A SEAL's Consent (SEALs of Chance Creek Book 4)

by Cora Seton

  A sharp knock interrupted these uncomfortable thoughts and Savannah sighed, got up and answered it. She was being silly. She loved music. Loved playing, singing, everything about it. As soon as the audition was over she’d feel more herself again.

  She was surprised to see Heather Hall on the other side of the door when she opened it. “Come in!” she invited the other woman, and realized how grateful she was for the interruption when Heather accepted. “Want some tea or lemonade?”

  “Lemonade sounds heavenly.”

  Savannah led the way through the house to the kitchen. After pouring them each a drink, she pulled open the back door and brought Heather outside to sit on the porch.

  “Did you stop by to see someone in particular?” Savannah asked.

  “You, actually,” Heather said. “I came to ask a favor. I hope you aren’t offended.”

  “I can’t imagine you’d offend me.” But Savannah felt a pang of anxiety. She didn’t know Heather all that well. What could the woman be after?

  “I’m looking for a piano teacher,” Heather blurted. “And I know you’re a professional pianist, so I doubt that’s up your alley at all, but…”

  A piano teacher. Savannah sat back. Heather was right; she’d never considered it. Back at school, people used to joke that piano teaching was for people who’d failed at becoming professional musicians.

  “I shouldn’t even have asked,” Heather rushed on. “I’m sorry. But you know how it is when your kid expresses an interest in something. You want to get him the best experience. You could have knocked me over with a feather when Richard asked for lessons.”

  Savannah didn’t want to hurt Heather’s feelings, but the last thing she had time for was to teach a teenage boy the rudiments of notes and scales.

  “I…” Savannah hesitated. Heather looked so mortified, she didn’t want to tell her no. “Can I tell you a secret?” she said instead, wondering if she was making a big mistake.

  “O-okay.”

  Savannah took a sip of lemonade, playing for time. “I’ve got an audition soon for a chance to work with one of the most outstanding pianists of our time. I’m practicing all day, every day to get ready.” At least she should be. “Can you wait for my answer until that’s over? Once I know how that goes, it’ll be easier for me to figure out my schedule. If I have time, I’d love to teach Richard. If not, I’ll help you find someone even better.”

  Heather let out a breath. “Thank you. I don’t know why this has thrown me into a tizzy. It’s just—I don’t know anything about music. I never took lessons. I don’t know how to pick out someone good. But if you’ll help, I know it will work out. Good luck on your audition.”

  A few minutes later, when they’d drained their cups, Heather looked at her phone and said she had to go. “I’ve got to pick Richard up and get him to the dentist.”

  “You’re a busy woman.”

  “You have no idea. Being a mother isn’t for the faint of heart.”

  As Savannah stood, her dress caught on the leg of the wicker chair and pulled tight against her body.

  Heather’s brow creased. “I guess you’ll find out soon enough, though. How far along are you?” She bit off the question and her cheeks pinked. “Sorry. None of my business. God, I’ll die if you aren’t actually pregnant.”

  Savannah quickly tugged her dress free, but she knew her cheeks were red, too. “I guess I have two secrets,” she said softly. Maybe Heather would be the one person to understand. From what she knew of the woman’s history, she’d kept the identity of Richard’s father a secret for years.

  “Congratulations,” Heather said. She meant it—Savannah could tell.

  “I’m in a bit of a mess,” Savannah found herself confessing.

  Heather tugged her back down on the wicker couch. “If you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

  “It’s just—the dad.” Savannah lowered her voice and made sure no one else was around. “He wants to marry me, but he told me he doesn’t want kids.”

  “Oh, no. I’m sorry.” Heather squeezed her hand. “But is he sure about that? Men say the stupidest things sometimes.”

  Savannah nodded. “That’s just it; I think he means it, but he’s also wonderful with children. You saw him the other day.” Too late she realized she’d just blown her cover.

  “It’s Jericho?” Heather laughed. “He was wonderful with the kids. Savannah, he’ll make a terrific father.”

