Page 49 of Let Me Be the One
“Actually, I have a dozen things to do yet tonight.” She looked at the kitchen. “I’d like to help with the dishes before I go.”
“You always help,” Addie said. “Take tonight off.”
She couldn’t resist glancing at Tanner again, but he was busy accepting his plate from Kam, hot from the microwave, and sharing a few hushed words. Deciding not to interrupt the men, she said softly to Addie, “Thank you again for everything.” She nudged Glory forward and the two of them left after giving Blu a pat. They passed Percy, the cat, who was sprawled out asleep on a chair in the great room. They exited through the back door.
It was another cool evening with the scent of rain carried on a heavy breeze. Tree leaves stirred overhead and the goats started their nightly bleating.
“I wonder what’s going on,” Glory whispered.
“With the goats?”
She rolled her eyes. “No, with Tanner and the mysterious Nell.”
Callie shook her head. “I don’t think she’s mysterious. It’s probably just a private matter, as Addie said.”
“And young.” Glory stuck to her side. “I don’t even know her, but I already feel bad for her.”
Callie hooked an arm through Glory’s and pulled her closer as they walked. “I understand.”
“I know. You’re the only one who ever has.”
Sadly true. “We’re sisters, right? Even if we weren’t born from the same parents.”
After biting her lip, Glory asked, “Do you really feel that way? Still?”
“Of course I do. No matter what, Glory, that will never change.” As the skies grew darker, Callie was glad she’d remembered to turn on the outside lights. “I know there have been a lot of changes.”
“So many, and I…well, I need to confess something to you.”
Dread gripped Callie, but she kept her tone calm. “Oh? Does this have something to do with my parents and Sutter?”
She nodded miserably. “They contact me constantly wanting updates on you.”
“I figured. Sutter, too?”
“A few from him. Remember I called him that one night?”
“Yes.” And in annoyance, she’d told Glory she wasn’t her cousin anymore. “You know I was mad, right?”
“Yes!” Glory turned to her, stopping them both at the end of the driveway, where the porch light didn’t quite reach. “I don’t blame you, I swear I don’t. I wanted to convince you to go back—I mean, Istilldo.”
Slowly, Callie grinned. “No you don’t.”
“I do!”
Callie just looked at her, waiting. It got darker by the second, and she could almost feel the rain moving in.
Shoulders slumping, Glory grumbled, “All right, fine. It’s what your parents want. And Sutter says he’s still madly in love with you.”
“Sutter was never in love with me, madly or otherwise.”
Huffing a breath, Glory glanced around. “At first I didn’t get it. This place is awful, the animals are possessed, and bugs are everywhere.”
“At first you thought that?”
“I still think it—mostly. But it’s sort of growing on me.” Glory hugged her arms around herself. “I’ve slept better here than I ever have, and listening to you, Kam, Addie and Tanner all talk…it’s so peaceful and easy. And personal, in such a nice way.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Going forward, Callie would ensure that she drew Glory more into the conversation. “Most importantly though, no matter where I live, or what anyone else wants, I’m not marrying Sutter. I’ve told all of you that often enough.”
