Chapter Seven #2
“Okay, we’ll talk on Monday,” said Jake. “I should be able to fit you in whenever suits you. I’m getting a bit busier, but I think it’ll take a while for the business to build to the point where you have to wait long for an appointment.”
“Well, how about we just go ahead and call me one of your early regulars then,” said Troy. “I’d guess that with your attitude, it won’t be long before people catch on that you’re the guy to go to.”
“I hope you’re right,” said Jake. “But in case you are, I’ll make a note that you and Cara both get priority scheduling if ever you need it.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate that. But we won’t hold you up. I’m glad we ran into you, but we need to be heading over to the mall next.”
Cara grinned at Savannah. “It’s my birthday weekend. Dad brought me over here to get my gift. Do you want to see?”
“Oh, I’d love to.” She knew they couldn’t stay too long, but Cara was so excited there was no way Savannah was going to hurry away from her.
Cara was already digging in her huge purse and pulled out a small bag.
Savannah recognized the Hayes logo and smiled.
No wonder Cara was excited — Hayes wasn’t exactly a regular stop for most folks in town.
She didn’t know Troy well, but the thought of him splurging there for his daughter made her heart happy.
Cara took out a beautiful jewelry box and flipped it open. It held a gorgeous turquoise pendant on a silver chain.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked. “I saw it in the window months and months ago, and I’d been saving up for it, but Dad surprised me with it for my birthday.”
Savannah’s chest tightened when she saw the look Cara and Troy exchanged. There was so much love in that look. She didn’t know what had happened to Cara’s mom, but she’d only ever known Troy as a single dad.
“Oh my goodness, it’s gorgeous,” she exclaimed. “And happy, happy birthday. That’s an amazing birthday present.”
“Thanks so much.”
“Yeah, happy birthday,” said Jake.
Savannah tried to hide a smile at the way Cara blushed.
“Thank you.” She checked her watch before looking back at Savannah. “And get this—now that I’m seventeen, I can finally get my ears pierced. That’s why we’re going to the mall. Dad made me wait till I was seventeen.”
Troy shrugged. “I know, I know—I’m an old-fashioned old grump, but I’m still your dad.”
“Aww, and I love you,” said Cara.
“And I love you, too. But we should let Jake and Savannah get going. We don’t want to hold them up all day.”
Savannah wondered if she should say it, but she wouldn’t feel right if she didn’t. “Is there a reason you’re going all the way out to the mall to get your ears pierced?”
Cara frowned. “Yeah, because that’s the only place I can get it done.”
“It isn’t,” said Savannah. “There’s a girl who does it at the salon in town now. Her name’s Tiffany.”
“Seriously?” Cara asked, eyes wide. “Oh, Dad, can we go over there? I know you don’t want to go to the mall.”
Troy pursed his lips. “Is this new girl at the salon the one with pink hair?” he asked, not looking too impressed.
Savannah chuckled. “I don’t know how to answer that,” she said honestly.
“I can tell you don’t like the idea of it, but she’s a really good person.
She’s my roommate, and I only hesitated over saying yes, that’s her, because…
well, because her hair’s blue this week.
But if you want to go to her instead of all the way to the mall, I vouch for her personally.
I know some people have had problems at the place in the mall… ”
“I know, right?” said Cara. “I was kind of worried about going there. My friend at school, Greer, got her eyebrow done a couple of weeks ago”—she shot a look at her dad before continuing—“and it got infected, and she had to go to the doctor and everything.”
Troy shook his head at Jake, who chuckled and said, “Sorry, I don’t have anything to offer on this subject.”
“That’s okay. I wouldn’t expect you to.” He turned back to Cara. “This is why I didn’t want you to get them done in the first place. There’s always the chance of infection and—”
Savannah had to try not to laugh when Cara held up her hand and said, “Oh, shush, please. Sorry, I’m not trying to – and it is my birthday. You promised, and I waited, and I didn’t whine about it, and you said…”
Troy slung his arm around her shoulders. “I know, kiddo. Come on, let’s head over to town and see if this Tiffany can fit you in. She might be busy this afternoon—we might have to come back—but if you want her to do it, and if Savannah says she’s good, then let’s head over there.”
Cara grinned at them. “Thanks so much, guys. I’ll see you around.”
“You’ll see them just as soon as Jake can fit your car in,” said Troy. “I’ll give you a call on Monday, okay?”
“I’ll look forward to it,” said Jake. “You have my cell number?”
