She had been selfish. She hadn’t been punishing only herself, she had been punishing everyone who had ever known or loved her. Keeping herself closed off emotionally, running at every sign of trouble, allowing fear to rule her life. She was shocked that Quentin had given her as many chances as he had.
She didn’t know if she would have it in her to be so open-minded if she had been in his position.
She had been so blind to her pain that she hadn’t been able to see the love that was being given so freely to her.
She hadn’t earned his love, but she swore to every higher power who would listen that she’d spend the rest of her life working toward being worthy.
Savannah burst through the door of the shop, startling Valentina and her customer, but possibly startling herself even more. Impulsivity was not part of her usual repertoire. But her mind was made up. She just had to be sure Valentina was okay with it.
Savannah paced the small area near her handmade jewelry display while she waited for Valentina to finish ringing out the elderly couple. Rocco, exhausted from the extra exertion, spread out on his back in front of their apartment door at the rear of the shop. Savannah chuckled at the vision of his giant tongue nearly reaching the floor and his paws all pointing toward the ceiling. Didn’t look too comfy, but to each his own.
“You’re going back to him, aren’t you, Savvy girl?”
Savannah cocked her head at Valentina, reminding herself of her dog when he was trying to figure her out.
“How did you—”
“It’s written all over you, my girl.” Valentina scuttled around the checkout counter, arms wide. “Come and give me a hug.”
Savannah stepped into Valentina’s loving embrace, squeezing tight. “I’m sorry that I’m all sweaty.”
Valentina laughed. “I’m proud of you.”
Was she really? Savannah stepped back, studying the face of the woman who took her in all those years ago and made her part of her family.
She wouldn’t leave her in the lurch. No matter how much she needed to be with Quentin, she couldn’t turn her back on Valentina. She owed her everything.
“Are you sure this is okay? I won’t leave here if you still need me. Honest. I can do a long distance thing or—”
“Stop right there. Do I look like a killer of true love? I’m named Valentina, for crying out loud. Romance is practically in my blood. You will go there and make me proud. Just don’t forget to invite me to the wedding.”
Savannah pressed her hot hands to her hotter cheeks. She didn’t know if a wedding would be in her future, but if so, she’d want Valentina to be there.
But why did her chest tighten so painfully at the thought of leaving Valentina and everything this coastal town represented?
“What’s the matter, my precious?”
Valentina had always been able to sense when something was bothering Savannah. Lying would be of no use, because Valentina had a way of seeing through Savannah, too.
“I feel bad leaving.”
Valentina grabbed Savannah’s arms and gently squeezed.
“Oh, honey. I won’t be hanging around here forever. Matter of fact, I’ve been wanting to get out of here for a long time. I’ve stayed because you’ve needed me. Now that you don’t, I’ll move along in life. I’ve got the traveling bug in my bones. I’m ready to sell this place just as soon as you’re ready to be on your own. I’m thinkin’ you know where your rightful place is.”
“You’re selling?”
“Oh, don’t look so surprised. You’ve seen the brochures I’ve kept stashed away back there. I’ve been working hard for years—time to go spend some of that hard-earned cash on a cruise or two.”
“I’ve always seen you as more of an RVer.”
“Yeah, well maybe that, too, when I get back from the Bahamas. Who knows? I’m just glad I won’t have to worry about my girl while I’m gone. I’ll be able to picture you living in bliss with the man of your heart.”
“Have I been holding you back from living your dreams, Val? I’ve never intended to do that! I’m a big girl—you could have gone anytime.”
“You held me back from nothin’. You’ve given me more joy than anything else in this world. You’ll always be my girl. I’m just happy you’re able to leave the nest and land in a comfy place.” Valentina touched Savannah’s cheek in a maternal gesture. “What’s this? Tears? In all the years I’ve known you, girl, you’ve never shed a tear.”
Savannah gulped hard, closed her eyes, and shook her head. She had so much she wanted to say, but it was all trapped behind the brick wall in her throat.
“Go get your pretty little runner’s butt packing. I want you out of here by the end of the week. Time for me to get this place sold and start travelin’ the world while I’ve still got the ability to do so.”
As new customers rushed in, Savannah closed the door on her past and prepared to move on into her future.
***
Everything she owned had fit into the trunk and backseat of her car, which should have been depressing if not for the realization that she would be building a new life with a fresh start. With Quentin.
Or so she hoped.
She wanted to surprise him by showing up in Healing Springs, but she had tried to call and text him just to chat. To apologize for leaving the way she did.
He never answered or replied.
It wasn’t like him to get mad at her; he was probably busy. He worked a lot and spent every second he could doing fun things with Joey.
Quentin was perfect.
She imagined his sculpted arms wrapped around her. His callused hands stoking a fire within her. His lips turning into a grin before working their own magic on her. His flawless good looks and his endless humility—or sometimes, his lack of it. His need to help others—to heal even the most broken. The kind of loving, involved father he was. His dedication to his entire community.
