When she was gone, Lexi turned to Tyler. “Thanks so much!” Impulsively, she launched herself into his arms for a hug.
“Not a problem,” he said with a grin that made his cheek dimple. “I told you she’d come looking for you. She cares about you a lot, Lexi. Don’t you forget that.”
Lexi wouldn’t. Savvy was choosing to go with her instead of staying with her family. That was something special. That was real. Suddenly there was a lump in Lexi’s throat that was impossible to swallow.
Was her plan to live with Savvy going to work? She had to believe that it was. If only, she thought, we didn’t have to face my father.
Chapter Fourteen
The summer night was warm, and Tyler was glad for the light breeze. He and Lexi waited in the van for Savvy to say good-bye to her family. Tyler turned on the radio for some music.
“Ugh,” Lexi said. “That’s old people music.” She turned the dial until she found something more to her liking.
Tyler smiled. “Good choice. I like that.” The previous station had been the one Kerrianne listened to. His own tastes ran closer to Lexi’s.
At last Savvy came from the house, carrying a box. Behind her one of the twins–probably Gabe–was also carrying a box. They went to the silver Oldsmobile Alero in the driveway and put the boxes in the trunk. Then Savvy came over to the driver’s side of the van.
She looked ethereal and feminine in her slim skirt and matching fitted T-shirt, and the way she rested her arms on the open window rewound time for Tyler to years ago when they had been close. “Mom sent along food and stuff so we don’t have to shop right away,” she said. “I’m taking her car–she says she can share Rosalie’s. So what did Kerrianne say?”
“She’s fine with it,” he said. “She already bought the screws and the paint for the fence last week.”
“Sounds like Kerrianne.” Savvy was so close he caught the scent of flowers which clung to her. Her hair was shorter than she used to wear it but long enough to lie across her shoulders and halfway down her back like a living shawl that captured every particle of light from the night sky. He wanted to reach out and feel the glowing strands between his fingers.
“How far is your house?” Lexi asked, leaning over from the front passenger seat to peer at Savvy.
“About twenty minutes,” Tyler told her. “Not far.”
She settled back in the seat. “Good. I’m sick of driving.”
So was Tyler, but the reprieve at Savvy’s had been a good one. He enjoyed being with her family. It reminded him of his own in some deep and familiar ways–particularly in the love they shared for each other and the gospel. He found it hard to contemplate what kind of life Lexi must have known without that kind of support. She had been so acutely uncomfortable around Savvy’s family that she had radiated a standoffish attitude that chased off almost everyone. Except for him, of course. And Savvy.
Savvy removed her arms from the window opening. “And you’re sure there’s enough room? The last time I was at that house, it was pretty tiny.”
“Plenty of room. You’ll be staying in the new addition. There’s even a hot tub out back you can use.” He grinned. “I put that in.”
“Yes!” Lexi said.
“Okay, I guess we’d better get started. I’ll follow you over.” Savvy gave him a smile that made his heart ache. How could he not have noticed before now how beautiful she was? No, I knew it, he thought. But I never really saw.
He wished Savvy were driving with him in the van. He wanted a chance to fix whatever it was that had broken between them. But maybe that wasn’t necessary. Since their silent toast in her family room, Tyler felt altered somehow–as though he’d finally found a piece of what they’d once shared. Maybe it wasn’t too late for them.
Too late for what?
But he knew what. Deep down he knew exactly what. I’ve been such a fool! If his brother Mitch were around, Tyler knew he’d agree.
The drive to Sandy went quickly, with Tyler frequently checking his mirror to assure himself that Savvy was still following them. Once they arrived, Tyler carried Lexi’s suitcase from the van to the porch, and then hurried to help Savvy with her boxes. He didn’t notice the aqua Mini Cooper until there was a movement from it. He stopped and stared, Savvy’s box in his hands.
LaNae.
She ran toward him, her steps faltering as she got a closer look at Savvy and Lexi. Had she thought they were his sisters? “Tyler?” she asked, a touch of asperity in her voice.
