Chapter 27 #2
“Obviously, you think something.”
She puffs out a breath and slides the plate of cake to Lola.
“Go ahead, kid. This evening has already gone downhill.” I’m waiting for a morsel of insight.
“Julian, she’s miserable. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this way.
That’s probably why… and you can’t repeat this.
But maybe… she can’t see every detail of this situation. ”
“I’ve guessed that. What should I do? You know her best.”
Taking a fork, she takes a giant bite of the cake for herself, probably to delay continuing this conversation. “Maybe time. Maybe it isn’t meant to be. I don’t have an answer. I’ve never seen her with someone, and it’s intense.”
“Why is it intense?”
She gives me a you-already-know look. “From day one of her becoming your assistant, you have both been heavily in one another’s orbits.
When you two went a step further, it’s like lust took over, and you two went full swing.
It wasn’t slow, but it seems to be the only way you two would be.
I can’t imagine another way. So yeah, I can’t help you much. ”
Everything she says is on point, but I don’t know how to be anything but determined, and not quietly either.
“Fine. Tell me where she is. I need to see her.”
She plays with a fork and watches Lola smoosh cake between her fingers.
“Did you mean what you said about the child thing, that it can’t happen without her? Does that mean you see something long into the future with her?”
I think for a moment, because only now do I realize what I said. Second nature, perhaps, and everything I never imagined, either. “I-I… Maybe so. This isn’t a fling.”
She smacks her lips together and debates with herself for a few seconds. “So, a longstanding kind of relationship?”
“Yes.” It bursts out of my mouth without hesitation and catches even me off guard.
“Well, if you’re so confident that you and she are meant to be and you know her so well, the answer to where she is should be pretty obvious, no?”
Multiple thoughts travel in my brain waves. My mind finds the page in my head, causing me to close my eyes and curse to myself. I was hoping she had locked herself in her apartment to decompress, but if I had stepped back from my panic, then I always knew. “She went back to Everhope.”
Elodie nods. “Escaping you, the city, waiting in a coffee shop on Main Street and driving herself crazy staring at the Riverbell.”
“I’ll go to her.”
“I’m not sure it’s the best idea.”
I shake my head. “I don’t particularly care. I’ll try anything at this point.”
“Figured you would say that… Be careful. Savannah is delicate right now, and she deserves happiness.”
“You think I don’t know that? But I swear I’ll make her happy if she lets me.” I stand and tuck my hand into my pocket, pull out my wallet, take out some twenties, and toss them on the table. “I have to go. There’s somewhere I need to be.”
She rests her elbow on the table and rubs her forehead as Lola looks at her chocolate-covered hands. “This could go so wrong,” she groans to herself.
“I’ll take the chance.” I grab my suit jacket. “I ordered nuggets, I’m not a complete idiot,” I add before I leave.
I’ll give myself the night to think through this, the best approach, and arrange a few things.
I’ll surprise her whether she wants me to or not.
Probably not right now.
But I’ll change her mind.
Even though I’m aware that there are only so many roads in this county, and I don’t need the GPS, the lack of GPS is frustrating.
It keeps telling me I’m on Country Road One when I’m positive it’s two.
When I see the barn up ahead, with a sign for a large antique store, I decide to stop.
Julian Haven doesn’t get nerves, but right now, apparently, I was wrong.
Maybe I’m buying myself a few extra minutes before I just show up in front of Savannah.
Turning off and pulling up to the gravel parking lot, I notice two other cars. When I get out of my car, I slide off my sunglasses and look out to the other side of the road, where I see more cornfields, the sky clear and sunny.
Maybe I feel out of place, with my expensive car and crisp dark shirt, my sleeves rolled up, but I remember that Lake Spark is in the other direction, which is the town of luxury and hockey. Everhope is this way, which is by no means struggling either, with a few undercover millionaires.
Walking into the store, setting off the bell hanging over the door, I smell old wood and see everything from old furniture to knick-knacks.
The older man behind the counter, with his hands set on his glass counter, notices me. “Hello there, sir.”
“Hello.” I approach him and notice a woman in one corner examining old plates and the modest couple with a bonnet on her head, setting down a rocking chair that seems to be the man’s recent craftsmanship yet suits the store.
My eyes swing to focus on the store owner.
“Crazy question, but I’m trying to get to Everhope, and the GPS seems to be throwing me off. ”
He chuckles at me. “You’re not the first. Those things haven’t been updated. They redrew the lines. Half a mile more, and you’ll see the sign that points you in the right direction. What’s sending you that way?”
“A problem. I mean, something I need to fix. My girlfriend isn’t too pleased with me right now.
I’m not sure she even wants that title anymore, so I’m going to have to go out.
I would say getting us a room at the inn and locking the door all weeke—” In the corner of my eye, I see the couple quietly listening with a neutral look.
