Page 18 of Let Me Be the One
That’s how he felt about Kam. Over the years, they’d had plenty of disagreements, a few of them physical. Didn’t matter. He’d defend Kam always, whether he was right or wrong. When a person knew what it waslike to be without family, he valued what family was gifted to him.
Callie added a spoonful of sugar to her coffee, poured in enough cream to make it pale, stirred, sipped, and sighed. “Perfect.”
Looking at that now-weak cup of…whatever, Tanner shook his head. “That’s no longer coffee, you know. It’s just warmed-up cream and sugar.”
Even so early in the morning, with her hair uncombed and her clothes wrinkled from sleeping in them, her smile had a powerful effect. “You sound like my mother.”
“Well now, is that a compliment or an insult?” He’d never seen her mother, though he’d heard plenty about her. Most in the town had downright revered her parents, the high and mighty McCallahans who deigned to dwell among them, always improving things—usually for their own fame and publicity.
At least that was how Tanner had seen it.
Her smile widened into a grin. “I’d say it’s more insult than otherwise. Mother was forever telling me I’d getthickif I didn’t watch the sugar—so I always added more, just to annoy her. Now I’ve learned to like it that way.”
“So you’re spiteful,” he said. “Got it.”
Callie laughed. “Next you’ll be commenting on my overall sugar addiction, and that my smiles are so big they’re going to give me wrinkles.”
Something else her mother had said? From what he’d heard yesterday between her and Glory, she seemed at odds with her mom still. “Obviously, you never got thick.” Callie had a body that would make most guys salivate. “And your smiles are nice.”
Ducking her face, she said, “Thank you.”
“Since she was wrong, did your mother ever retract her statement?”
“My mother? Ha!” After another sip, she set down the cup and tentatively met his gaze. “My weight has its ups and downs, and believe me, when it’s up she notices. Constantly. I’m not what anyone would call a healthy eater, but I get plenty of exercise and I love my veggies, too, so I’ve never worried much about it—despite all her dire warnings.”
He took a drink of his coffee, then decided,why not? “Speaking strictly as a guy, you have no reason to worry.” He glanced over her body, but managed—with an effort—to keep it brief. She was still so hot that looking at her made him want to touch. And taste.
And ride.
As if she didn’t notice his interest, she said, “Thanks,” and wrinkled her nose. “My parents have this thing about perfection, and of course it’s impossible to measure up.”
With only the slightest touch of sarcasm, he said, “Must’ve been rough.” To him, she’d always seemed perfect. Perfectly styled and behaved. Perfectly kind.
With a perfect body and smile.
“It wasn’t so bad for me. I got a kick out of failing, I guess because I knew they’d love me anyway.” As if chilled, she cupped both hands around her cup. “What about you?”
Tanner wondered if he made her uneasy, if his abrasive attitude got to her, until her attention slipped, repeatedly, to his shoulders, his chest, and his biceps.
The appreciation in her gaze heated his blood and deepened his voice. “What about me?”
“Do you eat healthy stuff?” Her pretty blue eyes coasted over him once more, deliberately this time. “You seem to be extremely…” She cleared her throat and focused on her coffee. “Fit.”
A satisfied, somewhat smug smile curled the corners of his mouth. Maybe Kam and Addie were right after all and he should see this as an opportunity.
When he didn’t reply right away, mostly because he was weighing carnal possibilities, she cocked a brow. “Tough question?”
“The way you were looking at me, my mind wandered.” He folded his arms on the table and gave her a real answer, instead of grouching at her. “I usually eat whatever Addie fixes. Not a hardship, because she’s one hell of a cook. Everything from country meals like meat loaf—which we had last night—to fine dining, like roasted rack of lamb or beef Wellington. Plus the desserts are always amazing. She likes to experiment, so Kam and I benefit.”
“She sounds like the quintessential mom.”
“Yeah, she has a way about her.” A way that had broken through his reserves like a gentle battering ram. As a kid, he’d tried his best to keep her at a distance, but she’d worn away his fear with nonstop understanding and an unwavering routine he could count on. Addie had given compassion, but set it around clear boundaries. And good food. Growing up, he’d been forever hungry, but with her he could always eat his fill.
In numerous ways, Addie had made it clear that his safety, health, and happiness mattered most to her, and then she’d done the same with Kam.
“So she’s not only a bighearted woman, but a great cook, too.”
Tanner nodded. “In all the time I’ve lived here, she’s only missed cooking a few times. She loves the kitchen, though she says she didn’t know that about herself until she got us.”