“LaNae,” he said. “Hi. I didn’t expect to see you tonight.” Checking his watch, he saw that it was already after ten.
“I came to surprise you. We’ve been playing phone tag all weekend, and I still really have to talk to you.” Her eyes drifted to Savvy, who stood by the trunk of her mother’s car watching them, her eyes dark and veiled.
“LaNae,” Tyler said, “this is Savvy. Savvy, LaNae.”
LaNae stepped forward, offering her hand. Had she always been so thin? “I remember you from the restaurant,” LaNae said. “Nice to see you again. I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”
“You have?” There was a mischievous glint in Savvy’s eyes that didn’t bode well for Tyler. “That’s funny, I haven’t heard anything about you–at least not from Tyler.”
Tyler nearly dropped Savvy’s box. Well, yes, it was true, but she didn’t need to spell it out like that!
“The only thing I know is that you’re his girlfriend,” Savvy continued. Her smile was genuine, but there was something about her expression that bothered Tyler. It was familiar to him, but he couldn’t place when he’d seen that exact expression on her face.
“I thought I was.” LaNae gave him a dire glance. “But maybe I’m the only one who thought that.”
“LaNae,” he groaned. “Can we talk about this later?”
Her face flamed, but before she could respond, Savvy took the box from Tyler. “Don’t mind us,” she said. “We’ll just take these things inside. You unlocked the door, didn’t you?”
He nodded mutely.
“Come on, Lexi.” Savvy went up the walk without so much as a backward glance.
Lexi lagged behind, casting mournful looks in Tyler’s direction. Clearly, she did not appreciate LaNae’s claim on him. Tyler wished he could call out to Lexi and make her stay, but he knew that would be cowardly. When they opened the door, Muffin came tearing outside and over to Tyler for an excited welcome home. Tyler bent to pet him.
“What is going on?” LaNae asked when Savvy and Lexi were in the house.
“They needed a place, so I let them stay here.”
“You let them stay here?” Her voice rose an octave.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be at Kerrianne’s.”
“Why should I worry?” Her voice dripped sarcasm. “I mean you’re only friends, right? It’s not as if you feel for her as much as you feel for me.” The last sentence ended in more of a question than a statement.
“Savvy’s a friend.”
“Maybe.” LaNae put her hands on her practically nonexistent hips, causing Tyler to heave an internal sigh. “Look, Tyler, I came here tonight because I wanted to tell you why I didn’t answer my cell on Sunday when you called. I was going to tell you Monday night, but then you didn’t answer your phone. Now I think it’s just as well because this is something I really should say in person.” She hesitated an instant before adding, “I was with Rob on Sunday.”
“With Rob?” Tyler was surprised, but he felt more relieved than jealous. “You mean, like on a date?”
LaNae nodded, tears glittering in her eyes. “I really like him. I’ve been so uncertain this weekend about my feelings for you, wavering from one side to the next. But on Sunday when Rob and I went to that fireside, I loved being with him. And now that I’m here and I see you with your friend . . . well, I know I was right to go with him. I still care for you, Tyler–a lot–but I can’t take any more uncertainty. I don’t want to pressure or force our relationship just because w
e’ve been dating so many months. Rob asked me out again, and I said yes.”
Tyler’s heart beat heavily. “I see.” What else could he say? That he was glad they were breaking up? That she had been right all along about Savvy?
“I’d better go.” LaNae cast a glance toward the house.
Tyler reached out and put a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, LaNae. I never wanted to hurt you.”
A faint smile touched her lips. “I know. Maybe that’s what hurts the most. You’re such a nice guy.” Her voice became low and full of unshed tears. “But you were always holding back. Always. Maybe it’s time to ask yourself why.”
She was right about all of it. The only thing he wanted at this moment worse than not hurting her was to be with Savvy.
“I’m sorry I pushed so hard when Savvy came off her mission,” LaNae added. “I should have given you some space. All Sunday I kept thinking that if I had, you might have worked out your feelings for her–one way or the other–and then we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
He doubted it. Stupidity seemed to flow in his veins of late. “We’ve made a lot of good memories,” he reminded her.
