“Holy shit!Err, sorry.”They all laughed, and Jo waved a hand.
“It’s not a problem.I’m not as uptight as I come across.I just don’t tend to curse much — might be a hangover from my old career — but I don’t mind if you do.”She turned to Savannah with a smile.“Or you.I want you to feel at home here.Feel free to talk however you usually would with your friends, because I hope that’s what we’re becoming.”
“I think we already are,” Savannah told her with a smile.
She was loving this.When she was younger, Abbie and Elle used to invite her over to hang out with them, and Savannah loved their moms — Nina and Terry were awesome ladies.But she always felt like she was on the outside looking in.Now she was very much on the inside.Jo wasn’t her mom — she wasn’t even Jake’s mom — but that kind of made it easier, and better.
Sadie had been around for her since she was small and now she seemed to be taking a real shine to Tiff as well.
Tiff made a face and held her bowl up.“I’d say that the four of us are friends already, but me and this pastry might be enemies — it hates me!Look at it.”She peered into her own bowl and then into Savannah’s.“Yours looks right.”She pointed at the cookbook Jo had stood up on its own little stand on the counter.“Yours looks like the photo, but mine?”She swirled her wooden spoon around in the mixture.“Mine’s more like goop.”
Savannah laughed, and Sadie came to peer into Tiff’s bowl.“You played with it, didn’t you?The butter got too warm, that’s all,” she explained.Then she winked at Tiff and added, “Ask me how I know!”
They all laughed, and Tiff said, “Maybe the two of us should use our talents on fixing drinks and leave Savannah and Jo to the baking.”
Sadie grinned.“Now you’re talking my language.Do you like Bailey’s?I learned a couple of cocktails that—”
She stopped when Tiffany’s phone ringing cut her off.
“Shoot, sorry.I’ll just silence it, I… oh wait.It’s Colt.”She turned to Savannah.“This has to be about Rick.Hey Colt, what’s up?… Sure.I can pick him out of any lineup you want.…” She frowned and glanced at Savannah, who held her breath.“Yeah, she’s here.… No.I… ” She turned to Sadie.“I hate to ask, but can you give me a ride?”
“Of course, let’s go.”
“Thanks, Colt.We’ll see you in a few.”
“Wait for me,” said Savannah.
“That’s okay, babe.You finish making your pie.Mine was a disaster anyway.We’ll be back.”
Savannah exchanged a look with Jo, who looked as puzzled as she felt.
“I’m sure everything’s okay,” Jo assured her.“I’d guess that they’ve caught him.Colt will need Tiffany to identify him as the man who broke into the apartment.And from what I’ve seen of her, I imagine she wants to protect you — make sure that you don’t have to see him.”
Savannah frowned.“I don’t need protecting.”
Jo rested a hand on her arm.“I know that.I think Tiff does, too.But wanting to protect someone you care about isn’t the same as thinking that they need it.”
Savannah thought about that for a few moments.Jake protected her, too — not because he thought she was weak, but because he loved her.
She let out a breath and smiled at Jo.“I guess you’re right.And while we’re still here all we can do is finish the pies.”
“Exactly.You’re doing a great job.With a bit more practice you could be a professional pie maker.”
Savannah laughed.“I don’t think so.It’s taken me all this time to become a professional mechanic.Now that I’ve finally made it, I’m going to stick with it.”
~ ~ ~
“Talk to me.Are you all right?”
Jake turned to Josh, still struggling for control.He wanted to go after Colt and the other deputy who was leading Rick away.He wanted to finish what he’d started.He’d chased after Rick and taken him down.He’d wanted to teach the asshole a lesson – wanted to make sure that he’d never go after a woman again.But he’d kept a lid on it.
He may have landed a punch before he hauled Rick to his feet.When the slimy little bastard had tried to wriggle away, that had earned him a gut punch – just to make sure he wouldn’t run.
Jake had marched him back to his truck and sat him in there while they waited for Colt to arrive.He’d wanted to punch him again when he pulled him out of the truck to hand him over, but no matter how much he wanted revenge for Savannah – and for Tiff – he wouldn’t do it.Rick was older, out of shape; he was a loser, not an apex predator.
He unclenched his jaw and inhaled deeply before blowing it out slowly.“I’m good.”
Josh gave him a small smile.“You’re better than good – I bet there’s a bunch of football teams who’d be fighting to sign you as their new safety if they’d seen that tackle.”