“I…” It drags out of my mouth. “I mean, communicating with the woman that I’m courting in a very appropriate way, with the door unlocked and discussing the pie competition because we are obviously waiting for our wedding night to use the key.
” I cover my almost slip of inappropriate proclamation of being locked in a bedroom all weekend, doing very indecent things.
The woman in the other corner turns slightly and looks at me strangely, and the room falls into an awkward silence.
The man behind the counter clears his throat. “No need for that,” he quietly advises me.
I shrug. “I don’t know. I’m from the city.”
“Since you’re heading that way, who are you seeing? We all know one another.”
“Savannah May.”
He steps back. “Really? Well, that is handy.”
“Why?”
He turns around, walks a few steps, and searches the counter. When he spots the package he needs, he picks it up and returns to me. “You can take this with you. She must have forgotten to pick it up.” He sets the box down.
“She was here?” That surprises me.
“Yeah. Twice. Once to pick up an old pack of cards and the other time to ask if I could find someone who she could order another pack of cards from.”
My eyes narrow and zone in on the box. “As in playing cards?”
“Yes, sir. Not every day that I have someone requesting that. Actually, never. By chance, I had some on hand the first time, and last time she asked for something special. Nothing in particular, only that it should be unusual and would make someone smile. She was over the moon when a contact up in Geneva had a pack supposedly from the 20s and Al Capone’s circle.
I thought she would pick them up when she was back in town. ”
My heart is getting poked. They’re for me. She did this for me. Because she possesses every little way to make me happy, I can’t let this be the end of us. I won’t let it be. She’ll crack her resolve, I’ll make it happen.
I pick up the small package. “I’ll make sure she gets it.”
“Thank you. I don’t like having things lying around.”
“I don’t like having things unsettled, so perhaps we’re alike. Anyhow, I have to get going. Thanks for this.” I hold up the box.
When I’m back in my car, I press the button to have the top down. The breeze will be good for me, and maybe I have a little confidence boost with the knowledge that Savannah did this for me. On a mission, I rev the engine, and when I’m back on the road, my tires screech as I pick up speed.
After checking in at the inn, I decide my best bet is to walk around town.
I could show up at Aunt Bea’s house, but that feels a little daunting, and I’m not sure her aunt would appreciate the effort.
After all, I’m the guy who is ruining her business and breaking her niece’s heart.
But it’s a beautiful day, and I’m taking my chances that Savannah might be somewhere on Main Street.
It’s near lunchtime, so she could be at the Riverbell or grabbing something from Foxy Rox.
The Riverbell most definitely isn’t an option to check out, as stepping anywhere in that radius would have me slaughtered, most likely.
Deciding to sit on a bench up ahead, I’ll wait for any sign that she’s nearby.
Ten minutes pass, an hour passes, and after an hour and a half, I feel her behind me.
I don’t need to look, she’s here. I’ve learned to sense her body, both in my arms and in proximity.
The way she breathes is imprinted in my mind, too.
My body tightens because I hold a breath, everything inside of me is for her, and I’m toeing a delicate line.
“Julian.” Her voice is emotionless, but when I stand and slowly turn to face her, she’s not surprised, only exhausted.
She’s wearing a light blue sundress, but nothing in her face is bright to match.
Dry cleaning is hanging off her finger, and I hate that she’s had enough time to send something off to the dry cleaner while she’s been here.
Savannah should be back in the city by now, with me.
“I’m not leaving until you hear me out.” She shakes her head gingerly. “You obviously feel for me the way I feel for you… The cards are special. I was at the antique store by chance.” Her head perks up, surprised. “They were ready for you to pick up. My guess is you ordered them before…”
She crosses her arms, ready for the offence. “Yes. Keep them, I have no use for them. And there is nothing more to say.”
“Oh, there is.” I step forward, and my voice grows persistent, demanding. Everything that I’m positive she was attracted to in the first place.
“Go back to Chicago.” She hasn’t blinked once.
I dart my arm out and touch her elbow, the connection enough for both of us to take a second while the electricity zaps between us. “Savannah.” My voice scrapes, and my throat feels thick.
Her eyes are dull and somber. I want to wrap my arms around her, but I need to follow her cues on this. “I have a room at the inn. I’m staying there, and even if I have to go back to the city, I’ll keep the room.” I smirk slightly to myself. “They appreciate my business.”
Her eyes bug out. “You are seriously keeping a bedroom at the bed-and-breakfast for eternity?” Her voice rises.
“It won’t be eternity,” I swear, and my tone matches hers, yet a little cockiness comes through.
The familiar need to bicker, at least, returns to us.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“I’m not. I’m standing right here waiting.”
She grumbles to herself and stares up at the sky before dropping her gaze back to me. “I can’t do this right now.”
“You know where to find me.”
“Who the hell does this?” she says to herself, frustrated.
The back of my finger slides down her face. “The man who will chase you until you have nowhere to go.”
You would think it would be her to walk away in this moment, but it’s me.
Leaving her to contemplate.