“Considering everything that’s happened in the past, I want to thank you for agreeing to come this evening,” Camilla said.
“It’s important that Liam gets to know his father’s side of the family,” Savannah said, looking at Caden, who hadn’t left her side throughout the introductions.
“That’s very magnanimous of you,” Camilla responded. Her eyes misted as she glanced in Liam’s direction.
Rosa came and informed them that dinner was ready. They retired to the dining room, where they feasted on a three-course meal of lobster bisque followed by a chicken bathed in cream sauce with fingerling potatoes and fresh green beans.
The different shapes of the potatoes enthralled Liam. Inwardly, Savannah was relieved because she was wondering if he would bother to look up from his iPad, but he enjoyed the meal.
“This is delicious,” he exclaimed. His face lit up as he ate.
“I’m so glad you’re enjoying it,” Camilla replied. “What’s your favorite meal? The next time you come over, I can have our cook make it up for you.”
“Cheeseburgers,” Liam said with a smile as he spread more butter on yet another of the heavenly rolls that had come with dinner.
Savannah chuckled because she doubted Camilla had ever had a cheeseburger a day in her life.
“Then we’ll have a cookout the next time you visit,” Camilla said.
Cal smirked. “I can’t recall the last one we had.”
“Never mind your grandfather, Liam. We’ll have cheeseburgers with all the accoutrements.”
Liam looked across the table at her. “What’s an accoutrement?”
The entire table howled with laughter while Camilla looked flummoxed about what to say. The rest of the evening continued in much the same vein. The Mitchell family would occasionally pepper Liam with a personal question, and most times he answered. By the time the decadent desert of Baked Alaska came, Caden was leaning over and whispering in Savannah’s ear, “This went much better than I anticipated.”
“I know.” She’d expected Camilla to be ice cold, but instead she’d been warm, effusively so. Savannah eventually excused herself but got lost on her way back to the dining room and found herself in a truly feminine room done in florals and pastels. The room had to belong to Camilla.
“Lovely, isn’t it?” a feminine voice said from behind Savannah, causing her to spin around.
“Mrs. Mitchell, you startled me.”
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention. I assumed you heard my approach.”
Savannah shook her head. “I was admiring the beautiful room you have.”
“It’s one of a kind.”
“Yes, it is.”
Savannah glanced out of the door and down the hall toward the dining room.
“Liam is with his father and his family. He’ll be fine.” Camilla spoke Savannah’s fear out loud: “And I would like a moment alone with you, if you don’t mind.”
Savannah’s heart sank, and here she thought the evening was going so well. “Certainly.”
She was surprised when the older woman slid her arm around hers and uttered these words: “I know this may come as a shock to you, but it has been my greatest regret in life to discover that I steered you and Liam away from a life with Caden.”
Savannah didn’t know how to respond.
“When I came to see you in New York, I had some misguided notion you might be a townie, one of those girls who preys on West Point men in the hopes they’ll take them away from the provincial life.”
“That wasn’t me.”
“I can see that. Now that we’ve spent some time together, I can see I misjudged you and therefore made a grave error, which cost Caden precious time with his son.”
Savannah wanted to agree, but clearly Camilla Mitchell was in her own private hell. “Although he is here tonight, Caden is very angry with me. I’m not sure if he’ll ever forgive me for the damage I’ve caused, but you must know as his mother, I’ll never stop trying to convince him.”
“Of course, but I’m not sure what you want from me, Mrs. Mitchell. Absolution? Because I’m not sure I can give you that right now.”
“I understand. I was just hoping you might allow me to do something nice for you and Caden.”
“Like what?”
“Give you a wedding,” Camilla suggested, “here at the house. I can arrange something discreet without the press being any the wiser. Please let me do this for you.”
“What?” Savannah’s eyes were as wide as saucers widening to plates as she looked at his mother. “Caden doesn’t want to make a fuss.”
“I know he doesn’t,” Camilla said, “but I owe you both this. More even, but I can give you this.”
“Alright.”
A smile spread across Camilla’s caramel features. “Excellent. I’ll get right on it and send you the details.”
“Sounds good.”
“Walk back with me?” Camilla offered.
“Can you give me a minute?”
“Of course.” Camilla left Savannah, who stood by a window in the room for a moment, soaking in the view. The terrace with the low pools of soft lights illuminated the greenery, giving it an almost fairy tale glow, but Savannah had to remind herself that this was no fairy tale romance. Not anymore.
Everything was moving so quickly that she felt out of control. One minute, she was a single mother taking care of her elderly abuela and her autistic son. The next, she was engaged to marry a gubernatorial candidate and move into his luxurious home. How was she supposed to stop herself from falling in love with him? She was already treading a very fine line, and it wasn’t going to take much to push her over it. She was more than halfway there already.
Chapter 15
Savannah sensed a presence behind her and found eyes like dark chocolate and smoky long lashes looking back at her. Caden had always been drop-dead sexy, and Savannah doubted she would ever get tired of his carved face, chiseled cheekbones, and sinful lips.
