2
Savannah Morrissette
The death of Savannah’sstepdad had gutted her.
By the time she’d arrived at Mercy Hospital in Wildflower Springs, Virginia, his body had been moved to the funeral home for cremation. Thinking about his lifeless body sent shivers down her spine. That image was in stark comparison to the lively, quirky man he’d turned out to be.
Attempting to refocus her morbid thoughts, Savannah lifted the camera and snapped a few exterior shots of the rundown Starry Cove B&B where she was staying. When compared to the photos adorning its living room walls, the building had seen better days.
Sadly, the entire town had. The dilapidated structures lining Main Street had once been full of charm and personality, bristling with townsfolk who shopped by foot and chatted in person rather than creating relationships through texts and posts.
Click-click-click-click.
Savannah continued taking pictures, hoping the familiar activity would help soothe her. Her phone rang and she tugged it out of the back pocket of her jeans.Ugh. “Hi, Mom. What’s up?”
Her mother had a knack for calling at the worst times. “Why do I need a reason for calling my daughter?”
Because you always do.“How’s life in Vegas treating you these days?”
“What’s the latest with you?” Debby King didn’t answer questions. Sheaskedthem.
“K-Dad died.”
“Who?” Her mother blew out a harsh gust of air. No doubt she was smoking.
Savannah rolled her eyes. “Kyle King.”
“How did you find out? Oh, lawd, Vanna, do you think he leftmesomething? Oooh, I smell money.”
“You two didn’t part on the best of terms.”
“He always had a soft spot for you, though. Areyoulisted in his will?”
Here comes twenty questions.“Now’s not a good time.”
“I’ll bet he included you. How much did he leave you, Vanna?Tell me.” A chill swept down her spine at her mother’s indignant tone.
Over the years, she’d learned the best way to manage her mother was to defuse her. “Yup, you figured it out. K-Dad left me several mil. I bought a five-story estate. Stables, hot tub, a heated swimming poolwitha hot, pool boy. Oh, and the entire thing overlooks a lake.”
Her mother’s biting laugh made her grimace. “Perfect timing. I’ll pack up and drive cross-country next week. There’s nothing going on here. Plus, I love Virginia Beach in September. You do still have that darling little house, right?”
“Uh-huh.” Savannah’s mind blanked. She did not want her mom to visit.
“Great! You’re sad. I’m bored. We’ll go shopping. Maybe pull a fast one, like old times.”
Savannah’s chest tightened. “Did you saynextweek?” Savannah had nothing scheduled, but a visit from her mother wouldnotlift her spirits. Her phone rang with an incoming call from her agent, Tilly Mason.Thank you, universe.“My agent’s calling. Gotta run.”
“Is that woman still stealing from right under your nose? You do the work and she collects the money. Honestly, Vanna, didn’t I teach you better than that?”
“Bye, Mom.” Clearing her throat and the bad juju, Savannah took Tilly’s call. “Hey, babe.”
“Savannah, I’ve got good news.”
“Perfect timing.”
“But first, how are you doing?”
Terrible. “Hanging in. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
