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Miles’ voice stayed calm. “He already knows, Tanner. The report came in. This is going to be dealt with one way or another. The difference is how.”

Tanner’s jaw clenched. “How means you don’t tell anyone.”

“How means no squad car on the lawn and no neighbors watching you being questioned on your porch,” Miles said. “Sheriff is going to want to talk to you at some point, but he’s not sending me back here with handcuffs.”

Tanner didn’t know what to do with Miles telling him that. He watched Miles and held Savannah close.

Miles’ gaze moved to Savannah again. “She needs breakfast.”

Tanner swallowed. “I know.”

Miles reached into his pocket, pulled out a business card, and held it out. “This is the clinic number. This is the school office. And that’s the department line. If you need something that’s about her safety, you call. You don’t have to explain. You just call.”

Tanner stared at the card. Miles waited until Tanner shifted Savannah on his hip and took the card with his free hand. His fingers brushed Miles’, and Tanner felt it like a live wire under his skin.

Miles went still for a second. His eyes flicked to Tanner’s face, and that tiny pause made Tanner suck in his breath. Miles pulled his hand back, his eyes still on Tanner’s.

Glancing away, Tanner adjusted Savannah, but when he looked back at Miles he found him still staring.

Miles looked away and cleared his throat. “I’ll bring the paperwork by later. Or I can leave it in your mailbox if you’d rather not open the door again.”

Tanner’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t leave it in the mailbox.”

“Alright. I’ll come by later.” Miles’ eyes drifted over Tanner’s body and Tanner sucked in a breath, feeling his body respond.

Tanner’s chest tightened. “Don’t.”

Miles held his gaze. “Tanner.” That was it. Just his name, but the way he said it made Tanner swallow. Miles took a slow breath. “People are going to ask if you’re her legal guardian.”

Tanner’s whole body went rigid. Savannah flinched at the tension and tightened her arms around his neck.

Tanner’s voice came out low. “She’s my sister.”

“I know,” Miles said immediately. “I’m not saying that to mess with you. I’m saying it so you’re not blindsided because it will come up at some point.”

Tanner stepped forward without meaning to. “You don’t know anything.”

Miles didn’t retreat, but he didn’t come closer, either. He stayed where he was, keeping his voice low and even. “I know you ran once. I know you’re scared it’ll happen again. And I know if you blow up at the wrong person, they’ll make calls you don’t want made.”

Tanner’s grip tightened on Savannah. Savannah whispered, “Tanny.”

Tanner blinked hard and looked at her. Her eyes were wide. She didn’t understand the words, but she was picking up on Tanner’s anger.

He swallowed and forced himself to relax. “It’s fine,” he murmured. “It’s okay.”

Miles took a step back, giving them space. “I’m leaving now,” he said. “Get food. Get a plan for the power. If you want, I can point you to who handles utilities in town. You don’t have to talk to me on your porch. You can call the station and ask Dee at reception. She’ll give you the right number.” Tanner didn’t answer and Miles hesitated, then added, “I’m not your enemy, but I’m not going to lie to you either.”

Tanner stared at him. The attraction was still there. The wrong time and the wrong person, but Tanner had the suspicion Miles had felt some of it too. He shoved that thought down hard. It didn’t matter. Not right then.

Miles turned and walked down the porch steps. Tanner stayed in the doorway until Miles reached the sidewalk and headed down the street. Only when the deputy’s back was fully turned did Tanner let himself breathe.

Savannah rested her cheek against his shoulder. “He nice,” she murmured.

Tanner shut his eyes for a second, then opened them again and watched Miles disappear around the parked cars.

“He’s a cop,” Tanner murmured. He shifted Savannah higher on his hip and stepped back into the house, shutting the door and locking it. “Cops don’t come here to be nice.”

Chapter Seven