by Jill Sanders
“Men and football in Texas,” her mother said, shaking her head as she changed Maggie and got her ready for bed.
Maggie nodded. Her father had always loved the sport. At one point in her childhood, she’d thought her father was disappointed that he had a tiara-wearing daughter instead of a football-playing son.
“Mom?” She waited until her mother picked up her daughter and turned towards her. “Do you think I’m a good person?”
“Of course you are, dear.” Her mother looked at her. “What brought this on?”
Savannah shook her head. “I know what people have said about me in the past.” She walked over and sat in the rocking chair.
“Oh, dear, we all go through growing pains.” Her mother smiled down at her as she handed Maggie to her.
“Yes, but…” She started feeding her daughter and felt her entire body relax with the comfort of the baby in her arms. “But I’ve said and done things that I’m ashamed of.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head back.
“That’s the wonderful thing about the people around here; they easily forget and forgive.”
She opened her eyes and looked up at her mother and shook her head. “I don’t think everyone can forget some of the things I’ve done.”
Her mother chuckled and pulled the footstool over and sat in front of her.
“Savannah Marie Douglas, I didn’t raise a fool. Sure, you had your wild times. Lord knows I have the gray hair to prove how wild you were. But all anyone would have to do is look at you now. The way you are with your daughter, the way you are with Billy.” Her mother smiled. “Who would have thought that all it would take was having a good man and a beautiful daughter to turn you into the woman we always knew you’d be.”
She hadn’t realized she was crying until her mother leaned forward and wiped a tear from her cheek.
Her mother leaned back. “What’s this all about?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “With everything that’s been going on—you know, Billy’s dad—it makes me wonder and remember what people have said about me in the past. I know that Uncle…” She shook her head. “Dad’s brother”—she still couldn’t bring herself to say his name—“was always viewed like a saint, then…”
Her mother broke in. “You may not remember, but I went to school with both Joe and your father. The two boys were as different as night and day.” Her mother leaned back and shook her head. “But I never expected anything like what…” She closed her eyes and this time it was her mother’s face that was wet. “I never imagined. Neither of us did. Billy’s father moved to Fairplay shortly after we graduated, and he was a few years younger than us, but I know what people said when they moved into town. They knew he was trouble, just like Joe. I think at one point they were even friends.” She shook her head. “Having a bad apple in the family doesn’t automatically make you bad, or mean that it will be passed down.” She leaned forward and brushed a finger across Maggie’s hair. “Now, don’t worry about what people say or think about you anymore. I know during school you were always so competitive about everything.” She smiled. “But now you have a wonderful family and a beautiful home. What’s in the past is done and anyone who takes a moment to look at you would know that you’ve grown and changed.” She smiled and patted her hand.
Savannah smiled and looked down at her daughter. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Finally,” Billy said, locking the door and turning to Savannah, who stood directly behind him. “Not that I don’t enjoy eating dinner and watching sports with your folks, but I’m glad they’re gone.” He turned towards her and she took a few steps back, smiling. “Now, where were we?”
He started walking slowly towards her and laughed when she darted back towards their room, laughing.
A few hours later, when he lay in bed holding Savannah, he stared up at the dark ceiling and listened to the night sounds, trying to get his mind to shut down.
He had less than a week and a half before he had to leave and head south. Being away from his family for two weeks was going to be hell. There was no way he was leaving Savannah and Maggie unless his father was back behind bars.
Savannah twitched in sleep and he pulled her closer, not wanting to let go of her soft, warm skin. He hadn’t planned on falling for her, but so much had changed in the last year. He had changed. He almost chuckled out loud but caught himself for fear of waking her up. He never would have guessed a year ago that he’d be a father let alone be here with Savannah like this.
He brushed his hand over her shoulder and smiled when she moaned. She was so different than the girl he’d grown up with. She was still so very strong and beautiful, even more so now, in his opinion. But in the last year, he’s seen a side of her that he never would have imagined she had. And she was really a terrific mother.
He brushed her soft hair and closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of her next to him as he drifted off.
When he woke, it was to his daughter sitting on his chest and Savannah laughing.
“I thought you’d never wake up.” She smiled, holding Maggie to keep her from falling off his chest. His arms came up and he pulled them both down on the bed as they laughed.
He buried his face into his girls and enjoyed the smell of baby powder mixed with the sexy scent of Savannah.
“Why don’t you watch her while I grab a shower,” Savannah said a short while later.
He nodded and stole a kiss, causing her to laugh at first, then moan and pull him closer until they were both breathless.
When she disappeared into the bathroom, he hoisted Maggie on his hip and walked into the kitchen. Setting her down in her high chair, he dumped a handful of Cheerios in front of her and watched her attack them with her little fingers.
It wasn’t often that he cooked, but when he did, it was usually breakfast food. So as Savannah showered, he whipped up a batch of one of the only things he could make well: blueberry pancakes with scrambled eggs and bacon on the side.
By the time that Savannah walked into the room, looking sexy and fresh, the food was ready.
