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An echo.
A promise.
And it fell away. The last, mangled piece that had guarded my heart.
I was his.
Exhaling a long breath, Ezra managed to draw me closer, and he started to sway me right there in the room. So softly and slowly as he rocked me back and forth in this slow dance that marked the most profound.
“Little Trespasser, sneaking right into my heart and claiming it.” It was a murmur.
“I didn’t think I had mine left to give.”
His head shook against the top of mine. “No, Savannah. I felt it from the beginning. Alive and beautiful. It was just hidden. I hope here, this will be a safe place where you can let it shine.”
I clung to him as he swayed me, and I could feel the edge cut back into his demeanor, though he didn’t pull away when he mumbled, “I saw my mom leaving out the side gate, and I don’t know what she said to you, Savannah, but I know she said something, and I’m fucking sorry if she made you think you are anywhere but exactly where you belong. But you should know that she doesn’t know me the way you do. You see me. You get all of me. I promise you that.”
My throat thickened, and I nodded against his chest. “I trust you.”
It’d been my breaking point, and somehow, it’d become my healing point.
“Good. Now, we better get back inside before my yahoos tear down the house. They’re waiting on you so they can have breakfast.”
My spirit flailed, and Ezra eased back enough so he could take my face in his hands. He stared at me, honey eyes molten. “I love you.”
Every cell in my body squeezed. “I love you.”
His nod was final.
Our permanent understanding.
Then he took my hand and led me back into his house.
The boys were already waiting at the table, and Oliver pounded at the spot next to him, grinning so wide. “You gotta sit right here in your very special spot, Miss Savannah.”
“You’re here, Miss Savannah!” Olivia shouted at the same time, and she hopped off the stool and came running, barreling straight into me and wrapping her sweet arms around my waist. “I’m really glad you came back.”
The confession was buried in my stomach, low and relieved, like she’d been afraid that I wouldn’t.
I ran my free hand over the top of her head since Ezra was still holding the other.
“Me, too, Olivia. Me, too.”
JOURNAL ENTRY
She’d been waiting for me behind my office two days ago, hidden behind a veil of ivy that had kept her shrouded. I’d known she was there, lurking in the shadows as I’d produced my key and slid it into the lock. It was me who’d looked around the back parking lot before I’d gestured for her to follow.
She’d been distraught when she’d sat on the couch across from me, her striking face covered in a sheet of tears.
“He’s a monster,” she’d wheezed. “He was supposed to love me. Protect me. Give me everything that I’d ever desired. Nothing was an impossibility. I just had to stay here in this town and wait for him to rise. Do what he wished. Get on my knees whenever he was ready for me.”
Her throat tremored. “I was such a fool. Blinded by his power and his position. Because I had no idea what getting on my knees for him really meant. Not until it was too late.”
“But you’re free. You’re still standing. Walking this town by yourself.” I’d tried to convince her of it.
“I’m not sure how much longer that’s going to remain true.”
“Can’t you leave?”
Fear had blistered through her features. “No. He’ll find me. I’ll be…punished.”
Reaching out, I’d taken her by the hand and squeezed. “You have to be brave. Fight him. Tell someone who can help you.”
Desperate, her eyes had fallen on me. “Can’t you? Can’t you help me?”
Could I? Could I be strong enough?
“Meet me tomorrow. I think I know someone who might be able to help.”
She promised she would, but she didn’t show.
FORTY-EIGHT
SAVANNAH
“Load ’em up.”
Ezra was all grins as he helped the kids into the backseat of his truck, ensuring that they were buckled and safe.
“Hurry, Dad, we gotta go!” Oliver shouted, kicking his feet as Ezra was checking on Owen’s buckles.
“Hold your horses, Little Man, I’m working on it.”
“I am going to get to hold the horses. That’s why we gotta hurry!” Oliver told him.
“That’s right, Dad.” Olivia’s tone was all of that adorable sass. “We’re only going to the best place in all the whole town…Hutchins Ranch! It’s a real bar-be-que, Dad, and it’s going to be the most fun ever! It’s Evelyn’s grandpa’s birthday today, and he’s really old, and we are for sure riding the horses because Evelyn said it’s part of the celebration, and you can’t say no because that would be really rude.”
