by Barbara Gee
“Are you installing a virus to punish me for asking too many questions?” she ventured.
“No, but that’s not a bad idea.” He was obviously exasperated, but Izzy decided that was better than nothing. She was making headway.
He spun the computer around so she could see the screen. “That should be your interest rate, within a tenth or two of a percent, if you pay twenty percent down.” He pointed at a number in a box, then slid his finger to another number. “If you finance the property for thirty years, this would be your monthly payment.”
Izzy’s jaw dropped. “Oh. Wow.” She looked across at him and gave a rueful smile. “I guess that makes my decision pretty easy.”
“The rent income offsets it, remember. It might be enough to make it affordable for you.”
“It would have to be at least half that payment,” she said dejectedly.
“It’s worth a call to find out.”
“Yeah. Maybe.” She rested her chin in her hand, trying to imagine taking such a huge step. “It’s so scary to think of making that kind of commitment.”
Tanner pushed his empty plate away and leaned his chair back on the rear legs. “Are you planning to stick around here for at least a few years?”
“That’s the plan. Maybe I’ll never leave. I love it here that much.”
“If you’re here long term, buying rather than renting is probably in your best interest. You’d have time to build some equity.”
“Yeah, and I can see how having the second unit would help build that up more quickly.” Izzy stood and picked up her empty plate. “Maybe I’ll call a realtor. I know one who goes to my church. I guess it can’t hurt to at least take a look at it.”
She rinsed her plate, hearing him come up behind her. He was carrying his own dishes and she scooted over so he could get to the sink. “Just rinse them, I’ll wash everything up later. I’ve already taken up more than ten minutes.”
He did as she asked, reaching around her to put his plate on top of hers. She got a whiff of a tantalizing male scent, and she turned to look up at him, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes.
“Tanner, are you wearing cologne?”
He had a way of looking down his nose at her that would be intimidating, if she were easily intimidated. “You’re kidding, right?” he asked, his dark eyes once again enigmatic.
“No, I’m not kidding. It’s a legitimate question.”
“Why would I be wearing cologne?”
She gave an exaggerated shrug. “I don’t know…..because you’re a guy, and some guys like to wear cologne to impress the girls?”
His lips thinned. “I’m not looking to impress anyone. Nor am I wearing cologne.”
She put her hands on her hips and frowned. It wasn’t exactly hard to believe the part about not trying to impress her, but she wasn’t buying the other denial. “You smell too good to not be wearing it,” she insisted.
“All I did was use the body wash in the little basket beside the sink in my cabin because the travel-sized bottles I came with are pretty much empty.” He grunted and shook his head. “But why am I even explaining myself? If you want to believe I put on cologne before coming over here, go ahead. It doesn’t matter to me in the least.”
Ouch. The man didn’t pull any punches.
She gave a little huff. “For your information, I’m actually relieved to know it’s just the soap from your welcome basket,” she said airily. “I was afraid I was going to have to remind you that while I very much want to be your friend, that’s all I’m offering. If you were wearing cologne, it would be a sure sign you wanted more. Then I’d have to disappoint you, and it might threaten our friendship.” A smiled tugged at her lips, but she fought it, trying to act serious.
Something glinted in those thick-lashed dark eyes. Izzy couldn’t tell if it was humor or ire, but again, either one was better than indifference. The man needed to experience emotion, not wall it off.
He shoved his hands in his back pockets. “I have an idea, Izzy,” he said slowly, as if addressing a child. “How about next time you get in a baking mood and want to share some with the new guy, you just put them in a baggie, so I can throw it away when it’s empty.”
It took her a few seconds, but then she caught on. This time she couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, but Tanner, returning my Tupperware got you a delicious steak and salad, and my scintillating company for twenty minutes.”
“Exactly,” he said.
***
Her smile faltered the tiniest bit at his blunt response, and in spite of himself he felt bad. He was teasing, but since he was in the habit of not showing expression, she had no way of knowing that. He sighed and relented.
“Okay, I’ll admit it,” he said grudgingly. “The food was delicious, and the company could have been worse.”
The sparkle came back to her blue-gray eyes. “Thank you. I think.” She bit her lip, studying him. “I kinda want to ask you for another favor, but I’m not sure our friendship has progressed that far.”
“Me neither.”
She smiled again. “Well, we did share a meal together, so we’re getting there. But I’m thinking of something mutually beneficial—you help me and I’ll help you. That way we won’t owe each other anything.”
Tanner knew he should cut her off and leave—he should have never come over here in the first place. Something about her jogging off without trying to follow him earlier had gotten under his skin, and when he smelled the grilling meat, he’d felt an irresistible urge to see her. He’d acted on that impulse, and now he was dangerously close to buying into her friendship scheme. Which was a terrible idea. And also an enticing one.
“I can’t think of anything I need help with,” he prevaricated, taking a step toward the door.
“You need to do some shopping, right? I mean, those little sample-sized toiletries in your welcome basket aren’t going to last long. I can drive you into Barlow to pick up some necessities, and maybe some groceries, too.”
He met her guileless gaze warily. “And what do I have to do in return?”
