by Tina Martin
“I don’t believe what I’m hearing,” Florence said.
“Forget I said anything, Mother.”
“I will not. Explain exactly what hidden, secret husband means.”
Harding frowned, then said, “It means Savannah hasn’t told her parents we’re married.”
“And you haven’t told your own mother! When did this happen?”
“A year ago. We had a simple beach wedding ceremony.”
“Without your family being a part of it? Without your brother being your best man? What kind of nonsense is that, Harding?”
“It was a spur-of-the-moment ceremony with just me and her. Forgive me.”
Florence stewed for a moment, then said, “Do your brother and sisters know about this?”
“No. Well, actually, I told Mordecai at the restaurant after you stormed out. Zoya and Amira don’t know.”
All Florence could do was shake her head. “You married Savannah and now you’re ending it? Am I understanding this right?”
“What you don’t know is, when I leave Wilmington to go visit her, I’m not actually going to her house. I was meeting her in Hilton Head because she’s afraid her parents or some of her parent’s associates would see her with me.”
Anger screwed up her face. “So what if they did? She doesn’t want to be seen with you?”
“She says she does, but she cares too much about what her parents will think of me—well of us as a couple.”
“Why?”
Harding suspired, tired of talking about it already. “I don’t want to get into it.”
“Too late for that. I just found out my oldest child is married. We’re into it now. Talk to me, Harding.”
Harding rubbed his hand across his head. “I told Savannah I couldn’t hide anymore, mother. That’s why I’m ending it. How would you feel if you loved someone with all your heart and they kept you hidden?”
Florence’s expression saddened. “What do you think your father did to me, Harding? Do you think he took me out to restaurants and spoiled me with vacations and everything was hunky dory?”
“You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry.” Harding could see the sadness in his mother’s eyes. It still cut deeply for her to think about their late father, Nolan Champion, being married to another woman, yet professing to love her.
Florence ate more and said, “If it’s that way between you and Savannah—if she has a secret life outside of you, meaning there’s another man involved, then I can understand your reason for ending it.”
Another man…
He didn’t want to replay Savannah and Dudley’s interaction with each other. What man wanted to see his wife with some other man who possibly had some interest in her? What man wanted to see his wife with another man, period?
“Is there someone else?” Florence probed.
“There’s no need to ruin dinner over this.”
“Then let’s ruin it talking about your father,” she said. “When I first met Nolan, I thought he was too good to be true. He was a gentleman and on several occasions, I thought to myself, why isn’t this man taken by now? I felt like I was somebody, you know, because he chose me. Then I found out the truth, but it was too late. I was already in love with him.”
“That’s why you continued the relationship? Love?”
“Yes. And I wanted you kids to have some kind of a father, even if it was only a few times a year.” She took a breath. “It hurts, even to this day to think about how he was there for his other kids, but when it came to you, Mordecai and the girls, he was only available when he could make time. I say that to say this, son. In life, you either accept things as they are or change them. I could’ve changed…could’ve put my foot down and ended my unhealthy relationship with your father, but I didn’t. Now, I’m an old, single gal who no one wants.”
“Oh, quit that. It’s not like there’s a man out there who’s good enough for you anyway, Ma.”
Florence smiled. “If you want to meet your brothers, I’ll support you one-hundred percent.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I will.”
“When I talk with Dante and nail down a meet and greet, would you be interested in going?”
“No, but I’m okay with you going. I’ve prayed about it. It’s the right thing to do, Harding, and I’m proud you’ve taken the initiative to do so, even when you didn’t have my backing.”
“Then, why were you so upset when I mentioned it last weekend?”
“Because it was a shock. I didn’t realize you were looking for your brothers and I had no idea you wanted a relationship with them. It just caught me off guard is all, but I’m okay now so let’s get back to you and Savannah.”
“Ma, don’t concern yourself with that.”
“Why not? She’s my daughter-in-law and I know how much you love her.”
“Savannah is afraid to tell her parents we’re together.”
“But you’ve been together for two years.”
“Exactly.”
“And her parents still don’t know about you?”
“No, they don’t. How can they when she refuses to tell them?”
“Why?”
“Because of who they are. They’re high-class, wealthy, well-known people in Charleston. They want Savannah to marry another lawyer who’s from a family that has money to keep up their image. Savannah hasn’t told them about me because I think she’s afraid of what they might do to her. They could cut her out of the will. Disown her. Apparently, my job isn’t prestigious enough. I don’t make enough money to be worthy of their daughter.”
Florence’s nostrils flared. “They have some nerve, trying to run Savannah’s life.”
“But Savannah’s allowing it to happen. There’s no way her parents should have this kind of grip on her.”
“Some parents are like that, especially if they’re as snooty as you say they are.”
“They are, trust me. I met her father when I did some work for his law firm. Funny thing is, he seemed down to earth at the time. He’s a businessman, but nonetheless, he was cordial. I imagine her mother is the crux of her problem.”
