Spring River Valley: The Spring Collection (Boxed Set) by Clarice Wynter Page A

there.”
    “I actually called you about half an hour ago and left a voice mail. I was headed this way, and I thought I would just stop by. If you’re busy, we can reschedule, but it won’t take very long.”
    “No, no problem. I was on the phone about half an hour ago, or I’d have gotten the call.” Tanner backed up to allow Detective Hart inside.
    “I spoke to Gary Sands earlier, and I’ll be giving your partner Quinn Preston a call as well. I understand he was injured during the call.”
    “Yes, but he’s fine. He’s recovering at home.”
    “That’s good to hear. I appreciate your department assisting Stanton. We have a small staff to begin with, and when more than a few people are out, we’re in pretty dire straits.”
    The bell rang again before Tanner could respond , and he excused himself from Hart and swung the door open. Evie stood at the top of the stairs outside his door, looking sweet and sexy and perfect.
    H er brow scrunched up with concern when she saw Hart standing behind Tanner. “Everything okay?”
    “Yeah, come on in. Detective, this is my…ah…friend, Evie Prentice. We were about to have dinner. Do you mind if she stays?”
    “Not at all. I’ve got a couple of questions, and I’ll be out of your way.”
    “What do you need to know, Detective?” Tanner motioned for Evie to sit on the couch. She obeyed, her eyes on Hart.
    The officer went over the events of Monday night in detail, asking Tanner to confirm certain things he’d already put in his own report, such as the time he and Quinn had received the call, the condition of Ms. Drummond when they arrived and, very specifically, if she’d said anything about there being another person in the house. Tanner answered all Hart’s questions to the best of his ability, and explained that everything that had happened after the collapse of the wooden porch was a bit fuzzy in his memory.
    Apparently s atisfied with Tanner’s account of the incident, Hart thanked him, bade them good night, and left.
    “Gary said we could expect a visit from the Stanton police and probably some lawyers too,” he said once Hart’s squad car had pulled away from the curb.
    “It’s a major media event,” Evie said. “Have you read any of the papers?”
    “Only the Herald . Quinn told me the national papers are treating it like the scandal of the century.”
    “The only time it would have been bigger news would have been before the election.” Evie rose and joined Tanner at the window overlooking the street. “It’s certainly the biggest thing that’s happened around here in a while.”
    Tanner put his arms around her and drew her back against his chest where she fit perfectly. “I hope it blows over fast. It might sell papers, but I don’t think treating this like headline news is serving any good cause.”
    Evie turned in his arms and kissed him. “I agree. I guess that doesn’t make me a very good reporter.” She sighed as though something was bothering her.
    Tanner turned her around and studied her face. “Does it bother you that you didn’t break the story?”
    “No! Not at all. It bothers me that it doesn’t bother me. This is my career. I’m supposed to want to sell papers. All I’ve ever wanted to do was write front-page news, but not this kind of stuff. Not rumors. I want to write about facts, and the facts in this case don’t seem to be as interesting as the stuff people are making up.”
    Tanner kissed her forehead. “You’ll get your chance at the front page. I know you will one day.”
    She nodded, but didn’t seem convinced by his faith in her. He wrapped his arms around her again and drew her gently toward the bedroom. “How about we work up an appetite?”
    She turned in his arms, feigning indignation. “Oh, just like a man—every conversation ends up being about sex?”
    “Why do you think I’m so popular with the karate ladies?”
    She growled. “I think now’s the time for me to teach you some karate,