“Actually, Mom, David is working the trailer and I’m at Silverwood with a woman and her children.” I clear my throat. There’s no way I’m going to escape disappointing her. David’s words ring in my ears about not dating a single mother.
“Oh, Knox, that sounds wonderful. Don’t worry about it, dear. I wanted to get Christina out of the house. Maybe I can talk her into leaving the twins with me and she can go out with her husband. Now, go have fun and don’t worry about it anymore.” She lowers her voice. “I’ll handle your father.”
We say our goodbyes and I apologize again before hanging up.
Savvy is standing off to the side with her kids and they’re quietly talking as Savvy pulls Abby’s hair into a French braid. “No, Dexter. You’re not going to take food on any ride. They won’t let you.”
“I want to get a job here when I’m older.” Dexter looks at his mom like he’s asking her permission.
“Tell you what, you keep your grades up and we’ll talk about it.” Savvy’s patience is endearing.
I smile as I cross the short distance to them. “Okay, Millers. Are you ready to do this? We only have two hours to get sick before we eat and try again.”
Savvy’s groans are drowned out by the kids’ yeses.
I reach out and pull Savvy to my side as I steer everyone toward the ticket booth. “Come on. Let’s start having some fun.”
And with the tingle in my hand at touching her, I commit to myself to break down her defenses. I’m not going to accept a just-friends situation. Not anymore. I’m going after commitment, even if she wants to run away.
Maybe all she needs is to be chased.
Chapter 21
Savvy
Why is Knox so addicting to be around?
Women stare at him as we pass by, and why wouldn’t they? He’s like a walking dessert. And calorie free! It doesn’t get any better than that. It can’t. Until he starts talking to my kids about things they’re worried about and he soothes their fears.
Then he just becomes every woman’s fantasy. And he can cook.
I’m an idiot for not pursuing more with him.
But the fear that I’m going to get hurt when he realizes I’m not as special as he is holds me back.
The breeze is nice and I’m grateful for the reprieve from the north Idaho sun this time of year. It’s not the first time today I’m forced to fan myself with a map of the park.
All kinds of people, locals and tourists, walk by where I sit on a bench set up outside Corkscrew. The ride is a short but fast rollercoaster that literally goes around like a corkscrew. Knox, Abby and Dexter rushed off as soon as I said I was happy sitting and waiting.
Knox is like a big kid and I think I like that about him. He isn’t having any problems getting on the kids’ level and hanging out. I’m still stuck in my rigid ways of being on guard and in control.
I lean back on the bench and sigh in contentment. I don’t mind waiting for them. Just sitting and being is nice, even if I didn’t put it down in my planner.
“Savanah? What are you doing here?” Keith’s voice pulls me from my thoughts and I tense.
Whipping my head in the direction of his voice, I clench my free hand on the edge of the bench and sit straight up.
He walks toward me, his forehead furrowed. “What are you doing here?”
“What do you do at a theme park?” I laugh like we’re both in on the joke, but he doesn’t laugh or even quirk a smile. I clear my throat and motion toward the ride. “I’m here with the kids.” I don’t add that I’m with Knox, too. Why add fuel to a fire?
Besides, why should Keith care about what I’m doing?
“Oh, well, I was going to bring them. I get tickets with my paychecks.” He clears his throat and I notice his outfit isn’t exactly one that would fit a maintenance worker.
His shirt is red and white striped over dark blue pants and he’s studying me with consternation in his eyes.
“I thought you did maintenance here?” I glance around and notice the uniform matches the other ride operators within view.
“I’m… filling in.” He clears his throat and glances around, stopping when he sees something. His body goes rigid and he turns angry eyes my way. “Who is that?”
I follow the direction he looked and try to see the approaching group from his point of view. But it’s hard when all I see is Knox from my perspective.
Knox is walking between Abby and Dexter and he’s teasing Abby by flicking her braid while taking Dexter’s hat and holding it above my son’s head. They’re walking and laughing and not paying attention to anything but each other.
They look like they’re having fun.
Getting closer, Dexter glances toward me, as if searching to see if I’m still there and he spies his dad. Enhanced excitement floods his features until it’s obvious he remembers that he’s with someone else and he glances guiltily toward Knox and Abby.
The trio reach us and I stand, certain there’s going to be a problem. I can see it all in my head – Keith calls out Knox for something, Knox swings and knocks Keith to the ground. The kids are upset. The police come and arrest Knox. I’m left consoling my children and wishing I’d opted for the library instead.
