Right Where We Belong (Silver Springs #4)(69)

Nothing. No calls or texts from anyone.

Where had Dorothy gone? And was she gone for good? Judging by the hastiness of her retreat, Savanna could only assume that she wouldn’t be coming back. But the question was...why? She’d been so intent on forcing Savanna to give Gordon some money that she’d driven a whole day to reach Silver Springs...

Savanna replayed the scene in her mind yet again. Dorothy had recognized Emma’s name, she decided. That had to be it. Nothing else that’d been said could’ve triggered such an abrupt reversal. So what did that mean? Had Dorothy simply freaked out to think her son might now be accused of murder on top of rape? Or had Gordon made some offhanded comment that led her to believe, for the first time, he might truly be the monster the police claimed? Had he mentioned Emma’s name to her?

Savanna was about to set her phone down when a text came in from Gavin. She hadn’t expected to hear from him again tonight, so she couldn’t help feeling a strange sort of relief that he’d be in touch so soon.

We’re back. Heather’s going to be fine. From what I can tell, he only slapped her a couple of times. That’s bad enough, of course, but you know what I mean. Is everything okay with you?

She was tempted to feign sleep. This late, he’d think nothing of it if she didn’t respond, and she felt that would be easier than trying to step into her new role so quickly. After the passion they’d shared, what he’d revealed about Heather and his future plans had given her emotional whiplash. She hated the idea that he had this other woman with him, that Heather might be looking over his shoulder, reading his texts right now.

“You were the one who told him it was only sex!” She spoke aloud in an attempt to give her words greater efficacy. “It’s not fair for you to get jealous!”

Problem was, she couldn’t help what she felt. So she simply promised herself she’d never let her jealousy show. She’d back away from him with some grace and dignity, understand that he was in a difficult position and help him do what he felt he must.

Drawing a deep breath, she tamped down those negative emotions and tried to replace them with the friendship she’d offered him. I’m glad she’s okay. That must’ve been frightening—and painful. I have an ice pack here. Unpacked it only yesterday, so I can find it quickly, if she needs it.

Thanks, but the doctor sent her home with one. She’s all set.

Of course. Well, if there’s anything I can do, let me know. I’m not leaving the house tomorrow, so you can keep the car if you need it to get to work. The contractor you recommended is starting on the bridge first thing, and I’m hoping to have him give me a bid on dealing with some dry rot around my windows and foundation. There’s also a section of siding under Branson’s window that needs to be replaced.

Don’t have him do the dry rot repair. I can do that sort of thing and save you a lot of money.

Question was...should he? She was the one who’d asked if they could at least maintain a friendship, but she was afraid she’d always want to touch him in ways that were decidedly more than friendly. And she could easily guess how difficult it would be to spend any time with Gavin if he was seeing Heather. When they’d been talking, and she’d been trying to absorb the shock of his news, she’d been thinking of Branson and Alia and how badly she didn’t want to lose him entirely.

You have enough to do with your work and your music. “And now your pregnant girlfriend,” she muttered a little less generously, since she had the privacy to allow it. I’ve got this.

Just hold off. I’ll take a look at it when I can.

Are you sure?

I’m sure. Any more word from Dorothy?

No. But I have her contact information for your insurance.

I’ll get that from you tomorrow.

I can text it to you.

When he didn’t respond, she resisted the urge to add anything else—although there was a lot she felt she could say. “God, tonight was good,” or “I can’t get you out of my mind,” or “Is she staying over with you?” just for starters.

“He’s a friend,” she said, and set her phone aside.

*

Gavin let Heather stay over. She didn’t want to be alone, and he felt too guilty about what’d happened to her not to oblige. If he hadn’t been so busy avoiding her calls, maybe she wouldn’t have gone to Scott’s to get her things...

She wasn’t planning to teach in the morning. She said she’d call in a sub. But they stopped by her place so she could grab a few things. Sadly, she was on painkillers, couldn’t drive, so they’d have only one car between them, for the time being, and his was damaged.

He’d texted Savanna while Heather was in the bedroom. It was much easier to deal with Savanna when Heather wasn’t questioning every move he made. He hated feeling as though he had to communicate with Savanna on the down low. But it was his own fault, he told himself, for crossing lines he shouldn’t have crossed.

“All set?” He put his phone back in his pocket as Heather appeared with bags that looked heavy enough to support an extended stay.

“Yeah.”

He took what she carried. “Let’s go. I’m tired.”

She slid into the middle of the seat and rested her head on his shoulder as he drove, but once they got home, and he carried in her bags and helped her get comfortable, he didn’t go to bed with her. Preferring to wait until she was asleep, he picked up his guitar, went out on the porch and tinkered with a few of his songs. After such a terrible night, he expected her to go straight to sleep. But it was only a few minutes later that she came out to find him.