“What sounded better?” He noticed his voice sounded darker, huskier, like a lover's caress, and watched in amazement as Savannah’s cheeks reddened.
She took a deep breath causing her breasts to lift beneath the thin top, but Beau made certain that his gaze never wavered from her eyes.
“I want to apologize for how I treated you on Friday when you came in with the animal. I stupidly thought that you had been the one to treat the animal so poorly. That was a bad assumption on my part. I should have known that her injuries weren’t caused by mistreatment, but I was dealing with some ramifications at my last job. And it was wrong, and I’m sorry, and why aren’t you saying anything?” Savannah said all in one breath, her body primed for a flight response. She was stiff with narrowed eyes and pursed lips, but Beau was too focused on something she had said.
“What ramifications?”
“Huh?” she asked. Her posture deflated as she tilted her head, studying him.
“You said that there were ramifications about your last job.”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” she replied, a mask appearing to slip into place as she seemed more cautious with her words.
“Is that what brought you here?”
“No, not at all,” Savannah said, shaking her head. “I should probably go. I just wanted to come over and let you know that I was wrong to assume that you would hurt an animal. And most of all, it was very gracious of you to bring her in and adopt her.”
The silence grew between them. Beau wasn’t sure what to say to have her continue to stay. Plus, he needed to return to work, so it was in his best interest to have her leave. Except somewhere in the pit of his chest, muscle constricted in disagreement.
“Well, I guess I’ll let you get back to work.”
Belle had fallen fast asleep and didn’t notice the unexpected visitor had left. Beau on the other hand, every inch of him noticed. She stepped around his large body and exited the office.
As she stepped out of the large bay toward the street, Beau called out, “I’ll see you next week?”
Savannah stopped immediately and turned around to face him. “Next week?” Her voice was laced with confusion and her eyebrows pinched closer together.
“Yes, ma’am. Belle has her follow-up appointment.”
“Oh. Yes. Next week, then.”
With a quick wave, Savannah turned away from him and continued toward the sidewalk, but her body froze when an oversized black SUV steered into the auto shop parking lot.
No one else would notice how her body shook slightly, but Beau had a keen eye trained on the blonde. He wondered what was causing that reaction. Fear? Surprise? He was going to have to do some digging to figure out more.
It was already strange that she showed up in town without any notice, but her reaction added to the pile of questions.
Savannah seemed frozen in place as the vehicle came to a stop. He noticed that she hadn’t even taken a breath.
“Beau!” the man said with his Irish lilt as he jumped down from the driver’s seat of the SUV.
“Landon, good to see you. I wish it was under better circumstances.” As Beau spoke with Landon, he kept an eye on Savannah, who was now watching their exchange.
“Where is the missus?” He asked as he and Landon shook hands, forgetting that it probably wasn’t proper protocol.
“She’s off meeting with the governor. Some royal thing that I gladly declined.”
“I hear ya. Well, if you want to hand over the keys, I’ll take a look. Other than the light, has anything else been happening with the vehicle?”
“No, she’s been running great. But we took her in to have the windows shatter proofed. Since then the check engine light came on.”
“Strange. I don’t think the two are related, but something may have been rerouted by accident. Do you need a loner car?”
“No, I’m good. I’ll just walk back to the bar. Thanks again, Beau.”
While Beau and Landon had been speaking, Savannah had snuck away.
At least he knew he’d see her sooner rather than later.