Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
I pointed my thumb in the direction in which Benny had gone. “Are you two into something? Am I going to be hearing wedding bells any day now? Am I getting a new dad?”
“Savannah, you always were so dramatic. He’s just my tenant.”
I chuckled. “A very good-looking hunk of a masculine tenant who lifted you into his arms like he was posing for the cover of a torrid romance novel. And the way he was fussing over youー”
“Don’t be so silly, child. He’s just a kind and caring man.”
“I can see he cares for you.” I raised my eyebrows. “Mom, you don’t have to hide your romance from me. I like Benny. He has always been a gentleman and you’re still young and good-looking. There’s no reason he wouldn’t be attracted to you. Dad would be happy with your choice too. Benny is the kind of man that would have been Dad’s friend.”
“So, I’m no longer a geriatric old woman who has no business being on ladders?” Mom asked sarcastically. “Now I’m a sprucy young bird who could be out strutting her stuff?”
We dissolved into laughter at the comparison. She quirked an eyebrow at me. “How come I’m getting a lot more action in my love life than you? You’ve been so down in the mouth lately.”
“Me?”
“I don’t see another Savannah Maitland here, do you? Of course, you. I’ve been meaning to mention it, but I don’t want you to think I’m prying.”
“Mom, first of all, I don’t have secrets from you, and secondly, there’s nothing to pry about, though.”
“Oh, isn’t there? I think when your only child suddenly seems down in the dumps after the man she was madly in love with is released from prison, it is reason enough to worry.” She pinned me with a searching gaze. “Especially when she doesn’t say a word about him contacting her.”
“How did you know⎯”
“I’ve got my ways, dear. And it doesn’t hurt when a friend casually asks if Max and Savannah are back together as she’s seen you out with him. And for the record, it’s not Susan. This is someone I trust and she has seen you together more than once.”
I looked at my mother incredulously. “The FBI and CIA have nothing on you.”
“Actually, it’s called a mother’s love. And no matter how old our children become, they will always be children in our eyes, and we will always be concerned. So?”
I look at her. “So what?”
“Have you been seeing Max since his release?”
The thought of lying to my mother did not even remotely exist. Nor could I put up a front where she was concerned. And for the first time in months, I felt as if the burden I had been carrying about this whole situation needed to be done away with. I sighed and curled up next to her on the couch she was sitting on.
“Yes, I have, but it’s not what you think.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking? Are you a mind-reader now?”
“Mom… I know that you loved Max to pieces and wished with all your heart that things had worked out between us.”
“I’ve never hidden my affection for the man. If I’d had a son⎯”
“It would have been Max, I know, I know.”
“So what’s going on with him?”
“Seeing him was a mistake. I mixed business and pleasure and it’s not worked out. When school starts, our connection will be over. So please don’t get your hopes up about our relationship being rekindled.”
“Savannah, I never raised you to hold someone’s past against them. So, I hope you’re not snubbing him because he’s been to prison.”
“Mom, you raised me better than that. That is not the reason why things are not working out with him.”
“Well, from where I sit, that could be the only reason standing in the way.”
I shook my head. “It’s not that simple.”
“What’s the complication?”
“There are things I can’t ignore.”
“Like what?”
“I can’t tell you right now, Mom. But I will. One day. I promise.”
My mother looked at me for a few long moments, her eyes boring into mine. I did not doubt that she could see my unhappiness, but I could not tell her why. No matter how disappointed I was with Max, I could not reveal that part of his character to her. She would be devastated to know he cheated on me.
Finally, she nodded. “I trust that if you cannot tell me now, it must be for a very good reason.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“But one day I will hear that reason. And even more so, I will hear Max’s side of the story.”
“No!”
“Something’s not right and I think he deserves a fair chance to clear his name.”
We both looked up as the back door opened and Benny came in with his arms filled with freshly cut flowers. My mother’s cheeks turned pink as he spread them across her lap. I could see the twinkle in her eyes and the affection in his. Though she said there was nothing between them, I had no doubt that all the ingredients for wedding bells to ring were there.