He was too good for her, but luckily for her, he hadn’t seemed to have figured that out.
After all these years, Quentin had welcomed her back into his life. His love was as strong for her as hers had been for him. Fate was her very best friend.
The stupid smile wouldn’t go away. She felt like an idiot driving down the highway with a giant grin on her face.
Clearly Rocco thought she was an idiot, too, if his grunt was any indication. But when she rolled the window down for him to stick his head out into the wind, he wore the same smile.
Savannah admired the signs and special landscaping decorating the town in honor of their high school graduation.
Brandon would have been graduating, too.
Several weeks ago, this thought would have slayed her. She wouldn’t have been able to deal.
But now, thanks in large part to Quentin, she was able to acknowledge the sadness while still appreciating the beauty of every day.
Savannah had planned to stop in to see her parents first, but she couldn’t keep her heart from taking the wheel and demanding that she find the other half of the aching organ first.
Rocco became more animated as they turned onto the road that would lead to Quentin’s Victorian-on-the-lake.
Even he knew where they belonged.
Savannah took a deep breath of the fresh pine air and tried to steady her nerves. Positive visualization was supposed to be a powerful thing, right? She visualized an overjoyed Quentin rushing toward her, arms ready to catch her, eager to drag her into his bed. Oh, wait, on a Saturday morning, Joey would be home. The bed would have to wait for later. But maybe she could sneak in a kiss or two, and then they could take Joey to do something fun.
Magical things were about to happen.
There he was.
At the end of his gravel driveway.
With his back to her, she had a moment to appreciate the beauty of his fine, tight ass—just begging to be squeezed.
She admired his biceps as he swung a sledge hammer onto some sort of wooden pole. Looked like he was putting up a sign, b
ut she couldn’t tell what it said.
He must have finally heard the car, because he turned around, giving her a full view of his scowl, his scruffy beard, and the For Sale sign on the front lawn.
Chapter Fifteen
If his body didn’t stop reacting to the devil pulling into the driveway, he’d take the hammer to his own damned foot.
Quentin deepened his scowl and leaned casually on the sign, hoping he looked like he meant it.
He gave no weight to the fact that his heart was thudding so loud he could no longer hear her car engine. The tightening of his zipper was purely coincidental. And the fact that he wanted to run over and rip her out of the car so he could twirl her around in a dance of ecstasy clearly meant he needed an anti-psychotic.
Or to grow a pair.
What the hell did she want now? She had put his heart through the meat grinder—wasn’t that enough? Or did she come to shovel up what was left of the sludge so she could feed it to the local pigs?
He wouldn’t give her the chance to hurt him again.
Dammit, why was he reduced to the emotions of a teenager when she was around?
He had to hurry and get her out of here before Joey came home. Nana Robby had taken him to get a haircut in preparation for the graduation this afternoon. He didn’t need to see her and get a false sense of hope. He hadn’t understood why she took off the way she did, and Quentin didn’t want to have to continue making excuses for her.
His scowl didn’t chase her off. She had the nerve to get out of the car. One tanned, sculpted leg at a time.
Shit.
He cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes.
She walked toward him anyway. He fought to keep his eyes locked on hers rather than on her toned belly and slender hips, showed off to goddamned perfection in her half-shirt and low-rise cut-off short shorts. Were outfits like those invented just to make men do stupid things?
He wouldn’t succumb.
“Hey.” Her voice was as shaky as he figured his would be. He didn’t try to find out.
“I guess you’ve been busy.” He watched her throat move as she swallowed. She began to fiddle with the collar on her shirt. The urge to replace her hand with his and to tear the shirt away from her tempting skin was strong.
But he wouldn’t succumb.
He tightened his grip on the sledgehammer instead.
“You’re selling the house?”
He nodded. Once. That was all she’d get from him.
“Why? You never mentioned that to me.”
No. he hadn’t mentioned it to her.
And he wouldn’t explain himself now.
He turned away and resumed his hammering. He’d make sure that sign didn’t go anywhere.
He closed his eyes when her arms looped around his waist. Her head rested on his back. He wanted to push her away. To swear at her. To tell her he wished she had never come back in the first place. To tell her she wasn’t welcome in this town ever again.
All he could do was force his body to stiffen. To not melt into her. To be a man, dammit!
“I’d like to make an offer.” Her words vibrated on his back, sending chills down his spine. “On the house, of course.”
He tossed the hammer to the side and turned, holding her at arm’s length.
“What do you want from me? Why are you here?” His growl didn’t frighten her away like he hoped. It seemed to have made her shoulders straighten and her chin point upward.
“I told you. I want to make an offer on the house. With one stipulation.”
Yeah, there was always a stipulation. Did she want him to leave his bloody heart—what was left of it—on the counter?
“I must insist that all occupants stay.”
“I’m not selling for the money, Savannah.” His words were chilly to his own ears.
“I know.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
If she didn’t stop looking at him with those seductive eyes, he’d… He had no idea what the hell he’d do, but it couldn’t involve throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her into the house.
