A Moment in the Moonlight
Belle Calhoune
Secrets of Savannah: Six best friends who have known each other their entire lives. Once as thick as thieves, the friendships among the girls have been splintered by life events, secrets and deceptions. Now, brought together again by an inheritance of an historic Bed & Breakfast on Tybee Island, the women must set aside their differences in order to restore their beloved Savannah House. As each woman finds her special talent and develops it through the renovation of the inn, they also find romance—each of them with an unforgettable hero.
The sweetheart: Olivia Renault is the only daughter of a Savannah businessman, Jack Renault. Having recently inherited the once famous resort, Savannah House, along with her dearest friends, Olivia is excited about the future enterprise and all of the possibilities. Olivia’s heart is energized when Hunter Rawlings, an old flame, returns to town for the wedding of her best friend, Callie Duvall. Having truly never gotten over Hunter, Olivia finds herself falling for him all over again. But can she really trust her heart with the man who once broke it?
The rebel-millionaire: Once the bad boy of Savannah, Hunter Rawlings left his hometown a decade ago and transformed himself into a successful, wealthy businessman. Hunter returns to Savannah for the wedding of his childhood friends, Callie Duvall and Jax Holden. Once back in Savannah, Hunter comes face to face with the one who got away—Olivia Renault. As teenagers, Hunter and Olivia were involved in a secret romance that ended abruptly when Hunter roared out of Savannah on a motorcycle and toward a new life away from his hometown. As Hunter’s feelings for Olivia return with a vengeance, he grapples with a huge secret he’s harboring—one that might rip Olivia out of his arms forever.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my wonderful readers from all over the world who have embraced my stories. This story is a spin-off from the Seven Brides, Seven Brothers series. Thank you for inspiring me to create this Savannah series and these very special women…and the fabulous men who love them.
Dear Reader.
Thank you so much for joining me on this Savannah adventure. The wonderful ladies of Savannah, Georgia are back! I hope that you will be inspired by the love between Olivia and Hunter. Their love story began when they were children, and despite the passage of time, both still feel a pull in the other’s direction. Hunter’s present has been shaped by his past. As a businessman and a corporate raider, he doesn’t usually lead with his heart. But there’s something about Olivia that might change all that.
Although the main focus of this novel is the romance between Olivia and Hunter, the friendship between the six women is a big component of the series. Friendship is such a blessed gift. Even if we have one true friend it will be enough to sustain us throughout our lives. These six ladies have been friends for most of their lives and thankfully they are now back on the right path to repair the fractured relationships. But that doesn’t mean that everything between them will be smooth sailing. Life after all is full of twists and turns. And sometimes, secrets.
Welcome back to Savannah, one of my favorite cities in the world. If you get the chance, don’t hesitate to stop by and visit Savannah, Georgia. It’s a great vacation spot.
Blessings,
Belle
Copyright 2015 by Belle Calhoune
All Rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher and author, except where permitted by law.
Cover art by Niina Cord
Look for me at www.bellecalhoune.com or on Twitter @BelleCalhoune. Join me on Facebook at Author Belle Calhoune.
SECRETS OF SAVANNAH SERIES
BOOK ONE: TILL THE END OF TIME
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017L5ZPCE
BOOK TWO: A MOMENT IN THE MOONLIGHT
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AARG24A
BOOK THREE: THE LAST KISS
www.amazon.com/dp/B01C1WIPAG
BOOK FOUR: FOR LOVE ALONE
www.amazon.com/dp/B01GEE5Q8G
BOOK FIVE: FALLING IN LOVE (September 2016)
SEVEN BRIDES, SEVEN BROTHERS SERIES
BOOK ONE: THE WAY HOME
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KTCBXSC
BOOK TWO: STILL THE ONE
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M0EUU22
BOOK THREE: UNTIL YOU LOVED ME
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N15TPFC
BOOK FOUR: LOVE ME TENDER
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OFAVB1I
BOOK FIVE: IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R6U2PZK
BOOK SIX: BABY IT’S YOU
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VZ3FCB8
BOOK SEVEN: WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011J6ZTE0
PREQUEL: WHEN YOU BELIEVE
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T52CK1G
Table of Contents
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Prologue
If stealing was a sin, then by all rights Hunter Rawlings was a sinner. But at least he’d go to purgatory with a full belly, he reassured himself as he jimmied open the window and propelled himself out of the opening. Hunter crouched into a kneeling position as he landed on the ground with a thud, his contraband still nestled safely in his arms.
Hunter held the stolen ham in his hand, cradling it like a football as his belly made loud noises from hunger. He licked his lips as the aroma of savory ham mixed with brown sugar wafted in the air. A pang of guilt sliced through him as the realization hit him that he was now a thief. How many times had Mama drummed into his head that stealing was for people who hadn’t accepted God into their lives? How many times had Pastor McAllister preached about the virtues of living a sin free life?