She squinted hopefully up at him. “Ummm, go through the duplex with me and look for deal-breaking flaws?”
Lord help him, she was adorable. Standing there in her baggy, comfy clothes, no make-up, her hair curling a little wildly around her face. Could any man refuse her?
He cleared his throat, trying to focus on her question and not her sweet face. “So you’re definitely going to talk to the realtor?”
“I’m going to call, and if the rental income is high enough, I want to at least take a look. It’s just that I don’t know anything about real estate, and I won’t know what questions to ask.” She smiled a little nervously. “Since you do, I’m hoping you can spare the time to go with me.”
Tanner had lots of reasons to say no. He had absolutely no obligation to this girl. She was pushing a friendship he didn’t need, and shouldn’t want. When Neil Luther summoned him back to work, whether it be next week or months from now, all ties to the ranch would be immediately cut. If he allowed a friendship to form, Izzy was the type of girl who would be hurt if he walked away without a good explanation.
“Please?” she begged softly. “It shouldn’t take very long.”
Regardless of all the reasons why he should refuse, Tanner felt himself caving. What was it about this girl?
“I suppose I could give you my impression of the place, but I’m hardly an expert. You’ll still want to get a home inspection before you consider finalizing a contract.”
“Your impression is all I’m asking for. I’m afraid I’ll get carried away by unimportant things like bathtubs, and won’t notice if the windows are loose or the roof leaks.”
Tanner considered it, still unsure whether it was something he should do. “You barely know me, Izzy. After twenty minutes of conversation, you’d trust my opinion on buying a house?”
“I need someone who’s fairly knowledgeable and will be honest and not worry about upset
ting me if they don’t tell me what I want to hear.” She grinned up at him. “That’s you to a tee, Tanner. You know a lot about buying houses, you definitely say what you think, and you have no qualms about hurting my feelings. That’s exactly what I need.”
He knew this little slip of a girl was skillfully reeling him in against his better judgment. Being in her sparkling presence made him consider the possibility that maybe he was lonelier than he’d thought. She made him remember a time when he’d been free to have social interactions, to enjoy being with a pretty girl who could make him laugh, and to want to see that girl again.
That had been a long time ago. Six years to be exact. Once he’d become an undercover operative, it was easier to avoid the whole guy-meets-girl scene. It was either that, or lie about what he did for a living.
He bit back a bitter laugh. If Izzy only knew. She might think she wanted to get to know him, but if she had any idea what was behind the “shell” she so badly wanted to crack, she’d run away screaming.
He raised a hand and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll look at the property with you, but don’t assume that makes us best friends.”
She pressed a hand dramatically to her chest, feigning horror. “Who said I wanted you to be my best friend? That spot’s already taken, I’m afraid. I can only fit you in as a regular friend.”
Tanner shook his head, exasperated but amused. It was impossible to predict what would come out of her mouth next. “Izzy, would it be too out of line to tell you—as a regular friend who’s way down on the totem pole—that you’re giving me a headache?”
He wasn’t surprised when she giggled. “Of course not, Tanner. Our friendship needs to be built on honesty, after all. The good news is there should be a packet or two of ibuprofen in that handy welcome basket of yours.”
“Good to know, but I’m pretty sure the throbbing will stop as soon as I get back to my very quiet cabin. Night, Izzy. Let me know when you want to go look at the duplex.”
“Wait, I need your phone number.” She unlocked her phone, opened a new contact screen and handed it to him.
He didn’t even protest. He entered his number and a name, then sent himself a text so he’d have her number as well. He closed the contact screen and handed the phone back to her.
“I’ll see you later,” he said.
This time she let him go, but she walked to the doorway behind him. “Thanks for coming over,” she said as he went down the steps. “You can make it a habit if you like.”
Tanner hoped he could resist that temptation, but after only twenty minutes in her presence, he wanted more.
That wasn’t a good thing.
CHAPTER 7
Izzy watched him walk to his cabin, then closed her door and leaned against it. She thought back over the past twenty or so minutes, and decided it had gone pretty well. Tanner seeking her out was a huge step, and the awkwardness had been minimal, from her perspective at least.
Sure, she might have given him a headache, but he’d get used to her teasing and weird sense of humor pretty quickly if they kept hanging out.
She went back over to the table and tapped the mouse, bringing the duplex site back up. After scrolling through the photos one more time, she decided there was no time like the present to call Gloria to try to set up a time to go see it. Tomorrow wouldn’t work though because of Virgil’s birthday party.
That thought reminded her Maddy had suggested she bring Tanner along. Izzy considered that for a while. If she asked him to go to the party tomorrow, and then to go see the duplex the next day, he might get skittish about the whole friendship thing. Too much too soon and all that. It might also give him the wrong impression as to her motives, which would be a little embarrassing after assuring him he wasn’t her type.
Maybe it would be better to do it all at once, rather than taking up two separate evenings. If Gloria could meet them at five-thirty tomorrow, they could view the property, go do Tanner’s shopping at the store two blocks away, then go straight to the party.
She called Gloria and asked about the duplex, which turned into a lengthy conversation about not only the property, but also the condition of their pastor’s wife, who’d had minor surgery a few days ago, and whether Izzy was interested in attending the ladies retreat coming up next month.
