“Home.” We walk hand in hand up the gravel road to the one and half story white farm house. “Been remodelin’ it for the last year, finished the partial wrap around porch last month.” She lets loose of my hand and pads over to the swing, floppi
n’ backwards against the plush cushion. Somehow I knew she’d melt into the swing once her eyes set on it. Her porch swing seems to be her thinkin’ place. I often find her there in the middle of the day readin’ on her Kindle or late at night when she’s restless and filled with worry. Only problem with a porch swing, they’re never quite comfortable. So I built this damn thing myself. The old wooden pallets give it an old, rustic look, but the thick memory foam cushioning feels like you’re floatin’ on a fluffy cloud.
“This is amazing.” Savannah mutters quietly. I bring the swing to a stop, grippin’ her hand in mine to bring her up to her feet. She puffs out her lip, pouting.
“We won’t be but a few minutes. Wanna show ya ‘round my place.” I pull open the rickety screen door, then twist the knob and step inside, Savannah stepping close to my side. Her soft green eyes roam around the disastrous mess I’ve made myself. “Still have a little work to do. Started puttin’ up the wainscoting a few weeks ago, but got busy and ain’t messed with much.” She drops her head sadly, rememberin’ my impromptu trip outta town. “I’ll get it all together shortly, though.” I tell her. She creeps through the hallway, examinin’ the kitchen and eat in dinin’ room. “This was all pretty simple, with the country charm and all. Just slapped some paint on the walls and bought a new dinette. I’m shit for decoratin’ though.” I laugh to myself as I look at the barren cranberry walls.
“Yeah you could definitely use a woman’s touch around here.” Savannah replies. She continues on through the house, making her way up the stairs to the bedrooms. They’re a mess still, carpet ripped up, walls scratched and dingy. Nothin’ some elbow grease and paint can’t fix, but all in due time. “And you’re doing all the work yourself?” She asks as we hit the bottom step.
“Yeah.” I reply with a proud nod. “Wanna water or pop?”
“Sure, water is fine, thank you.” I grab a couple bottles of water from the fridge then head to the front porch. Savannah wastes no time gettin’ comfortable, placing a throw pillow in her lap. She sighs, takin’ in our calm surroundings. Green for as far as the eye can see…nothing but grass and trees. “It’s gorgeous here. So peaceful.”
“It is. At night I sit out here and just listen to the crickets sing. Fell asleep on the swing a few times too.”
“How long have you lived here?” She questions.
“Bought it last year. Knew once I bought the diner I wasn’t goin’ nowhere. Found this place on the market for a steal because it was so run down. Needed new sidin’, windows and a roof. The hardwoods were salvageable, just needed a good sanding and some stain. Walls need some paint, but again with the woman’s touch.” I wink in her direction, a small smile playin’ up on my lips.
“Wow. I’m impressed. You’ve done a wonderful job with everything.”
I nod, thankin’ her silently as I take a deep swig of water.
“This swing though,” she begins, her smile brightenin’, “oh this is sheer heaven.”
“Figured you might like that. C’mon, let me show ya my favorite spot.” We talk as we walk the few hundred feet down to the creek. Two old oak trees stretch tall into the sky, about eight feet apart. Their branches stretch out, interlacing together and swaying low, creating a canopy of shade over the two Adirondack chairs. I breathe in the fresh clean air, the scent of nature embracing me as I relax down into the chair. It might not be much to most, but this spot is where I find my calm.
“This is all so beautiful. It’s quaint, quiet. It’s perfect.” She smiles. “I could listen to the stream of the creek til I fell asleep.”
“Thank ya, sweetheart. It’s home. I like bein’ out to myself, ain’t gotta listen to the sound of coal trucks screamin’ by or traffic. Just nature, the creek and the occasional train whistle late at night.”
“And you stay at my house, why?” She laughs.
“Don’t get cute with me, Sav.” I warn her with a devious wink. “C’mon, one more thing I wanna show ya, then we’ll head out for a bite to eat.
