Page 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“A HEM .” W EDGING HER hands between them, Callie pressed Sutter back. “Don’t do that again.”

“Come on, Callie. Talk to me.”

“I can talk without being plastered to you.”

“Fine.” He held up his hands. “If you want to talk, we’ll talk.”

Wait, what? “I don’t . You’re the one who—”

“I’ve been thinking that we could work on our problems.”

“ Our problems?” Damn it, she was getting shrill again.

“Neither of us is perfect, right? A professional counselor could help with that.” Despite the promise he’d just made, Sutter cupped her shoulders, his hands massaging. “You’d been so distant, that’s why I sought solace elsewhere.”

Unbelievable!

“Things can be fixed,” he insisted. “If we both work on it.”

If it wasn’t for Liam snickering, she might have lost her cool. “No, we’re not perfect. That much is true. But I am perfectly happy here, in Hoker, Kentucky. I’m perfectly happy being single, too.”

Gently, even with a touch of pity, he crooned, “You know that’s not true.”

She seriously felt like punching him. “I know my own mind, Sutter.”

“Sure you do. But you are fooling yourself. You’re out of character. And I know why.”

Oh, this should be good. She gestured magnanimously. “Go on. Let’s hear it.” The sooner she got this over with, the sooner she could toss him out.

“I hurt you and I’m sorry. If I could go back and undo the damage, I would.”

He sounded almost sincere.

“And now you’re trying to hurt me in return. I understand that, Callie. I really do. But you need to understand, it’s not just me. You’re hurting your parents, and Glory. You’re hurting my entire family.”

Guilt crept in again, but she refused to show it to Sutter. “I see. Have you explained to your family why I broke things off?”

He stiffened. “They know you saw me with someone else, but that wasn’t my fault. You were ignoring me. With all the wedding prep, I barely saw you.” He pulled a sad face. “I was lonely.”

“Ah. So I’m the one at fault?”

“No, of course not.” He reached for her again. “I love you. You know that.”

She was starting to feel smothered. “So not your fault, and not mine.” She lifted her brows. “The other woman’s?”

“Yes!” Jumping on that excuse, he cupped her face and smiled. “Not yours, not mine. It was a bad outside influence.”

Fed up, Callie slapped his hands away. “You’re thirty-six years old, Sutter, not ten. If you’re still susceptible to female pressure, then you’re far, far too weak for me.” After she said it, and seeing Liam wince, Callie almost felt bad for the brutal honesty.

Except that Sutter continued as if he hadn’t even heard her. He rarely did. “She’d been flirting with me forever, you know. Maybe if you’d been paying attention, you’d have noticed.”

Callie laughed, but not with humor. “Ah, but I wasn’t and I didn’t,” she said with mock sympathy. “Now why would you want a wife who was so uninterested in you?”

“And you didn’t even give me a chance to explain! You just took off. Do you have any idea how awful that was for me?”

“Poor Sutter,” she crooned with mock sympathy. “Standing there with your pants open, looking guilty. Yes, I’m sure you were devastated.”

On a roll, Sutter paced away. He was oblivious to Liam’s presence. Uncaring that her parents were near enough to hear every word. Honestly, he was oblivious and uncaring about her, too. “You humiliated me, Callie.”

Yup, and she was about to do so again. She opened the door. “Get out.”

That tripped him up. “What? No . We have to talk!”

“You’re doing all the talking, most of it accusations. I agree, I was a terrible person. You’ll be much better off without me. Now leave .”

Her mother hustled back in. “Callie…”

“You, too, Mom. If you can’t respect my wishes, then you should also go.” The mad thumping of her heart seemed to quake her entire body. Never, not in a million years, had she ever envisioned throwing her mother out of her house. But damn it, she didn’t like being cornered, not by anyone.

Apparently, there was a first time for everything.

Her mother stared at her, appalled.

“I love you Mom,” Callie said, hoping to deescalate the situation. “But this is all wrong. Can’t you see that?”

Her father stepped up behind her mother, whispered something in her ear, and her mother’s expression softened. “We’ll be back to visit later then.”

