Then Savannah came through the door, and it all made sense. The intense concentration on her downcast face, her abrupt halt, and the rise of her eyes to his, the brightening of her features, the dawning smile. He stood but didn’t say a word. His Adam’s apple felt twice its normal size.
Savannah closed the door behind her and came forward. Softly, she said, “This is the nicest thing that’s happened today.”
He swallowed hard, and even then his voice sounded thick. “It’s been a tough one?”
She nodded. “One of my witnesses flubbed up. I doubt the jury will put much stock in his testimony.”
“Is his testimony crucial?”
“Not crucial, but important.”
“I’m sorry.”
Unable to take anything too seriously when she was feeling suddenly light-hearted, she tossed off a mischievous grin. “It’s okay. I’ll just make the rest of my case brilliant enough to compensate.”
“I’m sure you will,” he said without the mischief. “I almost came to watch you in court.”
Her grin widened into another smile. “Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I thought I’d make you nervous.”
“I was already nervous.”
“I can’t believe that.”
She nodded with deliberate slowness. “You couldn’t have hurt.”
“I was worried I’d stick out like a sore thumb.”
Savannah couldn’t imagine him doing that. If anything, he’d make everyone else look like sore thumbs. But she got his point. “You don’t like attracting attention, do you?”
“No. I’d rather keep a low profile.”
“You take big chances every time you walk in here, y’know,” she teased softly.
“Some chances are worth taking.” Sliding the straps of her briefcase from her shoulder, he tossed the briefcase to the chair he’d just left. “I think I’d like a hug now.” Slipping his arms around her, he held her tightly to him.
Feeling a stunning sense of homecoming, Savannah wrapped her arms around his neck, closed her eyes and sighed at the relief of it all.
Jared made a low, throaty sound. He tucked her even closer, loving the crush of her body against his. “You smell so good,” he whispered into her hair.
“Can’t,” she whispered back. “Too long a day.”
“You do. Of flowers and woman and court.”
She breathed a giddy laugh. “Musty?”
“Just a little. With the other two, it’s mighty potent.”
“So are you.”
“Musty?”
“Potent.”
With the slightest dip of his knees, he lifted her higher against him. He gave a low groan, his mouth by her ear. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me, too.”
