Page 70 of Let Me Be the One
Whatever situation she was in, he hated knowing they were involved.
When he finally spotted Callie, her arms and legs wrapped tight around a sturdy oak limb, she was alone. Sopping wet.
Andcrying.
Her face was too wet to see any tears, but he could hear it in the broken way she gulped air, see it in her panicked expression.
Before he could reach her, she started explaining. “The Garmets were h-here, but they took off. They had my g-goat. They wanted me to come down, but I didn’t know…”
The tumble of words continued while he went to her and Kam started looking around.
“They’re g-gone now,” she said, her words shivering together. “And I’m stuck in a tree!”
“You aren’t stuck,” Tanner said calmly, sensing shedidn’t need to see his anger right now, even if it was aimed at others. He’d left Blu at home rather than risk the dog in the storm, but now he wished he’d brought him along. If Dirk or Lang were still around, Blu would pinpoint them.
Knowing Kam had his back, Tanner ignored his surroundings and reached up for Callie. “Honey, can you swing your leg over? I promise I won’t let you fall.”
Lightning crashed overhead, alarming him. A creek bed that ran through the woods had already filled with the spring rain. The sound of the water rushing past mingled with the downpour and consistently rumbling thunder. The branches of the tree, large and small, swayed from the force of the storm.
A tree was a terrible place for her to be. Then again, on the ground in the darkened woods with Dirk and Lang might have been worse, so he silently applauded her resourcefulness.
She shifted cautiously. “It was e-easier getting up.”
“I know.” Fear had probably provided the impetus she’d needed, and it killed him to think of her being so terrified. “Just bring your foot over the side—that’s it. A little more.” The second her leg was free, he held her above the knee, steadying her, providing a foundation. “See, I’ve got you. Now the other leg.”
“My hands are cold and the limb is w-wet.”
“I swear to you, Callie, I won’t let you fall.”
She stared down at him, chose to trust him again, and then nodded. Once she went to move her other leg, she started slipping and let out a horrified gasp.
Tanner scooped her up, catching her against his chest, cradling her close to his body. He wished he had thought to get a jacket, but he hadn’t. His T-shirt waswet through so even if he offered it to her, it wouldn’t do her much good.
“We have to get out of this storm,” Kam said.
“My g-goat.”
They both listened, heard the near-continuous cry, and Kam took off. “I’ll get him.”
“Watch your back,” Tanner warned. Later, he’d settle up with Dirk and Lang. If they’d hurt the animal, there’d be hell to pay. He’d see to it.
Callie squeezed him in a death grip. “I’m s-sorry I’m such a bother.”
“Shush. You’re not.” He kissed her temple. “I want to get you inside, but I don’t want to leave Kam alone if those bastards are around.”
She nodded, burrowing closer to steal his warmth as they waited.
Less than two minutes passed when Kam came back bare-chested. He’d removed his shirt to create a leash, which he used to lead along the anxious goat. “He was caught up pretty tight in some vines.” His gaze met Tanner’s. “Nearly hobbled.”
“Oh,” Callie said, lunging away and dropping to her knees on the muddy ground to embrace the wet goat. “I’m s-so sorry, baby.”
“He’ll be happiest in his shelter with the others,” Tanner said, catching her upper arm and urging her back to her feet. “We need to get out of the storm. Come on.” Together, two men, a shaken woman, and a frazzled goat, they made their way back to Callie’s property.
Kam secured the gate, then got the goat settled in with the others. “I dried him off with some straw. He has a few abrasions on one of his legs.”
“Oh no,” Callie whispered, her tone filled with horror.
“He’s fine for tonight,” Kam assured her. “We can check it out tomorrow.”