“Something smells wonderful in here.” She walked in and he stopped what he was doing. She was wearing a cream pair of capri pants and a silky burgundy colored shirt. She wore thin-strapped heels and her hair was curled like he always enjoyed it.
“You look amazing,” he said, taking a step towards her. Then it dawned on him. She was dressed to go out. He stopped cold and crossed his arms over his chest. “I thought we talked about this.”
She smiled and walked around him, taking up a plate. “Talked about what?”
“That we were going to stay put for the next few days. At least until they found my father.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “If you remember, I never really agreed to that.” She took two pancakes and started scooping up some scrambled eggs.
“Savvy.” He took her shoulders in his hands and turned her away from the food. “I mean it. You two are staying put for the next few days.”
She set her plate down and crossed her arms over her chest. “If you are so worried about it, why don’t you come with us?”
He looked at her and blinked a few times. “To Mother’s Reading Time?” She nodded. “Isn’t it just for mothers?”
“Yes, but I’m sure that everyone will understand due to the circumstances.”
He thought about it and nodded. “Fine, but I’ll need a shower first.”
She nodded and turned back to the food. “This does really smell wonderful.” She glanced over at him and he wondered if there would ever be a time in their life when he wouldn’t give her everything she ever wanted.
Chapter Thirteen
She couldn’t help but laugh at Billy. He was sitting in what had to be the smallest chair in Holly’s shop with Maggie on his lap, and he had a tiara strapped on his head.
There were three little girls running around him with wands, all trying to turn him into a frog. And he was being a really good sport about it all.
All
of the other mothers had gathered at the bar area while the kids played in the back room. She sat at the bar and sipped her tea and watched Billy.
“So, have you heard anything?” Lauren sat next to her.
Savannah shook her head. “Nothing so far.” She glanced out the large front windows and bit her bottom lip.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure nothing is going to happen. After all, half the town is keeping their eyes open for him.” This time it was Alex who spoke. Since they’d never really gotten along, it took Savannah by surprise. She couldn’t say anything in response, so she just nodded her head. The funny thing was, she believed Alex was being one hundred percent sincere. She was even looking out the front windows, as if she were worried too.
Savannah sighed and glanced back at Billy, who was trying hard to get the kids settled down so April could start reading the chosen book for the day.
“I guess we’d better go help.” She pushed her cup of tea aside and walked to the back of the room and picked up Maggie from Billy’s lap.
She tried to enjoy reading time, but her mind was too occupied with everything else that was going on, and she wished that she hadn’t insisted on coming along today.
When the story was over, she made some excuse and tugged on Billy’s hand. They walked out the front doors less than five minutes after story time was over.
Maggie had fussed a little when she’d put her in the stroller, and so Billy had picked her up and carried her instead.
“What do you say we stop off at the Grocery Stop and buy some supplies.” He nodded down the street towards the only grocery store in Fairplay.
She shrugged her shoulders and followed him as he walked towards the old building.
“Haley was asking me if we had enrolled Maggie in preschool yet.” He glanced over at her with a worried look. “Have we?”
She shook her head no. “Not yet. She’s only seven months old.” She stopped short. “That’s too early, right?”
He laughed quickly and shook his head. “I don’t know. I mean, I thought you knew.”
She sighed and started walking again. “I guess I’ll find out.”
He pulled on her hand until she stopped and looked back at him. “I can find out. I was just seeing if you knew.”
She nodded. “I don’t mind, really.” Then she laughed out loud until her sides almost hurt.
“What?” He tugged on her arm until she stopped. “What?” She stopped laughing when she saw the worry come into his eyes.
“You. Me. Us. Here.” She motioned around them. “Walking to the Grocery Stop, talking about enrolling our daughter into preschool. Our daughter.” She tried to emphasize how absurd it all was. “Did you ever imagine this?”
His eyebrows were bunched up and he was looking at her funny. So she shook her head and started to walk again.
“Wait,” he said, stopping her. “No, no I never imagined anything like this. I never imagined that I’d be lucky enough to live past the age of twenty, let alone have someone like you or have a beautiful daughter, a nice home. I never imagined that you’d be with someone like me.” He took a step closer to her and, with Maggie still in his arms, pulled her as close as he could. She could see emotions flood into his dark eyes and was so caught up in them, she didn’t notice time or place. “I never imagined I’d be this lucky.”
She couldn’t stop herself. Reaching up, she took his face in her hands and pulled him down to her until their lips met. She thought she heard a whistle and a howl as someone drove by, but she didn’t care. All she knew was that her heart had done a flip as he’d made his little speech. She’d never been given poetry. Never been treated as something to be cherished before. She knew part of that was her fault. She’d pushed people aside, except when she’d wanted something from them. Now, however, she wondered why she’d shielded herself for so long.
When she finally pulled away, she looked up into his eyes and smiled up at him.
“Now,” she sighed, “how about we add some Oreo ice cream to that list of yours. I feel like celebrating.”
He laughed and then nodded and pulled her close again.
