Page 40 of Let Me Be the One

“Of course I have soap.”

For now, that’d have to do. “Clean it the best you can, but be gentle.”

“Yes, sir.”

The smart response lifted his gaze to hers until he noted the teasing in her eyes. Callie did like to tease.

And he liked when she did it.

Taking a deliberate step back, Tanner put space between them. “Any other injuries?”

“Nope. I’m fine.”

He’d bet she had sore muscles already, but if she didn’t want to mention them, he wouldn’t either. Tomorrow, she’d really be feeling it.

Probably her biggest pain right now was her wounded pride. By working next to Addie when he was young, he’d learned that physical labor in the fresh outdoors had a way of blocking out mental and emotional turmoil. For Callie’s sake, he hoped her efforts on the property affected her the same way.

Doing his utmost to banish the image of her showering, he said, “I’ll see you soon, then.”

“Not more than fifteen minutes, I promise.”

Smirking, Tanner glanced at the clock. “I’m timing you.”

“Ha!” she said, shooing him toward the door.

He left her with a smile. If he wasn’t careful, smiling because of Callie was going to turn into a habit.

Or maybe it already had.

* * *

DINNER AT HERneighbor’s house turned out to be a blast. Kam was downright entertaining, making everyone but Glory laugh. Her cousin, for some reason, was subdued. It worried Callie. What if it was guilt plaguing Glory…which would mean she’d been sending updates to Callie’s family and ex, after all.

To test her, she asked, “Aren’t you hungry, Glory?”

A wan smile appeared on Glory’s face. “Yes, of course.”

“You’re not eating much,” Addie said.

“I try to eat mostly healthy, that’s all.”

“What’s not healthy about vegetables and meat?” Tanner asked, sounding genuinely confused.

“Gravy, for one thing.” When silence fell around them, Glory realized how she’d erred and tried to correct herself. “Oh, I mean, it’sdelicious. Too much so. If I let myself, I could eat the whole pot.”

“You’d have to fight me for it.” Even as he tossed out that absurd statement, Kam kept his gaze on his food.

Tanner snickered.

Addie smacked at him, but she, too, seemed amused.

Hoping to lighten the awkwardness, Callie said, “I feel the same. It’ssogood, but I’m not as disciplinedas Glory.” Lifting her spoon in a toast, she said, “This is my second bowl. If I stole anyone’s share, you have my apologies, but I couldn’t resist.”

Beaming, Addie said, “I made plenty, honey, so eat your fill.”

Glory glanced from one face to the next, before frowning at Kam. “Thank you, Addie. Your kindness is appreciated.”

Ha! Callie hid her grin behind her spoon. Her cousin had a gift for subtle rebuke, not that Kam seemed to notice. Overall, he deftly ignored Glory.

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