“Maybe, but guess what, son?”
“What’s that?”
“You won’t know until you go there. Meet with her and her parents. You can’t hold Savannah accountable for the actions of her parents.”
Harding shook his head. “That’s not what I’m doing. I’m holding Savannah accountable for her own actions. She made the choice not to tell them about us.”
“And that’s a reason to end your marriage? If that’s the case, did you ever really love Savannah?”
“Of course, I did. I still do, but I’m not going to be the man who isn’t good enough for someone’s daughter.”
“Harding—”
“Mother, I appreciate the advice and your concern, but this is a problem I have to handle my way.”
“All right,” Florence said with her hands up. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Chapter 8
“Anna, are they here?” Savannah asked after Annabelle opened the front door of her parent’s home.
“No, they’re not.”
“Good, because I came to talk to you.”
“Well, come on in, baby? You look exhausted.”
“I’ve been in court all day,” Savannah said as she walked in stepping out of the black pumps that had her feet sore.
“Come on back to the kitchen. I’ll get you something to eat.”
After Annabelle prepared her a plate of food, she sat across from Savannah and said, “I wasn’t trying to be nosy or anything, but I heard the conversation they had with you two weeks ago. Don’t let them blackmail you with this false image of money and power. It’s not worth it, Savannah. Trust me on that.”
“I know. It’s never been about that for me. I think it’s part of the reason I fell in love with Harding in the first place. He was the opposite of everything my parents wanted for me.” Savannah smiled. “Whe
n we first met, I knew Harding was special and different from the men I’ve known my entire adult life and—”
“What is it?”
“Harding and I are married, Anna.”
Shock glowed in Annabelle’s eyes. “You married him?”
“I did. I love him with every ounce of my soul. He’s everything I ever wanted.” Her eyes filled with tears but she batted them away.
“Why are you so upset?”
She sniffled. “Because he broke up with me.”
“Broke up? You’re married. You can’t just break up.”
“Well, he said it was over. I didn’t know it at the time, but Harding was here the weekend mom and dad invited Dudley and his parents over. Harding saw me and Dudley talking. Then Dudley walked me to my car. Harding thought it was more than what it was and Anna, he was furious. I’ve never seen him so angry. But it’s not only that. He’s also upset that mom and dad don’t know I’m married to him. He thinks I’m ashamed of him because he’s not rich and doesn’t live like I live. Like my parents live.”
“I’m just going to come right out and ask you—are you ashamed of him?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Then why haven’t you told your parents about him, Savannah? Harding has a valid point.”
Savannah held her temples. “I’m afraid of what they might do to him. Harding has his own business and I don’t want my parents to sabotage his business to break us up. I’m at a loss. I don’t know what to do.”
“I think you should go talk to Harding.”
“He doesn’t want to talk to me. I’ve been calling him like a crazy person and he never answers. He doesn’t respond to my voicemails, emails or text messages. He’s keeping his word and trying his hardest to move on without me.”
“Then don’t sit back and allow that to happen. You are in control of your own life no matter how much your parents think they are.”
Savannah pulled in a breath. “You’re right, Anna. You’re absolutely right. I think I need to go talk to him.”
Annabelle smiled and said, “That’s my girl.”
* * *
Harding had just finished upgrading the computer systems for a small accounting firm and, as usual, the owner praised him with another job well done. Harding shook his client’s hand and returned to his SUV. He started the engine and glanced at the clock on his radio. The time was close to seven. He’d been putting off calling Dante to arrange the meetup and he wasn’t quite sure why. His siblings were on board from the beginning and now, his mother was fine with it. Still, he hadn’t made the call, probably because he was too consumed with thoughts of Savannah.
He’d been tempted to call her on several occasions, if for nothing else, to hear her voice. To know she was okay. Was she okay?
Her once frequent calls to him had dwindled down to only one a day now. Maybe she was growing weary of begging him for forgiveness. Maybe she finally understood he meant business and if they were going to have a successful marriage, she needed to stand up to her parents for a change. Or, it could’ve been worse.
What if she caved and decided to give Dudley Carrington a shot like her parents had wanted? He couldn’t imagine she would do such a thing, but as beautiful and talented as she was, any man would jump at the opportunity to have a shot with her. He was practically giving her up to the next available bachelor.
Harding started the car and began the drive home with his mind full of thoughts and what ifs. He needed some rest at this point after a long workday, but he knew sleep would be hard to come by when he finally made it to bed. How could he rest when all he could think about was Savannah?
Chapter 9
When Harding woke up in the morning after a decent night’s rest, if five hours of constantly tossing and turning could be considered decent, he swung by his favorite coffee shop on the way to work to pick up a medium cup of dark roast and a plain bagel with cream cheese. He arrived at the office shortly after, unlocked the door and sat at his desk, eating breakfast while checking the calendar to see who his first client was for the day. He picked up the phone, dialed the number to T & J Auto Services to confirm his appointment and after he did so, he set the phone back on his desk and took a sip of coffee. He looked up at the door as he took a hearty bite of a bagel and saw a woman approaching.
