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Savannah gives a little gasp. “That mean I’ve got the job?”
She throws her arms wide. “Welcome to the team, hun. Can you start now?”
“Just a minute—” I butt in. “Where is this floor space?”
The woman blinks. “Upstairs.”
“Who are the other people in there?”
“There’s a girls’ dorm and a guys’ dorm.”
“But is it secure?”
“Yup. The door locks. Everyone has their own key.”
“Can I take a look?”
She rolls her eyes, but then she beckons me through the bar, and out the back to a set of stairs.
“Come, too,” I tell Savannah. “Check you’ll be happy here.”
She scuttles after me with a shy smile, her cheeks pink. “Thank you,” she whispers to me.
“Just need to make sure you’re safe,” I say gruffly, belying the rush of happiness that flooded my chest.
The bar owner shows us to a neat, eight-bed dorm, with an en suite bathroom, and a secure lock on the door. There’s a space by the window where Savannah can sleep. The bar owner says she might be able to dig out an air mattress or something.
“Okay?” She raises her eyebrows, like I’m the fussiest guy in the world.
I don’t care. Making sure Savannah has a safe place to stay is all I care about.
“Guess so,” I say. I don’t love the thought of Savannah staying there, but seems about the best option right now.
We all go back downstairs. And my heart plummets like the devil’s drop from heaven. Because Savannah doesn’t need me anymore. I’ve got no reason to hang around.
“Take care of her,” I tell the woman.
She rolls her eyes again, but I sense I can trust her. There’s a good heart under that cranky exterior.
“So long,” I say to Savannah and I give a casual wave, ignoring the urge to throw my arms around her.
She turns, her sweet face full of questions.
“I’m leaving town now.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. Dang. Don’t normally get awkward like that. “All the best for the future.”
She goes pale and her face crumples for the second time today. “You’re leaving? You didn’t tell me.”
“I’m always on the move, darlin’. Gotta earn my keep. Keep Bertha in gas.”
Her pink cherry lips work. “But—?” comes out in a choked gasp.
“Maybe we’ll cross paths again,” I bark out. Then I turn on my heel, so I don’t have to look at her again.
The door slams behind me and I’m back outside.
When I inhale, my breath comes in all ragged and broken. I start walking fast. The danger’s passed and I’m free.
But it doesn’t feel like that at all.
It feels like I’ve lost something I’ll miss forever.
