Whisper's Edge (34 page)

Savannah sighed with satisfaction when he rolled over and pulled her against his body. After a moment she said, “I’m so happy.”

Tristan kissed the top of her head. “I intend to keep you that way.”

“I was worried about turning thirty, Tristan. I thought to myself that I have so many things on my bucket list to cross off!”

“We’ll do all of them,” Tristan promised.

“I hope we do.” Savannah leaned up and kissed him softly. “But in truth none of that really matters anymore. I was searching for happiness in meaningless pictures in
magazines.” She put a gentle hand on his chest. “This…
This
is real and nothing compares.”

“Ah, Savannah…” He leaned down and kissed her so tenderly that more tears were squeezed from her heart. “I couldn’t agree more.”

“W
HOA!” SAVANNAH TEETERED BACK AND FORTH ON A ROCK
in the middle of the creek she was attempting to cross. “I almost joined the bullfrogs and crawdads in Cricket Creek.”

“Watch your step,” Tristan warned belatedly with a laugh. He reached over and offered his hand.

“Where are you taking me, anyway? We couldn’t still be on Whisper’s Edge property.”

“Patience,” Tristan said calmly, but there was an underlying excitement in his tone that had Savannah’s heart beating faster. He helped her hop over to the grassy bank. While still holding her hand he pointed at a fairly steep embankment. “Just a little bit farther.”

“Up there?”

“I’ll help you,” he promised with a grin that she found sexy.

“Okay…” Savannah held tightly to his hand while she struggled to keep from sliding backward. “But if I fall I’m taking you with me,” she warned him but he only laughed. He held back sticker bush branches as he led her down a
narrow path through the woods. Savannah was glad she’d worn jeans and sneakers for what Tristan told her was going to be a casual date. When a thorn snagged at her hair she made grumbling noises about beady-eyed creatures hiding in the trees.

“I thought you liked hiking? We did a lot of it in Maui.”

“Yes, on trails.”

“Sometimes you have to take the road less traveled.”

She smiled. “True.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll check you all over for ticks.”

Savannah wrinkled her nose at him but there was excitement buzzing in the air. “There’d better be a really amazing spread at the end of this path, you know, like the destination dates they have on the
Bachelorette
. Champagne and caviar.” She looked at him, hoping to get a clue as to why he was taking her on this hike.

“Do you like caviar?”

“I don’t know but…” She paused when they reached an open field dotted with wildflowers. “Oh…my!” To the left was a barn that must have once been red but had faded to a rusty orange. And on the right was a two-story fieldstone farmhouse. She looked at Tristan in question and he gave her a slow smile.

“Do you like it?”

“W-what do you mean? Did you buy this for the expansion of Whisper’s Edge?”

“No. I’ll buy it for us if you want it. But first I have something to ask you.”

Savannah felt her eyes widen and her mouth open, but no words would come out. She put her hand to her chest when Tristan reached inside the pocket of his cargo pants and pulled out a blue velvet ring box. He got down on one knee, crushing a few daisies in the process.

“Savannah, will you marry me?” He opened the lid, revealing a delicate but stunning solitaire diamond ring. He looked up at her with hope, longing, and such love in his eyes that she wanted to shout her answer, but her throat
clogged with emotion, not letting the words out. Instead, she nodded vigorously. He smiled and came to his feet. His fingers trembled as he removed the ring and then slid it onto her finger. Sunlight caught the sparkle of the diamond, and for a moment Savannah could only stare at her finger wearing an engagement ring.

She was engaged to be married! To Tristan!

Savannah suddenly found her voice and let out a whoop. Laughing, Tristan picked her up and spun her around in the field of flowers. It was like a scene in a romantic movie…well, until he stumbled and took them both tumbling and laughing to the ground. And then he gave her a slow, long, hot, sweet kiss that stole her breath and went straight to her heart.

Tristan smiled at her tenderly and then pulled a twig from her hair. “Do you want to see the house?”

“Yes!”

He grinned and tugged her to her feet. They all but ran over to the front steps that led to a porch. “It needs some work,” he warned and then looked at her expectantly as she peeked into the front windows.

Savannah turned and beamed at him. “My favorite kind!”

“I’ve got the key,” he said and dug inside his pocket.

“Sweet!” Savannah all but jumped up and down in her eagerness to get inside. Hand in hand they walked around while Savannah exclaimed in delight over every little detail. “Oh, look at the stone fireplace! And Tristan, I love the plank hardwood floors!” She sucked in a breath. “The glass doorknobs are gorgeous.” She tugged him into the kitchen. “Oh, exposed beams! A pantry!” She tugged his hand and pulled him up the narrow steps leading to the second floor. “A claw foot bathtub?” Her voice raised an octave. She pulled him down the hallway and into each of the three bedrooms. “Tristan, this house is perfect.”

