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CHAPTER EIGHT

B EING AROUND C ALLIE had turned into one enormous, endless struggle. He wanted her, but he needed her to move on.

She was a longtime fantasy in the flesh, and a huge distraction.

He didn’t want to care for her, but he couldn’t help himself.

She admires me . For a man like him, that was better than pure desire. He’d been wanted before, by plenty of women over the years. But admiration? Far as he knew it was only his family, Addie and Kam, who offered that.

When she poured two mugs of milk, he accepted one, and the cookie she offered on a napkin.

Once they were both settled, he said, “You might meet Nell. She comes around to the farm for the occasional odd job. Mostly grooming Blu, but she’ll help Addie plant flowers in the spring, or lend Kam a hand when he’s washing our equipment.”

“What’s she like?”

Giving it quick thought, he said, “She’s…sweet sixteen going on a jaded thirty.”

Wearing her patented friendly smile, Callie said, “So, she’s complicated?”

So complicated that she often made his head spin. Boys he understood. Girls, not so much. Especially not at that age. “She’s had one hell of a hard life that’s left her cynical, tired, and looking for a reason to hate everyone, including herself.”

“Rough. Teenage girls are hard enough on themselves when they’re not dealing with anything major. Just growing up with peer groups and expectations can take a toll.”

Was that how Callie had felt? He’d always assumed that she’d coasted through life without a single worry.

Envy of someone’s money, social standing, and family could give that impression. Loosely, Tanner clasped his hands on the tabletop to keep from reaching for her. Holding her went a long way toward making a hellish day better.

Actually, just being with her did that, too.

“One minute, she’ll be like a kid, happy about something.” Concern gnawed at him. “Then it’s like her world was upended and all she wants to do is run away.”

“That sounds…” Callie studied his face. “Scary, actually. And a good reason to worry.”

Glad that she understood, he did a fast rundown. “Her dad has always made her feel like dirt, blaming her because her mother took off to find a new man.”

Callie winced.

“Her maternal grandmother tries, but at seventy-nine, she’s too old to keep up with a teenager. At least with her, Nell has a place to live, food to eat, but guidance? Understanding?”

“Where’s her dad now?”

“In and out of her life. More out than in.” Thankfully. “There’s an uncle who moved back home and it seems that he takes pleasure in making her life more miserable. Strange that he’s her mother’s brother, but he’s a lot like her dad. Nell told me that there must be something about her that makes men feel that way.”

“You corrected her? I mean, I’m sure you did,” Callie said decisively, as if she didn’t have a single doubt. “You and Kam would treat her with respect.”

He nodded. “Respect, with a little guidance offered up. With her seventeenth birthday around the corner, Nell thinks she’s all grown up and can just take off on her own.” Much as he had at thirteen. Where he’d have ended up without Addie’s help, Tanner couldn’t say. All he knew was that he could do no less for Nell. “It takes some tricky juggling.”

“Firm but kind?”

Sounded like Callie actually got it. “For someone who already feels unwanted, who’s been treated badly most of her life, a single insult can overshadow a dozen compliments. One barb has a way of digging in.”

“And festering,” Callie said softly. “Is that what happened tonight?”

He sat back, already feeling better now that he was getting it off his chest. “The little fool hitchhiked out of town, but got dumped off at a restaurant.” Biting into a cookie gave him a second to tamp down his renewed worry—and to corral the anger that accompanied it. After a drink of milk, he said, “Two guys were coming on heavy and she got spooked.”

“Wow. I’m guessing she had the good sense to call you?”

Using both hands, he rubbed his face. “Yeah.” Fear had hit him first, followed by bone-deep frustration. “I have zero problems helping out, but it’s dicey because I’m a grown man and she’s an underage girl, so I can’t just put her in a car alone with me.”

“Not without possibly getting a lot of rumors started.”

“The Garmet brothers already say plenty about me, but if they slandered Nell…” He left that open-ended, because when it came to Dirk and Lang, he never quite knew what he’d do, only that he would absolutely act.

He’d been living with rumors his whole life. He didn’t want the same for Nell.

“I heard them,” she said, as she dunked a cookie into her milk, then ate half in one bite, followed by a drink of milk.

Her appetite amused him. The lady really did love her sugar. “You don’t seem concerned that I’m a murderer.”

“Not in the least.” With a fast smile, she moved past that without asking a single question. No, instead she just finished off her cookie.

