Page 21 of Christmas Wish
“The breakfast is very good,” Savannah said while she scooped another spoonful of hash browns onto her plate. “I figured you were a good cook since you have such a well-stocked pantry and fridge.”
Ryder grunted then picked up his coffee and took a deep gulp. “You on some sort of timeline?”
“Yes and no,” she replied.
“What the hell does that mean?”
Timmy giggled and Savannah threw him a stern look, and he went back to shoveling scrambled eggs into his mouth.
“It means that I’d like us to reach our destination by a certain date, but that date is somewhat flexible.”
“Where you going to?”
She shrugged slightly. “Maybe northern California or Alaska.”
Ryder jerked his head back. “There’re a lot of miles between those states. I’m hearing that you aren’t sure where the hell you’re going.”
Savannah stiffened in the chair and raised her chin up. “That’s not true. I’m just trying to figure out where would be the best place to …” she lifted the glass of orange juice and brought it to her lips.
“Escape?” Ryder pushed his empty plate away from him.
She threw him a quick look then glanced down. “No.”
“Are you sure about that?” he asked.
An awkward silence fell between them until Timmy’s voice broke through it. “Can I play Super Mario Brothers?”
Ryder leaned back, not taking his eyes from Savannah. She nodded too vigorously and helped her son push back his chair. Timmy sprinted away with Brutus following behind him.
Savannah started to stand up, but he grabbed her hand, holding her in place. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“Maybe I don’t want to,” she whispered.
“I’m not stupid, Savannah. There’s no way you’re dragging your kid in a second-hand trailer just for the fun of it.”
“I’m running away,” she replied in a barely audible voice.
She suddenly seemed fragile and vulnerable, and as she looked up at him with those big eyes, an overwhelming urge to hold this woman in his arms and protect her rustled through him.
He kept his hand over hers and gently squeezed it. A small gasp fell on his ears and he scanned her flushing face.
“Do you want to tell me why?” he asked.
“I’ve left my husband. It’s something I don’t want to go into right now.” She didn’t pull her hand away from his.
“Okay,” he answered, tilting his head. “But since you don’t have an exact plan, and it’s gonna take a week or two to clear the back roads, you and Timmy should stay here for a while longer.” Her eyes widened at his suggestion, and he was pretty damn surprised by it as well.Where the hell did that come from?Ryder was a loner and hadn’t wanted to get close to anyone, yet he had a strong inclination to protect her from whatever it was that had her spooked enough to run in the dead of winter.And Timmy … damn he reminds me of Colt—dark hair and all.
“If you’re sure it’s no bother, Timmy and I would like that. Maybe we can go to the charity event where you’re donating the train set. I’d love Timmy to see Santa Claus.” She ran her other hand through her hair. “Christmas is going to be very different for him this year.”
Ryder had expected her to balk at his suggestion, at least just a little bit, so it amazed him when she’d agreed so readily.
“Once the roads are cleared, I’d like to go into town and get some gifts for Timmy.”
“I can take you, but it won’t be for a few more days at least. Timmy can hang at Hawk’s house. He’s got a boy who’s a year younger than Timmy.”
“I’m not sure about that. I don’t like him going to anyone’s house if I don’t know them. Maybe you can grab a bite to eat with him while I shop.”
“You’ll meet Hawk soon enough. He’s cool. He’s VP of the Insurgents. His old lady’s a lawyer, and she comes from a rich-as-hell family here in Pinewood Springs.”
