, one already in a jar, so at least the kitchen was illuminated. He set the jar on the table and, trying to put her at ease, said, “A romantic dinner by candlelight.”

The worry left her gaze and her smile slowly crept into place. “After the past couple of hours, doesn’t that sound perfect?”

Yeah, it did—since it was with her. “I’ll grab my shirt if you can get the food together.”

With a pouting glance at his chest, she said, “Spoilsport,” but then she shooed him away. “Go on, dress if you must.” She started darting around for plates and silverware, drinks and serving forks. “I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”

As Tanner pulled on his shirt and socks, he realized he was smiling, too. Honest to God, he couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d rather be right now. Sitting in a darkened house in a vicious rainstorm, Callie dressed in mismatched clothes and her wet hair drying in clumps, about to eat Addie’s fried chicken by candlelight, yeah, that seemed like the perfect night to him.

“I’m ready,” she sang out, to urge him along.

For now, he was just going to enjoy himself. Pretty sure he couldn’t do anything else. Not when it came to Callie McCallahan.

* * *

F UNNY HOW A woman could go from a mundane life of contentedly dining at the trendiest restaurants, wearing designer fashions without real appreciation, and hanging with affluent friends who didn’t truly know her all that well, to having far, far more fun in a rustic kitchen setting with a large, very alpha and often cantankerous guy, eating incredible home-fried chicken with only an unscented candle for light.

Never mind that fear had stripped a year off her life and she was still worried about her goat and his possibly injured leg, not to mention that she’d made a colossal fool of herself in front of all her male neighbors. Somehow, when Tanner was around, even a destructive storm and a terrible experience turned into an incredible day.

The man was pure magic.

It helped that the food was so good. It took her and Tanner little time to consume fair portions of everything. She was still frazzled, her hair was beyond wrecked, and face-burning mortification poked around the periphery of her contentment, but she was no longer hungry or afraid.

Great progress by anyone’s measure.

“What are you thinking?” Tanner asked, his last forkful of potatoes paused in front of his mouth. “You’re just sitting there staring at me.”

Holding back a sigh, she explained, “I can’t help it. You look good in candlelight. All the shadows show off your cheekbones and the golden glow is reflected in your dark eyes.” When he tucked in his chin to scowl at her, she had to grin. “I mean, you always look hot, built as you are and all that.”

He snorted.

“Seriously, Tanner. Do you even realize how off-the-charts gorgeous you are?”

Setting his fork on his plate, he met her gaze. “Are you trying to keep me off balance?”

“No.” She liked that he was the steadiest person she’d ever known. It didn’t seem likely that she could offset him.

“I know what I look like, honey. I’m not an ogre, but I’m rough around the edges, not at all slick like your Sutter.”

That jibe stung. “He’s not my Sutter, so don’t say that.”

At her firm tone, he gave a nod. “You get my drift.”

“Sutter is handsome enough, but he’s…” Not you . The realization hit her like another clap of thunder. Her lips parted but nothing came out.

No one else was Tanner.

No one had ever gotten to her like this.

If some other guy had avoided her for a week, she’d have told him to take a hike. She would not have shared dinner with him. She absolutely would not have clung to him for comfort, no matter the situation.

Yet with Tanner, it all felt right.

It wasn’t just that she understood his reasoning for wanting her to move on. She knew he had his own plans for her house—and it was her house. Now that she loved it so much, no way would she budge, not even for him.

But it was so much more than mere understanding. It was an inferno of spiking sensations—both physical and emotional. Tanner made her feel things that until now—until him—she hadn’t known existed.

Callie shook her head, trying to clear it, but the confusion remained.

Somehow, in a super short time, she’d gotten completely hooked on a guy who would gladly tell her goodbye tomorrow.

Heck, starting tomorrow, he might go back to dodging her.

That thought made her breath catch.

Tanner’s frown intensified. “What?”

Blinking out of her fog, she repeated, “What?”

He half laughed. “You said Sutter was handsome, then you just trailed off and started staring at me again.”

Heat slid up her neck and slowly filled her face. Thank God for low lighting. “You said he was slick, but slick isn’t all that great, especially on a pretentious jerk like Sutter. You’re genuine and he is not. And besides, he’s not a specimen like you.”

“So why does it feel like you just censored that? What were you really going to say?”

“I don’t know.”

He cocked a brow. “Oh, I think you do.”

“Fine.” Deciding he could just deal with the truth, she said, “Everyone I know says Sutter is gorgeous, but his eyes don’t make me forget myself. He doesn’t smell good enough to eat.”

Tanner abruptly sat back in his seat, a fire starting to smolder in his eyes.

