LITMIR.BIZ

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list items by showing up week after week. They were trying, in some small way, to reclaim part of what had been lost by the years of violence perpetrated against the residents here.

      It wasn’t enough. Wouldn’t ever be enough. But at least it was something.

      Bree was talking schedules with Cassandra and Marilyn when Tanner felt a tug on his sleeve. He knew who it was before he even looked by how Marilyn’s eyes tracked the entire situation.

      “Why, hello there, princess.”

      Eva smiled up at him. “Hi, Captain Lips.”

      Tanner managed not to grimace at his nickname. Bree had made the mistake of calling him by her private nickname for him—Captain Hot Lips—in front of Cassandra. His sister, never one to let a humiliating situation die naturally, started calling him that all the time. But at least the kids had overheard only part of it, and thus the nickname Captain Lips.

      But this sweet child could call him anything she wanted if it meant she felt free enough to come talk to him.

      Sam was standing next to her silently, not making eye contact with Tanner, but prepared to step in as best he could to protect his sister if needed. Tanner had nothing but respect for that.

      “You ready for the camping trip next week?” he asked Eva. “You’re going to have a great time.”

      Eva nodded vehemently, but her little face scrunched up as she pointed at the dog standing between her and Sam. “Mom says Tromso can’t go.”

      Tanner reached down and petted the oversize pup named after the city in Norway where thousands of people flock every year to see the northern lights. Since the pup’s mom was named Corfu, after an island in Greece, the name sort of fit.

      “Yeah, Tromso’s not quite ready for that type of adventure yet. He might get into something poisonous or run off before we could grab him. Better let him stay here where he’ll be nice and safe.”

      Eva considered him soberly. “That’s probably true. Mom says Tromso can find trouble faster than anyone she’s ever seen.”

      As if to make her point, the dog began pushing at Eva with his nose, wanting her to play. Eva giggled—a beautiful sound. Even Sam looked up and smiled when Tromso put his wet nose against the boy’s stomach.

      Eva let out a sigh. “Mom also says we’ve got to get all our schoolwork done or we can’t go.”

      Tanner couldn’t imagine any circumstances under which Marilyn wasn’t going to allow her children to go on this beloved camping trip, but he didn’t let that cat out of the bag. “You guys better work hard then. It would be a shame to miss it.”

      “Do you think Mr. Noah will come back this Saturday?” Sam asked softly, staring down and rubbing at some invisible stain in the carpet with his foot. “He and I were supposed to finish hanging the shower rod in the new bathroom.”

      “I’m sure he will,” Tanner said, knowing that even if his brother had to break plans, he would be here if it meant Sam wouldn’t be disappointed. Kid had already been let down too many times in his life.

      Tanner’s words seemed to be all the encouragement the children needed. They made a beeline back to the table with their work. Marilyn mouthed the words thank you to him. He just smiled.

      Tanner waited as Bree finished her discussions with the other women, listening and commenting when they asked for his opinion. He loved how confident Bree had become since starting her position here. He could still remember the first night Cassandra had mentioned the possibility and how Bree had scoffed at the thought of being able to teach others. But now she was much more easily able to speak her mind and share her opinions, at least with small groups. She’d battled through her fears and had come out on the other side stronger for it.

      He couldn’t wait to make this woman his wife.

      Holding her hand after dinner at the Sunrise Diner, Tanner walked her to her apartment on the outskirts of town. Most of her stuff was already at his ranch house—soon to be their house—on the land he shared with Noah. But neither of them trusted themselves to keep the no-sex agreement if they were both sleeping under the same roof. So Bree had been staying back at her apartment for the last two months.

      He was definitely an idiot to have suggested the no-sex plan.

      Bree sighed softly as they walked into her apartment. Tanner pulled her up against him.

      “Please tell me that sigh means you’re going to call me a moron for suggesting we not have sex until the wedding.” He reached down and began nibbling at her lips. “Because I feel like that was the most stupid thing I’ve ever said in my entire life.”

      He rubbed up against her like a damned teenager. Bree smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

      “No, this particular sigh was concerning Marilyn.”

      Tanner took a breath and forced himself to step back.

      “About her position at New Journeys? I thought she was doing a good job.”

      She shook her head. “No, she’s doing a wonderful job. Cassandra and I both know that neither of us could do as good a job as Marilyn is doing. She just mentioned that her husband might get out on bail. She’s concerned for her and the kids.”

      Tanner couldn’t blame the woman for that. “Because of the restraining order and the violence against her, she should be notified right away if her husband makes bail.” He reached over and slid both his hands under Bree’s hair on either side of her neck. “I’ve seen the police report for what happened to Marilyn. No judge is going to let him out on bail knowing what he tried to do.”

      “I just don’t want anything to happen to her or the kids.”

      He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. He loved her protectiveness of her friend. “Have I mentioned how excited I am to be marrying you in just a couple more weeks? Cass said you had some wedding stuff to deal with today. Did it go okay?”

      “Yeah. Wedding dress fitting.” She didn’t sound too thrilled.

      “I can’t wait to see you in it.” Bree’s taste in clothing leaned toward casual. And as much as he loved it when she stole one of his shirts to tie at her waist and wear with her jeans—or even better, wore only his shirt and nothing else—he was truly looking forward to that first glance at her walking down the aisle.

      She sighed. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into dragging me in front of the nearest judge like you once threatened?”

      “I’m pretty sure the women of this town, led by my sister, would string up you and me both by our toes if we eloped.”

      Bree laughed. The sound was soft and simple and genuinely happy. He was looking forward to hearing that sound for the next fifty years or so.

      She chewed on her lip for just a moment, then stepped a little closer, trailing one finger up his chest. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into going before a judge tomorrow morning? You can outrun a bunch of women. You’re Captain Hot Lips.”

      Her own little hot lips pressed against his, her tongue running against the seam of his mouth, before biting down gently with her teeth. “If we knew we were getting married in front of the judge tomorrow,” she continued, “there would be no reason for us not to make love right here, right now, against this wall. Doesn’t that sound like the best plan ever?”

      He could feel her smiling against his mouth as he reached under her thighs and picked her up, trapping her body between the wall and his torso. They both let out a groan as her legs came around his hips and brought them flush up against one another.

      “There’s nothing I want more than to peel you out of those clothes and spend the rest of the night making love to you on every available surface in this apartment,” he growled into her mouth.

      She let out a gasp as his lips found the side of her neck. It may have been

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