“I just saw my mother leave,” Caden said, glancing behind him. “Is everything okay? Do I need to remind her yet again to not interfere?”
“Easy, lover.” Savannah patted his chest and noticed his eyes darken. “That wasn’t an invitation.” She smirked. “Your mother was actually apologizing.”
He snorted. “She doesn’t know the word.”
“Don’t sell her short. She knows what she did was wrong and that it had irrevocable repercussions for all of us. She wants to make amends, even offered the use of the house for our wedding.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I was as surprised as you are, but ultimately it comes down to this: Your mother loves you, Caden. She has her faults, just as any mother does, myself included.”
Caden stared at her incredulously. “How can you be so forgiving after everything she’s done? After everything she’s cost us?”
“Stay angry? I could do that, but the only person it would hurt is me and even Liam if I let my anger toward his grandmother rule me. I won’t do it. I won’t give her that much power ever again.”
“You’ve changed,” Caden said.
“I had to. I’m a mother now. I had to grow up because of Liam. He gives my life meaning and purpose.”
Caden’s eyes rested on her. She could feel them on every part of her being. His hand lifted to caress her cheek. “You’re an amazing mother, Savannah. Our son is very lucky to have you, as am I.”
“Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?” Savannah asked. “Marriage is a huge step.” She didn’t want to be blinded by passion.
“Before you came out here and spoke with my mother, you were fine with the arrangement.”
“I know, but …” Savannah didn’t want to explain that if she allowed herself to marry him she could fall in love with him. The first time nearly destroyed her
when she left him. Suddenly, Savannah wasn’t sure she could do it again.
“But what?” he asked. “I want to marry you, Savannah, and have a life with you and Liam. Is it so wrong to want a family?”
“Of course not,” Savannah said, moving away from him. She needed to place space between herself and his magnetic pull. “I’m just …”
“Afraid,” Caden added. “I get it, but you can’t deny the truth of what we have. We burn for each other, Savannah.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “Even now when you want to push me away, your eyes say otherwise.”
Across the short distance, his eyes reached and hung on to hers. Savannah could feel herself being drawn further into his web. “This is all new to you,” she said. “Your feelings could change. After the election is over, you could feel trapped in a marriage of convenience.”
“Our marriage will be far from one of convenience. I intend for it to be real, Savi.”
That’s what she feared. Could she allow herself to believe, to want, to hope for a happy future with her, Caden, and Liam?
Caden didn’t understand Savannah’s about-face. What happened for her to have doubts about them getting married? And how could he rid her of them?
“Do you doubt I’ll be a good husband?” he asked. “A good father to Liam? You must know I will do everything in my power to make a good life and home for you both.”
“I know that.”
“Then why this sudden reluctance?” Caden pressed. “What’s wrong?” He wanted an answer. He refused to let Savannah and his son slip through his fingers again.
Savannah was silent for several moments, then she whispered, “Nothing.”
“Say that again?”
“I will marry you,” Savannah said, repeating the words she had uttered days ago, the words Caden so desperately wanted to hear again. Warmth flooded his entire being. If she’d reversed her decision, Caden didn’t know what he would have done.
He reached for her, pulling her into his embrace, and she gave a little gasp. He cupped the sides of her face and tilted it upward. His lips touched hers, sealing their fate. Savannah’s eyes fluttered shut as the kiss went on and on and on …
When he finally lifted his mouth from hers, Savannah was staring at him dazed and confused, her lips still parted.
“It’s settled then. We’ll be married next weekend.” His voice was husky even to his own ears.
“How can you be so sure we won’t be making a mistake?”
“Because we’re doing what’s right.” Caden had always had a strong moral compass, and marrying the mother of his child, a woman he desired, made for a perfect match. There was no way Savannah could hide her responsiveness to him. It blazed in the furtive glances she was giving him even though she tried to hide it behind lowered lashes.
She desires me as much I desire her.
It was a start they could build their marriage on. He was tired of the interludes with women that punctuated his adulthood. He was ready for something different. No, he wanted someone different.
He wanted the only woman who’d ever beguiled him from his very first glimpse. He welcomed the opportunity to put his ring on her finger and finally make her his.
“C’mon,” Caden said, holding out his hand, “let’s go get Liam and get out of here.” It was time for their new life to begin.
“You’re getting married?” Incredulity sprang from her mother’s question when Savannah called her the next day. “To who? It’s not like you even date.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.”
Could she fault Carmen? Not really. It wasn’t like Savannah made any attempt to hide it. Her life revolved around taking care of Liam and her abuela, but she didn’t need her mother to point that out.
“So?”
Savannah realized Carmen was waiting for an answer. “I’m marrying Caden Mitchell.”
“Liam’s father?”
“That’s right.”
“How on earth did this happen? You haven’t spoken about the man for over a decade. Why now? What’s changed?”
