He couldn’t seem to stop grinning, he realized. Strangely, his heart was thumping like crazy and his palms felt a bit sweaty. She waved him in to the cottage, then moved over toward an end table to pick up her purse. It gave him an extra moment to admire her appearance. She had swept her hair up in a complicated up-do, the type he could never pronounce. It was elegant and sleek. A few tendrils had escaped and were gently framing her face. Long, dangly earrings hung from her ears. She wore a dress that stopped just above her knee. It looked like the material was satin. The color of her dress was magnificent. It was a vibrant plum color. It went nicely with her hair and her complexion. It showcased her shapely legs and her toned arms. She wore a little wrap around her shoulders. He had the feeling it was more of a fashion accessory than anything since the weather was bordering on humid.
After grabbing her purse she turned toward him, her eyes full of curiosity. “Where are we headed?”
“I thought River House would be a great place.” He threw it out there casually, even though he felt anything but casual.
“I love River House,” Callie said, making his spirits soar. “I haven’t been there for a while.”
“Great,” he said with a relieved smile. “Let’s go.”
During the ride to Savannah, they easily made conversation. There were certain advantages to knowing someone for most of your life. There was always plenty to talk about.
“How do you like living out here?” Jax asked. “It’s a different vibe from the city.”
“I like it a lot,” she admitted. “It’s quiet, which allows me to think. And I need peace and tranquility. At dusk I’ve been walking along the beach. It reminds me of summer vacations when my family used to rent a house out here.”
“I remember that house,” Jax said, grinning at the memory. Luke had invited him to stay over for a few nights so they could spend their days crabbing and swimming. Hunter had been there too. And Case. Lazy summer nights on Tybee Island. The youthful version of himself had believed that there couldn’t be anything finer than spending time with the Duvalls. It was funny how other families always seemed more interesting than your own.
“That was the first time in my life I realized that I could be content living on the beach. The surf roaring in my ears. The feel of the sand between my toes.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “Paradise.”
“Are you cold?” Jax asked. “I could turn the air off. It was so humid today I figured we would be stuffy.”
“I’m fine. I like it.” A quick glance in her direction showed Callie in profile. She was gazing out the window with a pensive expression on her face.
“Tell me if this is none of my business, but I heard through a few sources that Hope came back to town.”
Callie turned toward him, a hopeful expression etched on her face. “Seriously? I haven’t heard a thing.” She shook her head. “It’s funny that she and Morgan are both coming back at the same time.”
“Are things still…rocky within the group?”
“Yes,” she said with a sigh. “Everything is still seriously messed up. It’s like a bomb exploded and all our friendships just were blown apart. It all unraveled so quickly.”
“Not you and Olivia though. I think it would take a tsunami to tear you two apart,” he said in a teasing voice. “You’ve been riding together since we were in first grade.”
Just as he’d hoped, Callie grinned. “You’re right about that. I can’t ever imagine we’d lose our way. We’ve made a pact. If anything ever happens that might tear our friendship apart, we’re going to fly to a deserted island just the two of us and hash things out.”
Jax chuckled as a picture formed in his mind of Callie and Olivia roughing it in paradise.
“I like the idea of that,” Jax said. “I bet a lot of marriages could be saved if couples did that.”
Jax navigated his car through the downtown area of Savannah. The restaurant was located on River Street by the waterfront. After he found a lot and paid the attendant, they walked down the cobbled streets towards the Savannah River. In the distance sat the Savannah River Queen, one of the tour boats that tourists flocked to so they could experience the charms of a river ride.
A couple walked in front of them holding hands. In a perfect world, he would be holding Callie’s hand at this very moment.
Nice and slow. Don’t always rush things. His father’s voice crashed over him, reminding him of the fact that it had been quite some time since he had last seen him. He had been so furious with him ever since his jail sentence. Jax still wrestled with the idea that his father’s greed had allowed him to lose perspective of the risks he was taking. He had ruined his own life—and his mother’s also by association—due to avarice. Jax considered himself to be a big boy. He had licked his wounds and moved on. But had he really? Wasn’t he still brooding about the whole situation?
“Is something wrong? You look tense.” Callie’s honeyed voice brought him out of his thoughts.
“I was thinking about my father. About things he taught me.” He grimaced. “Part of me wonders when things got so complicated.”
“I feel the same way. It’s hard to wrap your head around discovering that someone you thought was an incredible human being…did terrible things.” Callie’s lovely face held a troubled look.
“Maybe in the long run, they’re just human.” It had taken him a while, but as of late he was beginning to realize that he’d put his father on a pedestal. It wasn’t fair. After all, he was just a man.
“Maybe,” Callie said in a soft voice. He could tell that she was mulling things over in her head. There was no way he was going to push her to rethink her position with her father. It wouldn’t be right. Callie needed to come to her own realizations in her own time.
River House was just within sight. Like Callie, River House was one of his favorite restaurants. Situated on River Street, the establishment was located in an 1820’s King cotton warehouse. From the inside, customers could sit at their table and watch boats effortlessly glide down the river. It was a relaxed and charming atmosphere.
