Page 52 of Let Me Be the One
Callie appreciated his rescue, but wasn’t sure how to feel about his methods. He’d been antagonizing before he even understood the situation. Still, if it would deter Dirk and Lang from menacing her again—because they had been menacing, she wasn’t oblivious to that—then she’d accept Tanner’s influence.
While the other men were still near enough to hear, she said, “Tanner, would you and Blu like to come in for a few minutes?”
One of the brothers guffawed, and then they disappeared into the shadows at the side of Callie’s house.
After drawing a slow, deep breath, he gave an abrupt nod. “Blu, come on.”
The dog calmed, but he didn’t leave Glory’s side, sticking with her as she carried the cookies up the driveway, her expression bewildered. When she reached Tanner, who hadn’t yet moved, she whispered, “I don’t know what that was, but thank you.”
For Glory, he softened. “Welcome.” He took the plate from her and gestured for her and Callie, which included Blu, to precede him. “You might want to put my number in your phones. Kam’s too, because no way is that the end of it, and the Garmet brothers are a hell of a lot worse than a raccoon or two.”
Callie didn’t realize she was shaking until she tried to get her door unlocked. She fumbled the key twice before getting it right and finally opening the door. The house was dark inside, so she took the plate from Tanner and, as she carried it to the kitchen, she flipped light switches. On her way back, she even turned on the hall light.
Blu took that as an invitation to explore, something she appreciated, especially when the dog returned without alarm, sniffing the floor, the couch, the walls.
“Probably looking for Reggie.” Tanner patted his thigh. “Come here, Blu. You won’t find him, buddy.”
The dog immediately trotted over, then tipped his head in question.
Callie had the urge to cry. She even bent to hug Blu. “You are such a good boy, Blu.” Swishing his tail, he nuzzled her, then stepped away and dropped down to rest in front of the door.
The house fell silent, the only sounds that of Glory pacing and Blu huffing out a tired breath as he settled in.
Tanner looked at Callie, ran a hand through his hair, and said, “Sorry about that.”
She shook her head, unsure what he meant.
“Escalating things. Looking for a reason to take Dirk apart. The brothers set me off every damn time I see them.”
Glory said, “Well, I can see why. They’re disgusting.”
“Agreed.” Callie badly wanted to get closer to him, but she didn’t want to press him. Ever since they’d kissed, he’d kept his distance. “I got the feeling they were going for charm, but missing it by a mile.”
“They have zero respect for women. Honest men, either. Don’t ever be fooled by them.”
“We weren’t.” No, from the first sight of them, she’d sensed something was off—especially with them attempting to peer in her windows. “Were they friends with Reggie?”
“Hell no. Reggie didn’t trust either of them. He’d busted them stealing from him plenty of times over the years, and once, when they were late teens, he found them shooting his chickens with BB guns.”
Callie fumed.“Cretins.”
“Their dad, before he passed on, thought it was hilarious and tossed ten bucks at Reggie, as if that’d solve it. Reggie punched him in the mouth and told him if he saw either of his boys around his place again, he’d call the police.”
“He should have anyway!” Callie insisted.
“Wouldn’t have done any good. They have cops for kin, so somehow they always skate by.” Tanner studied their enraged faces. “Not to alarm either of you…” He stopped and shook his head. “Scratch that. You should be alarmed.”
Glory put a hand to her head and groaned.
Callie said calmly, “Let’s hear it.”
“You need dead bolts on the doors, and probably on the windows, too.” He hesitated only a second, then said, “I know a kid working an apprenticeship with a contractor.He’s handy and always looking for extra cash. If you can afford him—”
“I assume he wouldn’t cost any more than anyone else I hired?”
“Less, I’m sure. Liam’s just turned nineteen and trying hard to make it on his own. He’s the kid I told you about who needs a car.”
And Tanner was trying to help him? Her admiration grew every time she was around him.
