Chapter 18
M ark stared at Savannah standing at the bottom of the stairs. Always self-assured. Always doing what she wanted, even when he’d told her he was leaving and needed some space. Needed a change.
She never listened to him.
“Aren’t you going to ask me to join you?” She tilted her head, eyeing him.
“I thought we agreed that I needed some space.”
“I know you said that… but I need to talk to you. You’re not answering my calls or texts.”
“Isn’t that the definition of needing space?” he asked dryly.
She laughed softly, then climbed the stairs to stand right in front of him. “But this is important.”
He let out a long sigh. “Okay, come sit. What is that you want? Then after you have your say, will you just let me… be?” His words came out harsher than he’d meant.
But Savannah arriving at the precise moment she did?
Right when he was talking to Darlene? Well, she couldn’t have come at a worse time.
He led the way to the chairs at the end of the porch where they’d be assured of some privacy. He sank into one of the chairs and Savannah sat in the chair beside him, gracefully tucking her long legs and straightening her skirt.
When he’d first met her, he thought she should be a model with the way she moved and her undeniable beauty.
But she’d laughed at him when he’d said that.
Said the artificial world of fashion and beauty wasn’t for her.
And as he got to know her, he realized she was right.
She was very down-to-earth and practical.
He leaned back in his chair, waiting, unease settling over him. She’d come a long way for… something. And her arrival had disrupted the peace he’d found here. A peace he was reluctant to give up.
And Savannah? All she would do was drag him back into the past.
“So, I came to ask you a favor.” She leaned toward him.
“A favor.” He kept his voice neutral, though his jaw clenched. The last thing he wanted was to be pulled back into the world he’d left behind. Here on Magnolia Key, he’d found something different. Something healing.
“And if you won’t do it for me. I hope you’ll do it for… Sarah.”
“Savannah…” he warned her.
She reached out and touched his hand. “No, hear me out. The literary festival, the one Sarah always organized. We want you to be the keynote speaker this year. Sarah always said you were the best speaker she knew. The way you connected with the audience, made them laugh?—”
“Stop.” The word came out sharp, cutting through her praise. “I can’t.”
A sharp stabbing pain slashed through him.
Sarah had poured her heart and soul into that festival, using it as a platform to promote literacy and inspire writers.
After her death, he had distanced himself from anything that reminded him too vividly of her, the pain of her absence too raw and all-consuming.
“Get someone else.” The words were laced with ice, full of finality.
“We could… but… I think Sarah would want you to do this. You could talk about how involved she was with this cause. How much she helped your career. It might do you good to talk about it.”
“Not a chance.” He glared at her.
“I think you should consider it.” Savannah reached out and touched his hand. “You know, I miss her too. She wasn’t only my sister, she was my best friend.”
Her words were like a strong slap, bringing him out of his self-absorbed thoughts and words. He knew what she said was the truth. Sarah and Savannah had always been inseparable, almost like twins at only eleven months apart in age. Sarah’s death had hit Savannah hard.
He let out a deep sigh, sorry for his harsh words to her. “I know you miss her too.” He squeezed her hand, and she smiled gently.
He looked out over the bay, trying to reel in his emotions.
“Mark, it’s been two years.” Her voice softened. “Sarah wouldn’t want you hiding away forever. The festival meant everything to her. You know how passionate she was about literacy programs and making sure everyone had access to books.”
He rubbed his face as memories washed over him. Sarah at the podium, her eyes bright as she introduced authors. Sarah working late into the night, planning every detail. Sarah’s laugh reverberating through their home as she practiced her speeches with him.
He looked over at his sister-in-law. “That’s not fair, Savannah.”
“What’s not fair is letting her legacy fade away. The festival needs you. The literacy programs need you.” She paused. “And maybe you need this too.”
“Savannah, I honestly don’t know if I can…” He trailed off, his gaze drifting to the distant horizon.
Memories of Sarah flooded his mind. Her passion for books and her staunch belief in the power of storytelling.
She’d always been his biggest supporter, his guiding light.
And now, with the spark of inspiration slowly rekindling within him, the words flowing once more, he couldn’t deny the feeling that she would want him to do this.
“I’ll think about it,” he said finally, his voice thick with emotion.
“Thank you. That’s all I ask.” She smiled, but he could see the tears she was trying so hard to hold back.
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of shared grief and memories hanging between them. She finally turned to him again and asked softly, “How are you doing? Has it been… helpful… to get away for a while?”
He nodded slowly. “It has. I’ve managed to find a bit of peace here.”
“You know I’ve been worried about you. Your agent’s been worried. A lot of people care about you. Are you… are you writing again?”
“Some.” He shifted in his chair. “It’s different now.”
“Different can be good. Sarah would be proud of you, you know. For finding your words again.”
He nodded, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. “She always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”
“I should get going,” Savannah said, rising from her chair. “But please, consider the festival. It would mean so much to everyone.”
He stood as well, walking her to the steps. “I will. And Savannah… Thank you for coming. I know it couldn’t have been easy.”
She smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “We’re family, Mark. I’ll always be here for you.” She gave him a little wave and disappeared down the sidewalk.
He stood there looking out at the bay as wave after wave of emotion rolled over him.
He’d just found the peace he so desperately needed here on Magnolia Key.
He didn’t think he was ready to be sucked back into his old life.
Go back to his old home. Deal with the memories in every corner of every room.
But he didn’t want to disappoint Savannah.
And in a way, if he said no, he felt like he’d be disappointing Sarah too.
He couldn’t ignore all the energy she’d put into this annual festival.
Guilt ran through him when he admitted he wanted to say no to the talk. He should do it for his wife’s memory. But then it also made him feel guilty about the idea of moving on from his wife’s memory and starting whatever this was with Darlene.
He stared out at the bay, at the peaceful water that refused to give him answers.