Her easy attitude soothed him like a balm. “I went straight to her, of course. The second I walked in, the other men—and they were grown men, the bastards—took off. But then we had to wait for my friend at the halfway house where I…” Well hell. From the start, he should have known that this, too, would get around. Nothing much stayed private in Hoker, and definitely not in his life.

With Callie right next door, she was bound to notice a few things. Like teenagers helping out around the tree farm, and occasionally camping in the yard like a field trip. Educational seminars when he worked on trees. Seasonal outings.

Possibilities, he’d found, were endless when dealing with young people who craved a little care and attention, as well as a positive outlet for complicated emotions.

“The halfway house where you help out? Where you sponsor?” She switched to the chair next to his so she could rest a hand on his forearm. “Full disclosure, I googled you that first night I was here.”

“I’m not on social media.” He dodged all that as much as he could.

“I know, but you put yourself out there helping others, especially kids, so others have info on you.” Her fingers curled over his arm, then slid down to his wrist. “I saw some photos.”

On occasion, he had to remind himself that Hoker wasn’t all bad. Addie and Kam lived here, and there were a score of other caring people who also stepped up to help kids who were struggling, boys and girls going through hard times in their lives or with their families. Kids who needed a friend. Someone who would listen.

Firming his mouth to keep from making more confessions, Tanner nodded. Beyond that, he wasn’t sure what to say.

“You got Nell somewhere safe?”

That was a question he could answer. “The halfway house for tonight—where she promised to stay until we can sort things out. I reminded her that she didn’t want her grandma upset, so she called her and told her where she was.”

“It’s happened before?”

“Let’s just say social services are aware.”

Callie bit her lip, then leaned in to give him a quick hug. “I’m so sorry. You’d already had that to deal with, then you ran smack dab into the Garmets and all their nonsense.”

What the Garmet brothers dealt out wasn’t nonsense. It was danger. Intrusion. Often a menacing combo of both. Dealing with them had been his pleasure, a way to release some tension. A good old-fashioned brawl would have been even better, but then Addie would have had a fit, and it would have scared Blu, and who knew what Callie would think about it.

So far, most of her reactions were unexpected. “Take my number.”

Appearing happy to do so, she got out her phone and opened up her contact list. “Go.”

He recited his number, and then Kam’s. “Make sure Glory has both numbers, too.” When it came to Dirk and Lang, they weren’t above using either woman to get to him. Or just to take what they wanted. It was how they’d always operated, for as long as Tanner could remember.

“I’ll share with Glory.” She touched his hand. “Do you want mine?”

If he had it, it’d be so tempting to call her, even when he knew he shouldn’t. She was a city girl with a city job, and probably a city fiancé just waiting for his chance to lure her back.

It was that last thought that rankled the most. He needed her to go, but not like that. Not to the dick who’d hurt her.

He got out his phone. “Ready.”

When that was done, they each finished off another cookie before Callie got up to put things away. She covered the cookies and stored them in the microwave to keep them fresh, saying with a grin that she hadn’t yet bought a cookie jar, but she would.

Because to her, she thought this place was her new home. A place for nesting—cookie jars and all.

He knew better. Much as she appeared to be settling in, she wouldn’t stay. He couldn’t let himself believe that. Not only would it throw off all his plans, it’d make him think… No, he wouldn’t go there, not even in his thoughts.

“I promise to return Addie’s plate tomorrow.”

Seemed every day she or Addie found an excuse to be together. From Addie’s perspective, he got it. Having another woman so close was nice for her. What was Callie’s angle? Sure, Addie had a way of winning over everyone she met, even princesses from the rich side of town who’d long ago moved on. Would that be enough for her? Did Callie enjoy Addie’s brand of motherly nurturing?

Far as he knew, she’d always had the best of everything. Well, except fiancés. Her fiancé had apparently sucked big-time. And maybe her parents weren’t so great if they still expected her to marry the guy. Even her cousin, who Callie clearly loved, had hassled her over this Sutter jerk.

Other than that though, Callie had scored big in life.

Even to himself, that reasoning sounded absurd. How sweet could her life have been surrounded by people who didn’t prioritize her emotional well-being?

Tanner almost snorted. For most of the troubled kids he knew, Callie’s wealth and privilege would be a huge boost. They needed love and attention, definitely, but they also needed clothes, good food, and the occasional gift.

