Page 19 of Tanner

Tanner carefully unlocked the door then paused with his hand on the knob. The chain was still on and he slowly turned the knob. The click sounded too loud in the quiet room, and he flinched. Tanner pulled the door open just enough to see who was on the porch, his body angled so he could slam it shut quickly if he needed to.

A deputy stood there with his hands visible. Tanner stared at him, noticing the deputy was tall. The jacket hid most of his body, but Tanner still got the impression of someone built solid without being bulky. The kind of body that came from doing real work, not a gym. His dark hair was cut short, and his hazel eyes watched Tanner.

Tanner should have felt fear first. Instead, he felt a quick, sharp rush of attraction that made no sense at all. It annoyed him, and his grip tightened on the door.

Keeping his face blank, he met the deputy’s eyes. The deputy held his gaze a second longer than Tanner expected, his eyes widening slightly, before saying, “Morning.”

Tanner didn’t answer.

“I’m Deputy Miles Owens,” the man said. His voice remained calm as he spoke. “Sheriff Redding sent me.”

Tanner swallowed. “Why?”

Miles’ gaze dropped for a second to Tanner’s bare feet, then moved slowly up over his worn jeans and shirt before returning to his face. It should have felt like assessment and maybe part of it was, but Tanner felt there was something else too. Heat crept across his cheeks, and he gritted his teeth.

“We got a call,” Miles answered. “About someone being inside the house. Mrs. Hemsworth thought it might be a break in.”

Tanner’s stomach clenched. The call he’d interrupted had been to the sheriff. He should have known someone would come out in response. “She saw you,” Miles added.

Tanner’s jaw tightened. “I live here.”

Miles held his gaze. “Your name?”

Tanner stared back. He didn’t like questions because questions could lead to Savannah being taken, and no one was taking her from him. Savannah was his to protect, to care for. Knowing he had no choice right then, he forced the words out. “Tanner. Tanner Fernsby.”

Something shifted in Miles’ face. Recognition, like he’d expected that answer. Miles nodded. “Alright.”

Tanner waited for the next part where Miles made demands. Asked for proof or ID. Police always asked for something.

Miles stayed where he was. “Can we talk?”

Tanner’s hand flexed on the edge of the door but didn’t open it wider. “We’re talking.”

Miles didn’t push. He glanced toward the street, then back to Tanner, and gave a quick nod. “You got anyone else in there with you?”

Tanner’s heart raced in his chest. He swallowed, his eyes darting past Miles as he looked down the street before going back to him.

Miles’ eyes narrowed slightly. “Tanner. I need to know if there’s a kid in there.”

Tanner’s throat went tight, and he struggled to swallow. He tried to keep his voice strong as he spoke. “My sister.”

Miles’ gaze locked on his. “Savannah.”

Tanner’s stomach dropped. “How do you know her name?”

“Sheriff Redding pulled the old report,” Miles said. “He told me. I’m not here to cause problems. I’m here to make sure she’s safe.”

Tanner’s body went rigid. He leaned forward without meaning to, and muttered, “She is.”

Miles didn’t react to the edge in Tanner’s voice. “Okay. I’m going to ask some basic questions. You don’t have to like it, but I have to do it.”

Tanner blew out a breath. “Then ask.”

Miles nodded. “How long have you been back in town?”

“Last night.”

“And you’ve been gone since—”