“Later…when?” Hopefully not later today. She couldn’t take a second visit so soon.

“We’ll see how it goes,” her mother said, and breezed out the door.

“Enjoy the plant,” her dad added, then he kissed her cheek—and stepped out around Sutter, who stood there with his hands locked into fists and his face red.

Callie didn’t relent. “You, too, Sutter. Out.”

“This isn’t over,” he practically snarled. “Not by a long shot.”

Whoa. Never before had he been so forceful. Callie stiffened her spine. “Beg to differ.” She held the door wider.

“Big mistake, Callie, but then you’re making a lot of those lately.” As he passed through the doorway, he grabbed the doorknob, yanking it from her hand to give it a good slam.

The abruptness of it all lingered in the still air. Not only was her heart thumping, but her stomach cramped.

Liam cleared his throat. “You okay?”

“Yes,” she whispered, trying to find her bearings. None of that had gone as it should have. Callie knew it would be a day she’d regret for a very long time.

“So…” Liam watched her closely, as if she might cry. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

Forcing a slight smile, Callie attempted to reassure him. “What do you know of horses?”

His shoulders relaxed and he gave her a grin. “Ready to meet Rebel, huh?”

“That’s the horse’s name? I love it.” Focusing on the horse was much easier than facing the debacle she’d just played out.

“Were you wanting to ride him?”

Callie shook her head. “A lot of my friends had horses, but my parents have never been animal-oriented so I know nothing about them.”

“Tanner does. They have three, including your horse.”

Her jaw dropped. “No way. Tanner’s never mentioned having horses.”

“That’s why he took yours after Reggie passed away. Horses are social. They don’t like being alone. Rebel was often with his horses anyway.” Liam’s mouth quirked. “Reggie first took Rebel in because a buddy of his moved away, but Tanner’s always been the one to take care of him. Now that spring is here and the landscaping business is busy, they have a groom who does the daily upkeep, but Tanner, Kam, and Addie still visit the horses often. They all ride.”

“How did I not know any of this?”

Liam laughed. “There’s probably a lot you don’t know about them. Tanner doesn’t realize how many people in this town respect him and Kam, and they all love Addie. Most around here have benefited from them in one way or another.”

So they weren’t all like the Garmet brothers? Wonderful. “Can you give me an example?”

Liam sat down on the couch, getting comfortable as if he had a lot to say. “The groom I mentioned is a retired guy. He couldn’t afford to keep horses, but he still loves them.” Offhand, as if it wasn’t big news, Liam said, “He has a small place on the other side of the tree farm. He rides over in his golf cart every day to tend the horses. He feeds them, checks their hooves, stuff like that. They’ll go out in the field while he mucks out the stalls, then he rubs them down and sees them bedded each night.”

“He enjoys it?”

“Sure. He was alone all the time before Tanner hired him. Now he sees one or all three of them often, and Addie is forever sending him baked goods. They’re like family to him. Plus he told me that with what Tanner pays him, he doesn’t have to get his groceries from the food bank anymore.” His grin went crooked. “You never saw anyone so happy to hit up the grocery store.”

Emotion filled her chest. “Remarkable.”

“Kam and Tanner both volunteer time with the kids from the halfway house. They sponsor holidays and team sports, outings and movie nights.”

Callie dropped back against the wall. She’d known he was involved, but not to that extent. “Wow.”

“Tanner has an apprenticeship where he teaches job skills, like landscaping, but also lawn maintenance. Kam does the same with welding.” He added more quietly, “Tanner takes on a lot.”

Did he ever take time for himself? “Sounds like he has multiple projects.”

Liam nodded. “I started as one of those projects.”

Callie wasn’t sure what to say to that.

“We’re friends now,” Liam assured her. “He’s like the big brother, or maybe a favorite uncle that I never had. At first though… I didn’t want to trust Tanner.” He frowned. “I didn’t want to trust anyone. But Tanner has a way of understanding, you know?”

Because he’d been through those awful times himself.

As usual, when talking about him, her heart went squishy. “He’s pretty amazing.”

