Tanner’s phone beeping in his pocket cut her off.He cursed under his breath when he looked at the screen.“I’ve got to get into town if we have any hope of keeping your location here a secret.Evidently I’m not very popular right now.”
Bree bit her lip.“Are you going to get in trouble?”
He winked at her.“I’m sure Mrs.A is ready to snatch me out of Sunday School class again.But in the end, all that matters is your safety.They’ll all forgive me after this blows over.”
She grabbed his arm.“And if it’s not something that ever blows over?”
“Then we take it one day at a time.”
“How long do Zac and Gavin think they can buy you?”Noah asked.
Tanner shifted Beth to his other arm.“Two or three days max.Then Gavin will make it look like Bree ditched the car.”He turned to her.“But if this Organization is as proficient as you say at utilizing electronics for their purposes, it won’t take them long to figure out they were tricked.”
She looked over at Noah.“I’m not trying to lead danger to your friends.”
Noah shrugged.“They can take care of themselves.”
Tanner looked over at his brother.“Call Cassandra and get her to come out here, then once she is, figure out a way for her to get whatever baby supplies the kids will need.But don’t mention it over the phone.”
“Will do.”
“And you’ll probably want to carry.”Both men nodded at each other in clear understanding.
“Carry what?”Bree asked.
“His weapon.We’re not going to take any chances with your life.Everybody in town knows not to come around here—Noah doesn’t like company.Anybody else coming around is just looking for trouble.Cassandra, our sister, will get you anything you need.”
Before Tanner could say anything else, Noah whistled at Corfu then swung up onto his horse and headed out without a word.They both watched him go.
“He doesn’t talk a lot.”
“I know,” Tanner said.“He has his own personal demons.But he’ll keep you safe.Even if you can’t see him, know that if I’m not here, he’s got an eye on you and the kids.Nothing’s going to happen.”
Someone else she was dragging into danger.The list got longer and longer.“Tanner, I—”
He put a finger over her lips.“Don’t say it again.You’re not leaving.I want you here.Noah wants you here, even if he can’t formulate the words.You’re not going off on your own.”
He led her inside and gave her a brief tour of the small, charming house that was obviously dear to him.Tanner handed her Beth then reached over and kissed her forehead.“I’ll be home as soon as I can.It might be a while.”
A few moments later, he was walking out the door.She just stared at the door he’d shut behind him.
Home.
For the first time in her adult life she would be waiting for someone athome.
Chapter Nineteen
Gayle Little didn’t say a word to Tanner as he walked into the department office.Gayle had been a staple in the department before Tanner’s dad had been sheriff.She’d been welcoming Tanner into the building since he was about ten years old.
But not today.
Today the coffeepot was cold.It was midafternoon, so not prime coffee-drinking hours, and Tanner had never demanded or expected Gayle to make it, she just always had.
There was no fresh coffee today.
And her glare was even colder than the coffeepot.
Evidently word about him running Bree out of town had spread, which was exactly what he wanted, but it was still a little painful.