For Hunter, the choice between fire and brimstone and feeding his family was easy. He could no longer bear to see his mother’s rail thin body or the dark circles that shadowed her eyes. He couldn’t stand the cries of his brothers and sisters as they went to bed hungry every evening. Ever since his father had passed on, food had been a scarce commodity around the Rawlings household. Although Sam Rawlings had never been much of a provider, he had managed to keep a roof over the family’s head and keep their bellies full by doing odd jobs and occasional carpentry work around Savannah. He had once worked for Renault Industries, but he’d been fired under troubling circumstances. Ever since that moment, their household had been in financial trouble.
Although Mama had worked as a maid for some of the more prosperous families in town, her illness had taken such a toll on her health that it was no longer an option. He didn’t know exact what lupus was, but he knew that it made Mama very sick. And medicine cost lots and lots of money when you didn’t have insurance. At least that’s what he had overheard Mama telling one of her friends on the phone the other day. Yes, indeed. The Rawlings family had fallen on hard times and there was no hint of brighter days to come. Stealing a Virginia ham from the Renault’s house was a simple matter of nec
essity, availability and opportunity.
The Renaults were Savannah’s wealthiest and most respected family. Jack Renault was the owner of one of the largest factories in Savannah, as well as being the owner of several restaurants, hotels and car dealerships. The Renaults were so rich that they had even named their estate – Riverbend. There was no end to Jack Renault’s empire and his influence in Savannah. If anyone could do without a Virgina ham, it was the Renaults. And his company had gotten rid of his father like an old shoe, so Hunter shouldn’t have to feel bad about stealing something from a fat cat like Jack Renault.
Hunter took a moment to admire the sweet smelling ham, then began the business of making his getaway. In his haste to get as far away as possible from the scene of the crime he stumbled over a tree stump, landing flat on his belly on the ground. With the agile movements of a cat, Hunter had managed to salvage the ham by holding it aloft in one hand as his body hit the dirt.
“Sweet!” Hunter mumbled to himself as he managed to save the ham from ruin.
He raised himself from the ground and continued to make his getaway, his eyes focused on the woods in the distance. Too late he heard the sound of a large twig snapping underneath his weight as he crept alongside the Renault’s home.
“Who’s there?” a deep voice boomed out of the darkness.
Hunter’s heart beat a wild rhythm inside him as his body froze. Who had just called out? He had been certain that the entire Renault household would have been in attendance at the Harvest Fest, one of Savannah’s biggest fund raisers and celebrations. When he had arrived at the Renault’s mansion it was swathed in darkness, as if no one was home. It was a man! A security guard perhaps? He’d never even considered that notion.
Outrun him! a voice inside his head urged him as he made a wild dash towards the barn. Hunter figured that he had a pretty good shot at getting away since he was the fastest boy in the seventh grade.
“Stop or I’ll shoot,” the same voice called out as he dashed towards safety.
Hunter stopped in his tracks as he heard the cocking of a rifle. Please Lord, don’t let him shoot me! He was only twelve years old. Way too young to die, he thought miserably. Without warning, Hunter found himself being bathed in a circle of light. He held his arm up to shade his eyes from the blinding glare.
“What you got there, boy?” As the man’s face and physique came into focus, Hunter realized with a sinking heart that it was Jack Renault himself who had caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. Renault was a large and imposing man, one who wielded power in this town the way ancient warriors once wielded swords. He wasn’t someone to trifle with under any circumstances. Hunter felt his gut tighten painfully. This wasn’t going to end well for him.
Hunter held out the ham with shaky fingers as feelings of shame and dread washed over him in unrelenting waves. He knew that if Mama caught wind of this escapade he was due for a serious whipping. Although it was a rare thing for Mama to bring out the switch, he knew for certain that stealing a ham would bring a whipping for sure.
“Thought you’d steal yourself a ham, huh? Courtesy of the Renault family, is that right?” Jack Renault’s dark features were etched in anger, his bushy eyebrows furrowed in a frown.
“N-No, I wasn’t stealing it. I was just…,” Hunter’s voice faltered when he couldn’t think of any reasonable explanation for his actions. He began to gnaw on his lower lip as thoughts of the county jail danced in his head.
“Well, let’s just call Sheriff Sawyer and see what he makes of it all,” Renault said in a brisk tone.
The sound of softly running footsteps momentarily distracted Hunter from his predicament as a small figure stepped out of the shadows. A young girl, no more than ten, ran towards Jack Renault’s side and began insistently tugging on his shirtsleeves.
Despite the fact that she had a few pounds of baby fat lingering on her face and small figure, there was no doubt that this girl was a rare beauty. With skin the color of roasted chestnuts, a long mane of curly black hair and brown-hazel eyes that were as round as saucers, this young girl was destined to break hearts all over Savannah. Hunter immediately recognized her as Olivia Renault, Savannah’s reigning princess.
“Daddy, please don’t call the police. I’m sure he didn’t mean to steal it. He’s just a boy,” Olivia said in a pleading tone.
“I ain’t a boy. I’m a man,” Hunter said with a defiant tilt of his head.
