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But could he ever trust her again?
Blake stepped out into the garage again as Savannah opened her car door. The sight of her leaving triggered something in him. Maybe he didn’t know for sure how things would end between them, but he knew he couldn’t let her walk away.
“Where are you going?” He approached her.
“Back to my apartment, for now. Back to West Virginia once Grandpa is done with his treatments.”
“Just like that…you’re walking away?”
Savannah blinked, her brows scrunched in confusion. She shut the car door and walked toward him.
“You obviously don’t want me here, and I don’t want to make things worse. I just want you to know that you’re welcome to be as involved in this child’s life as you choose. I’d never stand in the way of that.”
Blake took a few steps closer and swallowed the lump in his throat, unable to speak.
It was fear, plain and simple.
He wanted to be with Savannah. To raise their baby together. It would be difficult to get past this. To trust her implicitly. But it couldn’t be worse than the torment that seized him as he watched her turn and walk toward her car again.
“Does that mean you don’t want your job back?”
She turned toward him, eyes wide. “Your family would trust me to work for you again?”
Blake rubbed the back of his neck. “My mother, Max, Zora…even Parker… They all want you back. You’re good for King’s Finest. There’s no disputing that.”
“And what about you, Blake? What do you want?” She stepped closer and studied him. “As much as I love working with your family at King’s Finest, I won’t come back if it’ll be too painful for you. I couldn’t do that to you. I’ve already hurt you so much. I won’t do it again.”
Tightness gripped his chest as he stared into her lovely eyes, glistening with tears. His throat was raw with emotion.
Blake could see the love in her eyes. Hear it in her voice. He’d been right all along. Her feelings for him were real. Now that there were no more secrets between them, what remained was the love and friendship they’d been building. It ran deep, and it was as sweet and clear as the waters of King’s Lake.
“What I want, Savannah, more than anything, is to be with you and our baby.” He slipped his arms around her waist. “Because I love you, too.”
He kissed her. Savored the taste of her sweet lips and salty tears. Then he took her inside, determined to make up for lost time. To make love to her and get reacquainted with every inch of her glowing skin.
Later, as they lay sleeping, he cradled Savannah in his arms, his hands perched protectively over her belly. His heart overflowed with the love he felt for her and for the child she carried.
Their child.
He pulled her closer, determined to never let them go.
EPILOGUE
Eleven months later
The old barn had become a popular wedding venue, and it had never looked more elegant than it did now.
Blake surveyed the crowd of people who’d assembled in their Sunday best to help him and Savannah celebrate their special day. Family, friends, employees and townsfolk. Most of whom he’d known his entire life.
Blake’s hands were shaking. His breath was ragged and labored. A stone lodged in the pit of his stomach.
But he didn’t have an ounce of doubt about marrying Savannah Carlisle. Aside from the day little Davis was born, it was the happiest day of his life.
So why was he so nervous?
Maybe he was afraid Savannah would come to her senses, turn tail and run. That she’d decide she didn’t want to be part of this big, noisy, opinionated family.
Blake clenched his hands together in front of him and released a slow breath.
He was letting his nerves get the better of him.
Savannah loved him and their son. With a love he felt in every fiber of his soul.
He’d seen that love, true and deep, in Savannah’s hazel eyes each morning. Felt its warmth as they played with their child.
Was rocked by its power when he made love to her. Felt it surround him as they fell asleep in each other’s arms each night.
No, he didn’t question the authenticity of her love for him.
And unlike the feelings he’d once had for Gavrilla, what he shared with Savannah wasn’t contained within the small unit they formed. It encompassed both of their families.
“You ready for this?” Max, his best man, stood beside him.
“Never been more ready for anything in my life.” Blake smiled at Davis, who waved his arms at him as his great-grandfather bounced him on his knee.
As the ceremony began, Blake’s pulse raced. He watched their family and friends march down the aisle. His mother. Daisy, arm in arm with his cousin Benji. His brother Cole and his cousin Delia. Dallas Hamilton and Zora. Kayleigh Jemison and Parker—who had managed to be civil to each other through most of the proceedings. Then Savannah’s sister, Laney.
