Page 16 of Let Me Be the One
She was from the wealthiest family in town and he was the son of an obnoxious drunk who people reviled—at least they had back then, before Addie had taken him in the year he turned thirteen. But by then, he’d already become invisible at school. Other kids wanted nothing to do with him, teachers didn’t know how to handle his sullen attitude, and counselors had gotten exactly nowhere trying to get him to open up.
As if any kid would want to share about his old man, a dirty house, and all the shame…
Before Addie, he’d missed school more than he’d made it in, and half of that time it had been with bruises. But by God, he’d never failed a grade. Was never held back. In every way, he’d been hell-bent on proving himself…better.
Better than his dad. Better than his circumstances. Better than anyone expected.
And still, he’d always known he wasn’t good enough for Callie McCallahan.
Thinking back on those torturous days still made him tense, so he shoved the memories to the back burner and rolled out of bed.
Avoidance was his go-to when it came to memory lane. No good came of focusing on what he’d left behind. What he’d never had.
Well, except when it came to recognizing kindred spirits. He’d been there, done that, so he knew how neglected or abused kids felt, and sometimes he knewwhat to say and do to make it a little better. At those times, he’d gladly go through fresh hell if it made a kid’s life even a tiny bit easier.
It was barely 5:30 a.m. when he made his way to the kitchen. Barefoot, wearing only jeans, he went to the counter and switched on the coffeemaker. He hadn’t yet decided if he wanted to be around when Callie got up, or if it’d be better to already be out of the house. The sun wouldn’t rise for another couple of hours, but he could work in the barn.
Blu, who’d been sleeping in his usual spot near the sliding doors in the great room, got to his feet and yawned, and that disturbed Percy the cat. “Sorry, buddy. It’s too early to be up and about, isn’t it?”
Percy gave him an annoyed look and sauntered off to another part of the house. He was a lazy thing that liked to sleep, eat, and occasionally prowl outside.
Tanner slid open the door for Blu, then followed him out to the enclosed back porch, where he opened another door to give the dog access to the yard. This early, the air was cooler and a fine mist dampened the air, but Tanner stood there patiently, giving Blu the time he needed. He didn’t trust the Garmet brothers, with good reason.
One time, and one time only, he’d found them on his property harassing Blu. Given Tanner’s reaction, it was doubtful they’d encroach again, but he wouldn’t take the chance. He never did, not with those he loved.
A little voice in his head said:Callie will be living right next door to them.
His jaw flexed, because so far there wasn’t anything he could do about it. He’d warned her. He might warn her again. The rest would be up to her.
Blu sniffed the air, looked around, and finally found a suitable grassy spot to sprinkle. He’d just finished when his ears went up, but it wasn’t anything in the yard that interested him. When he trotted past Tanner and into the house, his tail was already wagging.
Wondering why Kam would be up so early, Tanner followed the dog in through the porch and great room, but froze in the kitchen entrance at the sight of Callie on her tiptoes trying to reach a coffee mug on the top shelf of the cabinet. He should have announced himself, but didn’t. Should have looked away, but couldn’t.
The dog didn’t alert her, either. Blu, standing still but attentive, seemed as mesmerized as Tanner.
Her legs were beautifully bare, her plump ass hugged by a pair of white cotton shorts that didn’t cover much more than panties would have, and left little to his oh-so-awake imagination. When he finally dragged his gaze off her stellar behind, he saw that her dark T-shirt was a little roomy, and her rumpled hair hung down her back in silky hanks.
Tanner didn’t dare breathe. If he did, she just might disappear.
Giving up on the mug, she watched the coffeemaker as if she could hurry it along, then sighed and rested her forearms on the counter—which better presented her backside to his scrutiny.
Blu had better manners than him, because the dog whined, startling her upright, then came forward in greeting.
Her sleepy gaze landed first on the dog, then lifted to Tanner. Blinking at him, her drowsy gaze going quickly over him, she gave a husky, “Good morning.”
He still had trouble breathing. “Morning.”
Breaking the connection, she knelt down and rubbed the dog’s ears. “Morning, Blu. I hope you slept well.”
Blu tipped his head, narrowed his eyes in bliss, and swept the floor with his tail.
Callie kissed the top of his head. “You are such a big sweetheart.”
When she straightened again, Blu wandered to his water dish, got a few drinks, then padded back to his sleeping spot and collapsed with a quiet huff.
Tanner knew he couldn’t keep staring at Callie, no matter how good she looked all morning mussed and sleepy. He unglued his feet and walked in. “Addie keeps her mugs over here. Easier to reach.” He opened a lower cabinet to show her the array of colorful mugs with various sayings. “The ones stored high aren’t used that often.”
“Oh.” She accepted the mug he handed her. “Thanks.”