“Dad! We were hoping to see you.” Abby reaches out, hugging her father as she glances at me over his shoulder, questions in her eyes.
I don’t have any answers for her, though, as I wait for the fight to start.
A large smile spreads over Knox’s face and he reaches out a hand, gripping Keith’s fingers before anyone knows what’s happening. “You must be Keith. I’m Knox. It’s so nice to finally meet you. Your kids have been talking nonstop about you.”
Almost immediately, Keith relaxes and the tension ebbs from the moment. How did Knox do that? How did he diffuse a situation without making it worse before anything even started?
Keith laughs at something Dexter says and I can’t keep my eyes off Knox. He seems completely comfortable and I’m not sure how to take that.
Except… I’ve never been prouder to be associated with someone like I am right then.
“Mom, can we go do the Spin Cycle?” Dexter is bouncing on the balls of his feet as he asks me and I glance toward the large wheel that uses centrifugal force to push people against the cushioned boards. Only chains hold them in place.
I smile tightly and nod, even as fear curdles in my stomach. “Of course, we’ll watch from here.” I move to stand beside Knox and glance up at him. “They’re not going to die, right?”
He chuckles and shakes his head, looking down at me as if I’m the only person in the world. The moment captivates me and I can’t look away from him. “I promise, nothing will happen to them.”
I nod, thankful for his reassurances and then I remember that Keith is right there, watching every movement and word.
Shifting my focus to my ex from the man standing beside me, I smile. “We don’t want to keep you from work, Keith.”
He holds up a hand. “Wait, are you two dating?”
Knox opens his mouth, probably to say no, but I cut him off. “Yes, we are. It’s kind of new so we’re not sure where it’s going exactly, but I think it’s safe to say we’re dating.” I don’t look at Knox for confirmation.
Keith studies me and then glances at Knox. Something sets in his expression and he nods tightly at both of us. “Well, I better get back to work. Nice meeting you, Knox.” He turns without waiting for an answer and maybe, just maybe, he regrets leaving. I don’t know, but I feel surprisingly lighter than I did earlier.
I turn toward Knox, pressing my lips together and wrinkling my nose. “Sorry, I hope that was okay to say.”
“Well, I guess that depends.” Knox quirks an eyebrow at me and keeps his hands in his pockets.
“On what?” I can’t look away from the teasing look on his face. There’s something about a man who looks as tough as he does with a flirting soft expression on his face.
It does something to my knees
that I don’t want to think too hard about.
“Maybe you should date me. The last thing I’d want is for you to be a liar.” He winks at me and my hands are warm.
When did he take my fingers in his? I can’t think clearly with him this close. His gaze drops to my lips and I think if I just lean in a little closer, maybe take a deeper breath, our mouths will connect and I’ll probably see fireworks.
In the middle of the day.
“Mom? Did you see us?” Abby’s voice pulls me out of the trance I’m in with Knox’s deep, dark eyes.
I jerk back, blinking like I have something in my eye and rubbing the skin at the inner corner. “I think I have something in my eye. Hey, guys. How’d it go? You looked awesome up there.”
Except I hadn’t been looking up there. I’d been focused here; on the man I shouldn’t be falling for but that I definitely have tripped over.
Chapter 22
Knox
My challenge to not make her a liar falls between us as she jerks away, but if she’s made it this far…
Hope springs in my chest. I’m going to stop holding back. That’s the main decision I make as I continue to spend a fun, relaxed day with Savvy and her children.
When I thought I was missing a family I hadn’t had a chance to really experience what it was like and now that I have, I can really see what I’ve been missing.
We walk from ride to ride, stopping when we see one that we want to try and Savvy is fine waiting for us.
Then we come upon the Roaring Creek ride and Savvy’s eyes get big as she turns to me, grabbing my hand and leaning forward. “I love this ride. Can we all go on it?”
“Mom? You want to go on a ride? Let’s get in line.” Dexter’s surprise is overshadowed by his exuberance to go on a ride with his mom.
I grin and nod at her backpack. “That will definitely get wet.”
She shrugs and unzips the main zipper. “That’s okay. Everything is in gallon resealable bags.” She laughs and zips the bag back up.
“Are you serious? That’s amazing.” I’m truly in awe. She comes prepared for everything.
“Mom is part Boy scout, we think.” Abby nods and grins as we get in line.
