Page 41 of Let Me Be the One

With his bowl now empty, Tanner sat back. Directly across from Callie, he asked, “Did you get the goats and chickens put away before you came over?”

Tension shot down her spine.How in the world did I forget about the animals?Not that she didn’t already know. She’d forgotten because of Tanner. Whenever he was close—and shoot, even when he wasn’t—he plagued her mind.

Callie stared at him, saw the taunt in his eyes, and wanted to throw her spoon at him. A swift glance at the window proved it was already getting dark.Will I even still have goats and chickens?She had no idea what animals did in the dark. It’s not like they were teenagers.

Glory looked back and forth between them. “Put away where?”

“The chickens go in a coop and the goats have a shelter.” Dropping her spoon into her bowl and pushing back her chair, Callie said, “I’ll go take care of it now.” Though how she was supposed to do that, she had no idea. “I promise to come right back to help clean up.”

Addie jumped up from her chair. “But I have dessert.”

“I’m sorry!” She skirted around the table, then almost stepped on Percy. The cat seemed to have come out of nowhere.

Right behind her, Tanner said, “Percy’s good at that.”

“Tripping people?”

“It’s his talent.” Kam, too, appeared to be following her.

“Guys.” Hands on her hips, Callie faced them. “I’ll figure it out. You don’t need to leave your meal.”

“I don’t mind,” Kam promised.

“But,” Tanner said, “you’re still eating and I’m done.”

Callie couldn’t be sure, but there seemed to be a subtle warning in his tone.

Kam confirmed that with a grin. “Down, big brother. I know when my help isn’t wanted.” He ducked back as Tanner reached for him. “How about I give you twenty minutes or so, then we can get her mattress back inside?”

“That’ll work.”

Kam winked at Callie, and then casually whistled as he sauntered away.

Having Kam for a neighbor was going to be fun. She lifted her gaze to Tanner’s face and caught him watching her closely. Did he think she was attracted to Kam? Withhimaround? Not likely. “Seriously, Tanner—”

“Seriously, Callie.” As he mocked her, he took her arm and urged her along. “I’ll show you how it’s done, then you’ll know.”

A smart girl knew when to give up. Besides, she had no clue what she was doing yet and she liked his company.

With the tall trees everywhere, shadows overtook the area and night sounds filled the air. It had cooledconsiderably, making her wish she’d grabbed a sweatshirt instead of one of her cuter tops.

Very aware of Tanner’s warm fingers on her arm, she tried to think of something to say. With him so close to her, every breath filled her head with his scent. For real, she’d love to brush her cheek and nose all over him.

“Just a second.” Tanner stopped outside the garage, opened his truck, and located a small first aid kit that had been stored under the seat.

Her heart beat faster. “So.”

“So?”

Right. For a conversational gambit, that failed. “I hope you won’t think badly of Glory.”

“Because she didn’t like Addie’s stew?”

“But she did. That’s the thing. She worries overly about…well, everything. Especially her figure and staying healthy and doing the right thing.”

He shook his head. “And eating stew is the wrong thing?”

“I didn’t think so, but then, I never count calories or worry much about consequences—like gaining weight. I think it’s why she insisted on coming along with me. In a lot of ways, we’re like sisters, and she’s the responsible one.”

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