Savannah ran for the house to get her phone. Wait until she got ahold of her dad. How dare he whisk Simon away without permission?
“Hez!” She let the door slam behind her and grabbed her purse off the kitchen counter to dig out her phone.
Hez’s brisk steps sounded on the hardwood floors, and he came rushing into the room. “What’s wrong?”
“The arrogance of my dad,” she muttered as she called up his number. “He took Simon out of school.”
“Why would he do that? He hasn’t bothered much with him.”
“Cold, hard cash is the only thing that motivates him.” The call rang four times before going to voicemail. “He’s not picking up. He probably knows I’m livid.” She called Simon next, but it went straight to voicemail. “Simon’s phone is off.”
Hez wheeled toward the door. “Blake and I will check the marina for Pierre’s car. Maybe he took Simon fishing.”
“I’m going to strangle that man. I’ll stay here and keep trying to reach him while you search. The cell coverage is awful along the route.” Savannah followed him out as he called for his cousin. She tried to call her dad again as Hez and his cousin drove off.
Her pulse throbbed in her neck. What should she do? This wasn’t a normal situation, and Simon’s lack of response was even more worrisome. What if someone had pretended to be his grandfather? Stories of child predators dominated the news constantly.
She couldn’t put this off—she had to call 911. Before she could punch in the numbers, a gleaming black GMC Sierra Denali pickup rolled up the driveway, and Simon climbed out. Savannah’s pulse stuttered in her chest when she saw a familiar face behind the wheel.
Michael Willard.Grandfather. It all clicked into place.
She clenched her fists and rushed to the driver’s side as Michael lowered the window. “I was scared to death and about to call the police. No one said you could take Simon from the school.”
The wind ruffled his blond hair. “I don’t need permission to see my own grandson.”
She curled her fingers into her palms hard enough to make her wince. It was all she could do not to slap the arrogant smirk from his face. “I have custody of Simon. No one can take him from the school or anywhere else without my permission. Who allowed you to take him?”
Michael raised one shoulder in a dramatic shrug. “The school receptionist knows I’m Simon’s grandfather, of course. We both knew it was fine and there was nothing to worry about.”
“You did this so I would worry, and you know it.” She rounded on Simon. “And Simon Legare, you know better than to go off with a stranger.”
Simon’s wide eyes went from her to Michael. “He’s not a stranger—he’s Mom’s dad, right? You don’t have to go ballistic. Sheesh, Aunt Savannah, chill.”
His defense of Michael raised her ire even more. “Never go off with anyone without permission. Do you understand?”Simon’s eyes widened, and he gave a slight nod. “And why was your phone off?”
Michael stepped out of the truck and pushed close enough for his overpowering cologne to envelop her in a choking wave. “Don’t take your anger with me out on Simon.”
She put the heel of her palm on his chest and shoved him out of her personal space. “Back off, Michael! I’m not intimidated by you. You’ve caused enough problems for today. Get in your fancy truck and get off my property.”
Something dangerous flashed in Michael’s eyes, but his voice stayed calm and smooth. “He turned off his phone because I told him to. Kids spend too much time on their screens. Don’t blame me for your irrational panic. As soon as you heard he was with his grandfather, you could have called me. I’m the only grandfather he has, so it should have been clear.” Michael smiled at Simon. “We had a great time, didn’t we, son? We had root beer floats at Mac’s.”
“And Pawpaw told me some cool stories about Mom, Aunt Savannah.” Simon’s voice shook, and his gaze darted between her and Michael. “Stuff I’ve never heard.”
Michael’s low chuckle held only contempt. “You can’t object to that, now can you, Savannah? The boy wants to know his true family.”
Her fury went from red-hot to cold determination at his haughty tone, and she closed her lips against the things she shouldn’t say in front of Simon. “You will not take him again without permission, Michael, or you’ll be in jail. That’s kidnapping.” Michael was enjoying pushing Savannah’s buttons way too much, and she was letting him get away with it.
She stepped back. “Simon, go inside. We’ll talk about this later.”
Michael’s lips flattened, and he gave her a pointed glare before climbing into his truck and driving off. The school would hear about this, and Savannah intended they would understand the repercussions if they ever allowed it to happen again.
Chapter 7
Hez stood and stretched. A ripple of cracks went up his spine and along each arm. He took a swig of icy water from his bottle and surveyed the day’s work. The rambling wildflower garden behind the patio was now weed-free and had a stone border. He pictured sitting in Adirondack chairs on the cobblestone patio and sipping sweet tea with Savannah as Simon chased lightning bugs across the wide sweep of lawn.
Hez wished they were here now. The patio had a firepit, and it would be fun to roast hot dogs for dinner. But Simon had homework to do, and Savannah needed to get to some paperwork she’d left sitting on the counter in her cottage’s little kitchen. Plus, she probably also didn’t want Simon to be here if Michael Willard decided to drop by again.
Hez’s blood boiled at the thought. He had been furious when he heard what happened, of course. He’d also felt a little guilty that he hadn’t been here, though there had been no reason to think he was leaving Savannah to face an ominous confrontation alone. Still, he wouldn’t mind an opportunity to have a few harsh words with Michael. In fact, one reason Hez had decided to finish the garden today was that he’d half hoped Simon’s grandfather might make another visit.
