Right Where We Belong (Silver Springs #4)(74)

“Are you kidding? Knowing you’ll be there is the only thing getting me through the week.”

In an attempt to siphon off some of the nervous energy pouring through her, she stood up and began to pace. “I’d rather not see you with Heather. I’m not...not ready for that.”

“Heather won’t be there. She leaves for Vegas first thing in the morning. Her older sister is throwing a big birthday bash there for the weekend.”

“That’s even more reason to back out.”

“Don’t,” he said.

She pressed a palm to her forehead.

“Savanna?”

Cursing her lack of self-control, she dropped her hand. “Okay.”

There was a long silence. She could tell he wanted to say more. She wanted to say a few things herself. But neither one of them spoke.

“Did James finish the bridge?” he asked at length, changing the subject to a topic filled with much less tension.

He was referring to his friend James Glenn, the contractor he’d recommended she hire. Glenn had been working to replace the temporary structure Gavin had created. “Said he’d be done tomorrow.”

“I checked out his progress late last night. Thought it looked close, but it was hard to see in the dark.”

“It’s getting there. Thanks for putting me in touch with him. He’s a nice man.”

“I’m still looking for a piece of carpet you’ll like. Is there anything else you need?”

“No. Don’t worry about me. I’m not your problem.”

“What about the stove you just mentioned to Branson? Or was it Alia? I know you need one. Have you found anything yet?”

“I have, but it’s in LA, so I’ll have to wait.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t have any way to pick it up.”

“I could borrow Eli’s truck and get it for you in the morning.”

“I can wait until a more convenient time. I don’t want to put you out.”

“If it’s a good deal, don’t miss it. Tell the seller I’ll be there at ten.”

“But driving to LA will take up your whole morning!”

“I don’t mind,” he said. “Text me the address when you have it. I’ll get Eli’s truck before I head home tonight. I’m about to leave the ranch now.”

“You can’t keep helping me, Gavin. You realize that.”

“Helping you is all I can do,” he said, and hung up.





21

Eli accompanied Gavin when he arrived at a quarter after twelve. Relieved that picking up the stove had come off without a hitch, Savanna made sure there wasn’t anything obstructing their path so they could carry it in, and watched as they installed it. She was afraid a problem might arise when they hooked it up. She didn’t want them to run into anything that would make the job harder, since they were already being so nice, but Gavin knew what he was doing. He’d brought plenty of tools, had even thought to stop and purchase a new corrugated connector, which she wouldn’t have known to suggest.

Thanks to his knowledge and preparedness, everything went smoothly, and it didn’t take long. They were done in twenty minutes.

“It’ll be so nice to be able to bake again,” she said as she tested the oven. “I can’t thank you enough for going to all this trouble.”

“Happy to help,” Eli said.

Gavin didn’t respond. He’d been quiet and focused all morning. Last night he’d sent her a short text to confirm he’d received the address where he was supposed to pick up the stove, and he’d texted her again this morning to let her know that they’d gotten off on time. But that was it. Since he’d arrived, he’d been busy with the stove. And now he was showing Branson and Alia what some of his tools were for, since they were curious.

“That was a big drive, definitely more than one neighbor should expect of another.” Savanna knew Gavin could hear what she and Eli were saying, but he didn’t contribute. Although he could have joined the conversation here and there, he seemed to prefer talking strictly to the kids.

“I wish I could’ve found a viable option that was closer,” she added. “I owe you both, so if there’s anything I can ever do for you, I hope you won’t hesitate to ask me.”

Eli waved off her words. “You don’t owe us anything—although Gavin probably wouldn’t complain if you made him dinner once in a while.”

If Gavin heard his brother’s suggestion on his behalf, he pretended he didn’t.

Savanna cleared her throat. “Why don’t I make you and your wife dinner sometime?”

“We’d like that,” Eli replied. “Cora’s looking forward to meeting you.”

“She’ll be at the barbecue tomorrow, won’t she?”

“She will. She would’ve come today except she had to help a friend from high school decorate for her wedding.”

Savanna set the glasses she’d used to give them a drink in the sink. “How’d you meet Cora?”

“She’s a teacher at New Horizons.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Savanna could see Gavin showing Branson how to hold a hammer and hit a nail. “So you work together.”