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“Until a few weeks ago, yes. So, as I’m sure you can understand, Callie is feeling very betrayed and emotional, yet thankful to be reunited with Mac. He seems like a really decent guy. He was raised in Cape Cod by a couple who adopted six other boys. They’re a really tight-knit family who has stood together through some rough times.”
“It was really brave of him to hunt Callie down,” Jax said, feeling guilty about his negative reaction to Mac when he’d first seen him.
“It was,” Luke acknowledged. “It could have been a wild goose chase but he followed through.”
“So, after all these years of separation, they’re still close? They seemed like two peas in a pod. How do you feel about that?”
“Callie will always be my sister. I’m really happy for the two of them. After the childhood they had—”
“What was it like?” Jax interrupted. “Their childhood?” How foolish he had been to think that he knew everything about Callie
Luke shook his head. “Anything else you’re going to have to get from Callie. I’ve said enough.”
Jax felt as if he had a hundred or more additional questions to ask Luke, but he knew when not to push his friend past his limits. As it was, he had already told him plenty about Callie’s situation.
A slow fury began to build inside him. Lionel had used him in the worst way. He had sent him to the Duvall mansion in order to convince Callie not to move out. And he had withheld information from him—crucial details about the rift between him and his daughter. Lionel had deliberately chosen not to convey the truth to Jax. He had been sent on a fool’s errand.
As he ate in companionable silence with Luke, his mind swirled with a dozen thoughts or more. Callie—sweet, lovely Callie—had been hurt by her father’s deception about her brother. He couldn’t imagine how devastated she must have been to be blindsided by the truth.
All he wanted to do was go to her and try to comfort her. But he knew that he hadn’t yet earned a spot in Callie’s life where she would open up to him or accept his comforting arms. Jax let out a sigh. It was now his life’s mission to win the heart of Callie Duvall and show her that he was someone she could lean on during difficult times…and maybe, if he was the luckiest man in the world—love for a lifetime.
**
By the time tea was served and treats were eaten, Mac had been fully accepted by Miss Hattie. Callie and Mac had divulged the entire story of their chaotic childhood, separation and the reunion that had changed both their lives forever. Both of the older women had cried over the loss and pain and betrayal. Callie had felt better after sharing her story with beloved friends. It had been so difficult bottling everything up inside over the past few weeks. She had been very wary about sharing her story with anyone other than Olivia. She knew very well how the Savannah grapevine worked. Vicious gossip was passed around like watermelon at a picnic.
After all their tears were dried, they caught up over humorous stories and Mac entertained everyone with details about his life in Breeze Point and growing up as one of seven boys. It made Callie smile to see her brother getting along so famously with Miss Hattie and Pearl. They were both wonderful women. Pearl had worked for Miss Hattie ever since she was a young girl. She was equal parts cook, caretaker, accountant and wise sage. Even though Pearl was decades younger, she and Miss Hattie were the best of friends.
“Callie, the moving truck just pulled up. We should probably go help with getting the place situated,” Mac suggested.
Callie cast a quick glance at her watch. “Oh, I didn’t realize how late it was getting. I was having too much fun catching up with the two of you.”
“We had the place thoroughly cleaned for you, Callie,”
Pearl said. “It will be so nice to have you within shouting distance.”
“I promise not to get in your hair,” Callie said with a laugh.
Miss Hattie shook a finger at her. “You must promise to pop in here regularly. This place misses you.” She smiled over at Olivia. “Both of you. This place was at its best when the six of you girls were here adding joy and beauty to it.” She let out a ragged sigh. “It just became so hard to keep up with everything. It’s a shame I had to close Savannah House. My father is no doubt rocking in his grave.”
“You did your best,” Pearl said in a soothing voice as she patted her shoulder.
Callie bent down and pressed a kiss on Miss Hattie’s cheek. “Thanks for everything. I’m going to go move in and get situated.” Olivia and Mac both stood up. They each gave Miss Hattie an affectionate goodbye, then paused to give Pearl hugs and kisses.
As Pearl walked them to the door, Callie couldn’t help but look around her at the grand foyer and the sweeping staircase that resembled something out of an old movie. The place was huge, with over fifty guest rooms, a large dining room that sat over one hundred and fifty, a library, two parlors, a billiards room, a greenhouse, an inground pool out back and a state of the art kitchen.
It was really a shame that Savannah House was not operational at the moment. And despite its grandeur, certain aspects of the resort had suffered over the past few years. In its heyday it had always reeked of old fashioned luxury and charm. Savannah House had served a clientele that had been loyal to a fault and willing to pay top dollar for the southern getaway experience.
What could have been, Callie thought, as she sailed out the door and got back into her car to navigate down the road to the guest house.
**
“This is a great set-up,” Mac said as he stood in her living room, hands folded across his chest as he surveyed the place. Mac had pitched in with all his brute strength to help the movers transform the empty cottage into her new, fully-furnished home. Although she still needed a few more pieces to make the place complete, it looked spectacular from her point of view.
“It’s small, but cozy, right?” Callie asked. She could feel the huge smile overtaking her face. It felt amazing to be standing on her own two feet. At last!
“It’s amazing,” Olivia gushed. “It’s light and airy with a perfect view of the beach. How nice it will be to sit in your snug little kitchen with the sunlight streaming in.”
Callie reached out and hugged Olivia. “Thanks for the support and for helping me visualize everything. Don’t ever think I don’t know how blessed I am for our friendship.”