“I can’t disagree.” Liam stood again. “So what do you say? Want to meet your horse?”

She did, but she also knew Nell would be visiting. “How about tomorrow? Will you be busy?”

“Nah. That works for me. Usual time?”

“Yes, but don’t tell Tanner.”

Liam gave her a long look. “Because…?”

“Because he’s been keeping the horse for me, feeding him, including his care in what he pays the groom.” Making a firm decision, she said, “That should be compensated.”

“You know Tanner would disagree.”

Yes, she did know it. For now, she let that go and instead grilled Liam on everything, from the cost of keeping a horse, how to take care of it, and boarding fees in the area.

At first, she suspected he was fudging the costs, so she threatened to research it online.

Liam gave up and told her what he knew. He claimed that costs were cheaper in Hoker, because, well, everything was cheaper in Hoker. She couldn’t refute that logic.

She started to say more, but then Nell arrived. She was a lovely young woman who looked closer to twenty than not-quite-seventeen. Thick, shoulder-length dark hair and blue eyes framed by nearly-black lashes. She shyly introduced herself, but when she spotted Liam, she blushed.

Liam, for his part, couldn’t take his eyes off her. They were already acquainted, and obviously interested in each other. Callie almost felt like the third wheel until she remembered why Nell had stopped by.

While they went out together so Nell could check the goats, Liam hung back to tick a few items off her to-do list.

“I love your goats,” Nell said, kneeling down to greet each one, then giving them quick checks. The chickens came over to visit her too. Nell greeted them like friends, saying, “Hello, girls. How’s the feathers flying?”

Callie laughed. “My gosh, they adore you!” If chickens could purr, hers would be.

“I have this thing with animals. They’re sometimes easier than people.” Nell ended up on her butt in the mud, but she just grinned. “This is why I always bring along a change of clothes.”

“Smart,” Callie said. “Tanner told me you’re good with animals, but it’s like you’re magic or something.”

“He’s the best, right?” With the sun hitting her in the face, Nell squinted up at Callie. “You two got something going on?”

She wished. “Neighbors,” Callie said with a shrug. “That’s all.”

“Uh-huh,” Nell replied with teasing skepticism. “Pretty sure there’s more to it than that.”

“What makes you think so?”

“I don’t know. Tanner sounds different when he talks about you.”

“Oh? How does he sound?”

“Just different. I’ve known him a while now and he’s never been like that before.”

Like…what exactly? Annoyed? Interested? Frustrated—maybe as frustrated as Callie herself? She would love to grill Nell, but that would be awkward. “You know how he is. He and Kam are both helpful.”

“Oh, for sure. I swear, I think Tanner is happiest when he’s being the hero.”

“Right? And apparently, he’s heroic pretty often.”

“ All the time,” Nell said. She let out a breath. “He’s saved my butt more than a few times.”

Callie wasn’t sure what to do with that info, so she admitted, “He’s done the same for me now, too.” Was that when Tanner was happiest? If so, that could stem from his childhood, too, when he’d so desperately needed a hero.

Then Addie had shown up in his life, so he certainly knew all about heroes and the impact they could make. She wondered if Addie fully understood the influence she’d had. Or for that matter, did Tanner even understand?

He’d had choices in life, to stay angry, to give up, or to act out. Instead, he’d taken his cues from Addie and turned into one of the nicest, most understanding and caring men she’d ever met.

While carefully checking over the renegade goat’s legs, Nell said, “I’ve seen your videos. They’re cool.”

“Seriously?” Callie joined her in the mud. “I didn’t know if anyone around here had caught my channel yet.”

“You have a lot of followers. You don’t check it?”

“A little here and there, when I have time. My cousin, Glory, edits and uploads the vids for me.” Oh, how she missed Glory.

“There are a lot of girls at the home—you know, where I’m staying right now? It’s like a halfway house. Whatever.” Nell skipped right past that. “We watch you.”