When they walked into the Grocery Stop, Savannah stopped cold when she saw Carmen standing behind the counter, crying. Rushing over to her, she moved behind the counter and took her friend’s shoulders.
“What’s wrong?”
Carmen looked up at her and wiped her nose. “He’s won.” She hiccuped.
“Who’s won?”
“Tom, my ex. He isn’t going to pay me a dime, and he’s taking the kids.” She burst out crying again.
“What do you mean?” Savannah shook her friend’s shoulders.
Carmen wiped her tears one more time and took a deep breath. “He just called here to tell me that he’s filling an appeal. Which means more money I’ll have to spend on a lawyer fighting him. Which means more time away from my kids because I’ll have to get another job in Tyler.” She burst out crying.
“Can’t you just work more hours here?” Savannah asked, patting Carmen on the shoulders.
Carmen shook her head no. “They can’t afford it. Besides, there are three other clerks that need the hours.” She sighed. “Last time my lawyer bill was five thousand dollars. It took me a whole year to pay him back.” She closed her eyes and sighed.
“Well, this is just ridiculous,” Savannah said, pulling her purse out from Maggie’s stroller.
“What?” Carmen started to say. “What are you doing?”
Savannah looked over at her friend. “Giving you a check so you can hire a lawyer to fight that bastard. You’ve worked your butt off for your money and you deserve every dime, not him.” She ripped the check off and held it out for Carmen, who shook her head and put her hands behind her back.
“I…I couldn’t.” She looked down at the check.
Billy walked up behind them and took Savannah’s arm in his. “Savvy?”
“Hush now, this is my money, and I’ll do what I want with it. Besides, those two babies of yours belong in Fairplay, not in some big city, sitting home alone while their daddy runs around chasing skirts.” She held the check out farther.
“Please.” Carmen shook her head no.
Savannah took a step closer. “Carmen, I’ve known you for how long?”
Carmen swallowed and thought about it. “We were in the same kindergarten class.”
Savannah smiled. “See, I didn’t even know that. My point is, up until a few months ago, I didn’t even give you a second thought. Then, one day, when I needed someone to talk to, you were there, no questions asked, not wanting anything from me. You listened to me ball my eyes out and have stood beside me ever since. You’ve become one of my closest friends. Now, if I can’t give you the same help in return, then I have to question our friendship.”
Carmen laughed and nodded, and then reached out for the check. “But I’m paying you back.”
“Sounds fair enough. Just take your time okay?”
Carmen nodded and surprised her by grabbing onto her and giving her a huge hug.
Billy was quiet on the short walk home. The stroller was weighed down by a gallon of ice cream, several boxes of his favorite cold cereal, and a bag of cookies.
When they walked into the house, he watched her walk into the kitchen to put the ice cream away. Maggie had fallen asleep and instead of lifting her from the stroller, he let her continue to sleep comfortably in the living room.
When Savannah was done putting the frozen treats away, she turned and bumped solidly into him. He’d positioned himself just so. His hands went to her shoulders as he watched annoyance cross her blue eyes.
“This place is too small for you to sneak up on me like that,” she said and he watched the heat seep into her face.
He smiled a little. “You impress me.” Her jaw dropped.
“I what?” She tried to take a step back, so he followed her and moved her up against the fridge.
“You heard me,” he whispered.
She shook her head and her eyes went to his lips. He smiled a little as he took another step towards her, completely pinning her to the front of the fridge. Her breath hitched as she felt his hardness against her soft stomach. Her breasts pushed up against his chest. He closed his eyes and moaned with the softness of them.
“Bill—”
He leaned down and claimed her mouth with his before she could say anything more. She tasted better than any sweets. His hands fisted, taking her shirt with him as he yanked it over her head quickly. Then he cupped those luscious tits and bent his head to have a taste. In the back of his thoughts, he heard her moan his name, but he was too far gone to notice or care how loud she was being. He pushed her bra aside and took her nipple into his mouth and enjoyed feeling her buck next to him. He pushed her leggings down her hips until he cupped her hot moist sex with his hand. When she screamed, he moved back up and took her mouth with his, muffling the sexy noises.
Her fingernails dug into his shoulders. As he pushed first one then another finger deep into her core, she ripped at his pants until they fell down by his ankles. Then she cupped him and wrapped those long fingers around his cock until he felt he’d come in her hand.
Using his thighs, he pushed her legs apart and in one quick motion, took her right there against the refrigerator. She toed off her shoes and leggings, then wrapped those long legs of hers around his hips, and he rode her hard and fast.
He felt her inner muscles clench against him and felt her body tense with her release, but he wanted more. He had to have more of her.
Running his mouth down her neck, he took her nipple deep in his mouth and sucked as he continued to pump his hips harder and faster until he felt her nails dig into his bare shoulders under his shirt.
All he could focus on were her sweet moans and how sexy she sounded, how sexy she’d look and feel laid out for him to do what he wanted. Then, when he didn’t think he could hold back any more, she reached around and slapped his left butt cheek hard, causing a slight sting to spread. A burst of laughter jumped from his chest when he released deep inside her.
