Page 81 of Christmas Wish
“This sandwich is to die for. It’s as good as the ones I had in Paris. Good choice.” Savannah savored the smokiness of the ham coupled with the tangy creaminess of the brie. “And the bread is awesome. Do they sell baguettes here?”
Cara, cutting into her sandwich, nodded. “They have a full service bakery in the front. The owner chef is from Aix en Provence. I love this place. It opened a few years ago, and they do a real steady business. People stand in long lines for the croissants and baguettes in the morning.”
“I’m going to buy a loaf for dinner tonight. I’m making Irish stew.”
“Sounds good. What recordings were you talking about before our food came?”
Savannah wiped the corners of her mouth with the napkin. “The ones I’ve been taping ever since I decided to leave Bret. I’d been doing it for the past several months, but I didn’t know if it would mean anything considering the clout the Carlton family name carries. Francine said they’re a gold mine.”
Cara burst out laughing. “I love it!”
“I just knew in my gut that no one would believe me about the way Bret talked about Timmy, so that’s why I started recording him and keeping a journal. Every awful thing he said about our precious son is on tape, and every memory of what he did to me and Timmy is written down.” Savannah shook her head. “When I married him, I never thought I’d be gearing up for such a nasty battle. I still can’t believe he doesn’t love his son. How could a parent not love their child?”
“I know … it’s so hard to believe, but in the line of work I’m in, I see horrible things people to do their kids and others all the time. Timmy’s just very lucky that he has you in his life.”
“I’m the one who’s lucky.” Savannah’s voice quivered and she dabbed the corner of her eyes. “Let’s change the subject.” She sat up straighter in the chair. “Do you want me to bring anything to the party tomorrow night?”
Shaking her head no, Cara patted Savannah’s hand. “You know I’m always available if you need moral support. You’ll get through this, and with Ryder having your back, you’ll be even stronger.” Cara placed her knife and fork down on her plate. “Hawk told me that he’s never seen Ryder happier, and for him or any Insurgent to comment on something like that means it’s really surprising. I’m guessing you’re the reason for that.”
A flush of heat reddened Savannah’s cheeks. “We’re going to see how things work between us.”
“I’m so happy. You guys fit together so well, and Ryder is a great guy even if he is a bit hard to get to know.”
“Yeah—he’s so brooding and gruff, but underneath all that, he’s got the biggest heart. I’m crazy about him, and I feel like I’m doing the right thing in staying. Timmy adores him, and Ryder’s so good with him. Sometimes I think things are going too fast and that I must be out of my mind, but then when we’re watching a Disney film in front of the fire, and he tugs on my hair, I know this is right for me—for Timmy and me.”
“It is. One thing I learned from dating and marrying Hawk, is that you have to go by what you feel. My mom and so many of my relatives were against us, but I went by how I felt, and I’ve never regretted my decision for one second. Hawk’s the love of my life and I couldn’t be happier.”
“Will there be anything else?” the waitress asked interrupting the women’s conversation.
“I’d like another cup of hot chocolate,” Savannah replied.
The waitress nodded as she picked up their empty plates.
Cara glanced at her phone. “Nothing for me, thanks.” The woman walked away. “I have to go. I have an evidentiary hearing and Judge Rollins doesn’t tolerate the attorneys to be one minute late. I’m so glad we got together and you liked Francine.” Cara pushed her chair back and stood up then placed a twenty dollar bill on the tray. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“See you.” Savannah watched her friend weave through the patrons before exiting out the door and disappearing into the throng of shoppers. Savannah smiled: she liked Cara a lot. She was looking forward to meeting more of the women who loved the Insurgent men. Ryder told her that all the old ladies would be at Hawk and Cara’s party the following night, and if they were anything like Cara, Belle, and Clotille, she suspected that she’d get along well with them.Mylife is falling into place and I’ve never been happier. Finally… after all this time.She picked up her new cup of cocoa and licked the whipped cream before taking a sip.
“Savannah?”
She averted her eyes from the bustling street to the person standing by her table.Bret! I can’t believe he actually came here.She’d just assumed that the creep who’d been following her would try and threaten her into coming back to Boston, or maybe he would serve divorce papers on her, but she never figured Bret would trek over to Pinewood Springs.
“What’re you doing here?” she said.
“Is that any way to greet your husband?” Bret smirked. Without asking, he pulled out the chair and sat down, his gaze scanning over her. “You look good. The high altitude seems to agree with you. It looks like you lost weight.”
“What do you want?” All of a sudden the whip cream and rich chocolate were making her stomach queasy; she put down the cup and stared at him.
“I’ve come to take you and Timmy back. You’ve had your tantrum and now it’s time to come home.”
“Come home to what? A selfish bastard who’s a pathetic excuse for a husband?” She took out her wallet and placed the money on the tray; she wanted to grab all her packages and run away as fast as she could from this man whom she no longer recognized.
“I didn’t come over two thousand miles to be insulted. Your fucking antics have caused me a lot of problems. You’re going to get your ass back to Boston and that’s final. I’m done with this shit.”
“I don’t need to listen to you anymore. My attorney will get in touch with you. I’m finished with you.”
“I’ll be the one to decide when it’s over,” Bret said, gripping her wrist tightly.
Savannah tried to pull away. “Let go of me.” She leaned toward him. “Do you think I’d ever go back to you? You insulted me then raped me,” she whispered.