“I had no idea.” Callie’s thoughts scrambled as she tried to remember the various episodes. Had she been appropriate for teenage girls? God, she hoped so. Until this very moment, she hadn’t given a lot of thought for her audience. “I mostly record stuff because it’s… I don’t know. Cathartic for me.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“It’s a way for me to express myself and shake off some tension.” It was nice to have another girl to talk to, especially with Glory away. “Moving here, uprooting my life, trying something new. It’s all different for me and I could so easily get overwhelmed.” More often than not, she was overwhelmed. But she was twenty-eight years old and she had options open to her.

Nell was only sixteen and her choices were limited. Callie had no idea what it might be like to live in a group home, but if her silly videos helped to entertain the girls, well then, she was honored. “I record the stuff I’m struggling with. When I’m laughing at the camera and admitting how bad I am at learning new things, it somehow makes it easier.”

“Huh. I didn’t know that.”

“Boring, right?”

“No, I think it’s interesting. Right now, I’m sharing a bedroom with three other girls. We watch you together at night when we’re supposed to be sleeping.”

Callie barely withheld her wince. Four girls to a room? “You’re all friends?”

“We were strangers at first but we’re friendlier now.” Nell was matter-of-fact about it. “You know our favorite episode? You did that thing with your hair once and everyone loved it.”

“Thing with my hair?”

“Yeah, when you were working in the garden. It was like you just… I don’t know.” Nell put her own hands in her hair and gathered it to the top of her head. The silky hanks immediately fell loose again. “You twisted it up somehow, but it looked awesome. We all said so.”

Flushing with pleasure, Callie smiled. “Really?” Only half-jokingly, she said, “Maybe I should do more hair videos.”

“That’d be great. I’d love to see them.” Giving the goat a hug, Nell said, “They’re all fine. No injuries that I can find.”

“Wonderful news. Thank you.” Though she’d already suspected as much given how easily the goats had moved around, Callie still said, “You’ve put my mind at ease.” Together they stood and, almost at the same time, they each glanced at their backsides—and then laughed. “Luckily, with the sun, it isn’t as bad now as it was this morning. When I first got up the yard was a swamp. If I’d sat down I might have sunk to my chin.”

“The whole town is muddy right now. I can’t wait for summer.”

Would she still be in the home then? It saddened Callie a lot. Girls her age should be cherished, encouraged. Loved and protected by their families. Knowing Nell didn’t have that made Callie want to hold her close and promise her the world. “So,” she said, trying to sound lighthearted. “How much do I owe you?”

Startled, Nell laughed and said, “Nothing.”

“Oh, no way. I have to pay you, otherwise I won’t be able to ask you for help again if anything else happens and I’d really like to know that I could call on you if necessary.”

“Yeah, I’d like that, too.”

“Then…how much?”

“I guess… Whatever you want to pay is fine.”

Callie smiled at that offer. She’d make it well worth Nell’s effort. “Deal.”

As they started in, Nell stared at the house. “Do you think Liam is still here?”

“He should be.” In a friendly gesture, she nudged Nell. “You two already know each other?”

“Sure. It’s a small town.” Without being asked, Nell added, “Liam has big goals. He doesn’t waste time on girls.”

Callie didn’t mean to, but she snorted.

That caused Nell to crack a smile. “Well, not much time, and not on me. He’s told me a dozen times that I’m too young for him.”

“You turn seventeen soon, right?”

“Why?”

Ideas buzzed through Callie’s mind. “Do you have plans?”

“What do you mean?”

Oh now see, that almost broke her heart. She did a quick edit in her head, then suggested, “If you won’t be too busy, I’d love to visit with you again. Maybe share some birthday cake and ice cream.”

As if she didn’t understand, Nell looked at her curiously. “Birthday cake?”

“Hey, I’m always looking for an excuse to eat cake. Oh! Maybe we could get our nails done, too! I know I must seem ancient to you, but you’re the only girl I’ve had to talk to since my cousin went off on a business trip.” No way would she burden Nell with her family issues.

Nell laughed. “You definitely aren’t ancient.”

Well, that felt like a boost to her ego, especially considering her hair was currently a mess, her nails were short, and the seat of her jeans was damp with mud. “Awesome as Addie is, she doesn’t count because anytime I’m around her, she waits on me and I don’t want to add to her workload.”

