Page 24 of Christmas Wish
Chapter Eight
Savannah wrapped ablue twisty tie around her ponytail while she looked out the window at the pristine snow sparkling under the clear blue sky. Her thoughts were on Ryder, and even though she’d wanted to ask a slew of questions about the woman and boy in the photograph, she picked up that it wasn’t the right time. There had been so much pain, despair, and bitterness in his eyes before he turned away from her.I wonder what happened. Where’s his son now, and why doesn’t he have contact with him?She gently kneaded the side of her neck—another one of her habits which drove Bret crazy.Maybe she ran away with the boy like I’m doing with Timmy.Guilt assaulted her, and she wondered if such rashness would ultimately end in Timmy resenting her when he grew older. Bret’s words—I told you I didn’t want the fucking brat—echoed through her head as if on autoplay. How many times had he repeated that since Timmy was born?No … I made the right decision. Bret is cruel, cold, and manipulative.Squeezing her eyes shut, she banished the images of the last time she’d seen him from her thoughts; the memories of that day always loomed in the dark, shadowy corners of her mind, threatening to crawl out and torment her.
The creak of the door was a life savior to Savannah, and she turned around and smiled when she saw Timmy. He had a bright-red painted firetruck in his hand, and he shuffled over to her and laid his head against her leg. She buried her fingers in his hair and massaged his scalp gently.
“What’s going on, honey?”
“I miss Grammy and Grandpa,” he said against her jeans.
She stood still and silent, her heart aching.
“When are we gonna see them?”
Inhaling sharply, she placed her fingers under his chin and tilted his head back so their gazes locked. “I’m not sure, sweetie. I know this is hard, but once we get settled, they’ll come out to see us, okay?”
“Why can’t they come now?”
“The roads are still blocked. How would they be able to drive here?” She held her breath then released it as the sadness slipped from her young son’s face.
“Yeah. When the snow melts they can come.”
“That’s right.” She bent down and kissed his soft cheeks. “Let’s call Grammy and Grandpa. You can tell them all about the snow.”
“And Brutus,” Timmy added.
Savannah hugged him. “I love you,” she whispered. “Where did you get that nifty firetruck?”
“Ryder gave it to me. He made it. It has lights and it makes noise. Look.” Timmy dropped to his knees and turned on the toy. The headlights switched on and a siren blared from the wooden truck as it sped across the floor.
“That’s awesome,” she said, sitting on her haunches.
“He said he’s going to build me a firehouse, too, with a pole and everything.” Timmy’s eyes shone with excitement.
“I can’t wait to see it, honey.” Savannah stood up and picked up the burner phone. “I’m going to call Grammy and Grandpa now. After we’re done talking, you can go with Ryder and Brutus for a quick walk.”
“Can we build a snowman later?”
“Yes, we can. After lunch, we’ll get to it. Maybe Ryder will help us out.”
“I think he will. He’s nice.”
Savannah’s lips curved up as warmth rushed through her. Timmy held her soul in his heart, and her heart was forever his; she’d walk through hell and back to make sure he was safe and loved. A lump formed in her throat, and she cleared her throat several times before tapping in her parents’ phone number.
“Hi, Mom. How’re you and Dad?”
“I’m so happy to hear from you. We’re all fine. How’re you and Timmy?”
“Good.”
“Let me speak to Grammy,” Timmy said, tugging on her jeans.
“Timmy wants to say hi. Hang on.” She passed the phone to him, then bent over and picked up the miniature firetruck, marveling at how well made it was.
After several minutes of conversation with both her mother and father, Timmy handed back the phone then left the room in search of Brutus.
“Who’s this man you’re staying with? Do you know anything about him?”
Savannah’s stomach churned.I’msonot into this right now.Sucking in a breath through her teeth, she paused before answering. “He’s helping us out. If it wasn’t for him, we would’ve frozen to death in the blizzard.”
