Chapter 42
Savannah
I have one eye on my son and one eye on the cupcakes I’m icing.
I don’t exactly know when it happened, but he’s started to roll.
Well, he’s attempting to. He’s moving around more and more, and I have absolutely no thought as to how I’m going to work when he’s a toddler.
The kitchen isn’t built with kids in mind. Baby, yes. Toddler, no.
I haven’t heard anything about my family since the hospital incident a few weeks ago.
I was interviewed, but the sheriff knew everything anyway.
Sawyer and Griffin have handled most of the paperwork, and I gave my statement and decided to press full charges.
They have a court hearing coming up, but their reputation has been tarnished in the community, in their church.
Their behavior wasn’t condoned by Paster Greg, at least that’s what he has publicly declared.
I'm sure as soon as his church's reputation was mentioned in all the news stories, he decided to part ways with my father.
So now we’re back to what I hope is our normal.
Whispers being the small town it is, the gossip was intense for the first week.
Everyone now knows what happened at the hospital and now many people around here know more about my life than I ever was prepared to share.
Yet instead of shunning me like I thought they would, my business has almost doubled.
It’s like Tanner always says: the people of Whispers support one another, and I'm seeing it firsthand. Betty’s is busy, all day, every day.
The town’s support, the support of my friends, it means the world.
The chime on the front door rings out, and my shoulder stiffens; the instant anxiety I feel from that ringing bell is still something I’m working on.
“Hey, sweetness.” Griffin's warm tone fills my kitchen, and I relax.
“Hey. What are you doing here this time of day?” I look at the clock on the wall, seeing it’s early in the afternoon.
“Just in town, so thought I’d pop by. Tanner asked me to check in on Bob with something.”
I nod, smiling. That sounds about right.
“Why don’t you two go have a break at the diner?” Melissa walks in from out front, looking at both of us.
“Oh, I have these to ice, and Tommy—”
“Nonsense. The afternoon rush is over, so I can babysit Tommy. Maybe you should go have a chicken pie for lunch. You two haven’t yet had a chance to celebrate your wedding.”
I pause then, because Melissa’s right. We haven’t. It’s not something we kept secret from anyone. But we haven’t celebrated. There's been so much else going on it hasn’t even occurred to us to throw a party or anything.
“Maybe she’s right. Maybe we should take an hour and go relax?” Griffin adds, seemingly up for a lunch date with his wife. His wife. I’m still not used to it. But the ring sits firm on my finger, the ink now dry on the marriage certificate.
I look over at Tommy, my heart rate spiking at the thought of leaving him. He’s been by my side every day. I don’t want to leave him, but I know it’s unhealthy of me to want him within eyesight at every moment. Everyone needs a little break. Including me.
“Just go for an hour, have some lunch. If he fusses, I’ll bring him straight over,” Melissa tells us, giving me a warm smile.
I look at Griffin and shrug. “It's kinda like our first date?” Because we didn’t have one of those either. Sure, we went to Whiteman’s Bar once, and he took me to the birthday party at Hudson’s place, but that was with everyone, not a one-on-one date.
He huffs a laugh and nods. “Probably something we should’ve started our relationship with, rather than have it now, when we’re already married.”
I can’t help but smile wider. Loving that we do life on our own terms and we’re both so happy.
“Alright.” I sigh, taking off my apron. “I have milk in the refrigerator if he needs a bottle, but I fed him thirty minutes ago, so he’ll probably go down for his nap now anyway.”
Melissa nods, already knowing our schedule. She's here every day. Outside of Griffin and me, she’s the only one I’m totally comfortable with Tommy being with. “Sure, go. Enjoy. I've got it.”
Griffin's hand slides into mine, and we walk out of the bakery and head straight across the road to the diner. I take a deep breath, blowing out my anxiety, basking in the sun that shines down on me.
“What’s going on here?” I look at the diner at Griffin's words, and as I open the door and step inside, everything hits me.
“Surprise!” a chorus of people yell, and Griffin and I stand there at the door, dumbfounded.
There’re decorations, balloons. People are blowing those highly annoying party blowouts that vibrate around the room.
“Congratulations, guys! We wanted to throw you a small wedding celebration party.” Victoria comes forward with Tanner, the two of them embracing us.
I look up at Griffin, his body still, shock on his face.