“Yeah, Addie is sweet.”

“So what do you say? Is there a salon around here anywhere? It’ll be my treat, of course, for your birthday.”

On a deep breath, Nell stopped and dropped her head. Then she looked away and all Callie could see was her profile. “You don’t even know me.”

“Not well, but you’re nice and you’re good with animals, and you’re easy to talk to. I’ve enjoyed chatting and I’d like to get to know you better.”

Her brows came together. “Did Tanner put you up to this?”

It broke Callie’s heart, seeing so much distrust in someone so young. “Of course not. When I thought my goat might be injured, Tanner said he could ask you to take a look. He said you were great with animals.”

“He didn’t… Tell you about me? About my uncle?” She still didn’t face Callie. “About my whole useless life?”

Lying to the girl didn’t feel right, but Callie didn’t want to betray Tanner’s confidence, either. She touched Nell’s arm until she got her full attention. Then she smiled, hoping her sincerity would shine through. “I invited you back and asked about a salon because I’m sometimes lonely. I’m close with my cousin, but she’s out of touch right now. Fitting in here… Well, I’m completely out of my realm. Tanner and Kam are great, and I have massive respect for Liam, but they’re guys.” Wrinkling her nose, Callie added, “I doubt I could talk any of them into a salon visit with me.”

Nell grinned. “Probably not.”

“So what do you say?”

“I’ve never been in the salon, and to be honest I can’t say I’m anxious to go either.”

Even deflated, Callie kept her smile in place. “Okay, I get it.”

“I’d like to visit again though.” Nell bit her lip, then said, “And cake sounds great. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time anyone remembered my birthday.”

Then by God, Callie would make this year memorable. “Birthday cake it is! And ice cream.” She thought ahead and said, “If we just visit here, I could invite Addie, too. Just an intimate little gathering. Is that okay?”

Nell grinned. “It’s your house, your rules. Invite anyone you want.” Then her confidence slipped. “If you get busy though…”

“Pfft. I’m already looking forward to it.” There was no way Callie would be one more broken promise. She’d bet Nell had suffered enough of those in her lifetime. “So let’s see. When can we do this?”

They were still setting up their plans when Liam stepped out.

“You two done?” he asked.

Nell’s demeanor changed from cautiously optimistic to flirtatious—and her blush was back.

Callie had to fight her smile. “Yup. The goat is fine.”

When Liam looked at Nell, there was more than kindness in his eyes. More than curiosity and friendship as his gaze lingered. “Want to help me with something then?” he asked her.

“Depends,” Nell said with teasing attitude. “What did you have in mind?”

He smiled back. “Behave.”

“Now what fun would that be?”

He laughed. “I’m cleaning screens. I need someone on the inside while I lift them up to the windows from the outside.”

“I’m glad to help.”

And just like that, Callie was forgotten.

She didn’t mind at all.

As she watched them both go into the house, she couldn’t stop grinning. Oh, Liam was most definitely getting invited to the birthday shindig.

Her heart felt full. And more than ever, she wanted to see Tanner.

Sadly, the hours passed and he didn’t call. She ordered a pizza and shared it with Liam and Nell, enjoying their company—and again feeling like the interloper in her own home, but in an amusing way. She’d forgotten how intense young adults could be. Watching the two of them subtly flirt was eye-opening.

Callie tried to remember herself at that age, but her life had been so vastly different from theirs, she couldn’t quite pull up the memory. She assumed she’d been skimming around from one prearranged activity to another, always busy, always secure, and always protected.

Even with her recent breakup and move, she’d led a truly gifted life.

After Nell and Liam left, she wrote out a check with “Rebel upkeep” in the memo, then she put it in an envelope with Addie’s name on it—not Tanner’s—and made plans to slip it in the storm door of their home at her first opportunity. She’d go when Tanner was more likely to be gone for the day. If needed, she’d use the excuse of returning his clothes and Addie’s dishes.

