“Where do you think?”
She wasn’t sure if she dared think, but she couldn’t seem to help it. “Still in bed?”
He stretched out a lazy “Ummm. I like your bed. Mind if I stay a little while longer?”
“No. Oh, no. Stay as long as you want.”
“What I want,” he said in a throaty voice, “is to stay until you get back. Any idea when that’ll be?”
“No. We got a late start, and Susan doesn’t have any plans for tonight, so I can’t really leave her alone—”
“I’ll take both of you out.”
“You don’t need to—”
“Of course I don’t need to, but I want to.”
“But I really have no idea when we’ll be back.”
“I’d wait here until whenever.”
“Uh, maybe it’s not such a good idea.”
“You’re afraid I’ll fall for your sister. That’s crazy, Savannah. Do you honestly think that I can look at another woman after what we did this morning? I’m as good as a eunuch.”
Eyes downcast, she thought about that for a minute, then said in a very soft voice, “You don’t sound like a eunuch. Susan’s already in love with your voice. She’ll fall for the rest of you if she gets a look.”
“I wouldn’t parade into a restaurant naked.”
“You wouldn’t have to.”
The compliment rendered him silent for a minute. Then he said, “She’s your sister. You can’t hide me from her forever.”
“I know.” She let out a breath. “I feel guilty.”
He was quickly contrite. “Don’t feel that, babe. It’ll wait. I can meet Susan another time. It’s just that I wanted to see you.”
Savannah smiled again. “Thank you.” She took the telephone cord between her thumb and forefinger. “Jared?”
“Hmmm?”
“This morning was nice.”
“It was, wasn’t it?”
She nodded, then realized that he couldn’t see it. “You made my birthday special.”
“I’m glad.”
“Do you think you’ll sleep most of the day?”
“Nah. Maybe for a couple of hours more, but since you’re not coming back here, I’ll go over and work on my boat. Can I see you tomorrow?”
“I have to work tomorrow.”
“All day?”
“Just about. I have a trial starting on Monday.”
