Laying Down the Law Read Online Free Page A

scolding, please Tanner,” she begged tiredly. “I’m so tired.”
    “I know, baby. You just go to sleep now, let me worry about everything else. I’ll take care of you; I’ll take care of everything.” care of you; I’ll take care of everything.” To Callie that sounded like pure heaven.

    ***
Tanner went to knock on Callie’s back door the next evening when the door was suddenly pulled open. He reached out quickly to grab the woman barrelling through the door before she could bang straight into him.
    “Hey, Sheriff, didn’t see you there. Have you come for Montana?”
    Tanner looked down into the flushed, friendly face of Callie’s young vet nurse as she smiled up at him. Tanner knew that she was about the same age as Callie, but somehow she seemed younger, silly and flighty. Her hair was currently spiked up, black at the roots, bleach blonde at the tips. He nearly shuddered when he saw her nose ring.
    “Montana?” he asked, frowning.

    “Montana?” he asked, frowning.
    “Yep, the dog you brought in last night.
    We called him Montana, he’s a real sweetie.
    You gona keep him? Cause I think you’ll have a real fight on your hands, Callie seems real taken with him.”
    “He’s going to the pound.” His answer was more abrupt than he would have liked and even flighty Emma picked up on his attitude as she let out a low whistle.
    “Oookay, well, good luck with that. See you later.” She waved at him as she turned to walk down the steps.
    “Wait, you’re leaving already?” He frowned as he glanced at his watch. It was barely 5pm; he knew that Emma usually worked for a while after the clinic closed its doors, helping Callie to clean up.
    “Yep, hot date, gotta get ready.” Tanner continued to frown after her as he heard Callie walk up behind him.
    “You going to stare at Emma’s ass all night or are you coming in?”
    He turned to frown down at Callie. “I wasn’t looking at her ass, thank you very much. I was thinking.”
    “Yeah, what about?”
    “About how I’ve never seen you act like that.”
    “Like what?” Callie asked as she stepped into her surgery and started to wipe down the large table. She still looked exhausted. Her shoulders were slightly slumped and that worried him. She wasn’t improving, her spirits were still low.
    “I don’t know, carefree, silly, like you’re having fun. Like you’re enjoying life.” Callie glared up at him, throwing down the cloth. “Well, maybe some of us don’t have time for silliness. I’m sorry if that offends you.”
    He glared back at her.
    “I didn’t say it offended me, stop being foolish Callie. I just meant that you never relax. You never take time to relax. Smell the roses for goodness sake.”
    Callie’s hands went to her hips as she puffed out a frustrated breath.
    “Why the hell would I want to smell roses? And you’re a fine one to talk, Mr.
    Work-a-holic.” Turning, she walked into the small office.
    “The difference between you and me, Callie, is I know when to stop. I can also take a lot more than you can.”

    “Is there a reason you came around or was it just for the joy of insulting me?” she snapped.
    “Damn it, Callie. Stop acting like a brat and just listen to me.”
    “Look, I don’t have to stand here and take this from you. Just get out and leave me the hell alone.”
    “Callie,” he began in a growl.
    “No!” she yelled. “I’m tired, I’m grumpy and I don’t feel like being scolded or spanked.
    So unless you’re here to fuck me, get out.” Tanner knew she wasn’t going to see sense, not at the moment anyway.
    “Language,” was all he said in reply.
    Callie just rolled her eyes as she sat behind her desk which had paperwork strewn messily across it. Tanner moved across the messily across it. Tanner moved across the room and noticed she was clutching at her stomach.
    He stilled and took a closer look at her.
    She was extremely pale, her skin translucent.
    Reaching out he placed his palm on her