Feeling better now with that decided, she double-checked the gates on her property—with her keys and phone on her. Looking up at the sky, she realized that the sun was setting later each day. Shades of vivid pink and tangerine blended into a purple horizon. She breathed deeply, enjoying the coolness of the evening after the hot day.

The woods didn’t appear menacing now. Instead, she appreciated the cacophony of animal sounds. The rustling of squirrels, chirping of birds, and a faint breeze that teased the treetops. The sweet scent of honeysuckle hung thick in the air. Somewhere in the distance, she heard a chain saw and wondered if it was Tanner, still at work.

The animals had already gathered in their shelters. To the goats, she promised, “We’ll figure out names tomorrow.” To the chickens, she praised them for being so sweet and not flying into the trees.

Back in the house, she indulged in a long leisurely bath that relaxed her muscles, but not her mind. At least a dozen times, she checked her phone.

Finally giving up on Tanner, she got into bed, but she was still too antsy. Instead of trying to sleep, she sat up against the headboard, held her phone against her raised knees, and did a quick video.

For a moment or two, she just looked into the camera, then with a sigh, she said, “Hello, everyone. I know I’m recording this later than usual, but it’s been one of those days and I’m not yet ready to turn in.” She gave herself another brief moment to think about what she was doing, then she explained to her audience about her runaway goat, how worried she’d been, and how she’d gotten herself caught in a storm.

Rather than mention the tree and the Garmet brothers, she omitted those humiliating details.

By the time she finished, she was actually grinning about it. Hopefully, anyone watching would also see the humor involved and not just think she’d gone off the deep end. “I’ve decided that I need to name the goats. Something cute and easy to say, but goat-like, you know? When it’s necessary, I want to be able to call them just like we would a dog or a cat. I’m open to suggestions.”

It would be fun to involve her listeners. She wondered if Nell would watch.

Would Tanner? Doubtful.

“I guess I should sign off and at least try to sleep. I hope you do, too. Toss out those names in the comments. I’ll choose from your suggestions tomorrow.” After making that promise, she sincerely hoped she got some good ones. “Oh, yeah, I should probably tell you that they’re girl goats, four of them, and they’re real sweethearts.” She thanked everyone for visiting her, blew out a few kisses and then, while still recording, she turned out her light. Into the darkness, she whispered, “Good night, everyone.” Then she ended the video.

It struck Callie that now, finally, she felt a little better. What she’d said to Nell was true. Doing the videos was like keeping a diary. Getting her thoughts and worries out, sharing them with strangers since she couldn’t share with family or friends, made them a little lighter.

Still in the darkness, with only the light from her phone screen, she sent the finished product off to Glory, hoping her cousin would see it soon and that she’d like it. It was more personal than anything she’d done so far, but she was in a personal mood.

A few minutes later she was still sitting against the headboard, lost in thought when her cousin called.

Badly startled by the buzz of her phone, she jumped, then pressed a hand to her thumping heart. “Good God,” she muttered to herself as she checked the screen and saw it was Glory. She answered with, “Did you get the video?”

“Yes,” Glory said, “and I love it! You’re perfectly relaxed and the limited light from your screen is soft and pretty. It was almost like sitting in bed with you, talking to you in person. I’m sure your followers will feel the same. I’m uploading the video as soon as we finish talking. But first… Are you okay?”

“Hello to you too, Glory,” Callie said with a laugh. It felt great to connect with her cousin again.

“The video really was perfect, but to me you seem down.”

“Maybe just introspective.” Callie sighed. “We haven’t talked in forever.”

“I know,” Glory said with dramatic exaggeration. “Texts just don’t cut it, but your parents have had me traveling almost nonstop. Miami, Denver, New York. I’ve either been running through the airport, sitting on a plane, or passing out in a hotel room. I’m worn out.”

“You didn’t say anything.”

“I know, I’m sorry. It’s why I called—but it’s so hard to explain.” Voice going lower, Glory said, “I know you don’t understand…”

Actually, she did. She wished she could help Glory to stand up for herself, but so far, her efforts had failed. All she could do, all she really wanted to do, was love her. So instead of pressing her, Callie asked, “Why all the travel?”

