The One She Left Behind (Harlequin Super Romance)

by Gold, Kristi

  “And you’ll be leaving town with your secret. A dirty little secret with Sam that you can fantasize about for years to come. You should stop thinking and just go for it.”

  “I agree, sugar. You should go for it.”

  Savannah looked up to find Trudy standing at the table—a waitress who’d gone to work at Stan’s before Peter was a saint. She also happened to be Pearl Allworth’s best friend, the other mouth muffler who spewed gossip exhaust like a tricked-out Chevy.

  Before Savannah could issue a greeting, Trudy added, “Why, half the women in town would drop their drawers for a chance with Sam McBriar, and the other half wished they were that brave.”

  “We need two sweet teas, Trudy,” Jess interrupted through an exaggerated smile. “I’d also like a double cheeseburger with mayo, all the way. And Savannah would like an order of curly fries as well as a side of it’s none of your damn business, okay?”

  Trudy’s expression went as sour as a lemon drop. “Listen, missy, you should be worrying about your marriage instead of worrying about someone else’s affairs. Rumor has it several women in town are dropping their drawers for your husband.”

  With that, Trudy spun around and headed away, leaving Savannah appalled and Jess looking oddly unruffled over the accusation.

  “Then it’s true about Dalton’s infidelity?” Savannah asked after recalling the talk at the table in Barney’s Bar.

  Jess shrugged. “Probably.”

  “And it doesn’t bother you?”

  “Honestly, I don’t care what he does anymore, as long as he leaves me and Danny alone. Now could we talk about something else?”

  “Sure.” Savannah sensed the gravity of the situation and her heart ached for her friend. But she wouldn’t force Jess to elaborate.

  After the drinks and food arrived, all talk of Dalton ceased, replaced by reminiscences of more carefree days. Savannah welcomed the subject change, but she didn’t welcome the man who walked right up to the table, inserting himself in their catch-up conversation.

  Wearing an expensive tailored navy suit and neatly trimmed jet-black hair, Savannah realized that Dalton Wainwright could pass as his father’s clone, or perhaps Satan’s spawn.

  She gritted her teeth when he sent her a smile that was about as sincere as a politician’s promises. “Good to see you, Savannah,” he said.

  Unfortunately, she couldn’t say the same. “Hello, Dalton.”

  He immediately targeted Jess with a demeaning look. “I should’ve known you’d be here when you didn’t answer the phone.” He glanced at the half-eaten burger on Jess’s plate with obvious disdain. “There’s enough fat in that meal to hold you over for a month.”

  Although Jess had abandoned the sandwich several minutes before, she took another defiant bite before asking, “What do you want, Dalton?”

  He slid his hands into his pockets. “Where’s Danny?”

  “At Jeff’s house.”

  “You need to pick him up this afternoon.”

  Jess tossed the napkin aside. “You told him you’d watch his practice.”

  Dalton seemed thoroughly offended that Jess would question him, ruffling Savannah’s feathers even more. “Dad called an investors’ meeting this afternoon,” he said. “As VP of operations, I have to be there.”

  Jess didn’t look as if she were buying it. “You have a meeting every afternoon, Dalton. You could miss one for your son’s sake.”

  “Those meetings put your food on my table. And speaking of that, I need dinner by six. I’m playing poker tonight.”

  Savannah had half a mind to haul off and punch him. She chose a verbal assault instead. “Which her will you be poking, Dalton?”

  He responded with a smirk. “Still the same old smart-ass, aren’t you, Savvy?”

  Dalton tossing out the hated nickname only fueled Savannah’s fire. “In your case, you can drop the smart.”

  Jess cupped her hand to her ear. “I believe I hear Edwin calling, Dalton. You best run along before he puts out an all-points bulletin.”

  “Dinner by six,” he demanded before turning on his heels and striding out the door like a domestic dictator.

  Savannah sent Jess an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry about the poker comment. I certainly didn’t mean to embarrass you, but as always, Dalton brings out the worst in me.”