A beautiful woman like Callie would have no problem finding a guy—hell, twenty guys—who’d give her all the love and attention she could bear.

So for her, what was the lure of small-town living?

“You’ve gone awfully quiet, Tanner. It’s like I can feel you stewing.” She cast him a flirty glance over her shoulder. “Or dissecting my character.”

Watching her bustle around the kitchen sent tension spiraling through him. “Just noticing that you move with the practiced ease of someone who grew up wiping crumbs off a table and washing coffee mugs to stack in a drainer.”

Laughing, she said, “Thank you. I try,” as if he’d given her a huge compliment.

Shaking his head, Tanner accepted that she worked in her yard the same way, and when she fed the animals, she looked… Happy. Content.

Like she belonged here and nowhere else.

That wouldn’t last. It wouldn’t . But his tension mounted until it felt like he couldn’t breathe.

“Take a picture,” she quipped while hanging the dish towel just so, as if it mattered. “It’ll last longer.”

That last taunt proved his undoing. Tanner rose silently from his seat, then came up behind her to loop his arms around her waist and drag her into close contact with his body. Definitely, that helped. He filled his starving lungs with a deep breath, filling his head with Callie’s unique scent. “ Have you worked in a kitchen before?”

Her laugh was pure delight without a hint of affront. “I’ve had my own condos and apartments—without staff, so yes. Heck, when we lived here, Mom and Dad were just making their mark in the world. We had cleaning people who came twice a week—”

“And landscapers, painters, designers, pool maintenance, accountants… Your family employed half the town.”

“True, but my daily chores included making my own bed, putting away my own laundry, and sometimes helping in the kitchen, since we often had dinner at home.”

“You poor child,” he whispered with clear irony.

“Stop it,” she said around a light laugh. “I know I was pampered. Don’t rub it in.”

He wouldn’t mind rubbing… No. Better to ban that thought.

“Like I said, I had my own place. When there wasn’t a dinner meeting, I usually picked up something, but in a pinch I could grill a cheese sandwich, or fry an egg and bacon, and you already know my love of all things sugary.” She lifted her shoulders. “So cleanup was a necessity.”

“Well, you look great doing it.” Doing anything , really. He’d always thought so. Being dressed down and “roughing it” it was no different.

“Oh, fun. I’m glad to hear it because that will be part of my video podcast series. How to look good while working with chickens. Or goats. Or weeding the garden.” She flagged a hand in the air. “Basically, how to feel good about yourself no matter what. It’s catchy, don’t you think?”

He didn’t want to think about her shooting videos of herself and sharing it with the world, so he switched topics on her by saying, “I think you smell indescribable.” He brushed his nose along the side of her neck and the slope of her shoulder, a little amazed that he was here with Callie McCallahan, flirting, touching, and kissing in what used to be Reggie’s cluttered kitchen. “I always knew you’d smell this good.”

She leaned into him, even tilted her head a little to make it easier for his mouth to explore. “Tanner?”

“Hmm?” Her ears were small, each with double piercings, but currently without earrings.

Lacing her fingers over his, she kept his hands at her stomach. Not that he was moving them, but now she’d locked him in place—unless he forcefully pulled away. “I don’t want you to give a single thought to anything Dirk or Lang might say to me.”

Automatically, he started to step back—then he realized why she held on to him. “They’re assholes. I never pay attention to them.”

“Be that as it may,” she said, her tone proper enough to defuse his reaction, “I wanted you to know that I put no stock in what I hear, unless I hear it from you.”

Well hell. Did that mean she trusted him? Completely trusted him? Already?

Awful rumors had always been his curse, tainting the judgment of others before they’d even met him. Now Callie had heard them, but discounted them, and it left him feeling primed.

She turned in his arms and smiled up at him. “I haven’t been here that long. You owe me nothing, not defense against other pesky neighbors, and definitely not explanations that you aren’t ready to share.” Kissing him quick and firm on the mouth, she added, “I plan to be a no-pressure neighbor, as long as you understand that I already like you. A lot. In many ways.” And with that, she said, “Oh look, Blu came to check on us.”

Which was her way of saying their visit was over. Sure enough, Blu was there, but typical of the dog, he hadn’t made a sound. When he wanted, Blu could be as stealthy as a ninja.

Tanner stepped back. “Wedge a chair under each door, and call me if anything spooks you.”

