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Luke: Just do it, beauts.
Me: Whatever jackass. :P
I drop my phone on the couch and head back towards the laundry room, but turn back suddenly for my phone. I scroll through my contact list searching for Savannah’s number. She hasn’t answered any of my calls in nearly two weeks and although I’m sure it will just go to voicemail, I click CALL anyways. The call rings twice before a mousy voice answers, “Hello?”
“Sis? Are ya outta hidin’?” I joke.
“Sorry, haven’t felt much like talking.” She states coldly.
“Everything okay, Savannah? I’ve called you dozens of times and you never answer.”
“Everything is great. I just stay busy with the kids, Carly. You’ll understand soon enough.” She sputters and I imagine her rolling her eyes.
“Well, the baby’s not due til September, but I got a head start. Colton and I are engaged!” I say, my voice bubbling with excitement. I hear a loud huff of air, then silence. “Savannah?”
“Oh congratu-freakin-lations! Heavens knows if good fortune will come to anyone it will be perfect little Carly.” She snarls indignantly. Anger is a side of Savannah that is rarely seen. Taken aback by her comment, I bite my tongue. She’s been strangely quiet lately and I can tell something is festering under her skin.
“Thanks, Savannah. I know you mean that from the bottom of your heart. Colton and Heidi Jo just pulled in the driveway. Call me when things settle down and maybe we can meet up for lunch. Kiss the kids for me, love ya Sis.” I lie, ending the call.
“Yeah, yeah, love you t-,” the line fills with an airy silence.
Savannah’s reaction hurt. She is the last person I expected to be upset over my happiness. Perfect little Carly? She always called me that when we were younger anytime she was jealous of me. We both worked hard in school and did our best to make Daddy proud, but everything always came easier to me. I was the brains, naturally where Savannah had to work harder for her grades. It apparently paid off because she is a nurse by profession, but she chose to spend her life as a stay at home momma, not wanting to miss a moment of Brailee and Braden’s childhood.
Pushing her hurtful comment aside, I carry on with my chores and a short while later Colton and Heidi Jo come through the front door. Heidi Jo is smiling adorably. An ice cream date with her daddy was obviously just want she needed. Colton puts a Styrofoam container in the refrigerator then kisses me on the cheek.
“Saw Luke in town, twice actually. Guess he wants to talk with you, so he’ll be by after while.”
“Yeah, he texted me.” I shrug.
“What’s he wantin’ to talk ‘bout?” He asks following me into the living room.
I pick up the throw blanket off the edge of the couch, folding it neatly and placing it in the chest. “He’s mentioned a few times that he needs to talk to me about Savannah.”
“Savannah?” He asks, cockin’ his head to the side and I nod confirming his confusion. “Carly, does Luke realize that Savannah is married and has kids?”
“I don’t think it’s anything like that, Colton. I guess we’ll find out when he gets here though.” I fluff the couch cushions finalizing the living room chores. “I’ll get Heidi Jo ready for a shower. Let me know when Luke gets here.”
I pull Heidi Jo’s pajamas from the dresser, then pad off to the bathroom to start the shower. I tell her to holler for me if she needs help washing her hair, then go into her room to change her bed linens.
Worry for Savannah fills my veins. We spend time together when we can but to say that I’m actively involved in her life, meaning I know more than most would be a lie. I see two sides of Savannah. When we are together, she is her usual jovial self, rambling endlessly about all of the joys in her life. But to call her or to visit her home, she seems nervous and disconnected. I think she isn’t sure how to be herself around me and her husband, Josh.
I clean Heidi Jo’s room mindlessly as a distraction from my thoughts, but there is something with Savannah that I’m missing, and I just can’t put my finger on it. It all comes back to Josh.
I remember meeting Josh Moore for the first time and I can honestly say I hated him the moment I laid eyes on him. Daddy had just died and although he didn’t have the respect to show up for the funeral, just when Savannah needed his support and strength the most; you can bet your sweet ass he was at the reading of the will. He strutted into the conference room of James McCoys’ office with a nasty scowl splayed across his face. Savannah was eager to introduce me to her husband, the proud little wife that she is. I extended my hand saying nice to meet you; proper and kind as my momma taught me. The bastard seriously glanced out of the corner of his eyes, nodded his head then propped his feet up on the table as he leaned back in the chair. I had to inhale a deep breath and remember my surroundings to keep from knocking his big, cocky ass out of the frickin’ chair! Pompous ass.
The doorbell rings and I jump from my thoughts dropping the books in my hands. I shove them on the bookshelf, then walk through the hallway into the living room to find Colton and Luke taking a seat on the couch, whispering quietly. Heidi Jo follows me into the living room, her long brown curls dripping of water down the back of her pajama top.
Colton looks up at me with a frown, a deep furrow set between his brows. Damn, he’s jealous of Luke, still? He glances over to Heidi Jo then pounces to his feet.
“Princess, let’s get your hair dried and get you in bed.” He stops by my side, and glares at me intensely as he trails his finger across my chin. “Love you, darlin’. I’ll be back in ten minutes.” He stomps past me, taking Heidi Jo by the hand.
The dreadful, pained look on Luke’s face stills me in my stance. Whatever he wants to tell me ain’t good. He pats the cushion beside him and I have to will my feet to move. I give Luke a one armed hug as I sit and smile inwardly at the warmth that blankets over me. His face expresses sadness but the man is always warm and welcoming, regardless of the pain he carries. He glances down at my rounded belly and the gleaming smile that I love tips up on his lips.
“Beauts, you’re as beautiful as ever.”
“Thank you, Luke. So what did you want to talk to me about?” I twist my hands nervously in my lap. Luke reaches over and laces our fingers together, resting them on his knee. He exhales a long pent up breath and his smile fades. He swallows harshly past the lump in his throat and looks down at our hands as he speaks.
“I’ve seen many things in my life, Carly. Things I wish I could erase from my memory, things that haunt me. I have a very empathetic gift; if I see someone’s anguish, I hurt with them.” He looks up with a sad smile as he traces circles lazily on my knuckle. “I think that was what attracted me to you, I could see you were hurtin’. The pain I see in Savannah is much deeper, and I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t say something about it. It’s not my place to interv