“A man, huh? You can’t be no more than thirteen, son. Am I right?” Jack asked.
“I won’t be thirteen until next May, sir,” Hunter explained.
“What’s your name, boy? Who are your people?” Jack demanded in a harsh tone.
“His name is Hunter, papa. Hunter Rawlings,” Olivia said as she shyly looked over at Hunter.
A look of shock passed over Jack Renault’s face upon hearing Olivia’s words. All of the fire went out of him, and his face and eyes softened. “Rawlings? Are you Mae’s boy?”
“Yes, sir,” he mumbled, not wanting to associate himself with his Mama in such dishonorable circumstances. Mae Rawlings was an honest, God-fearing woman who had never stolen a thing in her life. Hunter hated dragging Mama down into the mud with him. He felt ashamed of himself.
Jack Renault looked thoughtful as he ran his fingers along his grizzled chin and studied the boy in front of him. “Run along home now, Hunter. And take the ham with you. No sense making a mountain out of a molehill.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” whispered Olivia as she gently squeezed her father’s hand.
“I was really sorry about your Daddy passing away. He was a good man. Don’t hesitate to come calling if you or your family ever needs anything, Hunter. There are always plenty of hams to be had around here,” Jack said with an easy smile.
Charity! That’s what Jack Renault was talking about. Nothing more than charity for the poor Rawlings family! Hunter felt his face flush with a mixture of embarrassment and anger as the Renaults looked at him with barely disguised pity.
It was a look that he'd gotten used to in Savannah, particularly in the weeks and months following his Daddy’s passing. Pity! Shame! Disgrace!
“I don’t need no stinking ham,” Hunter said defiantly as he flung the ham up in the air.
Olivia’s pretty pink mouth hung open in shock as she watched the ham soar into the air, landing in the dirt with a solid plunk.
Jack Renault shook his head at Hunter. He frowned at him. “Pride goeth before a fall, young man. Go on and get home before you worry your Mama,” Renault instructed as he took his daughter’s hand and walked away from Hunter towards his elegant, stately home.
Although Hunter’s pride had forced him to fling the ham into the dirt, his love for his family caused him to salvage the meat as soon as he was certain that the Renaults were inside the house. Although the young man wasn’t above picking up the soiled ham, he surely didn’t want the Renaults to see him looking like a beggar.
“Someday I’m going to have as many hams as I please,” Hunter screamed into the darkness. He shook his fist up toward the heavens. “And someday I’m going own this town, lock, stock and barrel.”
**
Olivia walked toward the drawing room as soon as she entered the house. She walked quickly toward the front window and pulled back the heavy curtains so she could see outside. Even though it was dark, a small sliver of moon cast light on the small figure outside. She watched as Hunter picked up the ham from the ground and dusted it off with his hands. Her chest rose up and down in a fast rhythm. It felt as if her heart might break in two at the sight of him trying to rescue the soiled ham. If she controlled the world, she’d make sure Hunter had a ham every time he wanted one.
Hunter went to the same school as her. He was in the grade above her, and every now and again she saw him hanging around with her friend, Jax Holden. Hunter had two brothers and a sister—and a father who they had recently buried. And every time she saw Hunter she felt her in
sides do belly flops. He was the handsomest boy she had ever seen in her whole life.
As she watched Hunter walk off into the darkness she felt moisture on her cheeks. She raised her hand up and swiped them away. It felt as if someone was squeezing her heart inside her chest.
“When I get older, I’m going to marry you, Hunter Rawlings,” she whispered, scaring herself by the intensity of the words she had just uttered.
“Olivia. Where are you?” Her mother’s voice drifted into the room, reminding her that it was time to take a bath, then get into her pajamas.
“Coming, Mama,” she yelled, taking one last lingering look at Hunter’s retreating figure. She let out a sigh, unsure of what to make of all these feelings rumbling around inside her.
The only thing she felt certain of was that she would remember this moment for the rest of her life.
“You can try with all your might to outrun the past, but in the end, it catches up with you every single time.” Olivia Renault
Chapter One
Savannah, Georgia
Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. The old saying ran through Olivia’s mind like a haunting refrain as she stared at her reflection in the antique full-length mirror. It wasn’t like she had anyone groom worthy in her orbit, but she had been a bridesmaid three times in the last year. Three of her cousins had gotten married and invited her to be bridesmaids. Now, she was going to stand up as maid of honor for her best friend, Callie Duvall, who was marrying their childhood friend, Jax Holden.
Charlotte Duvall, one of her best friends and Callie’s cousin, had gushed over her maid of honor’s dress until she was red in the face. Her dress was different than the other bridesmaids, who were wearing burgundy rather than sage. Despite Charlotte’s effusive praise, Olivia regarded herself with a critical eye. Her hair was getting way too long, she realized. It was high time she headed over to Lula's hair salon for a trim and a conditioning treatment. She still wasn’t sure the sage green dress was right with her mocha complexion, and she needed it to be sheer perfection. Because of him.
A Moment in the Moonlight (Secrets of Savannah Book 2) Page 1
