Harlan didn’t think Randall Taylor had an upfront bone in his body. But he wouldn’t say that to Savannah.
“He won’t even admit to what he did,” she continued.
“Did you expect him to?”
“I don’t know,” she said wearily. Her gaze met his. Her eyes were more gray than blue right now, and loaded with misery. “I never imagined him doing something so awful. How can I have known him all my life and never realized how far he’d go to get what he wanted?”
“Because he’s your father and you love him. It’s natural you would want to think the best of him and not the worst.”
Savannah sat on the couch and put her face in her hands. “I don’t know what to do,” she said, her voice muffled.
He sat beside her and put his arm around her, giving her a comforting hug. “Why do you have to do anything? Just let it alone until you’ve had time to figure out your feelings.”
She raised her head and looked at him. “I don’t need time to know how I feel. I’m furious.”
“I know. I was mad as hell for a long time. You need time to take it in, deal with it.”
“You’ve had fourteen years to deal with it. I’ve only had a few hours. It’s going to take me longer than that to process it.”
Harlan didn’t say anything, just kept his arm around her in what he hoped was a supportive hug. But like the morning after the ball, being so close to Savannah was very tempting. He didn’t want to just hug her; he wanted to kiss her. Hell, he wanted to make love to her. It was way too soon for that. Besides, something told him she wasn’t in the mood for romance.
“Harlan?” He looked at her. “How did you deal with it? How did you get over your anger?”
“I didn’t get over it so much as I let it go. It’s the past. A long time in the past. Do I still get mad when I think about it? Sure. But your father can’t do anything to hurt me or my family anymore. He’s not important now.”
“Unfortunately, I can’t ignore him. He won’t leave me alone. I guarantee you he’ll continue to harass me about you. Unless I quit, of course. And no, I’m not planning to quit.”
“Good.” He’d been sure she wouldn’t but it was still nice to hear her say it. “So, what are you going to do?”
She turned to face him and reached up to touch her fingers to his cheek. “I know what he did. I can’t force him to admit it, but I know. I had no control—I didn’t even know what he did when I was younger. But I’m a grown woman, in control of my own life now. If he doesn’t respect me and my decisions, I’ll cut him out of my life.”
“Would you really do that?”
She nodded. “If he forces the issue. But I hope he doesn’t.”
“I don’t want to be the cause of a rift in your relationship with your father.” Harlan thought he was a son of a bitch, but Savannah loved him.
“You can relax. If there is a rift, it will be his fault, not yours.” She moved away and he dropped his arm, letting her go. “I need to go home. It’s bound to be twelve-thirty at least.”
Harlan looked at the clock on his DVR. “One-thirty. You can stay here.” He laughed at the quizzical glance she shot him. “I have another bedroom.”
“Thanks, but I’m not sure either of us would sleep well knowing the other was in the next room.”
“You have a point. I’ll walk you down. Where did you park?”
Her lips curved up. “In front of the bank.”
He laughed. “I’d pay to see your father’s face if you left your car overnight.”
“It’s a tempting thought,” she agreed.
The square was deserted. There were streetlights on three corners of the square and at the entrance to the park. It was cold, but not bitterly so. Even with the lights he could see the stars in the clear, dark night.
Savannah unlocked her car and he opened the door for her. “Harlan?” she said before getting in. “Where do we go from here?”
He took her in his arms and smiled down at her. Bent his head and captured her lips, kissing her slowly, thoroughly, with just enough heat to let her know what he really wanted, but knew wouldn’t happen until she was ready. “Does that answer your question?” he asked, letting her go.
Savannah slid into the driver’s seat. “Yes. I just wanted to be sure we’re on the same page.”