“I can see that.” I can’t stop looking at her with fresh appreciation. The woman is full of surprises and sweet delights. She has no idea what a great partner she would make.
Savvy pulls out her phone and her fingers fly over the screen as we’re waiting in the shaded line.
A moment later, my phone buzzes. But it’s my original phone line and not my made-up phone line for Savvy. I didn’t bring that one because I’m with her.
I wait a few minutes and then pull my phone out, reading the text she’s sent KT.
Savvy: You’ll never guess where I am or what I’m doing the rest of the day.
Savvy: I’m out with Spicy Buns at Silverwood. He brought my whole family. And… I think we’re dating, but I’m not sure.
Me: Wow, sounds like fun. Ask him. If you think you’re dating, but aren’t sure, check. It’s not hard.
I hold my phone like I’m still texting even after I’ve hit send.
Abby nods toward the restrooms just off the way. “Mom, can I run and use the bathroom?”
“Me, too?” Dexter’s hair falls across his forehead and his mom brushes it back.
“Sure. Be careful. We’ll hold our spots.” Savvy watches them dart off together, a soft proud smile on her lips. “You know, if I got nothing else from Keith, at least I have them.”
“Yeah, they’re great. I have to agree.” I shuffle alongside her as the line moves ever-slowly forward.
“So, since I don’t want to be a liar and you don’t want me to be either… What if we give this dating thing a try?” Her words jerk my attention her away and I study her nervous expression.
If she had any idea how fetching she is, she wouldn’t be nervous. Ever.
My smile blooms slowly and I refuse to stop it. “Really? You’d consider going out with me? What about a breakfast date or something? We can keep it simple.” It’s not a question, but at the same time it is.
She shakes her head. “Nah, let’s not do breakfast. Are you busy tonight? I wouldn’t mind doing a later dinner. If you have other plans, we don’t have to, though.” Her blue eyes have doubts. So many doubts. I want to push them away and help raise her confidence by the truckfuls.
“Hey, I’m open. Are we taking the kids?” I don’t mind, but at the same time I would love to have a little bit of time with just Savvy.
“No. They need to get to bed. They have school in the morning. It’s end of terms this week before summer break and they can’t afford to not be ready.” She shrugs. “We can drop them off and get them settled and then go out, unless you need to go and change or something?”
I look down at the jeans I wore paired with the light blue polo. “I’m good in this unless you think I need to dress up more?”
“I think you look perfect, actually.” Her cheeks flush and I want to touch her skin, see if it’s as warm as it looks.
“Okay, then, it’s a date.” I grin at her and she returns the smile.
We shuffle forward again and she returns to her phone.
I smother the widening in my smile. I know who she’s texting now and I don’t want to interrupt.
My phone buzzes and Savvy glances at me with a small smile on her face. She has no idea I just got a text, but she must have been texting about me. Of course, she is. I’m Spicy Buns or BBQ Buns or whatever.
The nicknames make me laugh. I’m fine with her thinking I’m good looking. The entire group made quite a big deal about my pictures with Apple. The only problem was, it made me very uncomfortable seeing them.
Because they don’t know I’m KT. They don’t know I’m learning from them and taking advantage of the situation. They don’t know that I’m the biggest liar of the group.
Guilt tugs at me.
I pull my phone out.
Savvy: We’re going out tonight! Oh, my word. This is actually happening?
Me: What happened to not dating? What changed?
Savvy: He’s not like I thought he was. He’s kind and honest and…
Me: What did you think he was?
Savvy: I’m still trying to figure that out. I think all of my assumptions about everyone are getting tossed upside down right now. I’ll get back to you.
Me: Let me know how that date goes and good luck.
She sends back a smiley face.
We’re at the front of the line and the kids join us in the nick of time.
***
“Do you want me to check your place for serial killers?” I laugh as we pull into the driveway and Abby rolls her eyes.
“If there are any killers in there, Spike will get them.” She pushes on Dexter who has fallen asleep on her shoulder. “Wake up, Dex. We’re home.”
“Come on in.” Savvy glances at Abby as they pile out of the truck. “I’m going out with Knox for a little bit. I’ll get you guys settled, but then I’m going to be gone for an hour or so, okay?” There’s really no question in her voice as she seems to silently tell Abby it better be okay with her eyes.
Wrong Text, Right Reply: A Sweet Accidental Romance (An Accidental But Perfect Romance Book 1) Page 15