We walk passed the house towards the fenced field. Savannah is continually takin’ in her surroundings and I’m happy to see that she loves it out here as much as I do.
I brace my arms against the wooden post fence and let out a loud whistle. “Oh my, Brailee will be in heaven. She loves horses!” Savannah squeals as she watches the Tobiano Paint horse trollop towards us. She reaches out and brushes her hand down the silky coat and the horse rests her head against Savannah’s palm, enjoying the affection. Savannah tilts her head to the side and her face contorts in confusion. “Luke, is this…” her voice trails off as I interrupt her.
“Buttercup?” I ask and her eyes mist over with tears. “Sure is, sweetheart.” She throws her arms around my neck, knockin’ the wind right outta me with her force and closeness.
“Oh my-gosh, Luke. This is truly the sweetest thing anyone has ever done. I don’t know what to say!” She squeals through her tears. Pulling away, she focuses her attention on Buttercup, smoothly running her hand up her muzzle.
“I know how much it hurt Brailee to let her go when y’all left your home, so once I got the fencing up, I had Carly dig around to find out where she was taken too. Been wantin’ to bring Brailee out here since I got her, but wanted you to know first.”
Her smile never wavers and for the first time, since I laid eyes on Savannah she looks happy, lighthearted even. Seein’ her smile with inhibition swells my heart with pride. I knew if I could hold her close enough I’d eventually break through her barriers, shattering the shell that held her in captivity for too long. I knew even when she wanted to be alone to sulk in her misery that if I’d keep pressing her, showing her that tomorrow would be a bit brighter she’d eventually find happiness again. She’s courageous and resilient, even when she feels broken and small. She just needed to feel love to let it all shine through.
Chapter Twenty
“Gotta busy day, Sav. Got paperwork to catch up on at the diner, need to run by the home improvement store to pick out paint, and well that’s more your thing. Wanna come hang with me?” Luke asks as I finish packing the twins’ lunches. I toss him a sideways glance and a light bulb flashes in my head.
“Actually, I’m not feeling too well this morning. Was up a few times last night with a queasy stomach so I’m gonna rest after taking the kids to school.” I rub my stomach for show. So I tell a little white lie…big deal. My stomach is queasy, only because I’m wracked with nerves. I’m not sick, just a bit consumed with feelings that are penetrating my heart-feelings I don’t know how to accept just yet. A few hours of alone time sounds heavenly. I love spending time with Luke, but we’ve been snug as a bug in a rug since he came home and I could honestly use some breathing room. He’s smothering me just a bit. I need to exhale, clear my head and sort through my thoughts.
Luke looks me over cautiously, then pulls me flush with his chest as he rest his hands on my hips. His icy blue eyes peer down at me, a crooked smirk plastered on his face. “Why didn’t you wake me up, Sav?”
I shrug my shoulders as if it was no big deal. I considered waking Luke up, asking him to just hold me. I feel safe when I’m in his arms and that is what scares me the most. He’s pushed his way through my heart and I’m petrified of what will happen if I admit that. “I’m fine, Luke. I’m a nurse and a momma to twins. I can handle a little upset stomach. It was probably just a sugar rush from all the ice cream I ate.” Luke and I stayed up a little late last night watching 22 Jump Street. Once we finished the movie, we cleaned up the mess and spent a few hours on the couch just talking about us. Everything from childhood memories, our biggest fears, to our favorite vacation spots.
“You know I can’t leave ya by yourself, Sav. I won’t be able to work with a clear head if all I’m doin’ is worryin’ ‘bout ya.” He dips his head and presses a feather light kiss to the corner of my lips and my knees buckle as my head spins. He grips me tighter to his chest, noticing my quaking legs and his smile spreads from ear to ear. He knows how he affects me and he knows I’m just lyin’ out my ass to protect my heart. “See, you’re so weak you’re knees ‘bout gave out on ya!”