Page 53 of Let Me Be the One
“I could bring him by tomorrow, after I do some deliveries,” he offered. “Late afternoon, probably. You could meet him then.”
“Sounds perfect.” She’d be happy for the extra security, and for another visit with Tanner. “While you’re both here, we could check out the car, make sure it still runs and everything.”
Nonplussed, he blinked at her. “You haven’t started it yet?”
She shook her head, and gave a ridiculous admission. “Don’t you dare laugh, but I haven’t even been in the garage yet.” It was a detached building, and to her it didn’t look at all inviting.
“Basement? Attic?” he asked.
“No to all that. I wanted to get my living space in order before I did anything else, though I planned to venture downstairs tomorrow because Addie said the washer and dryer are down there.” And she already had plenty of laundry to do, especially with Reggie’s bedding, towels, and dish towels that had gotten musty over the last couple of months.
“They are, among other things.” He crossed his arms and watched her.
With a sigh, Callie said, “I can tell you’re just dying to explain that cryptic comment.”
“Glory might faint if I do.”
“Oh God,” Glory said, dropping to sit on the edge of the couch. “It’s that bad?”
Tanner had the gall to laugh. “Lots of cobwebs, spiders, and other creepy crawlies. That’s all.”
A shudder ran over Callie. There was no guarantee that things in the basement would stay down there. “So I need an exterminator. Got it.”
His taunting smile faded to one of gentle amusement. “Tell you what. While I’m here with Liam, I can check out the basement, make sure it’s clear of the worst stuff.”
She would love to agree, especially since he was being so nice about it. However, that would mean she couldn’t handle it. Two big male strangers looming on her porch was one thing. A few spiders or other bugs was another. Surely, single women dealt with that sort of thing, and worse, on a regular basis.
So she sucked it up and declined with a grateful smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I can handle it.”
His brows drew together in concern. “Okay, but would you mind waiting to go down there until I’m here, just in case?”
“Just in case I chicken out?”
“No, just in case a snake has taken up residence, or anything like that.”
Her stomach bottomed out. Pretty sure she went pale, too. “Oh.” Her effort to sound blasé failed. “Snakes.” Yeah, she sounded sick.
“Most around here are harmless. Rat snakes or garter snakes, no big deal. But we have pit vipers too, and I wouldn’t want you to run into one of them.”
Yeah, that pretty much ensured she would not step foot in the basement.
He elaborated anyway. “They’re venomous, in case you didn’t know. Copperheads especially like to take up in abandoned buildings, and since it’s been two months—”
Thrusting up a hand, Callie shushed him. “Say no more. Perhaps when Liam is here, he can also install a dead bolt on the basement door.”
“Not a bad idea, since there are two windows down there.”
“Well.” Glory flopped back on the couch as if wilted. “If I hope to get any rest after all these dire warnings, I’m going to need a sleeping pill tonight for sure.”
Looking genuinely contrite, Tanner said, “Sorry, but it is a concern.” Taking Callie by surprise, he stepped closer and cupped a hand to the side of her neck. “I’m serious about you having my number. Keep your phone near you and call if either of the Garmet brothers gives you any trouble.”
“Or if a snake intrudes?”
The corner of his mouth hitched up a notch, but his voice emerged as a husky rumble. “Even a raccoon.”
The warmth of his hand on her skin had a lulling effect, as did his dark eyes staring into hers. She intrinsically trusted him, regardless of whatever had happened with the mysterious Nell today, or what that horrid Garmet brother had insinuated about murder. Already, Tanner knew things about her that no one else knew, not even Glory, and definitely not her parents.
Given that he’d talked with her about his childhood, she felt certain that he’d also shared things with her he would normally keep private.