Carmen loved to gossip. There was no way Savannah could be honest about her real reason for joining herself in matrimony to Caden. Carmen would tell anyone who would listen whatever she said. Savannah would have to spin it, make it seem like a love story for the ages.
“Recently, we reconnected, and I don’t know …” Her voice trailed off. “We realized feelings were still there that we wanted to explore, and one thing led to another and here we are.”
“Wow! I didn’t think anyone could break through the barrier you’ve had around yourself for years, Savannah, but apparently it just needed to be the right man. ”
“I’m not impervious. I have a heart.”
Her mother sighed heavily. “I know that, Savannah, but you only show it to a select few. I don’t recall ever being a recipient of this great emotion you have.”
Maybe because you never deserved it.
“Do we have to fight, Mama? Because that’s not why I called. I wanted to share my happy news and see if you would come. We’ll have a small, intimate wedding next Sunday.”
“Why the rush? You’re not pregnant again, Savannah, are you? After Liam, didn’t that teach you to protect yourself? I would hate for you to find yourself in a marriage of convenience.”
Little did she know that was exactly what Savannah had signed up for. Although they hardly knew each other, she’d agreed to be Caden’s wife to provide Liam with a stable two-parent home and give him the extended family he deserved.
“No, I’m not pregnant, Mama.”
“Oh thank God. Men like Caden Mitchell don’t marry women like you typically, so consider yourself lucky he’s taking a chance on you.”
“You make me sound like some charity case.”
“I’m sorry, but didn’t I read somewhere that he’s running for public office? You’re going to be in the public eye, Savannah. You’re going to need to revamp your image if you’re going to stand up to the scrutiny of being a politician’s wife, though I’m sure Caden’s already thought of giving you a full makeover.”
Savannah instantly regretted calling Carmen with her news. She’d already had her reservations about marrying Caden, and her mother wasn’t helping. In fact, she was feeding all of Savannah’s insecurities about what she’d signed up for. She didn’t know how to be in the public eye. She was a nurse, for chrissakes. What did she know about being a politician’s wife?
What if I make a complete fool of myself?
“I have to go,” Savannah said.
“Don’t forget to text me with the details. I’ll be there for the wedding.”
That’s what Savannah was afraid of. Having Carmen there would only add to her anxiety. She had to call Caden and convince him this was a bad idea. Once she explained the situation, he would see how futile it would be to try to mold her into the perfect wife.
“Savannah and I will be married this coming Sunday,” Caden told Jack when they met at his campaign office on Monday morning. They were meeting to go over Caden’s speech for a lunch later that afternoon with the Seafarers International Union.
He and his opponent, Eric Thomas, would be discussing issues important to the union. The more endorsements Caden could line up would further cement his run against Thomas, the more seasoned politician. He was determined to prove he had sound ideas to lead the state of Maryland.
“So you’re admitting you have feelings for this woman?”
“I’m telling you Savannah and I are doing what’s best for our son.” Caden didn’t want to examine how he felt about Savannah too closely.
“Does she understand what she’s signing up for? Have you explained what’s expected of her being your wife? She’s not marrying an average Joe. You’re running for public office, which means y
ou’ll be in the spotlight. Is she prepared to have that light shined on her?”
“She knows.”
“Knowing and understanding are two entirely different things. I’d like to meet her, go over the expectation and be sure she understands. We need to get Savannah a personal stylist. I know just the person. Kianna Watson will help outfit her with the right wardrobe. We want to project the right image because she’ll be heavily scrutinized.”
Caden hated to admit it, but he agreed with Jack. Although he appreciated Savannah’s easy vibe, she would need to adjust her outward appearance to conform to what was expected of a public figure. He was certain he would get major pushback. “Alright, I’ll call her.”
“I’m glad you’re not going to fight me on this.”
“No, because I fear one is already ahead of me.”
“So you want to change me?” Savanah asked, folding her arms across her ample bosom, which Caden had trouble taking his eyes off since he’d walked into her house that evening. She wore an off-the-shoulder romper that bared her shoulders to the sleek curve of her neck. A drawstring waist defined her shape and curved to her delicious bottom, which Caden wouldn’t mind pulling toward him, but she wasn’t having it.
Savannah hadn’t taken too kindly to his suggestion of a makeover. He probably should have waited until tomorrow to explain it. The day had been grueling, from the talk preparation to the luncheon, in which Eric Thomas made him seem wet behind the ears. But Caden had known he had to tell her himself before Jack could. He loved his campaign manager, but Jack could be too blunt. He wanted to soften the blow.
“Of course not, Savannah,” Caden responded. “But you’re going to be standing next to me at public events. Everyone’s eyes are going to be on you. I want to set you up for success. Surely, you must have realized this?”
“I hadn’t actually,” she replied sarcastically. “I don’t live in your world, Caden, so I hadn’t given it much thought. I guess I naively assumed you would campaign on your own, but I suppose having a wife and child in tow would be a big career boost for you.”
Caden sucked in a breath. “Savannah, don’t go there.”
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