Right Where We Belong (Silver Springs #4)(84)

Gavin turned his drink around and around on the scarred old table. “She’s so sure we belong together, and that I’m making a mistake, she’ll do what she can to punish me, make me regret my decision.”

“Gavin, you were relieved when she seemed happy with Scott, remember? That right there tells you all you need to know. That has nothing to do with Savanna. But since Savanna has come into your life, we should probably talk about her, too. There’s something between you. I can feel it. Even Mom and Cora noticed it—the way your eyes kept going back to each other at the barbecue today. Mom said she’s never seen you so excited about someone.” He took a sip of his drink at last. “I’m going out on a limb here, but I doubt you could make it work with Heather, baby or no.”

Gavin agreed, or he wouldn’t have done what he’d done. “But if I don’t get back with her, I’ll have so little control. How will I protect my child?”

“You’ll do everything you can to ensure you get proper visitation, even if it means going to court. And you’ll keep a close eye on the situation to be sure the child’s treated kindly. There are a lot of couples who aren’t together, and their children are fine. It doesn’t have to go the way it did with you. I say wait and see if she’s carrying your baby before you worry too much about that, okay?”

“So I should give what I feel for Savanna a chance.”

“Definitely. Get to know her, see what happens.”

“In spite of the fact that another woman might be pregnant with my child?”

“Life is messy. If she cares about you, she’ll understand how it happened and that you want to be a good father. She’ll support you in doing the right thing.”

“What about what she’s been through recently?”

“What about it? Can you think of a time when she might need you more?”

No, he couldn’t. And Gavin wanted to be there for her. Her kids mattered, too. If Gordon went to prison, they wouldn’t have a father, not even one who could take them on weekends. Why should they be any less of a consideration than the baby Heather was carrying, even if it was his? Every child mattered. “Okay. Here’s hoping she hasn’t decided she never wants to see me again,” he said, and stood.

Eli gestured at what remained of their drinks. “Wait. We haven’t finished our whiskey.”

“I don’t feel like drinking anymore. We both have to work tomorrow,” Gavin said, and Eli started to laugh.

*

After she hung up with Reese, even after she’d put the kids to bed and had a shower herself, Savanna wouldn’t let herself go out of the house, not even to stand on the porch and enjoy the stars. She knew she wouldn’t look at the sky for long. She’d head down to the creek to see if Heather was still at Gavin’s, and what would be the point of finding out? Why continue to torture herself? He’d told her he was getting back with his former girlfriend. She needed to accept that, despite the confusing encounter they’d had at the barbecue earlier. Those few seconds of unbridled passion had flared up out of nowhere—and then nothing. The way he’d behaved, both before and after, suggested he hadn’t changed his mind about the future. She needed to accept that Heather was going to be around a lot—at least until they moved to Nashville—and quit cringing every time she thought of running into them together.

The next day when she drove past his place on her way to the grocery store, she told herself not to even glance over, but she couldn’t help it.

The Pathfinder wasn’t there. Neither was Gavin’s rental car, which he was still driving because he didn’t yet have his truck back from the collision repair place. But the absence of both vehicles didn’t tell her anything. This time of day, they’d both be at work.

“She’ll be there again tonight,” she muttered as she came to a stop in front of the mailboxes.

“Did you say something?” Branson asked.

Savanna looked over at her son. He rode in the passenger seat, while Alia sat in back, since she was smaller and it was safer there. “Me? No. Nothing important, anyway.”

“It’s my turn to get the mail!” Alia called out. Branson had done it yesterday, so Savanna gave her daughter the key.

It took Alia longer than Branson. She had to stand on her tiptoes, and the lock wasn’t always easy for her small hands to manage. But she enjoyed the challenge, so Savanna didn’t mind the wait.

“We got three letters and a magazine,” Alia announced as she climbed in the car.

“I hope the letters aren’t all bills,” Savanna joked.

Branson reached back to take the mail and glanced through it. He handed Savanna the magazine, then a notice from the power company and a solicitation for a new credit card.

“What’s that one?” Savanna asked when he held the last envelope for several seconds.

“It’s a letter from Daddy,” he replied softly.

She could tell her son missed his father.

Branson was a good reader for third going on fourth grade, but she didn’t dare let him attempt to read what Gordon had sent, whether he missed him or not. She had no idea whether Gordon would be sending his love or villainizing her for leaving him.

Fortunately, Branson didn’t ask to open it. Pretending he didn’t care what Gordon might have to say, he handed off that letter, too. “I wish he’d just leave us alone,” he grumbled.