“My, my,” she teased, looping her arm with his and walking him back to the living room. “You are the absolute best, most attentive and caring neighbor ever—especially for one who would rather see me packing up to leave.”

Caught in his own mixed messaging, he made a sound, half laugh and half growl.

“I see your concern as yet another reason for me to want to stay. Permanently.”

* * *

T HAT BIT ABOUT Tanner being a murderer and how Addie had to mortgage her house played over and over in Callie’s mind as she got through her morning and early afternoon chores. Had someone accused him of murdering his father? At thirteen? Absurd.

Although, given the abuse she suspected he’d suffered… No . She refused to imagine awful scenarios. She trusted Tanner, so unless someone told her something concrete, she’d do him the courtesy of ignoring accusations.

After she showered and changed into a cute halter and shorts, she and Glory did a quick makeup video. In the backyard. With curious chickens meandering into the frame and the goats putting in a few cameos.

Glory had a much better eye for lighting and background, and she occasionally prompted Callie on which way to turn, or how to tilt her face.

Throughout the video, Callie teased about the country life, the fresh air, the importance of sunscreen—at Glory’s insistence—and how invigorating it was to be her own boss. She ended it with a double coat of mascara, batting her eyelashes at the camera and teasing that soon they’d be weeding the garden, and how fun would that be?

Even Glory laughed, though she covered her mouth to muffle the sound.

All in all, Callie was pleased with her performance and she trusted Glory to edit it in a way that would make it more interesting.

While Glory got more footage of the yard and the animals, Callie forced herself not to check the time. She’d already done so, repeatedly, but Tanner hadn’t specified exactly when he’d be by other than later afternoon, and counting off the minutes wouldn’t make it happen any sooner.

Glory said, “I’m heading inside now. I want to do some editing while my ideas are fresh. Do you need anything before I get started?”

“Nope.” Callie knew that once her cousin dug in, she’d be involved for an hour or more. “I’m good, so take your time. And thanks.”

“It’s going to be great.” With that, Glory went into the house. Her laptop, which contained her editing programs, was set up in the bedroom on a folding table they’d located in the spare bedroom. She’d use a kitchen chair until Callie could get new furniture, which would include a desk and office chair.

To keep herself busy, Callie headed out to the detached garage to see the car that Tanner had mentioned. If he thought Liam could use it, she’d be more than happy to give it to him. She had no need of a second car. Her red Ford Escape was still fairly new.

Weeds had grown up around the outside of the wooden building, though the apron and foundation were concrete. Her gravel driveway, running along the side of the house, led right up to it, except that a fence had been installed to keep the goats in the yard. To use the garage, she’d have to get out and open the gate, then drive through and get out again to close the gate.

She wasn’t at all sure it was worth the effort. However, the storage would be nice. Circling the building, she checked it out from every angle. It appeared sturdy but in need of fresh paint and, like the rest of the property, a good cleaning.

The afternoon sunlight couldn’t penetrate the grimy windows on two walls. On the third wall, she found a regular entry door, but it was locked. The wide garage door wasn’t, but it was surprisingly heavy. She struggled to get it halfway open, then levered her shoulder under it—a mistake, given how dirty it was—and used her legs to lift.

Just as she heard a car door in her driveway, she also saw movement from the corner of her eye. Barely maintaining her hold on the door, she looked into the dim interior, and she saw something slither.

That something was a snake !

Screeching, Callie stumbled back. The garage door landed with a loud bang, and she landed on her butt. She didn’t stay put though, still screeching, she shot to her feet and turned to run.

Right into Sutter.

His arms automatically went around her. “Callie?”

She screamed again, this time—at least partially—in frustration. But hey, a snake was near and she was determined to find safety, even if that meant with her ex. She tried to duck behind him, but he was laughing, hugging her.

He said, “I missed you too, honey.”

Turning so she could see the garage, meant turning Sutter as well, since he continued to hold her, but she got them both shifted around. Going on tiptoe, bracing her hands on his shoulders, Callie looked behind him, relieved that no snakes were in sight, at least not that she’d spotted yet. That didn’t mean one wasn’t near, though. The thing had seemed huge. Long and black and… She almost screamed again.

Sutter kissed her hair, then her cheek, before embracing her tightly and turning her in a half circle. “God, I’m so glad to see you. I should have known coming here was the right thing, that you’ve missed me too. But with the way you walked out on me… I wanted to give you time to realize that it was a mistake to leave.”