  “But he’s adamant about not wanting to be one,” Savannah told her. “I think it’s because of something that happened a long time ago.”

  Heather became serious. “Then that’s what you have to work on. Those old stories we tell ourselves are traps. Help him break free of it, then he’ll come around. You’ll see. You’ve told him about the baby, right?”

  “No.”

  Heather gave her a pitying look. “You’d better not wait too long, or someone else will tell him, if he doesn’t guess it himself.”

  Savannah nodded. “Last week I didn’t have a baby bump.”

  “They sneak up on you kind of fast. I’d better get back, but call me any time, and I hope Jericho comes around. I think you two would make a terrific couple.”

  “Thank you.”

  Chapter Seven

  ‡

  “What is that?” Jericho asked slowly several hours later. He stood with Boone, Clay and Walker near the bunkhouse, where they’d been discussing whether to set up some metal folding chairs outside in case people wanted to come out and cool off later that evening. Coming down the long drive from the country highway was a rig the likes of which he’d never seen before.

  Eight large draft-horses pulled a wagon loaded with something tall swathed in white sheets. Ropes criss-crossed it to tie it to the bed of the wagon.

  “Some sort of… I don’t know,” Clay said, peering at it.

  “That’s James driving the horses,” Boone pointed out. “Must be for the party, whatever it is.”

  “Looks heavy.” Walker jutted his chin at the rig. “Horses are working hard.”

  He was right. Those powerful horses were straining in their harnesses to get their load down the long track. The men all went to meet James as he brought the rig to a halt near the bunkhouse door.

  “Well, that’s got it this far,” he said jovially as he jumped down from the wagon’s high seat. “Now to get it into the bunkhouse. Good thing there are a lot of strong men here.” He went to the rear of the wagon and pulled out a long, thick metal ramp. He attached one end to the wagon and let the other rest on the ground. “I’ll need some help.”

  “Of course.” Jericho sprang to lend a hand along with the others. “What is this thing?” He pointed to the sheet-covered object.

  “An upright piano, of course,” James said. “Can’t have a party without music!”

  “But…” Boone began. He looked from the piano to the bunkhouse. “A piano? In there?”

  “It’ll come in handy lots of times,” James assured him. “Now, the trick is not to let it pick up any momentum on the way down the ramp.” Jericho looked to the others. Should they stop James? Refuse the gift? Boone shrugged. So did Clay. Oh, why not? Jericho thought. Opposing he Russells was like trying to hold back the tide.

  The next half hour was an exercise in frustration and frayed nerves, but in the end they managed to maneuver the piano into one corner of the bunkhouse’s main room. Kai came out of the kitchen to watch the proceedings for a minute before shaking his head and disappearing back into the other room.

  Jericho understood how he felt. He could picture a few of the women playing a tune or two tonight, but otherwise this piano was as useless in the bunkhouse as a bikini in a Montana snowstorm. It would only get in the way.

  James beamed happily throughout the process, however. “See you in a couple of hours,” he called out when he left.

  Several hours later, the bunkhouse was a cheerful sight, Jericho had to admit, with its door and windows thrown open to cat
ch the light evening breeze, and one side of the large room flanked by tables laden with food and drink. The room was comfortably full of the inhabitants of Base Camp and their guests, and the camera crews, of course. Their chatter filled the air, but there was just enough room to circulate.

  Jericho, keeping close to Savannah, saw her face when Maud bustled to the front of the room and clapped her hands together. “I think it’s time for music, don’t you?” she called out. “Savannah, won’t you come and play us a tune?”

  He was surprised when Savannah’s shoulders slumped at the request. This was another chance for her to practice, wasn’t it? He’d thought she’d appreciate the opportunity, not act as if she’d been put upon.