  “Me, too,” she said. “And don’t be sorry for anything you said to him. I just wish I could be that quick on my feet when he starts launching the insults.”

  Savannah wished she could find some way to talk some sense into her friend. “You deserve so much better, Jess.”

  “You’re right, I do.” She glanced around the room before focusing on Savannah again. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to meet you here and not at the house. I want a divorce and I need you to handle it.”

  On one hand, Savannah wanted to cheer. On the other, she was sorry she couldn’t honor the request for representation. “I wish I could help, Jess, but I’m not licensed to practice in Mississippi. I also specialize in corporate law, not family law.”

  Jess again looked despondent. “I hadn’t thought about that. Could you recommend someone, then? Dalton has the means to hire the best attorney in the state, so I need an attorney who’s equally good.”

  “Not if you hire the best first. I’ll come up with a name, probably a firm in Jackson or Vicksburg.” Savannah had one last question. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”

  Jess’s confident tone told Savannah all she needed to know. “Then I’ll help you however I can.” And she pitied the lawyer who would have to come up against the Wainwrights. “Do you plan to leave town after the divorce is final?”

  Jess shook her head. “I’ve considered moving to South Carolina to be with my folks and my brother and his wife, but there’s no way Dalton would stand for me taking Danny out of state, even if he doesn’t seem all that interested in his son’s life.”

  More unexpected news. “When did your parents move and what about their feed store?”

  “Edwin bought the store and provided enough money for the folks to have a real nice retirement.”

  With her appetite greatly diminished, Savannah pushed aside the half-eaten fries. “Of course. Your father-in-law’s goal in life is to own the entire town. Did you know he’s buying our farm from my mother?”

  Jess frowned. “I had no idea, and I’m sorry to hear that. I can tell you’re disappointed.”

  Oddly she was somewhat disappointed. “On top of that, Sam’s leasing the land.”

  “How do you feel about that?” Jess asked.

  “At first I was livid because I honestly believed Sam saw it as a way to get a little revenge. But then he explained that my dad made him promise to take care of the place. At least I know the farm will be in good hands. And enough about that. What are you going to do with your time as a free woman?”

  “First, I’m going to take Danny to see Mom and Dad after I file for divorce, hopefully before the end of the month. I’ve decided that would be a good time to explain everything to him. After that, I’m going back to work. I’ve been hired to teach second grade at the new elementary school in the fall.”

  “That’s great news.” Savannah was pleasantly surprised by her town’s progress and Jess’s return to the workforce. “I had no idea there was a new elementary school.”

  Jess smiled. “Things are changing here, Savannah. Nothing ever stays the same, even in a place like Placid.”

  Savannah held up her glass and proposed a toast. “Here’s to good change, a new career and, better still, your new life.”

  Jess tipped her glass to Savannah’s. “I’ll definitely drink to that. And the next time you see me, I’ll be twenty pounds lighter, unencumbered and gainfully employed.”

  She had no idea when she’d be returning to Placid, if ever. As of next week, she’d have no house to come home to. No real reason to return. Still
, Savannah didn’t want to rain on Jess’s proverbial parade. Besides, she could always invite her to visit Chicago.

  As soon as she said goodbye to Jess, Savannah climbed into her car, fully intending to drive home. Yet she was so concerned by her friend’s situation, she felt as if she needed to locate someone who could help with the attorney reference. Someone she could count on to keep the information confidential. She could think of one person who fit the bill, and without much thought, she found herself steering the car in his direction.

  CHAPTER NINE

  AFTER SAVANNAH RANG THE McBriars’ doorbell, she could hear the sound of tiny feet padding across wood. Jamie greeted her with a happy-girl smile as she slapped the screen open and said, “Come help us bake, Savannah!” Then she sprinted toward the kitchen while Savannah barely had time to grab the door before it closed in her face.

  Jamie’s wholehearted enthusiasm buoyed Savannah’s spirits. Being around such an exuberant child made Jess’s situation and Ruth’s continued avoidance a little more palatable. At least for the time being.

