Page 74 of Let Me Be the One
“You’re not. Ever.” He opened her front door. “Watch for me. I’ll be right back in.” Holding on to the image of her pale face, he dashed out into the rain to save Kam from getting soaked again.
If Callie wasn’t going to use the garage, she’d need a carport. Otherwise, in the next storm, she might get caught in a downpour.
That is, if she was going to stay.
At the car, Kam said, “I’d have brought it in.”
Thankfully the rain was blowing from the other direction, so it didn’t pour into Kam’s open driver’s side window. “Then we’d both be drenched.” Without a shirt, the rain stung and still Tanner hesitated. “The storm isn’t letting up.”
“Nope,” Kam replied. “Forecasted to go all night.”
Glad to have a viable excuse, Tanner nodded. “I’m probably staying here then.”
“Good.” Kam glanced to the door. “I was hoping she’d let you.”
“I haven’t exactly asked yet.” But he was hoping the same. “If I decide to head home, it won’t be for a while.”
“I’ll take care of Blu.”
“Thanks. And tell Addie not to worry.”
With that exchange wrapped up, Kam held out a large plastic bag stuffed full. “Clothes and food.”
“Appreciate it.” Half curved over the bag to protect it, Tanner dashed back to her porch. His bare feet slid over the wet grass, got pricked by random weeds, and he winced as he landed on a few sharp rocks.
When he reached the door, Callie was just putting away her phone.
“Glory?” he asked.
“Yes.” She looked him over. “I’ll get you another towel.”
He watched her for signs of stress, but she moved more freely now. Without as much anxiety, she hustled into the bathroom and returned with one of the towels they’d already used, plus a clean one.
She dropped the used towel on the floor.
He handed her the bag. “It’s heavy. My clothes and some food that Addie sent.” Quickly, he dried his feet on the used towel.
“Such a sweetheart.”
As he ran the fresh towel over his neck, shoulders, and chest, he asked, “Kam or Addie?”
“Both,” she teased back. “But I meant Addie.” After carrying the bag into the kitchen, she dug out his neatly folded jeans, socks, briefs, and shirt, putting them on a chair, then took out a few covered dishes. “Tanner, this smells like fried chicken.” She peeled back a lid and inhaled. “Oh,heaven. It is.”
Smiling at her appreciative tone, he picked up the change of clothes and asked, “How about I change in the living room while you get the food together?” He’d be close enough to hear her but with some privacy so he didn’t embarrass her—and didn’t tempt fate.
“A solid plan,” she said, but before he walked away she touched his arm. “Thank you. For everything. And for…understanding.”
“It’s not a big deal, okay?” He was glad to be here for her.
“It embarrasses me.” Then she shook her head, as if that word didn’t suffice. “Not that I lost a goat and forgot my phone and left my house unlocked, bad as all those things are. Not even the part with being in a tree.” Her next breath sounded forced, her words pained. “The freak-out, though? God, how I wish I could…not do that.”
To his mind, it took a lot of guts to face your embarrassment, to admit to it and own it. Callie had more grit than she realized. “Some things take longer to conquer. Some things,” he added softly, “stick with us forever.”As he well knew. “Kam and I were both impressed with how you handled yourself.”
Her short laugh was slightly broken, and he noted the fresh sheen of tears in her eyes, but also her slight smile. Such a conflict.
“I hate that I fell apart on you.” Angrily, she shoved back her hair.
“Notonme,” he said softly, though he wouldn’t mind.