Once they entered River House they were ushered to a quiet table in the back. Jax had called ahead of time in order to ensure that they would have an intimately situated table so they could talk. He wanted to know everything about Callie. Not the things he’d always known ever since they were kids, but the things that lay under the surface. It was clear that Callie was in transition-mode. He wanted to know her hopes, her dreams, her fears. Where did she see herself in five years? Because the truth was, he felt as if his future was wrapped up in Callie. The strength of his feelings frightened him at times. Instead of waning, they only seemed to grow stronger with time.
A perky, sweet-faced waitress showed up at their table, announcing that she was Mary Alice and she’d be taking care of them this evening. “Why don’t I take your drink orders while you take a peek at our menu?” she suggested.
“I’ll have a peach Long Island ice tea,” Callie said.
“I’ll have a Corona,” Jax said with a nod of his head as the waitress beat a fast path to the kitchen.
After taking a look at the menu, they decided on fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. They each studied the menu, trying to narrow down their dinner choices. Jax knew that the food was impeccable. He imagined that whatever they ordered would be wonderful.
Mary Alice quickly returned with their drinks, placing them down on the table.
“Do you need a few minutes to decide on your entrees?” Mary Alice asked.
“I’ve decided,” Callie said. “I’m going to have the jumbo crab cakes.”
“Good choice,” Mary Alice chirped. “And you, sir?”
“I think I’ll have the shrimp and grits,” he answered. “My favorite.”
Mary Alice reached for their menus. “Your appetizer will be right out. Let me know if you need anything else.”
As the waitress walked away Callie let out a sigh. “She kind of reminds me of myself. I use
d to love taking orders at Savannah House.”
“You weren’t really a waitress though,” Jax cracked. He held up his hands to deflect Callie’s glare. “I’m just saying,” he said with a laugh. “It was like an upscale resort. You didn’t deal with money or cash registers.”
“Yes I was! I took orders and served people from the kitchen,” she said in a heated voice. “It was grueling work at times.”
Jax sputtered. “Grueling? You and your friends used to have lunch out by the patio and head to the beach during your breaks. I’ve never seen people having so much fun on the job.”
Callie tried to make a fierce expression, but her lips began to twitch and she started chuckling. It was great to see her like this. So carefree and joyful. He loved to see her laugh. The way her face lit up like sunshine made him feel as if he’d done something monumental by making her laugh.
“Best job I’ve ever had,” Callie announced. “Bar none.”
“I’m not even surprised,” Jax drawled. “And what about now? What are you think of doing now that you’ve finished your business classes?”
The waitress returned bringing the fried green tomatoes, plates and utensils with her. Callie didn’t wait to dig in. She took her fork and placed a few on her plate.
“I’m not sure to be honest. Daddy was supposed to help me find something in the company so I could get my foot in the business world.” She shrugged. “I need to refocus my efforts. It’s time I got a job.” She took a big bite of fried green tomato followed by a sip of her drink.
“If I can help you, Callie, just let me know. I do have a lot of business contacts in Savannah. It would be my pleasure.”
Callie locked gazes with him. “Thank you. I’m hoping something comes of these interviews I have this week.”
“You asked me earlier if I was preoccupied. I was,” he said in a curt tone. “I owe you an apology. The other day I tried to convince you to forgive your father.” He made a tutting sound. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since. How can I ask you to do something I haven’t even been able to do myself?”
“An apology isn’t necessary. You spoke without knowing the circumstances. Mac said forgiveness is like a mountain. Everyone has to climb it in their own time.”
“Your brother seems like a really cool guy. And I can see that the two of you share an incredible bond.”
“We do,” she said, her expression softening. “As kids we went through the fire together. Serious dysfunction. Nightmarish stuff. It’s a blessing that both of us came out the other side as whole and healthy individuals.”
“I had no idea,” Jax said. Growing up Callie had never discussed the fact that she’d been an adopted child, although a few rumors had swirled around about it. He had certainly never imagined she had been a victim of an abusive family.
Just then Mary Alice returned with their platters. “One shrimp and grits. And one jumbo crab cakes. Let me know if y’all need anything else.”
Jax and Callie enjoyed their meals in the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant. Everything was tranquil between them. He knew better than to bring up the topic of her father. That would shatter the positive vibe that flowed between them. His association with her father and Duvall Investments didn’t work in his favor.
After enjoying their meals, they ordered coffee while resisting the dessert menu. Despite a wide selection of desserts—everything from cheesecake to key lime pie—they were both way too full from the meal to indulge.
Once they were finished, Jax led Callie outside, his hand resting on the small of her back.
“Do you want to take a walk? There’s a little jazz place down the street. They have some amazing musicians there.” A quick glance at his watch showed it was only a little after nine o’clock. The night was still young.
“I’d like that,” she said with a nod. She graced him with one of her radiant smiles.