With relief in her tone, Glory explained, “Overall, they have me compiling a list of the best new restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs in each area so they can make new contacts.”

“They’ve expanded your job scope, then?” Knowing her parents’ financial woes, maybe they’d cut back on other employee positions. She hated that thought.

“I guess so, though your mother didn’t really explain her reasons. She just gave me an itinerary and told me what she expected.”

Figured. Her mother was an authoritative woman who rarely felt the need to explain herself. Gently, Callie suggested, “You could just say no.”

Instead of reacting to that, Glory said, “I’ve been in a bar nearly every night with plenty of interested guys making sure I feel appreciated. That part has been nice, but I am exhausted.” After a brief pause, she added, “I was thinking that when I get home from Boston, I won’t even tell them.” Another hesitation, and then Glory declared, “I’m going to repack, grab my car, and head your way. After I’m there, then maybe I’ll send in my final report.”

Callie had missed her so much, she couldn’t keep from saying softly, “I love that plan.”

With obvious relief, Glory laughed. “Good. I’m ready for a break and I can’t wait to see how you’re doing there. Watching the videos hasn’t been enough. Can you believe it, I’ve actually missed the goats? And I keep thinking about you and that super-fine neighbor of yours.”

“Tanner?”

“Yes, him. Unless you have something going on with the other one now. The bossy brother?”

Callie grinned. “Kam isn’t bossy, at least not compared to Tanner.” She wanted to tell Glory all about Tanner and the amazing night she’d spent with him, but it still felt too private—especially if it was a one-off. So instead, Callie told her about her parents visiting, and how they’d included Sutter in their trip.

“They didn’t!”

Appreciating her cousin’s outrage, Callie confirmed, “They did. And I’m afraid I lost it there at the end. I literally told my mother to get out.”

Gasping, Glory whispered, “Was she furious?”

“Honestly, she acted like it hadn’t happened. You know how Mom is. She ignores anything that conflicts with her plans.”

“That’s how she is with you,” Glory specified. “She would have annihilated me on the spot.”

Probably true, though mostly because Glory had always allowed her mother to be that bossy. “I’d stand up for you,” Callie promised. She always had.

Remembering all the ways Glory had pressed her to marry Sutter, Callie asked, “Did you know they’re struggling financially?” The silence stretched on so long, Callie thought the call had dropped. “Glory?”

“Sorry, I’m here.” She released a short sigh. “I found out that same day that I left your house with Sutter.”

“ He knows?”

“No,” Glory rushed to assure her. “After I got home, your mom and dad told me, but swore me to secrecy. They insisted that no one could know, and at the time, that included you.”

It stung that Glory had sided with her parents.

“All along, from the time you and Sutter got engaged, your mom talked about what a huge difference it would make to the company. She’d said it would advance all our prospects, on both sides of the marriage. I thought of it as a big deal, a way to grow, but I didn’t realize…”

Hurt by her cousin’s deception, Callie said, “You could have told me when you found out.”

“I should have, I know, but your dad asked me to give Sutter a chance to convince you. He said you were strong-willed and smart, and you’d only take Sutter back if you wanted to.”

At least her dad had faith in her.

“I figured that was true…to a point. But if you’d decided to get back with Sutter, I’d have told you then.”

Feeling guilty about it, Callie said, “I’ll never take him back.” Maybe before she’d met Tanner, before she’d been intimate with him… Now she knew exactly what she would be missing in a marriage to Sutter.

“Not even to save the company?” Glory quietly asked.

The question bothered her. Was she being selfish? Probably—but Callie didn’t change her mind. “No, not even for that.”

“Good.” With a touch of pride, Glory said, “I wouldn’t want you to.”

They talked for almost an hour more, all about Glory’s trips and the guys she’d met, her hopes to be back in Hoker soon. When Callie started fading and Glory sounded half-asleep, they ended the call with a promise to be back together soon.

Callie disconnected, plugged in her phone to charge, and then snuggled into the bed. It wasn’t easy, but she accepted that the previous night might have meant a lot more to her than it had to Tanner.

That idea bothered her enough that she didn’t fall asleep for a very long time.