Savannah.
His stomach tightened. When did she get in town? Just when he thought she got the hint that he was serious about ending their relationship, here she comes, making a pop-up visit of her own. She had never been inside of his office—only at his house a few times. Now, she was here, looking too beautiful to ignore and sending his testosterone level up a notch.
Crap! He could easily avoid a phone call, but now she was right here which meant he had to talk to her.
Savannah pulled the vertical handle on the glass door and stepped inside, standing there quietly for a moment as if she was waiting for him to greet her.
He said nothing. He only stared back. Chewing. He did check her out. She looked good as always and was dressed like she was going to court – in a red skirt suit with a black blouse. Black heels. A big leather purse hung from the bend of her left arm. Her hair was straight, brushed down. Sleek. Lips a tint of red. She wore her wedding ring today.
Figures…
He also noticed his wedding band, the one he’d angrily left on her coffee table, now dangling from her gold necklace, falling just above her cleavage. “Hi, Harding.”
His temple pulsated. He hated this feeling of wanting her so much, yet realizing he’d wasted two years of his life waiting for their lives to begin.
She was the one wasting time.
She was the one dragging her feet.
He was married to her…not her parents.
“Listen, Harding, I know you’re upset.”
“You know but you don’t care.” He took a gulp of coffee.
“Just give me a moment to explain.”
He rolled up his left sleeve to look at his watch. “I have an appointment at ten which means I’m leaving here in twenty minutes.”
She puckered her lips and blew out a sigh. “Why are you coming across as cold to me, when the last time we saw each other, we made love?”
“Correction. The last time I saw you, you were hugged up with another man,” he said with bitterness in his voice.
“I wasn’t with him,” she said, keeping her voice level. “He was a guest at my parent’s house and I had no idea he was going to be there.”
“But you didn’t seem bothered by it either.”
She crossed her arms, purse still dangling. “What was I supposed to do? Pretend he wasn’t there at all?”
“How about put yourself in my shoes for once, Savannah? What if you showed up to my house unannounced and saw me hugged up with some woman? How would you feel?”
She thought for a moment and said, “Okay, I get it, but nothing is going on between me and Dudley. We simply have something in common – overbearing parents who are bent on controlling our lives. I love you, Harding. I thought you knew that, but it’s so easy for you to dismiss my phone calls. So easy for you to walk right out of my life like you were never in it.”
“That’s because I wasn’t in it.”
“You—”
“I was your little secret. Nobody in your circle knows about me.”
“Annabelle does.”
He smirked. “Yeah…the housekeeper…” He shook his head.
“And so does my friend Jemisha.”
“But not Alistair and Dorthea. What kind of hold do they have on you, Savannah?”
“They have my entire life in their hands and—”
“If you choose me, you lose everything.”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she said, “There may be a way I can soften them a little to see my side of things.”
“Don’t waste your time,” he said standing. “If you were going to fight for me, it would’ve happened a long time ago.”
Savannah hel
d her head. “Why won’t you listen to me?”
Harding walked to the door and pushed it wide open, waiting for her to exit through it. “I have somewhere to be.”
“Fine,” she snarled, “But this isn’t over.”
It is for now, he thought and didn’t even look at her when she passed by him. But her scent, her smell made him want to pull her into his arms and hold her there. However, the pain in his heart wouldn’t allow him to do that.
After he locked up the office, he waited until she was safely in her car before he drove off.
Several times he caught himself lost in thought and swerving on the road while heading to meet with his client. And even when he arrived at T & J Auto Services, he was off his game. He wasn’t off enough to the point where he didn’t understand what the client needed, but he was off – unable to concentrate because of Savannah.
Chapter 10
Harding breathed a sigh of relief. Savannah wasn’t at his office when he returned and when the workday was over, he went straight home. She wasn’t there either. That’s when he began to wonder exactly where Savannah was. Had she traveled back home? Was she staying in town at a hotel for the night? Was she with some of his family? She could’ve been with Zoya and Amira. Savannah was cool with his sisters. In fact, they got along better than he had expected.
When he’d first introduced Savannah to Zoya and Amira, he didn’t know how they would receive her. Savannah was rich and had a prestigious career. And she wore expensive clothes and jewelry. She wasn’t trying to assert herself as better than anyone, but to some people, that’s how she came across – rich and snooty. At any rate, he wasn’t sure how his sisters would react to her and was surprised when they accepted her with open arms.
After taking a shower, Harding put on some sweats then fell lazily onto the sofa watching TV but couldn’t shake the desire to find out Savannah’s whereabouts. He needed to do so without having to call her directly. She wouldn’t wiggle her way back into his good graces by taking a trip to his hometown. She needed to understand how much she had hurt him. Still, he desired to know if she was okay.