Wait— what ? She pressed him back, and then, just beyond him, saw the frozen faces of Tanner and a young man. Liam, she assumed.

Sutter cupped her face. “Tell me you missed me.”

“No.” Damn it, Tanner would definitely get the wrong impression. She’d only grabbed Sutter because… Remembering the snake, she looked around wildly again, this time spotting it in the grass.

Screaming once more, she ran to Tanner. “Snake. Huge . It came out of the garage.”

With a fierce frown, he set her aside and started forward for a closer look.

“Tanner, no!” With both hands, Callie caught the back of his shirt. “It could be poisonous.”

“Venomous,” he corrected, already stopping when he spotted it. “That’s a rat snake. Big, yeah, but harmless.”

Liam jogged forward. “I’ll get it.”

“Good Lord.” Callie seriously thought she might faint. She tucked her face against Tanner’s back, unable to watch. What a terrible impression she was making on his young friend, screaming and carrying on. She hid anyway.

That is, until she heard Sutter’s voice, much closer now, demanding, “Who the hell are you?”

“Neighbor,” Tanner said, his tone flat but not antagonistic. “I take it you’re Sutter?”

Callie peeked out to see Liam disappearing in the woods, his hands full of— gulp —snake.

Sutter smiled widely. “She’s talked about me?” His gaze moved to Callie and he opened his arms. “Come here, babe.”

“Ah, no.” But she couldn’t continue to cower behind Tanner or that might cause strife while, currently, there was none. At least, not between the men. The “insta-rage” Tanner had exhibited for the Garmets was thankfully absent now. “You shouldn’t be here, Sutter. If you had called first, I would have told you that.”

“Callie,” he said, his tone mildly chiding, almost playful. “I know how stubborn you are. You wouldn’t have answered.”

“So instead you just show up?”

He waggled his fingers in a “gimme” gesture. “Let me hold you again.”

Gritting her teeth, Callie said, “Absolutely not.”

“Excuse me.” Tanner stepped away for the garage. “I’ll make sure there aren’t more snakes.”

Shuddering, Callie did her best to be brave. “I’ll be right there,” she told him, astounded and pleased by his careless attitude. Sort of. No , she definitely was. She didn’t need a caveman getting all territorial. It was great that Tanner was behaving reasonably.

Or…maybe he really didn’t care? Could that be? Had the connection she’d felt been all one-sided? Her side? Ugh.

While Callie stared after him, Tanner lifted the heavy garage door—perhaps with a bit more force than necessary, he certainly didn’t struggle with it as she had. Pronounced muscles moved over his shoulders and biceps.

Sutter touched her back, then slid his hand to her neck and tipped up her face. “You’ve gotten too much sun.”

The stark differences between the two men hit her anew. “No, I haven’t.” Prioritizing, she stepped out of his reach and, for the moment, gave all of her attention to him. “You need to go. Right now. We’re done. Over. There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Callie,” he chided again, making her realize how much she hated it when he said her name like that. “We can still go…where was it you wanted to go for our honeymoon? The Cayman Islands?”

“Costa Rica,” Tanner called from inside the garage.

Shaking that off, Sutter said, “Right. I knew it started with a C .” Then his expression softened. “We can still go. And all those beautiful things you put on the registry. There was some kind of bedding you loved, right?”

“Floral,” Tanner said offhand as he walked out with yet another snake. He shot Sutter a look. “Linen.”

It struck Callie that her fiancé hadn’t listened, but Tanner had. What a precious thing it was to be heard . Her heart started rapping hard and wouldn’t let up. She didn’t know if it was the fear of the snakes, or the sudden surge of emotion for a particularly irascible neighbor. “Floral linen,” she confirmed softly.

Tanner didn’t go far, definitely not out of her sight, and then Liam was there to take that snake from him. He reentered the garage and started moving things around.

After anticipating his visit all day, Callie didn’t want to waste another single second on her ex. In a lowered voice, she said firmly, “Listen up, Sutter. We are one hundred percent done. No do-overs. No makeups. No second chances. I will not, ever , marry you.”

Desperation, then a touch of anger, altered his congenial expression. “This is ridiculous. Plans were already made. You know that. You can’t back out now.”

“I already did!”

“No, you had a little fit because I did something stupid. I regret it, but that doesn’t mean you get to ruin everything.” He leaned into her space, which meant bending down because he was similar in height to Tanner. “Our families—your parents, my parents —invested in each other. You can’t just fuck everyone over because you’re pissed.”