Feeling a headache of her own coming on, Izzy finally managed to bring the call to a close with a five-thirty appointment confirmed for tomorrow. She decided to text Tanner instead of calling, and she opened her message screen, knowing he’d sent a text to himself.
She squinted at the screen, then burst out laughing. Instead of entering his name, he’d called himself “BFF.” Best friend forever.
She tapped a quick message.
Izzy: Seriously, Tanner? I thought I was clear about your position on my social totem pole.
It was a few minutes before he responded.
BFF: One can always dream.
Izzy chuckled and walked over to the loveseat, which was positioned along the wall between her bed and the back patio door. She dropped into the corner of it, curling her legs beneath her. It was nice to know there was a sense of humor lurking behind his unsmiling exterior.
Izzy: You have a chance to move up a rung if you can go look at the duplex tomorrow at 5:30.
BFF: 5:30 is fine. Totem poles don’t have rungs.
Izzy: Whatever. You can move up an animal head then.
BFF: I’m thrilled.
Izzy: You should be. Anyway, we have to be at the house by 5:30, so we’ll need to leave here ten minutes before that. Will you be home then, or shall I pick you up at the stables?
BFF: I’ll come back here.
Izzy: Ok. Wanna move up another head on my pole?
BFF: No. I’m afraid of heights.
Izzy: Fine. Your loss.
He made her wait three minutes, long enough that she thought he wasn’t going to rise to the bait.
BFF: You win. Tell me.
Izzy grinned as she typed out a long text telling him about Virgil’s party and Maddy’s request she bring him along.
BFF: Ryan already invited me. I haven’t decided if I’m going.
Izzy: It’ll be a good time. Promise.
BFF: I know this will come as a shock, but I’m not a big party person.
Izzy: Neither am I, unless they’re given by good friends. Maddy’s parties are the best.
BFF: I don’t believe you’re not a party person.
Izzy: That’s a conversation for another time. I’ll see you at 5:20 tomorrow. We’ll go check out the duplex, do your shopping, then go to the party.
BFF: Duplex and shopping are a go. We’ll see about the party.
Izzy: Ok. Night.
Izzy put her phone aside and went to the fridge for another glass of tea. She felt good. This evening had been a big step forward in her quest to befriend Tanner. He hadn’t smiled, and his walls were still firmly in place, but she’d managed a chip or two. She’d also discovered he was witty, and good company in spite of his surliness, which told her he hadn’t always been anti-social. The skills were there, he was just rusty.
Was it crazy to believe she’d been put in his path to help heal whatever had turned him to stone? Something had drawn her to him the first time she’d met him. In spite of his coldness, she’d had an immediate feeling that he needed an ally at the ranch—in addition to his FBI buddies.
Then there was the fleece she’d laid out. Listening to the still small voice that told her to buy those cherries had resulted in Tanner having a Tupperware container to return, which had led to their first real conversation, and making plans to go into Barlow tomorrow. It was all connected.
God worked in mysterious ways, Izzy knew that, and it made her happy to think she might be part of His mysterious plan for Tanner James.
***
It was probably a blessing that Izzy’s Friday was crazy busy, because it gave her less time to get freaked out over the possibility of buying a house, and spending the
evening with Tanner. She really did appreciate him agreeing to help her out, and she was mostly looking forward to the opportunity to spend a couple hours with him.
It would be nice if she knew which Tanner was going to show up, though. Would it be the surly, moody one, or the almost amicable one from last evening?
Thankfully she had plenty of work to do so she couldn’t dwell on that question. She and Jolene spent the morning with Spencer, going through files to show him the type of records they kept for each retreat participant during the two weeks they spent at the ranch, and explaining how they came up with the individualized follow-on plans that were sent home at the end.
Over lunch Izzy told Jolene about her plans to look at the duplex in town. Her friend and mentor was delighted at the prospect of living on the same street, and she offered to meet Izzy at the property if she wanted a second pair of eyes to look things over.
“Actually I’ve already talked someone into going,” Izzy told her. “He owns some rental properties himself, and he agreed to give it a look.”
Jolene’s eyes widened. “It’s Tanner James, isn’t it?”
Izzy cocked her head, her jaw dropping. “How in the world did you know that?”
“Tanner is a friend of one of the FBI agents who worked as Boone’s bodyguard a couple years ago. Linc never misses a Wild home game, and he brings Tanner along sometimes.” Jolene poured a little more dressing on her salad. “Anyway, Linc always sits in the seat next to me, and I remember him saying Tanner is into real estate and has done really well. Since Tanner is here, I made the logical connection.”
“You’re right, it’s him,” Izzy confirmed.
“Wow.” Jolene took a bite of salad and chewed thoughtfully. “How did you manage that? After what you told me about him, I would’ve never guessed he’d agree to help you look at houses.”
“I kind of had to bribe him,” Izzy admitted, “but I’m getting to know him a little bit and he’s not so bad. He’s actually living in the cabin beside me now.”
“Really?” Jolene winced. “Is that going to be a problem?”