  She sighed, though, as she threaded her way through the crowd to the front of the room where the upright piano sat. She took her place on the bench and ran her hands over the keys. Savannah was wearing her dark blue gown tonight—the one she reserved for dressy occasions, Jericho had noticed. She looked as lovely as always, but she must have been tired, because her shoulders were rounded, as if she had a stomachache, when usually her posture was so upright.

  She began to play a light piece of classical music. The room remained hushed as people paused to listen, but Jericho could tell her choice of music didn’t please Maud, and glancing around, he didn’t think most of the others were really in the mood to stand and listen, either. Up until now it had been a boisterous, happy occasion. Savannah’s music was turning it into something far more formal than a dinner dance in a beat-up bunkhouse.

  “Savannah, dear, that’s very nice, but I was thinking something more—danceable,” Maud said suddenly, her piercing voice carrying straight through the music. She fluttered over to place a hand on Savannah’s shoulder, in what looked like a friendly gesture, but Savannah stopped so abruptly he could only guess the older woman’s fingers had dug into her skin.

  “Something danceable?” Savannah repeated.

  “You know… so we can dance!”

  Savannah stared at her, but eventually she looked around, seemed to take in the nature of the gathering and nodded. She placed her hands on the keys again. This time when she began to play, more than one woman in the room exclaimed happily at the lilting music, and soon several couples had taken to the middle of the floor.

  “I didn’t know she knew any two-steps,” Clay said to Jericho. “This is more like it.”

  Jericho understood what he meant; they’d grown up with music like this. Usually coming from a jukebox or live band, of course, but this was fine, too. Clay went to find Nora and they joined the other couples. Boone and Riley were already dancing, laughing as they charged around the floor. Jericho was happy to see them forget their troubles for a little while. A couple who could laugh together like that was bound to make things work out between them.

  Nora and Clay began to dance, but Nora struggled to match Clay’s steps. Probably not a lot of two-stepping going on in Baltimore, Jericho decided, but even though they weren’t as boisterous as Boone and Riley, they still looked like they were having fun. Avery was working on Walker in one corner, berating the big man for not asking her to dance. All the Matheson couples had taken to the floor, as had Harris and Samantha, back from their honeymoon these past few days. Soon the room was a whirl of dancers. That was the trouble when your girl was the one responsible for the music, Jericho decided a few minutes later. You didn’t get to join the fun.

  Instead, he fetched drinks for the both of them and went to sit beside her on the piano bench. Savannah didn’t seem to mind the intrusion. She launched from one song right into the next, and then the next, until a half-hour had gone by and the dancers were beginning to flag.

  “You need a break,” Maud pronounced. “Riley, come play a slow song. We’ll all settle down a moment, and this poor man can finally have his dance with Savannah.”

  Jericho grinned at her. “Thanks.” He didn’t wait for Savannah to agree. He tugged her to her feet and led her to the floor as Riley took her place and began to play a seventies ballad he hadn’t heard in ages.

  “You’re great at that,” he said to Savannah. “I didn’t know you could play happy stuff.”

  “Because I’m always playing classical music?” She shrugged. “That’s what people want, generally.”

  “At your high-falutin’ concerts, maybe,” he teased her.

  She made a face. “I guess you’re right. You know what? I am having fun,” she confessed. “I haven’t played like that in so long—just for the joy of it, whatever I want to play.”

  “I’m glad you’re having a good time.” He snuggled her in closer, but Savannah wriggled a little until there was space between them again.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Just hot,” she exclaimed, and she did look a little flushed. Jericho held her lightly, but as the song went on, he wished he could press her close against him. Hell, he wished they could leave and go somewhere they could be alone.

  “We could slip down to the creek later. Cool off, and have a little fun at the same time.”

  He couldn’t decipher the look she gave him.

  “Don’t you need to get married one of these days?”

  Uh oh. He didn’t like the sound of that answer. “Yeah. So? You know you’re the one I want.” He tried to keep his tone light; he still wasn’t sure of the answer she’d give him if he proposed.

  “Do you really think you know me well enough to know that?”