“I do, but I’ll call the office and talk to Harvey. I heard he’s helping you with the books and all.”
Jake nodded, and Savannah had to wonder if he realized that most of the business he’d gotten so far had come to him on Harvey’s recommendation.
As they walked away, Cara turned back to wave at them again, and Jake chuckled as he waved back.
“Is it always like this around here?” he asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, we haven’t been here all that long, and first we bumped into Ivan and Abbie, then all kinds of people waved and said hello while we were in the café, then there was Walt with his scooter—now Cara and Troy.”
“Oh, I see what you mean. I guess you really aren’t used to small-town life yet, are you?”
“I’m not.”
“Well, you’d better get used to it, because yes, it is always like this.” Her smile faded. “Does it bother you?”
“Hell no. I’m loving every minute of it,” he said with a smile.
~ ~ ~
Jake enjoyed driving the Camaro back around the lake. It was a dream to drive, but he went slower than he normally would have because he wasn’t looking forward to saying goodbye to her. He enjoyed her company, and this afternoon had only reinforced that.
Even though they’d only spent a couple of hours together, and all they’d done was have lunch at the café, he felt as though he’d seen her in many different aspects of her life.
Seeing her with Abbie had shown him that she had friends who cared about her.
Seeing her with Walt had confirmed what he already knew—not only was she well liked, but it was for good reason.
She cared about people and did what she could to help.
And their chat with Cara and Troy had proved the same thing. It was easy to see that she cared—about Cara and about her roommate, Tiffany. He smiled. He hadn’t missed the way she didn’t take all the glory, even though she could have, for fixing Cara’s car the other night.
She looked over at him as he turned onto the old road by the river that led to her apartment.
“What?” he asked when he felt her gaze on him.
“It’s just… where are you going?”
He shot her a quick glance. “I’m taking you home so you can get ready for work.”
He didn’t understand the puzzled look on her face until she said, “I know, but I picked you up, remember? It’s you we should be dropping off at home.”
“Oh, shit.” He felt stupid. She was right—of course she’d come to his place. He gave her a rueful smile. “Sorry. I didn’t think. It doesn’t matter. We’ll get you home, and I can walk from there.”
“Or we can go to your place, and I’ll drive back from there.”
He checked the time on the dash. “We’re already later getting back than we should be. You need to get ready for work.”
“It’s not a problem. I don’t mind.”
“Really, I can walk back to the house.” They were almost to her apartment now, and he pulled up in front of the building and cut the engine.
“All I can say in my defense is that I was too busy enjoying myself—and enjoying your company—to think about practical details like where we were going.”
She reached across and touched his arm. “Aw, thank you. I was the same. It was only when we were almost here that I realized what was going on. I feel bad that you have to walk home, though.”
“It’s okay. You’d better go and get ready for work. I’ll leave you to it.”
He inhaled sharply when he realized they hadn’t made any plans to see each other again. Well, they’d talked about next Saturday night, but…
He turned in his seat to face her. “I had a really good time today, Savannah. Thank you for this.”
She nodded. “I did too. And I know we talked about tomorrow, but I’m not going to be able to make it work.”
“I know. I understand that. I’m glad you’ll get some time with Tiffany. I hope she knows what a good friend she has in you.”
“She does, and it’s very much mutual. But…”
He reached across and curled his hand around the back of her neck. “I know you need to go, but I don’t want to leave us dangling. We talked about next Saturday night—but do you get any nights off during the week?”
She smiled. “I do. I think it’s Wednesday this week.”
“Do you want to get together then? I’d love for us to go to The Boathouse next weekend, but maybe we could get together midweek—just the two of us.”
She leaned in closer as she breathed, “Yes, please. I’d love that.”
“Me too,” he said as he rested his forehead against hers. “I’d better let you go.” He smiled. “I don’t want to, but I’d better.”
He pressed a light kiss to her lips. “Can I call you tomorrow?”
He felt bad when she hesitated—not because he thought she’d say no, but because he knew how busy she was.
“On Monday,” he added quickly.
“I’ll text you tomorrow when I get a minute, if that works.”
“I’d love it if you can, but don’t worry, it’s not a problem. I know you’re busy, and I don’t want to ask for too much. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll call you Monday.”
“Okay, but I’ll shoot you a quick text at some point.”
Her hand came up to rest on his shoulder, and as he kissed her, it hit him that the way he felt right now, he’d never be able to get enough time with her.