  Savannah entered the kitchen to find Jamie seated on a bar stool at the center island and Gracie transferring at least a dozen chocolate cupcakes onto one of several tin plates. “Wow, Gracie. I think my blood sugar just elevated and I haven’t even eaten one yet.”

  Gracie looked up with a smile, strands of silver hair framing her oval face that was streaked with flour. “My granddaughter’s been nibbling for at least two hours.”

  Jamie grinned. “I’ve been licking the bowl.”

  That was evidenced by the chocolate ring around Jamie’s mouth. “I take it these are for the festival.”

  “Uh-huh,” Jamie answered. “I’m gonna help make all of them. Right, Grandma?”

  Gracie scooped some icing from a bowl and dotted Jamie’s nose. “If you don’t eat them all first. Now go and tell your dad to wash up for lunch.”

  “Savannah, you wanna come with me?”

  “Actually—”

  “She’s going to stay with me, sweetie,” Gracie interjected.

  “Okay.” Jamie climbed off the stool and rushed out of the room like a minicyclone.

  “Did you come to help me bake or did you want to speak with my son?” Gracie asked as soon as Jamie was no longer within earshot.

  “I do need to talk to Sam. I wanted to run something past him.” She feared she’d wanted any excuse to see him.

  Gracie spooned some more batter into the muffin pans without missing a beat. “Seems like you and Sam are getting along real well these days.”

  “We’re trying to be friends again.”

  “It’s none of my business, but are you sure that’s all there is to it after what happened between the two of you in the shop?”

  “If you’re asking if we’re intimate, the answer is no.”

  After slipping the pan into the oven, Gracie returned to the island and leaned a hip against it. “I already know that because he’s been in a foul mood. And if he continues to take three showers a day, then the well’s going to go dry. I’m tempted to tell you to put the man out of his misery.”

  Here came the blush again. “Maybe the hot weather’s responsible for his mood.”

  Gracie smiled. “Oh, he’s hot all right, but it doesn’t have a thing to do with the weather. It’s fairly obvious that sparks still fly every time the two of you are within a hundred yards of each other. You might kill the relationship but you can’t always kill the chemistry.”

  Savannah felt the need to defend herself. “You’re wrong about that. At first we held each other in low esteem, then moved on to civility and now we’re going to try to be friends.”

  That earned her Gracie’s frown. “Aren’t you afraid of losing your heart to him again? You know how women can be. We’re nothing if not a mess when it comes to emotions.”

  She had the problem pegged, and Savannah would be wise to heed the warning. “I’m a different person now, Gracie. Sam and I are both different people. We’re mature enough to keep our relationship platonic.” Or so she hoped.

  “You may be able to handle it, Savannah, but Sam’s not as strong as he seems. You’re probably the only woman who broke his heart, but you broke it all the same. I don’t want to see it happen to him again.” Gracie patted her cheek. “I love you like you were my own daughter, but I love Sam, too. That’s why I hope you’ll think hard before you act, unless you have plans to stick around.”

  No, she didn’t plan to stick around. Once she went home to Chicago, she and Sam would return to their own lives. They could agree to be friendly in the interim, which could invite more trouble in the long term.

  The back door swung open, jarring Savannah from her thoughts. Jamie breezed in, ponytail swinging like a pendulum as she hurried to reclaim her stool at the counter. “Daddy said he’ll be coming in soon, but he wants Savannah to come see him in the barn first.”

  A timely opportunity had presented itself. Once she had Sam alone, she’d ask for an attorney reference, then lay out a few terms before they moved forward with the friendship clause.

  Savannah headed out the back door and through the gate leading to a narrow gravel path. She’d walked this pebbled road many times before, on days much like today. The afternoon sun bore down on her bare neck where she’d piled her hair on top of her head in an attempt to counteract the heat. The sandals she wore did little to protect the soles of her feet from the layer of stone. But when she reached the barn, the scent of hay brought to mind why at one time she would have weathered any conditions to come here. The place had been another sanctuary, an escape from all the rigors of her strained relationship with her mother. She’d learned how to saddle and groom a horse here, how to ride in the nearby round pen, all under the watchful eye of a boy she’d so desperately wanted to impress.