On a roll, Callie continued. “He doesn’t openly love his mother and brother the way you do. He doesn’t want to help people—that is, anyone but himself. He doesn’t growl in a way that amuses me, or argue in a way I enjoy. Never, not in a million years, would he know what to do if he found me in a tree during a rainstorm. And I can guarantee he wouldn’t give two flips for a dog, or a goat, or this mysterious horse you keep claiming is mine.”

As she spoke, she breathed faster. Tanner breathed deeper.

Gripping the edge of the table, she leaned in, unable to stop the flow of words. They’d been building the entire week that he’d stayed away. “I never missed sleep thinking about Sutter when I was already exhausted. He would hate having a meal here, in this house, this setting, without power.” The more she said, the more clarity she had. “I could never, not for any reason, suffer through marriage with him.”

The word marriage put Tanner on alert. She couldn’t tell if she’d intrigued him or made him want to escape into the storm.

“Relax,” she snapped, peeved by his attitude given the wealth of emotion imploding inside her. “I don’t know you well enough to propose, but I like you enough that I can imagine it.” That sounded absurd so she tacked on, “Not that I have been.” She could say that with complete honesty. “I’ve had my hands full just getting through every damned day.” Standing, she picked up her empty plate and went to the sink. Heavy shadows lurked in the corners, shifting with the candle flames, but she knew her way around her own kitchen.

Disposing of the scraps, she scraped her plate and then put it and her fork in the sink before returning to the table. “Snakes,” she muttered, feeling very put out. “Bugs and new locks and weird noises and things that don’t work when they should. Animals that I don’t yet entirely understand.” She snapped up the dishes Addie had sent and sealed the lids over them, before carrying them all to the counter.

“Don’t open the fridge yet,” Tanner warned, his voice calm and even. “Wait until you have everything ready to go inside. That way you’ll only open it once and it’ll stay colder longer.”

“See, you know everything and I know almost nothing, but you don’t rub it in. Sutter would. That is, he’d be all condescending and superior and I’d want to punch him in the throat.”

Seeing Tanner’s grin only amped up her frustration. Especially when he stood and pitched in.

Stepping back, Callie gestured. “And that! Doing kitchen chores like it’s nothing. Big, bad Tanner can work a full day, save a loony neighbor out of a tree, stick with her because she’s falling apart, then smile and help clean up.”

“I didn’t—”

Whatever he was going to say, she didn’t care.

She threw up her hands. “It’s freaking unnatural! What man does that?”

“The good ones?”

Oh, sure—with the insinuation being that she’d picked nothing but the bad ones for her entire life? “And then be all jokey-jokey about it?” Even knowing she was being unreasonable, she still wanted to tackle him to the floor and devour him.

She wasn’t sure if he’d let her though, so instead she filled her lungs, clenched her hands, and tried to bring all the excessive feelings under control. Not an easy task in her current frazzled state. “Before coming here, before you and Addie, goats and chickens, Liam and the Garmets, I was a sensible, even-tempered person. People liked me because I was easy and fun, not ranting and irrational.” She jabbed a finger at the table and her voice pitched higher. “In candlelight!”

Tanner watched her like she might start screaming any moment. Or maybe she was already screaming. God, what a day it had been.

“I need a shower,” he said, still in that casual, even tone.

Every muscle in Callie’s body seemed to lock up. Did he mean to shower at her house, or had she just driven him away? If he decided to go, she would not ask him to stay. Absolutely not.

After swiping a cloth over the table and then giving a glance at the dirty dishes in the sink, he faced her. “So.”

So what ? She stiffened her spine, belatedly trying to find her pride.

As if nothing much had happened, like he’d had a normal day with a normal woman who hadn’t just gone off on a tirade, Tanner gently rested his heavy hands on her shoulders.

The simple touch felt so good—human-to-human contact. Even better, contact with Tanner, a man she admired, a man she wanted. Scented heat poured off his body, luring her closer. It took a lot of effort to hold her ground.

“Callie?”

“Hmm?”

“Would you like to shower with me?”

Her mouth opened again, but at least this time she managed to properly function. “Yes.” She nodded for good measure. “A hot shower in candlelight”— with you —“sounds like a terrific idea.” The best idea.

“We can get the dishes tomorrow. The power should be back on by then.”

“Okay.”

After the slightest pause, he asked, “Can I sleep with you tonight?”

Not knowing if he meant sleep -sleep or smoking hot sex, she nodded fast, because the answer was a resounding yes to either one. Hopefully both. “Absolutely.” In case that wasn’t affirmative enough, she said, “I’d like that.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up in an amused grin. “Pretty sure I’m going to like it, too.”