Page 84 of Let Me Be the One

Meaning:you were up a tree.

He cleared his throat. “Just figured I’d stop by to make sure you’re okay.”

Even knowing she was a wreck and clearly recognizing Tanner’s antagonism, Callie still smiled. It disarmed people and kept them guessing what she thought.

Truthfully, though, she was surprised by his concern. He even managed to look sheepish, as if he didn’t make these type of neighborly calls very often. “I’m fine now, thank you.”

“As you can see,” Tanner stated.

It was already clear that they’d slept together. He didn’t need to drive it into the ground.

Tanner glanced back at her. “How about somecoffee? I’ll be right back.” And with that he started to step out.

Stunned at his audacity, Callie surged forward. “I don’t think so.” She caught the doorknob before he could pull the door closed behind him. Taking matters into her own hands, she asked Dirk, “What were you doing out there? And why did you take my goat?”

Dirk stared at her so hard, her skin prickled in unease. “I didn’t take your goat. I was trying to get it back for you.”

“I heard you talking to Lang.”

“Yeah?” After absorbing her accusation, and seeing Tanner’s attitude, he discarded his concern and instead copped an attitude. “What the fuck did you hear?”

Wow, that turnaround had happened lightning-fast.

“If you know what’s good for you,” Tanner growled, “you won’t curse at her.”

“But she can sling accusations at me? Fuck that. I’ll say whatever I want.”

Uncertainty crept in on Callie. She put a hand to Tanner’s arm, letting him know she didn’t want or need his defense on this. “I heard you say that Tanner and Kam were away and I was home alone.”

“All true!” Dirk threw up his hands. “And your goat was out in a storm.”

Tanner asked, “How’d it get out, Dirk? You want to tell me that?”

“How the hell should I know? I’m not the keeper of her animals. I heard the damn thing carrying on and thought to help her out. So fucking sue me.”

“Enough with the language,” Callie said, before Tanner could react again. “Why were you in the woods?”

“Same reason you were.” He thrust his chin forwardand repeated with annoying enunciation, “Hunting a goat.”

“Right. You and Lang, dressed in rain slickers, just tromping through the woods during a storm?”

He had the nerve to laugh. “Sounds better than you, without a rain slicker, climbing a fu…freakingtree.”

To show her appreciation for his censorship, she dipped her head. “I counted the goats and realized one was missing. I was already looking for it when the drizzle turned into a storm.”

“Lang and I were hunting morel mushrooms along the edge of our property and heard it.” He lifted his hands. “Next thing I know, you’re up a tree and panicking.”

“Er… I wasn’t exactly panicked.”

“Bullshit. I thought you’d faint and fall to the ground. Why do you think I got closer to you?”

“To catch me?” she guessed, feeling a little sick.

“I’d have tried.” He narrowed his eyes. “What the hell did you think was happening?”

Nervously twisting the ends of her hair, she said, “I guess I… I heard you and Lang, and I thought…”

Dirk glared at Tanner. “And you’ve painted us as pure evil, haven’t you, you motherfucker?”

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