  Once inside the stable, Savannah spotted a green metal wheelbarrow full of pine shavings in front of one stall to her left. Then that boy—now very much a man—emerged from the open door wearing a white T-shirt, faded jeans and a pair of heavy brown work boots. Although he was dusty and damp, he couldn’t look any better if he’d donned a high-dollar tuxedo.

  Sam set the shovel in his grasp against the wooden frame and smiled. “Hey,” he said before he clasped the T-shirt’s hem and pulled the cotton up to wipe off his face, giving Savannah a glimpse of his ridged abdomen. That sight alone ate like acid into her resolve to be only his friend, further cementing Gracie’s assertion.

  You might kill the relationship, but you can’t always kill the chemistry….

  The sound of a nicker served to divert Savannah’s attention from Sam’s finer features. To her immediate left, she discovered a midnight-black horse with his muzzle stuck through the stall’s railing, his nostrils flaring as if trying to recognize her scent. She definitely recognized him.

  “Oh, my gosh! You still have Sky.” She immediately walked to the stallion and scratched the zigzag star in the middle of his forehead. “Hey, buddy. Remember me?”

  She heard solid footsteps from behind her, followed by, “He remembers you.”

  After she glanced back to find Sam standing only a foot or so from her, Savannah turned back to the other stud. “I hope he remembers. He gave me my first ride.”

  “Yeah. That’s something me and old Sky have in common.”

  Sam was clearly determined to be the bad boy today, which could make the task at hand all that more difficult for Savannah.

  She faced him again, possibly at her own peril. “Jamie said you needed to speak to me.”

  He hooked his thumbs in his belt loops, briefly drawing her gaze where no decent female’s gaze belonged in a public place, or a private barn, for that matter. Not unless she wanted to invite trouble. “Yeah. She wanted me to talk you into going to the festival with us.”

  “You couldn’t have come up to the house to ask me that?”

  “I didn’t want you to have to make excuses to her in case you have other plans. She can be pretty damn insi
stent when she gets something in her head.”

  Admittedly, that made sense, and Savannah admired that in a girl, even a six-year-old female. “Actually, I planned to go through Dad’s things and pack up some of my stuff. Maybe even have that talk with my mother if I can get her to sit still long enough.”

  “Ruth will be at the festival along with everyone else.”

  Sam had a valid point, but Savannah still had a lot to do. “Then I guess I’ll just go through everything without her.”

  “You can do that on Sunday,” he said. “Tomorrow, you should come with us to the festival for old times’ sake. I’ll buy you some cotton candy.”

  That brought to mind all the summers they’d spent together, the festivals they’d attended as a couple. Four, to be exact, though it should have been five. Reliving those experiences couldn’t hurt, as long as Sam’s daughter was present. As long as she kept the invitation in perspective—just an innocent outing, a pleasant reminder of better times.

  Yet as soon as she said what she needed to say to him, he might rescind the offer. “I’ll think about it and let you know.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Now I have a couple of things to tell you.” She planned to save the most pressing one for last. “First, you have to keep what I’m about to say to yourself.”

  “Not a problem.”

  Savannah knew it wasn’t, otherwise she wouldn’t take him into her confidence. “When I saw Jess today, she told me she’s divorcing Dalton.”

  Sam leaned a shoulder against the stall door and scowled. “It’s about damn time she left that sorry SOB.”

  She couldn’t agree more. “Anyway, she asked me about an attorney. I was wondering if you might know one who could handle her divorce.”

  A flicker of discomfort passed over his expression. “I used a guy out of Jackson named Franklin. He’s supposed to be one of the best. Hard to tell, since Darlene and I just about agreed on every point in the settlement.”

  “So the two of you had an amicable parting?”

  “Yeah, you could say that. No custody or financial issues. It was fairly easy as far as divorces go.”