“Are you alright?” I ask him quietly as people start passing around food and the music is turned up.
“Yeah, I just… I’ve never had a party before.”
I frown. “Never?” My life at home was terrible, but I did have a few birthday parties when I was a kid.
He swallows roughly. “No. Never.”
I squeeze his hand and smile, and he starts to relax as all our friends come forward, offering hugs and smiles and congratulations. We’re engulfed. There’s a table off to the side, which is overflowing with presents, and I shake my head in disbelief.
“I’m so glad Melissa managed to get you guys over here.” Victoria grins, clearly happy that it all came together.
“Of course she would be involved.” I roll my eyes at how easily Griffin and I were duped.
Rochelle has food aplenty. Aside from balloons, there’s a big Just Married sign across the back wall, and everyone yells for us to cut the cake, which is a beautiful two-tier cake decorated in white icing and red ribbons.
My heart is full. I can’t believe I have people in my life who have gone through all this effort to show up like this.
“Speech, speech!” Hudson yells as the clink of glasses runs around the room, Sutton leading the charge and hitting his champagne flute with a spoon so hard I swear it’s going to shatter.
“Well…” Griffin starts, and I stand proudly by his side. “We’re surprised… so well done, everyone.” His words cause the room to erupt with cheers before it quiets again.
“Savannah and I would like to thank everyone here today, all our friends, who for us are really our family.”
I hear Daisy swoon over in the back somewhere.
“Savannah and I often say how our path to this point has been unconventional…”
“You can say that again!” Sawyer hollers out, gaining more laughter.
“But to be honest, there’s been one constant in our lives, one supporter who has always been here, always had our backs, always been our comfort and that is this town and its people. Whispers is a special place. I’ve been coming here for years, and while not a local—”
“You’re part of the furniture now, Griff!” Tanner yells, and I chuckle.
“I think I can safely speak on behalf of both Savannah and I when I say that we’re glad to now call Whispers home.
So again, thank you everyone. We really appreciate the effort.
We’re grateful to have so many amazing friends, and appreciate your support,” Griffin finishes, and everyone cheers as we cut the cake, and before I know what’s happening, the girls all swallow me up with hugs and kisses, passing me a small glass of champagne.
There’s so much noise and chatter that I get caught up with it all, and when I look at the time, I realize I’ve been gone for an hour already. I look around to find my husband, seeing him sitting with Tanner and the guys at a booth in the back, a bottle of whiskey now opened.
“I’m going to go and check on Tommy,” I tell him quickly.
“Bring him over. There are lots of people here wanting hugs,” Tanner offers, and I grin, thinking I will do just that. It feels like the whole town’s here, so I don’t think I’ll be getting many customers at Betty’s this afternoon anyways. I can probably close early.
“I’ll come with you.” Griffin starts to stand.
“No. It’s fine. I’ll be five minutes, tops,” I tell him, already walking out, wanting him to stay and enjoy this time.
I thread my way through the people and out the door, again basking in the sun as I cross the road and walk across to the bakery.
The smile on my face is hard to remove. Life is good.
I’ve met and married the man of my dreams. My son is loved and thriving.
My business is booming, and we’re surrounded by so many great friends. I couldn’t ask for more.
Seeing the signs of my bakery, I feel pride at having my own little business here on Main Street. I’ve come so far. I wonder if Gran knew this was going to be the outcome. I think she did. I think she knew I needed to start fresh and get out of Williamstown. She would be happy for me, I know it.
I step into the bakery, the chimes ringing and announcing my arrival.
“Hey, I’m back!” I holler, seeing the front area empty and assuming they’re in the kitchen. I’m still smiling, wondering how Melissa kept this a secret from me. I saw her talking to Rochelle yesterday. I should’ve guessed something was up.
“Melissa?” I call out as I step into the kitchen, my grin still wide, but then I pause, seeing it’s also empty.
“She must be upstairs,” I tell myself, and I run upstairs to the apartment. Tommy’s probably asleep, and she must be watching him.
“Melissa?” I call out quietly as I reach the top step, not wanting to wake Tommy, but the apartment is empty, exactly how I left it this morning. Not a cushion out of place. I haven’t lived here for months, but I do still spend time here, feeding Tommy or having a restful moment when needed.
“Where is she?” I run downstairs again.