“Stay back.” He put his hand up to warn her off as he backed away slowly toward his front porch.
“What are you afraid of, Quentin?”
He didn’t respond. She knew what she was doing to him. She had turned it into a game.
He was doomed.
“Look, I don’t need your mind games. If you forgot something here, I’ll ship it to you.”
“I didn’t forget something, but I did make a terrible, terrible decision and left something very important behind.”
He lowered his arm. He probably looked like a fool, and it wasn’t doing any good, anyway.
She was still coming toward him.
“Quentin, I never should have left. I’m so, so sorry. I was stupid to let my sadness overrule the happiness you fill me with. I didn’t know how to deal with the disappointment of not being able to help my mother, but I know I should have leaned on you. Please give me another chance.”
Damn it if tears didn’t spring to her gorgeous blue eyes. He could see himself in her watery depths, and the image wasn’t a good one.
“Don’t cry.”
“I don’t want to. But someone very important told me it’s the only way to heal. And I want us to heal. Please.”
He closed his eyes and breathed deep, allowing her scent and her presence to go straight to his head.
“Give me one more chance. Please. I know I’m not perfect, and I know I wasn’t great to you or to Joey. I’m better now. I’ll be better. I’ll do better.”
His fingers itched to wipe away the tears that slipped down her cheeks. He tried to turn away, but her unsure smile as she wiped her tears away paralyzed him.
“I’m here to stay, Quentin.” Her nervous laugh threw him further off-guard. “Whether you accept me now or I have to work the rest of my life to earn your trust—I’m not going anywhere. I’m setting up shop. I’m rejoining the community. I’ll give you all the time you need to realize we belong together. To earn your love.”
He stared at her, wishing he had some sort of mind reading ability. He had always considered himself to be a good judge of character, but he had been wrong with her. Or had he? He had vowed not to chase after her. He wouldn’t willingly serve his heart to her again.
But she came back on her own. To him. With an acknowledgment of wrongdoing. With apologies.
With goddamned tears.
And she was wearing flip-flops. Not running shoes.
“Please say something.” Her voice was no more than a squeak. Enough to break him.
“How do I know you won’t run again? How can I get my hopes up—Joey’s hopes up—without knowing for sure that you’ll stay?”
He watched as her tongue darted over her lower lip.
“You don’t know. And I understand that.” Her hand began to rub the spot that housed her heart. “Quentin, I would never hurt you on purpose. I wasn’t thinking of how my actions would affect you or Joey. I was so lost in my own pain that I couldn’t even fathom what you were going through. You helped me see outside of my pathetic little world.”
Savannah closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around herself. He watched her chest and shoulders rise and fall as she struggled to regain control.
He couldn’t take it any longer. He had to hold her, to comfort her. He couldn’t put her through this emotional torture.
She held her hands in front of her to keep him from pulling her into his arms.
“Wait. I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. I did this. I have to make things up to you, to my parents. To this whole town. And I’ll do it. I’m done running. I’m staying. I just hope you’ll be holding my hand through it all.”
The walls he had worked so hard to build over the last week came tumbling down as easily as a precariously balanced wall of Legos.
“Always. I’ll be holding your hand for always.”
Her smile was more welcome to him than the sun on the lake. He barely had time to blink before she jumped into his arms and he had no choice but to catch her.
Fireworks went off when they kissed. She wrapped her legs around his waist; clung to his shoulders. His hands ripped feverishly through her hair. The part of him that tried so desperately to forget about her was dying to see her, to touch her, to love her.
How had he ever managed to convince himself that he could be okay without her?
He turned to carry her up the porch. There would be no more talking. No more arguing. No more fantasizing about ways to hurt her back.
There would only be happiness and damned hot sex from here on out.
“Wait,” Savannah mumbled against his lips. “Rocco’s in the car.”
“He can wait.” Quentin growled and nibbled on her neck.
“Too hot.” She panted for air, all the while grinding herself against him.
“Get into my bed. I’ll let him out.”
“Yes, sir.”
He let Rocco out of the car and swore under his breath when Nana Robby pulled into the driveway.
His erection may have fled as soon as he knew his son was home, but the eagerness would be around for a long, long time.
***
After a lunch of mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and fruit, and a giddy reunion with Joey, Savannah couldn’t stop smiling. Nana Robby had been a bit frosty with her, but Savannah couldn’t blame her after what she had done. She hoped she’d win over the older woman eventually, because she mattered to Savannah’s favorite boys. And Savannah intended to spend every minute of the rest of her life trying to be worthy of the Elliot boys.
“Time for graduation! Right, Dad? The clock is on the one!”
Savannah’s muscles tightened involuntarily. Yes, graduation was today. Everyone in town liked to gather for the event when the weather was nice enough to hold the ceremony outside in the common.
For the first time today, Savannah silently cursed the sunshine and warmth.
“Yes, Monkey Man. Wash your hands and face, get your shoes on, and I’ll race you to the car.”
Not Over You (Healing Springs, Book 1) Page 15