Page 32 of Let Me Be the One
From the top of the steps, Tanner said, “Catch,” and tossed down the pillows, one after the other.
“Shit.” Kam caught them, one in each fist, and held them away from his body. “I’m covered in sweat. It was hot as hell in the shop today.”
“Air’s not on yet?”
“This early in spring?” Kam grunted. “The owners won’t turn it on until we’re all roasting midsummer.”
At the local shop where Kam worked, he made good money and the hours were usually great, leaving him time to help out around the farm as needed, especially in the busier seasons. The conditions, though, could be grueling. Tanner much preferred the fresh outdoors to being cooped up in a machinery shop with flying sparks singeing both his hair and his clothes.
Kam eyed him as he came down the stairs with the loaded basket. “Moving out?”
The question, asked jokingly, gave him pause. Leave the farm? Leave Addie? Never. His heart, as well as his sweat, was forever bonded to this place. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“Ah, so then all this is for our sexy new neighbor?”
Deliberately, Tanner “bumped” him with the basket, knocking him into the wall.
“Hey!”
“Sorry. My bad.” Tanner looked at his brother and grinned.
“Again, dude, am I not supposed to notice her?”
That’d be asking a lot.Sexydidn’t begin to describe Callie. Scorching, sweet, admirable, funny, direct, determined… He ended the litany in his head, knowing he could go on all night listing everything he liked about her.
It was weird, actually. After years of envisioning her as a perfect little princess, now, after one morning of coffee, he knew her as a flesh-and-blood woman. Warm and interesting. He knew what made her blush, what annoyed her, how fiercely she’d reacted to the idea of abuse.Her ex’s disrespectful treatment had dented her pride, but he hadn’t touched her heart.
Much as she tried to hide it, it was obvious the lack of support from her family was the larger wound. Tanner knew what family meant, and he couldn’t imagine how badly it would hurt if Addie and Kam were ever that disloyal.
Best of all, he knew Callie wanted him. She hadn’t even tried to hide her interest. The way she devoured him with her gaze, you’d think she’d never seen a grown man before.
“Earth to Tanner. Did I lose you?”
Damn it. He’d been staring into space—and probably smiling. Switching his gaze to Kam, he said, “Maybe keep your observations on Callie to yourself. Or better yet, focus on her cousin.”
“Haven’t met the cousin. When I left for work, she hadn’t yet come down.” Kam propped a shoulder against the wall. “Is she sweet on the eyes, too?”
Huh. Mostly what he’d noticed was how late Glory had slept, how she’d come downstairs fully dressed, her makeup and hair perfect. Total opposite of Callie, who was far more laid-back.
Callie had immediately catered to her cousin, getting coffee for her, offering her a cookie, and very deliberately drawing her into the conversation.
Until now, Tanner hadn’t thought much about it. “Her name is Glory. She’s…different from Callie. More polished.”
“And?”
“And what? She’s not my type.”
“Because…?” Kam prompted.
Fed up, Tanner asked, “What do you want to knowexactly? Blond hair, blue eyes, perfect features.” Almost too perfect—although that didn’t really describe her, because he thought Callie was pretty damned perfect, too, but in a much more appealing way.
“Now I want to meet her.”
That suited Tanner just fine. “Addie’s over there now. From what she said, the kitchen, bathroom, and much of the yard has been cleaned up, but you can imagine the shape Reggie’s bedroom is in.” Just the thought of it gave Tanner the creeps. He’d loved the old guy and didn’t mind saying so, but sleep in his bed?
He’d rather camp out with the goats.
When he glanced at Kam, he saw a similar aghast expression.