“I know. It’s been fun.” She hugged him then, and he returned her hug. When she drew away her eyes were bright, but still no tears fell. “Good-bye,” she whispered. With that, she spun from him and ran to her car.
Tyler stared after her with admiration. There went a woman who knew what she wanted and was going after it. What about him? What did he want? Did he have the courage to follow his heart?
He’d watched Savvy walk away from his life twice–once when she left on a mission and once when she’d moved to California. The bereft feelings he had experienced at those times had threatened to overwhelm him. Why hadn’t he remembered that until now? Or understood what it meant to his heart?
Tyler glanced toward the house. “Savvy,” he whispered. She had been a real part of him since the day Amanda had introduced them. Even when she had been away, there was a portion of his soul that held her close. But he’d never realized how much he loved her.
Worse was the knowledge that if he didn’t change things between them soon, he would have to watch her walk away again.
“Savvy,” he said again. There was a light on in the top new section of the house. A shadowy figure approached the window.
He felt hope come alive in his chest. Yes, he was a fool, but even fools could learn. With determination, he strode toward the house.
* * *
“Stop pulling me,” Lexi whispered. “If I don’t stay here I can’t hear what they’re saying.”
“That’s the point.” Savvy tugged at Lexi’s shirt again. Maybe if she tugged hard enough it would stretch enough to actually fit.
Lexi snorted. “Like you don’t care.”
“I don’t,” Savvy made herself say. “Tyler’s been making a fool of himself over skinny, blonde women for years. I suppose he’ll marry one someday. Why not her?”
“I don’t like her,” Lexi retorted.
Savvy laughed. “Since when do you have any say in it? Come on, let’s explore the house.”
“Well, they’re hugging,” Lexi reported, peeking out the crack she’d left in the door.
Firmly grabbing Lexi’s arm, Savvy pulled her through the small living room to the equally modest kitchen. Immediately, she could see the changes in the house. The back wall of the kitchen had been cut away for a new family room. Stairs disappeared up one wall. “The new rooms have to be up there.” Savvy made her way up the stairs, trying not to think too deeply about whatever drama was playing out in front of the house.
Sure enough, two nice-sized bedrooms waited for their approval. “This front bedroom has the small bed,” Lexi said of the room located above the kitchen. “Must be mine.” She lay down on the bed and sighed.
“Better see if it has sheets.” Savvy found herself drawn toward the window, both wanting and not wanting to see what might be happening. She told herself it didn’t matter, that she couldn’t possibly hold any hopes of a relationship with Tyler, but she was relieved to see LaNae’s car speed off into the night. When Tyler stared up at the window, Savvy slowly backed away.
“No sheets,” Lexi reported, setting her backpack on the floor. “Just a bedspread.”
“There’s probably a linen closet somewhere.” Savvy went into the hall. “Oh, look, they put in a bathroom up here. That’s handy.”
“It’s almost like a separate apartment, except there’s no kitchen.” Lexi opened a cupboard. “Hey, I found some sheets. Oops, this one’s too big. Probably for the big bed in the other room. Here are some smaller ones. Cool. I love this sky blue color.”
Savvy smiled at her enthusiasm. “You go ahead and put them on, okay? I’ll see if I can get the stuff from the van.”
“Okay.” Lexi went into her room and shut the door.
Savvy met Tyler coming up the stairs with both her suitcases, and she backed up to let him go by. He set them inside the door of the larger bedroom. “I see you found the new addition,” he said.
His green eyes fixed on her face so intently, so appealingly, that Savvy knelt to open a suitcase–anything to distract his attention. “I had no idea they’d added this much.”
He shrugged. “It was Cory’s idea. She wanted to have a nice place to come home to, a place where EmJay could have her own room.”
“It’s nice.”
They fell into silence. “Well,” he said, “I guess I’ll get the other things from the van.”
