Could the day get any longer? Out back, where they’d found Tanner working on the tree farm, Kam stood beside Kirby while they went over what had happened. If he could have handled this on his own, he would have. But Tanner had more extensive experience and better contacts.
The sun was starting to sink in the sky, leaving behind peach and orange hues. The day had cooled, and here among the trees, the air smelled fresh and clean.
As Kirby struggled to keep it together, especially against Tanner’s darkening frown, Kam wrapped up his explanation of the situation.
Still scowling like the devil himself, Tanner put a hand on Kirby’s shoulder. “First, we’ll figure it out, okay?”
Kirby looked ready to piss himself.
“Dude, you’re making him nervous. He doesn’t get that you’re furious at the situation, not at him.”
Tanner didn’t even spare Kam a glance. “I’m angry at all of it. Angry that Glory got hurt—that she could have been killed. Angry that none of us knew what was going on with you and your sister. Beyond fucking furious that Mike is hanging around and causing this type of trouble. But, Kirby, I mean it.” He gave his shoulder a slight shake. “We’re on it, okay?”
Warily, Kirby nodded. “I really am sorry.”
“I know. It sucks when things are out of our control. Siblings are important.” He slanted Kam a look. “I’ve one of my own.”
“That goes both ways,” Kam replied.
Nervously, Kirby glanced back and forth between them before a small grin, barely there, took the trembling from his mouth.
See, this was the magic touch Tanner had, knowing how to relate to kids in a way that got through to them. He seemed to have an instinct about when to curse, when to whisper, when to make physical contact, and when to keep his distance, all depending on the kid.
Damn, he admired his brother a lot. “What we need from you is your word that you won’t do anything like that ever again. You need money, Kirby, you come to us, and we’ll help you figure it out the legit way.”
Bobbing his head in fast agreement, Kirby said, “I swear.”
Kam nodded once in satisfaction.
Now, with that settled, Tanner asked him, “Shouldn’t you get in touch with Glory? You’ve been gone the better part of the day. Or do you want Callie to run over there again? She will, you know.”
“I’ll call her now.” He, too, patted Kirby’s shoulder before saying, “I’ll be right back.” He’d need to return Kirby to his car, since they’d ridden over together.
As Kam walked off, he heard Tanner say, “Now, I want to talk to you about a better job opportunity, and tomorrow, I’d like to introduce you to someone who can help with your sister. No, don’t get spooked. She’s a terrific person from a local organization. I trust her, and I want you to trust her, too.”
Knowing he’d done as much as he could for now, Kam headed toward the house. He’d say hi to Addie, give her a hug, and then call Glory on his way home. Instead, as he neared the back porch, he found Addie and Shara chatting.
That drew him up short.What the hell?“Shara?”
With giant tears in her eyes, her mascara leaving tracks on her cheeks, Shara hiccupped.
Could this day get any longer? Manning up, he stepped forward to deal with this next issue, and his phone dinged with a message.
Nearly groaning, he pulled it from his pocket and saw it was a text from Glory.
Running behind?
He should have called her before now, should have at least left her a message, but he hadn’t known how to explain any of it. He wanted to be sitting with her, close enough to touch her, because he knew she was going to feel guilty over the pressure Mike had put on Kirby.
She wouldn’t hate Kirby, wouldn’t blame the kid any more than he did. And wasn’t that amazing? He had so much faith in her, in her big heart and understanding nature, that he didn’t have a single doubt.
He started a reply—and Shara landed against him, nearly knocking the phone from his hand. Quickly, he levered her back. “What’s going on?”
Addie, God bless her, joined them. She even took Shara’s arm and eased her away. “She’s had an upset.”
To be safe, Kam took a hasty step back. Shara looked ready to grab him again. “Okay, let’s hear it.”
“You hate me, don’t you?”