“Melissa?” I walk to the back door, assuming maybe she’s outside. It’s a beautiful day and she might have taken Tommy for some fresh air.
“Melissa?” My eyes sweep over the small courtyard, but there’s no one here, nothing out of place.
Panic sweeps through me, nearly toppling me over. Something isn’t right.
“Sweetness? You alright?” Griffin calls from inside, and I rush back in.
“She’s not here.”
“What do you mean, she isn’t here?” Griffin frowns and looks outside before running back in.
“I came in, looked everywhere, but Melissa and Tommy aren’t here.” I’m panting, heart in my throat.
“Are they upstairs?” He runs up before I can answer, but he’s back in two seconds.
“They’re not here.” I can’t immediately think something bad has happened. I can’t let my thoughts spiral. “Maybe she took him for a walk?” That has to be it. “The sun is shining… It’s a beautiful day. That makes sense.” I look around, seeing her handbag and his baby bag gone.
“The bakery was left unlocked.” Griffin looks unimpressed.
“Maybe she went to the toy store?” I try to think of where she would take Tommy.
“You go to the toy store, and I’ll run back across to the diner to ask around,” Griffin says, the two of us splitting up and rushing out to the street.
I run down Main Street, asking people as I move past, but no one has seen her.
Their grins at seeing me fall the minute they see my panicked face.
The toy store team hasn't seen her today either, and I barely have the chance to say goodbye before I run out and meet Griffin on the street, my heart now racing, and even more so when I see all our friends outside of the diner, everyone with a worried look on their face.
“I’ll call the sheriff. Just in case.” Rochelle goes back into her diner, and my stomach plummets. This can’t be happening.
“Where can they be?” I plead with Griffin, feeling like he would know the answer.
“Have you got her phone number?” Tanner watches me carefully.
“Oh sure, I’ll call her. Not sure why I didn’t think of that.” I shake my head, a weird laugh escaping me, feeling ridiculous that I’m jumping to conclusions. My mind is racing all over the place. Not thinking straight.
I call her, but the ringing continues. No one picks up.
“She isn’t answering.” I frown as I dial again, but she still doesn’t pick up. I feel like I’m going to be sick.
“Do you have her address? Maybe we can go to her place? See if she’s there?” Hudson asks.
“She didn’t tell me where she lived, just that she was a local…” I tell him, and Tanner’s head shakes.
“She isn’t local.”
Griffin and I look at him, eyes wide.
“What do you mean, she isn’t local?” Griffin’s voice has dropped an octave. His stance stiffens.
“I mean, no one here knows her. I thought Savannah brought her over from Williamstown. I thought she was a friend of yours or something.”
Griffin's head whips to me.
“She walked into the bakery months ago, answering the help wanted sign I had in the window. She said she lived on the outskirts of town and was a local…” Without another word, driven by panic, I run back across the road to the bakery, wanting to dig out her resume, the piece of paper she handed me when she first turned up to apply for the job.
Everyone follows me, and we stand in the bakery as the sheriff arrives.
Sawyer talks to him out front, obviously bringing him up to speed.
Victoria, Lacy, Annabelle, Daisy, and Charlotte stand next to me, sorrow and fear lacing their faces.
I grab her file, my eyes searching, seeing her name, her phone number, her experience, or lack thereof. But no residential address.
“There’s no address…” Griffin grabs the paper from me, scanning it quickly.
I’ve failed again. I’ve failed my son.
“Her number, nothing else.” He passes the paper to Tanner and then the sheriff.
“I’ll call my security team. They did a thorough check when they arrived. They’ll have something.” Griffin is straight on the phone, but all I feel is remorse, guilt, terror.
“It’s all my fault…” I whisper, my hands shaking as Victoria’s arms encase me.
“Don’t say that. Tommy will be fine. She might have taken him for a walk in the sun. Maybe her phone is dead or she can’t hear it,” Daisy offers, and I look at her, knowing something else has happened. I can feel it in my soul.
I gasp for a breath, tears trailing down my cheeks. “If anything has happened to him… If anything…”
“Don’t think like that. Let’s get the sheriff to see what he can do. I’m sure we’ll find her.”
The fun afternoon all our friends planned has now turned into a ruckus.
Tommy could be anywhere. And it’s all my fault. My parents were right all along. I can’t look after a child. I don’t deserve him.