Wow, okay, she hadn’t seen that one coming. Never before, not once, had Sutter used that tone with her. She’d seen him annoyed at others, not her, and even then he’d kept it together.

It made her stomach churn to have him speak to her like that. “You need to leave now.”

“Not,” he said through his teeth, taking a step closer, “until we talk.”

Her own temper spiked, quickening her breathing, narrowing her vision. “That’s where you’re wrong.” She turned to walk away, but he caught her arm, making her gasp.

Before he’d even turned her around, Tanner was there beside her, his gaze pinning Sutter. “Think hard,” he said, the softness of his voice somehow more commanding, “how you want this to play out.”

Sutter released her, but didn’t relent. “She’s my fiancée, and we have things to discuss.”

“No, I am not ,” Callie said, even more frazzled now that Tanner had interceded. “And no, we don’t. I have nothing to say to you.” In a precautionary measure, she stepped partially in front of Tanner. “I’ll talk to my parents, but I’m not talking to you.”

“Damn it, Callie—” He reached for her again.

“No,” Tanner said. Just that, again quietly, but it landed in the space between them like a thunderclap.

Scowling, Sutter withdrew his hand and curled his lip. “Neighbor, my ass. There’s more going on here.”

She hoped that was true, but Callie wouldn’t verify anything for him, and she definitely wouldn’t speak for Tanner. “Will you please just go ?”

“For now.” He looked at the house and snorted. “Where’s Glory?”

“Why?”

“I need to talk to her.”

Callie got out her phone and sent Glory a quick message, unsure if she’d even see it while editing the video.

Seconds later, the back door opened and Glory, wide-eyed, stepped out. Cautiously, she looked at each of them, and then Sutter. “What are you doing here?”

“They want to see you. In person.” He barely looked at Glory as he turned to go. “I’ll wait five minutes and then I’m leaving.”

“Five…” Glory turned to stare at Callie, shocked and unsure.

Her heart broke for her cousin. Far too many times her parents had done this to her, acted as if she somehow owed them total obedience because they’d taken her in. “Ten minutes, and if you leave before that then you can explain to my parents.”

Jaw tight, Sutter nodded.

Glory looked off to the side, breathing hard, then she ran back inside.

Furious with the situation, Callie looked up at Tanner. She touched his jaw. “Thank you for being amazing.”

His eyes narrowed.

Hating to impose even more, but knowing it was necessary, Callie asked, “Could I be an even bigger burden and take a few minutes to help Glory? I promise I’ll be right back.”

Taking her off guard, he held her face and bent to give her a very soft kiss. “I’ll show Liam the car. We’ll be right here.”

Yup. Amazing. She smiled at him, then headed in. Unlike Glory, she didn’t race, but she did use long strides.

Glory was in the living room, perched on the edge of the seat, her laptop and purse beside her, but not her suitcase or toiletry bag. The second she spotted Callie, she shot to her feet. “I want to come back. Is that okay?”

Until Glory said it, Callie hadn’t realized how much she was dreading being alone. “Yes!” She hugged her hard. “Yes, of course. I told you, you’re always welcome to be with me.”

Glory caught her shoulders. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“You first.”

After sharing a laugh, they hugged again, and Glory faced her with new optimism. “I need to get my car anyway, right? And more clothes. Other…stuff. I’ll talk to your parents and I’ll try to make it clear that I can’t be the go-between.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Callie knew the pressure they put on her. “I don’t care if you update them. With Sutter showing up here, I plan to talk to them anyway.”

“I’ll tell them I support your decision.” Glancing toward the window to ensure Sutter was still there, she added, “It’s past time I broke those chains. It’s just… I’ve gotten so dependent on them.”

Very true. Callie’s parents, her mother especially, had always made Glory feel beholden, as if they’d rescued her instead of simply loving her. They set conditions on everything they gave, including their approval.

In turn, Glory had worked endlessly to show them how much she appreciated being part of their lives. So often, she’d seemed to feel that she didn’t have a choice. “We both know how they’ll react. If you truly feel that way—and I’ll love you regardless—it’d be better if you slowly and gently break away. It doesn’t have to be a big, bold statement.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes. Do what you’re comfortable doing. I can hold my own, and as soon as you’re ready, come back.”

“It’ll probably only be a few days.”

“I’m already missing you.”