Saving Savannah (Haven, Texas 3)

Logan stood and grabbed her plate. “She ate three damn bites. Plus, she just had a bath; she’s avoiding us.”

“I know. Things will get better. She just needs time.”

Logan raised his eyebrows. “How much time?”

Max stood. “I don’t know. I’ve got bookwork to do.”

“Seems like everyone is running from me lately,” Logan muttered.

***

The phone rang, startling her where she sat in the living room, staring down at a magazine. Funny, she didn’t even remember picking it up. It was one of those fashion ones Laken had brought over for her.

She’d been slightly intimidated by Laken the first time she’d met her. She was gorgeous and no matter what she wore, she always looked like she stepped out of a fashion magazine. Savi knew she’d never come close to looking that stylish or elegant. But after getting to know her, she’d come to realize she was sweet and funny. Laken and Lila were now Savi’s closest friends, especially since Amanda had moved away.

She walked over to the phone, picking it up.

“Hello?”

“Hello? Who’s this?” The voice demanded, as though they hadn’t been the one to place the call.

“It’s Savannah. Hello, Grandma Evie,” she said, recognizing the older woman’s voice.

“Oh, Savannah, it’s you,” the older woman said. “I thought I had the wrong house. They make it so hard to read the number on these darn phones nowadays. How are you, dear?”

“I’m fine,” she replied automatically. “Would you like to speak to Max or Logan?”

Grandma Evie was actually Max and Logan’s grandma. She was the only one from their family who’d attended their wedding. Which was better than Savannah’s side. None of her relatives had bothered to come.

“I just called to wish them a happy birthday, dear. If they’re out working, that’s fine. Just wanted to make sure they got my card in the mail. I slipped a little something in there for them.”

A little something was a fifty-dollar bill. She did it every year. Max and Logan tried to convince her she didn’t need to give them money or at least not to send it in the mail, but she wouldn’t listen.

“But their birthday is September twelfth,” Savannah said.

“That’s today,” Grandma Evie said gently. “Savannah, are you sure you’re okay, honey?”

“I’m fine.” How had she lost track of time? How had she forgotten their birthday?

“Yes, you just said that. Do you need me to come out there?”

“No, thanks. I’ll get Max for you.” Savannah walked past the calendar on her way out, staring at the date. September twelfth.

Five weeks since she’d been taken. And her husbands’ birthday.

She searched the house, starting to feel a little panicked she couldn’t find Max anywhere. Wasn’t it his day to stay with her? She’d tried to convince them they didn’t need to stick close by, but it had been a half-hearted effort. She wasn’t ready to be alone.

“Max? Max?” she called out, aware of the rising panic in her voice. “Max?”

Where was he? He wouldn’t leave her, would he?

She stopped in the hallway, looking at the front door. Maybe he was outside. She swallowed heavily. She hadn’t been outside since her last doctor’s visit.

That was . . . oh God, if today was September twelfth, then that had to have been two weeks ago. She licked her lips, staring at the door. She could go outside. She could step out there whenever she liked. It wasn’t like the bogeyman was waiting outside to pounce on her.

It was broad daylight. There was no one around. Max had to be nearby. She took a step closer. Sweat broke out across her brow. Her hands shook. She brought the phone to her ear.

“Um, Grandma Evie?”