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 think I owe Max a huge apology. Mom, I have been so nasty to him. I actually took the side of Robert against Max.”
She looked at me kindly. “That’s life. You did what you thought was right.”
“Mom, I fell for one of Robert’s schemes.”
“Savannah!”
I covered my face with my hands. “I know! I know! I’m so ashamed of myself. All this time I thought Max had betrayed me, turns out I’m the one who has betrayed him. I am surprised he doesn’t hate me.”
Mom smiled tenderly. “Max could never hate you, Savannah. He loves you too much. Go to him. Sort things out. I want that boy as my son-in-law. Get him back before some other smart woman decides to snag him for herself.”
I gave a weak laugh.
“Off you go,” she urged.
I gathered my things and leaned across to kiss her cheek.
“I’ll do my best to snag him. I promise.”
As I sped through the streets, I tried not to think. If I allowed rational thought to intrude, I might abort my mission, I was so nervous. He must still want me. If not why go to all the trouble of getting Lillian and Rachel to come to my apartment… and that kiss on my forehead. It was tender. Maybe there were still some feelings there for me.
It was not until I was in front of his door that it occurred to me I should have called first to check if he was at home.
I rung the bell a second time and was about to turn away when I heard a sound behind the door. Instantly, the blood rushed to my head. He was home. Then the door opened.
24
MAX
She looked as though she had been about to leave. She looked up at me, her beautiful eyes huge and swimming with some deep emotion. “Ummm. Hi. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“I was working,” I said softly. She was a sight for sore eyes.
“Oh. Okay. I’ll come back another time then,” she replied quickly, taking a step backwards.
I reached out, grabbed her arm and pulled her inside.
“No, you won’t. I need a break,” I murmured as I kicked the door shut behind us.
I took her bag from her arm and slung it on the hook by the door and guided her through the open plan space towards the large couch. She perched on one end of it.
“Would you like something to eat? Drink?”
“I’m not hungry. Perhaps some water, please.”
I walked over to the refrigerator for a bottle. “How is your mother?”
“The leg cast is off now. She’s wearing an ankle brace and moving around a bit more.”
“That’s good to hear. And Benny?”
“He’s taking care of her like a mother hen with her baby chick.”
“Good. She’s in good hands then.”
I handed her the bottle of water and sat next to her, deliberately letting my thigh touch hers… and she didn’t move away. Good! I slipped my hand along the back of the couch and waited for her to speak. She twisted open the lid of the bottle, took a quick sip, and nervously licked her lips. Against my will, I felt warmth flow over me. It was an effort to restrain myself from pulling her close to me and kissing that plump mouth senseless.
She leaned forward and placed the bottle on the coffee table before turning to me. “One rainy night not too long ago you turned up on my doorstep because things did not add up for you, and you wanted an explanation. Now it’s my turn.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Oh?”
She nodded slowly. “First of all, I want you to know that I believe you now. You were right about everything. And I’m sorry, truly sorry for not trusting you. Can you forgive me?”
I drew closer to her on the couch and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Forgiven.”
She caught me off guard when she threw her arms around me. My arms went around her and I hugged her tight. For some seconds there were no need for words. I just thanked my lucky stars and soaked up the smell and feel of my baby in my arms.
Eventually, she pulled away slightly and looked up at me. “I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through, Max. I can’t even begin to imagine how you must have felt. Being locked away for four years for a crime you did not commit and being abandoned by me too. Must have been so hard.”
“Hard? Your absence gutted me, Savannah.”
“Yes, I know exactly how you felt. What I took to be your betrayal ripped me to pieces, but now that we know the truth, we can mend things, again? Can’t we?” she asked hopefully. Her eyes searched mine. For the first time since my return, I saw them shining with all those old emotions.