“Uh, Tyler,” Savvy said, following him into the hall as he headed for the stairs. “How’d it go with, uh, what’s-her-face? I can talk to her if you want.”
“What, and get me out of the hole I dug for myself?” His voice was mocking, but his expression was soft.
Savvy made no protest. Despite how much she loved Tyler, she knew too well his weaknesses. She’d called him a jerk several times in the past–and meant it. He’d been careless, blind, and insensitive way too often. But perhaps now he’d finally found a woman whom he loved enough to actually change his ways.
“Thanks for the offer,” he said, “but I think I can handle it. I think I finally know what I want.”
Savvy tried to feel happy for him. She’d always known he had a core of strength; he only had to find a way to tap it. “Good,” she said. Turning from him, she went into the bedroom, blinking rapidly to hold back tears she thought she had already cried out years ago.
“Savvy?” He was in the hall, looking through the door at her.
Taking a calming breath, she faced him. “What?”
He crooked a finger, as though hesitant to enter the room. She took a step toward him, then another and another, until she stood in the doorway. He was grinning, the frustrating dimple in his right cheek looking more attractive than ever. She suddenly felt very nervous.
He shook his head, reached out his arms, and pulled her into a bear hug. Savvy resisted an instant, but his arms remained firm, and with a little sigh, she let herself relax into his embrace. Tears stung her eyes, and she closed them, breathing in his familiar scent, a mixture of cologne and laundry detergent. Her heart pounded a million beats per second. She wished he would hold her forever and was glad when he didn’t let go immediately. Her knees felt like water, and she would look pretty silly falling to the floor in a mindless puddle.
Be strong, she warned herself, bringing to her mind a picture of the skinny LaNae. Hadn’t he been hugging her a few minutes ago? Strength rushed through her–and just in time. Giving a final squeeze, Tyler drew away, leaving her feeling disoriented.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all night,” he said, his voice low and husky. “Welcome home, Savvy. I’m glad you’re back.”
“It’s good to be back.” And it was–if she discounted the crazy emotions in her chest.
Again he gave her his dimpled smile. She wanted to reach out and trace the indentation with her finger. Instead, she crossed her hands over her stom
ach.
“You know,” he said, “when I was fired at the paper, I kept thinking that I needed to talk to you about it all. I knew you would understand why I wrote what I did.”
“What did you write?”
He leaned against the door frame. “Well, a certain politician’s daughter has been making a few headlines with her escapades, the latest of which is an unwed pregnancy. She’s only sixteen, and everyone knows that her parents basically let her do whatever she wants. I felt I should place the blame where it belonged–squarely on the parents. The dad especially. If he’d made and enforced rules, it might not have happened. And if he can’t raise his own family in a respectable way, how on earth could he guide a whole group of people?”
Savvy nodded sympathetically. “I can certainly see why you wrote it, but do you really know he’s so terrible? I mean, a lot of good parents have kids that go astray.”
“Are you telling me I was wrong?” He grimaced slightly. “Though I guess that’s highly possible. It seems I’ve been wrong about a lot of things lately.”
Savvy didn’t dare pursue that last statement. What other things had he been wrong about–going to California to get her? Not proposing to his girlfriend sooner?
“Not wrong exactly,” she responded. “You’re probably right about the mistakes that politician made. Hopefully, he’s learned. But now that they’re made, where does he go from here?” Savvy had been asking herself that about Lexi since the moment she arrived on her doorstep.
Tyler blew out a sigh. “He loves her just as she is.”
“Still trying, of course, to make up for his mistakes.”
“Right.”
“And just because you’re a bad parent doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a bad political leader. I mean, it could mean that, but not always.”
“I should have talked to the guy.”
“Probably.”
Tyler was quiet a moment, his head tilted. They could hear Lexi singing behind her shut door. “It is harder than I thought,” he said, his voice low. “Yesterday, at the restaurant when you went to the restroom, I tried to make Lexi understand a few things that I’m not sure she has even a basic knowledge of. I hardly knew where to begin. She certainly has her own ideas, doesn’t she?”
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