Wren pulled her pink-and-white blanket over her lap and settled in with her bowl of popcorn. “I’m fine, thank you.”
Wow. So polite. Savvy would be impressed. His lungs locked at the thought of all the things he wouldn’t get to tell Savannah. She wouldn’t be here to see Wren start school or watch her learn to read or hear all about the friends Wren made at preschool.
He palmed the back of his neck. Man, it had been less than twenty-four hours since all the drama at the Fairview, and he already couldn’t stand the hole that Savannah’s absence had left in his life. Drawing a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped outside.
Tori waited at the bottom of the steps. The wind rustled the leaves on the trees and blew her hair across her face. She turned and stared at him with a sad smile on her face. “Is Wren okay?”
“She will be.” He leaned against the railing and crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s up?”
“I came to say goodbye again.”
“Pretty sure we covered that when you called off our engagement.”
She looked down and dragged the toe of her sandal through the gravel on his walkway. “I know, and I’m sorry that things didn’t work out between us, Levi. I have a confession to make. Something that might make this hard for both of us.”
He scoffed. “Haven’t heard enough salacious news lately. Go ahead. Lay it on me.”
Tori’s sheepish gaze found his. “I was super jealous when I saw you with Savannah.”
He swallowed hard. “Really.”
She nodded.
He dragged his fingertips across his jaw. At one time, he had thought those words would bring sweet satisfaction. After all, inciting jealousy had been his plan, as juvenile as it was.
“There were a couple of times when I thought about saying something. Telling you that it wasn’t fair that you’d moved on so fast.”
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “You showed up with a date to all the reunion events too.”
“I know. That was just a casual thing. He didn’t stick around. Besides, I’m still moving to Iowa.”
Frustration bubbled in his veins. “So why are you here?”
“I just wanted to tell you that I saw a look in your eyes when you and Savannah were together that I had never seen you give me. I know people have been talking behind your backs, and you didn’t ask for my advice, but I think you should fight for her. That’s why I came here.”
His frustration morphed into anger. Tori had broken his heart, and now she thought she could waltz on by and try to mend it again by pushing him toward Savannah. That was cheap restitution, and he wasn’t buying it. Besides, he’d just felt betrayed by Savannah, too, so reconciling with her wasn’t happening, no matter what Tori thought she was doing. He wouldn’t let her continue this mission of mercy. It didn’t feel sincere. “You’re right. I wasn’t looking for your input. Thanks for stopping by, and I wish you well. I’m sure you’re going to be an excellent dentist.”
He turned, went back inside his house and heard her Jeep pulling away in just a few seconds.
“Want to watch this moobie with me?” Wren asked, peering at him over the couch cushions.
“You know it. What did I miss?” He plopped down beside her.
She handed him the remnants of her popcorn. “Here, I’ll share.”
“Thanks.” He set the bowl in his lap. As the movie played and Wren explained the opening scene, he tried to focus, but Tori’s words kept looping through his mind.
Was she right? Did he need to go after Savannah? How could he ever trust her again after the secret she’d kept?
Chapter Ten
Choking back another sob, Savannah crossed over to the dresser, pulled open the bottom drawer and scooped out her jeans. If she hurried, she could catch the southbound train passing through Opportunity on its way from Fairbanks to Anchorage. She’d have to fork out some cash for the ticket, plus a hotel room. Maybe the news about her scandal hadn’t spread far yet and she’d be able to connect with a friend to room with. At least until she had a decent job.
After dropping more clothes into the open suitcase on the bottom bunk, she returned to the closet, pushing aside her sisters’ clothing until she found her own tops. Hayley and Juliet had probably borrowed one or two of her outfits, but she didn’t have time to worry about that now. She shoved the rest of her clothes into the suitcase without bothering to fold anything. Another decision she’d regret later. Right now she was too upset to care. She took her dirty clothes out of the laundry basket and shoved them into a plastic shopping bag she’d found under the bed.
Peeking under the bed had reminded her of Wren and the substantial number of snacks she’d had squirreled away. Savannah meant to remind Levi to follow up on the hoarding tendencies with the social worker. It had slipped her mind. Her chest ached at the reminder of how she’d been plucked from Wren’s life like a salmon snatched from the river by a hungry bear.
Poor Wren. She’d endured so much loss and instability already. Just when they were getting attached, Savannah’s past had come roaring back to bite them both. She glanced around the bedroom, taking one last look at the place. She’d miss rooming with her sisters, staying up late and teasing one another. But she couldn’t stay here, not anymore. Her heart was too shattered. She couldn’t handle being in the same place as Levi.
There were footsteps outside her door, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. When her mother poked her head in, Savannah forced a smile. “Hey, Mom.”
Her attempt to sound cheerful fell flat.
Mom’s eyes narrowed as she took in Savannah’s suitcase and duffel bag. “What’s going on, honey? Why are you packing?”
“I’m leaving.”
“Wait. What are you doing?” Hayley came into the room with Juliet close behind.
“Leaving?” Juliet pushed past Mom and Hayley, shock etched on her features. “Why?”
Savannah unplugged her charging cable from the wall, twisted the cord and took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. “What do you mean, ‘why’? You know what happened.”
Her mother stepped farther into the room and pulled Savannah into a tight hug. “Sweetie, I know it hurts right now, but you don’t have to move on.”
“Everyone in town thinks I’m a liar and a murderer.” Savannah gulped back another sob as she sagged against Mom’s shoulder.
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration,” Juliet said calmly. “Unless there’s something more that you’re not telling us?”
