As she stepped into the B&B, Darlene leaned against the closed door, trying to compose herself. She had allowed herself to hope, to dream of a future with Mark. But there was no denying the connection between Savannah and Mark. It was like an almost visible magnetic force between them.
She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to compose herself. She just had to focus on the B&B and the guests who needed her. She couldn’t let her personal feelings interfere with her responsibilities. What had she been thinking? Getting involved with a guest? She knew better.
But she felt like her chance for change, for happiness, was slipping slowly through her fingers like tiny grains of sand.
Chapter18
Mark stared at Savannah standing at the bottom of the stairs. Always self-assured. Always doing what she wanted, even when he’d told her he was leaving and needed some space. Needed a change.
Sheneverlistened to him.
“Aren’t you going to ask me to join you?” She tilted her head, eyeing him.
“I thought we agreed that I needed some space.”
“I know you said that… but I need to talk to you. You’re not answering my calls or texts.”
“Isn’t that the definition of needing space?” he asked dryly.
She laughed softly, then climbed the stairs to stand right in front of him. “But this is important.”
He let out a long sigh. “Okay, come sit. What is that you want? Then after you have your say, will you just let me… be?” His words came out harsher than he’d meant. But Savannah arriving at the precise moment she did? Right when he was talking to Darlene? Well, she couldn’t have come at a worse time.
He led the way to the chairs at the end of the porch where they’d be assured of some privacy. He sank into one of the chairs and Savannah sat in the chair beside him, gracefully tucking her long legs and straightening her skirt.
When he’d first met her, he thought she should be a model with the way she moved and her undeniable beauty. But she’d laughed at him when he’d said that. Said the artificial world of fashion and beauty wasn’t for her. And as he got to know her, he realized she was right. She was very down-to-earth and practical.
He leaned back in his chair, waiting, unease settling over him. She’d come a long way for… something. And her arrival had disrupted the peace he’d found here. A peace he was reluctant to give up.
And Savannah? All she would do was drag him back into the past.
“So, I came to ask you a favor.” She leaned toward him.
“A favor.” He kept his voice neutral, though his jaw clenched. The last thing he wanted was to be pulled back into the world he’d left behind. Here on Magnolia Key, he’d found something different. Something healing.
“And if you won’t do it for me. I hope you’ll do it for… Sarah.”
“Savannah…” he warned her.
She reached out and touched his hand. “No, hear me out. The literary festival, the one Sarah always organized. We want you to be the keynote speaker this year. Sarah always said you were the best speaker she knew. The way you connected with the audience, made them laugh?—”
“Stop.” The word came out sharp, cutting through her praise. “I can’t.”
A sharp stabbing pain slashed through him. Sarah had poured her heart and soul into that festival, using it as a platform to promote literacy and inspire writers. After her death, he had distanced himself from anything that reminded him too vividly of her, the pain of her absence too raw and all-consuming.
“Get someone else.” The words were laced with ice, full of finality.
“We could… but… I think Sarah would want you to do this. You could talk about how involved she was with this cause. How much she helped your career. It might do you good to talk about it.”
“Not a chance.” He glared at her.
“I think you should consider it.” Savannah reached out and touched his hand. “You know, I miss her too. She wasn’t only my sister, she was my best friend.”
Her words were like a strong slap, bringing him out of his self-absorbed thoughts and words. He knew what she said was the truth. Sarah and Savannah had always been inseparable, almost like twins at only eleven months apart in age. Sarah’s death had hit Savannah hard.
He let out a deep sigh, sorry for his harsh words to her. “I know you miss her too.” He squeezed her hand, and she smiled gently.
He looked out over the bay, trying to reel in his emotions.