  Her tone was light, too, but her words twisted a knot of worry inside Jericho. She was trying to tell him something, but he didn’t know what.

  Before he could question her further, the song ended and Riley stood up. “I want another two-step! How about everyone else?”

  A cheer went up, and before Jericho could stop her, Savannah returned to the piano. He went for new drinks, realized Savannah hadn’t touched the first one and set the new one beside it on top of the piano before downing his. He sat beside her on the bench again. He was going to stick close tonight. He needed some answers.

  After several hours of dancing, Savannah sensed the crowd tiring, but she also sensed that Jericho would press her for a response to his almost proposal when the party broke up, so instead of playing another two-step, or a ballad, or stopping altogether, she launched into a song she felt sure the others knew well enough to sing along with. When she began to belt out the words like a diva on a Broadway stage, they soon joined in and gathered around the piano.

  At first Savannah played and sung song after song to put off the time when she’d have to face Jericho’s questions, but after a few pieces, she forgot all about that: she was having too much fun. She caught a glimpse of the cameramen exchanging grins, but she decided she didn’t care.

  Savannah couldn’t remember the last time she’d done anything like this. She’d focused so hard on the piano, she’d almost forgotten how much she liked to sing. The tunes brought her back to high school and the yearly musical in which she’d always participated. She’d finally gotten the lead female role in her senior year, and she’d been on top of the world.

  All around her, the men and women of Westfield and the Double-Bar-K belted out the tunes with varying degrees of proficiency. Maud and James had kept the punch bowl well-supplied with some sort of alcoholic mix she was beginning to think was far more potent than anyone else realized. Jericho had finally brought her a can of pop when she didn’t drink any of the alcoholic beverages he kept plying her with. As the rest of the party grew more raucous, she enjoyed watching them loosen up, even while she kept her head.

  Nora and Clay seemed as moonstruck as newlyweds, which she supposed they still were. Riley and Boone were competing to see who could sing the loudest. Sam and Harris were doing more kissing than singing. Avery—

  Savannah blinked as she caught sight of her friend over her shoulder. Walker had dragged one of the folding chairs back inside. He was seated on it, a hint of a grin playing on his face as Avery perched on his lap, singin
g as if her life depended on it.

  Maud trilled out tune after tune in an operatic soprano, while James backed her up with a deep bass.

  Savannah couldn’t help but grin as she switched to a show tune favorite and watched her friends practically fall over themselves cheering. There were going to be some hangovers tomorrow morning.

  By the time the party ended and Jericho walked her back to her tent, Savannah’s throat was hoarse and her ears ringing.

  “That was really fun,” she said to Jericho when they reached her tent. Even the camera crew following them looked exhausted but happy. She supposed they’d gotten great footage tonight. And here she and Jericho were about to give them more.

  “Yeah, it was.” He bent down and kissed her. She lifted up on tiptoe to meet him, and this time when he pulled her close, she let him, her whole body coming alive as his arms tightened around her. “I feel like you and I could make a life here, know what I mean?” he said softly into her ear.

  She nodded. “I know. I just—need a little more time, okay?”

  He pulled back with a deep sigh. “Why do you need more time?”

  This man loved her. Savannah knew that with all her heart. Jericho would cherish her as his wife. He’d said it a million times; he’d do whatever it took to make her happy.

  But she was keeping two secrets from him.

  Maybe it was time to tell him one. She leaned in closer, turning her head so she could whisper into his ear low enough the cameras couldn’t pick up her words. “Meet me at the creek—in about an hour?”

  He hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll be there,” he whispered back.

  “I don’t understand,” Jericho said a little over an hour later when he’d managed to slip away to the creek undetected by Renata’s minions, and found Savannah there ahead of him. The camp had been dark when he’d left his tent. He hoped everyone else was asleep.

  He’d turned off the small flashlight he’d used to guide him down the dark path, and had taken a seat on a large flat rock near the water. Savannah, sitting a few feet away, had explained all about her upcoming audition and what it meant for her career.