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The large pink and cream sign announcing “Savannah House” appeared almost out of nowhere. The paint was chipping and the letters were faded. It was almost as if Miss Hattie had given up on the idea of guests. Callie turned down the private road that had once been lined with stunning magnolia bushes and an abundance of roses. Everything had died or was dying.
“What a shame about the garden,” Olivia said, her head turning in every direction to check out the vast property.
“I almost don’t even recognize the place.” Callie continued down the lane, taking in every aspect of the resort.
Even though the place didn’t look its best and had surely seen better days, it was still a breathtakingly beautiful place. She continued to drive, knowing that in a matter of moments they were going to be treated to one of the most glorious sights to behold. She heard Olivia let out a sigh at the same time as she did.
She parked the car just as the beach and ocean came into view in the distance. This, she thought, was what made Savannah House spectacular—the fact that it was perched on a wonderful stretch of Savannah Beach.
Callie and Olivia hopped out of the car and stood gazing at the jaw dropping view in front of them. When they were teenagers they used to take their lunch breaks out on the beach, sometimes even going in for a dip after they ate their picnic lunches. Those were the good old days, Callie thought. Back when all six of them had been close friends—herself, Olivia, Charlotte, Fancy, Morgan and Hope. Even though Charlotte was her cousin and a member of the Duvall family, Callie couldn’t say they were close. Not anymore. So much had happened since then—rifts and misunderstandings that had strained their relationships. Even though she and Olivia had remained best friends, the group as a whole had splintered apart. It made her head hurt to think about it.
The sound of crunching on the pebbled driveway heralded Mac’s arrival. Callie turned toward him, wanting to get a glimpse of his face as he first laid eyes on Savannah Beach. “Wow. This is almost as beautiful as Cape Cod,” he gushed. “I’ll have to take a dip and do a comparison. It sure is a prime spot for a bed and breakfast. A shame it’s not operational anymore.”
“It is,” Callie agreed. “But Miss Hattie is getting on in years. With no family to speak of, i
t must have been difficult to run the place.”
“Should we go say hello to her?” Olivia suggested.
“That would be nice,” Callie said. “I’d love to introduce you to her, Mac. To show her how we overcame what they tried to do to us.”
Mac pulled her against his shoulder and ran his hand over the back of her head. “I’d love to meet your friend, Callie. Anyone who owns a spread like this must have some interesting stories to tell.”
Callie and Olivia shared an amused glance.
“Oh, Mac. You don’t know the half of it. Miss Hattie has so many stories it would make your head spin,” Olivia teased as they headed toward the front entrance of Savannah House.
Callie reached out and pressed the bell, smiling as she heard the faint sounds of the doorbell chiming from inside. It took two more rings until the door began to slowly open up. A rail thin woman with beautiful mocha skin stood in the doorway, a look of deep pleasure etched on her face.
“Callie! Olivia. Oh, my stars! I haven’t laid eyes on the two of you in ages.”
Pearl Lucas flung her arms wide open. Callie and Olivia threw themselves into her arms. The three women hugged tightly for a moment, their body language speaking volumes. By the time they let go of one another, tears were running down all of their faces.
“Oh, Mrs. Lucas, you’re right. It’s been forever,” Callie said with a sniff.
“Too long,” Olivia murmured. “And we’ve missed Morgan like crazy.”
Pearl shook her head. “Tell me about it. That girl of mine is still overseas working.” She let out a sigh. “She keeps saying she’s coming home. I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Olivia and Callie exchanged a look. Both of them were under the belief that Morgan was overseas because she was running away from something…or someone. Her departure from Savannah had been unexpected, and unfortunately had come on the heels of Fancy’s dramatic exit out of town. But at least with Fancy they had all known that her cancelled wedding to Callie’s cousin, Case, had been the reason she had fled town.
“Come on in,” Pearl instructed them with a wave. “Don’t stand on ceremony.”
Once they stepped into the house, Pearl placed her hand on her hip and looked Mac up and down. “Now who do we have here?”
Mac flashed her one of his most endearing grins.
“Pearl, this is my brother, Mac Donahue. Mac, this is Pearl Lucas. Her daughter Morgan grew up with us and we were all in each other’s pockets for most of our lives.”
Pearl raised an eyebrow and looked between Mac and Callie. “So…I assume he’s your biological brother. I remember you telling Hattie and I years ago that you were adopted.” She scratched her head. “I know I’m getting older, but I could have sworn you told us he had passed.”
“It’s a long story, Pearl. You might want to wait to hear it at the same time as Hattie so I don’t have to tell it twice,” Callie said.
“It’s nice to meet you, Pearl,” Mac said, reaching down and placing a kiss on her rounded cheek.
Pearl blushed and let out a giggle. “My my. Handsome and charming.” She nudged Callie in the side. “You hit the jackpot as far as brothers are concerned.”
“I sure did,” Callie crowed. “Mac was always my hero when we were kids. Not much has changed in that area. I still think he hung the moon.”