He’d done something right this evening. Callie seemed to be enjoying herself. She wasn’t prickly or standoffish. She seemed to be living in the moment and giving him a shot.
Jax let out the breath he’d been holding. More than anything he’d wanted this night to go smoothly. For some reason he and Callie often ended up bickering over the most ridiculous things. It was a residual effect of their childhood. Both of them had been strong-willed and determined to rule the world. They had butted heads all the time.
Those days should have been long gone. Rather than quarrel with Callie there were so many other things he wanted to do with her. Hold her. Kiss her. Spend a day at the beach with her. He wanted to be the last thing she thought of before she closed her eyes at night and the first thing she thought of when she arose in the morning.
Jax wanted her to be his. He had his work cut out for him!
**
So far, the evening had been relaxed and enjoyable. The rapport between her and Jax flowed beautifully. The fact that they shared a history had made it nice. They hadn’t fumbled for conversation or asked each other invasive, random comments. They knew the important facts about each other. Where they’d grown up. What schools they had attended. Family dynamics. So far there hadn’t been even a single moment of awkwardness, which Callie appreciated. Lord knows she had endured a few terrible dates over the past few years. She cringed just thinking about them.
This evening had flown by. And now they were heading to a romantic little jazz club. Callie loved jazz music. Had Jax known that? Or had his suggestion been mere serendipity?
Her phone vibrated in her purse. She took a quick look inside, noticing the unfamiliar number that flashed on her screen. She dug in her purse and pulled out her phone. Four missed calls. She frowned at the screen. Who in the world could it be?
“Is everything all right?” Jax asked.
“I’m not sure. Someone keeps calling me.”
The phone began to ring again. The caller ID displayed the same number.
Callie looked over at Jax. “Do you mind if I answer it? I keep getting buzzed by this number.” She squinted at the screen. “I don’t even recognize it.”
“No problem. Go ahead and take it,” Jax urged. “It might be important.”
Callie answered the phone. As soon as she said hello, a distraught sounding voice came over the line. It took her a few seconds to realize it was Pearl’s voice saying her name.
“Pearl! Are you okay? Your voice sounds funny.”
“I’m so sorry to disturb you on your date, but it’s Hattie. She started feeling run-down this afternoon. She went to lie down for a nap. When I went upstairs to wake her for supper—I couldn’t wake her.”
The sound of Pearl’s sobs rang out over the phone. “Oh, Callie. She’s gone. Our wonderful Hattie is dead.”
“W-What? What do you mean?” Callie heard the words coming from Pearl’s mouth but she couldn’t process them. She had just seen Miss Hattie earlier that day. Miss Hattie had asked her a dozen questions about her date with Jax. And she had been as pleased as punch about it.
“Callie?” Pearl cried out. “Did you hear me? Hattie has passed on.”
The cell phone slid from Callie’s palm, landing with a thud on the ground.
“Callie! What is it?” Jax’s brows were knitted together as he studied her face.
She stared at him, at a loss for words. Within seconds Jax was bending down to pick up her phone. He held it up to his ear. As if through a dense fog she watched as he continued the conversation she’d been having with Pearl. Snatches of Jax’s comments flittered through her mind. Sorry. When. Help. Coroner.
She shut her eyes as the harsh reality hit her like a ton of bricks. Her friend was gone. The grand dame of Savannah House had passed. Just as Callie had moved on to the property and was rebuilding her relationship with Miss Hattie, she had been taken from them. It was a huge blow.
When Jax ended the phone call he moved toward her, placing his arm around her shoulder. She pulled away from him, not wanting to be touched. It would feel too good if Jax were to take her
into his arms. At this moment she didn’t want to numb herself from feeling the pain of losing such a special person in her life. A look of hurt flashed across his face.
“I’m sorry, Jax. My nerves are all on edge,” she said in a dull voice. “I can’t believe this is happening. I just saw her earlier today.”
His expression softened. Suddenly, his blue eyes were moist with unshed tears. She wasn’t the only one who was hurting. Jax had loved Miss Hattie as well.
He reached out and grazed his finger alongside her cheek. “It’s a shock. Despite her age there was something timeless about her. It’s hard to imagine that she’s gone. I know how much you loved her. I did too. She always made me feel like I was ten feet tall.”
Callie laughed at the memory of how Miss Hattie had always treated Jax like a King. It had been obvious that she had held a special place in her heart for him. She remembered a time when they were little and Savannah House had held a summer kickoff celebration for the community. There had been games and ice cream and swimming in the ocean. Callie remembered a clown and face painting and chocolate cake that melted in her mouth. Children had been running all over the property, as carefree as a summer breeze. Jax—ever the clown himself—had wanted to do magic tricks for the guests. Miss Hattie had allowed Jax to take center stage and entertain the crowd. She’d even paid him afterward, telling him he was the best performer she had ever hired.
Hattie Alexander had always made people feel as if they were special.
Till The End Of Time (Secrets of Savannah Book 1) Page 9