“Not perfect, Savannah. It needs updating and lots of renovation.”

She turned and smiled at him. “It will be perfect. We’ll make it perfect.” She hugged him but then pulled back. “Wait. Is this what you want? It’s a far cry from a high-rise condo.”

Tristan trailed a fingertip down her cheek. “I came here looking for land to expand Whisper’s Edge. But when I saw the farmhouse I immediately pictured you on the porch waving to me. And cooking in the kitchen. Planting a garden. This house has heart and soul.” He tilted her chin up. “Like you.” He looked into her eyes. “It was then that I knew I wanted to be your husband. So yes, this is what I want. Now…and forever.”

Savannah put her palms on his cheeks. “I love you, Tristan.” She went up on tiptoe and kissed him tenderly.

“Do you want to see the barn?”

She gave him a bright smile. “I want to see everything!”

They headed out the back door and explored the backyard on the way to the barn. “Tomatoes over there and a flower garden next to the shed. Oh, and a bird bath.”

Tristan chuckled. “A bird bath?”

“I want it all!” She waved her hands upward and laughed.

“And you shall have it.”

When they reached the barn Tristan pulled the big door open. Dust motes danced in the air, and the earthy smell of hay and animals wafted their way. Sunshine cut through the darkness, illuminating a slice of the floor and beyond. A few forgotten tools were scattered here and there, and a weathered-looking ladder led up the hayloft.

“Just needs a little sprucing up,” Savannah commented.

“I’m not sure what we’d do with a barn but I like having one,” Tristan said with a grin. “Well, we’d better get going since we have a little hike back. And I have an offer to make.”

Savannah nodded but put a hand on Tristan’s arm. “Did you hear that?”

“What?”

“That!” Savannah said when she heard a whine. “Something is in here,” she whispered and crept forward.

“Cats usually live in barns, I think,” Tristan said. But it wasn’t a cat that was hiding behind a pile of hay—it was a dog. He was skinny with matted hair and big eyes.

“Come here,” Savannah coaxed. When the dog scooted backward, she dug in her purse and found some peanut butter crackers. She showed the dog a cracker but he didn’t move. “Oh, Tristan, he’s scared.”

“Be careful, Savannah. It’s obviously a stray. He must have gotten in through a hole somewhere.”

Savannah nodded but she crept forward and finally tossed the cracker in front of the scared dog, who hesitated but then wolfed the treat down. “Oh, it’s hungry!” She tossed another cracker closer so that the dog would come into the light. God, she knew just how he felt…lost and alone. Desperate.

“Savannah,” Tristan warned, but she somehow knew the dog wouldn’t harm her.

The pooch became less frightened, and Savannah tossed the remaining crackers until they were out of the barn. “Are you thirsty? Because I know where there’s a creek,” she said over her shoulder. The dog trotted up beside them as if he understood. Savannah looked over at Tristan and chuckled. “I talk to dogs, remember?”

“And save them from drowning.”

Savannah laughed at the memory.

“He’s coming home with us, isn’t he?” Tristan asked with a shake of his head but he was grinning.

“He?”

Tristan tilted his head and looked. “Yep, I do believe it is a…him.”

She nodded and turned to the dog. “Come on, Sandy. My friend Willie will show you the ropes. Let’s go home.”

“Home…I like the sound of that.”

Savannah reached out and took Tristan’s hand. “Me too.”

“O
H, NO
!” A
VA
W
HIMSY GRIPPED THE HANDLE OF HER BIG
wicker basket tightly as she dodged past dancing elves and then cut through a Girl Scout troop decked out in cookie costumes. The lineup for the Cricket Creek Christmas parade was organized chaos at best and this was no time to be running late.

“Santa, where are you…?” Ava stopped and twirled around so fast that the red velvet skirt of her Mrs. Claus dress billowed out like an umbrella before settling down around her calves. The basket tilted, sending a few candy canes sliding to the concrete, but she didn’t have time to pick them up. Ava knew the Santa’s sleigh float brought up the rear, but seriously, the end of the line was nowhere in sight.

“Where in the world is Santa’s sleigh?” Ava shouted to Noah Falcon, owner of the Cricket Creek professional baseball team and grand marshal of the parade. Even though the weather had a threat of snow flurries, the top of the flashy red convertible was down, allowing Noah and his wife, Olivia, to wave and toss Cougar baseball caps to the eager crowd.

“Back…” Noah began but the high school marching band started playing “Jingle Bells,” drowning out his answer. Ava looked in the direction of Noah’s thumb, jammed over his head.
Finally
she spotted the flying reindeer jutting up in the air all the way over at the other end of the parking lot.

The jolly old man might have to ride in the sleigh solo this year. But after taking a deep breath to ready herself, Ava lifted her red velvet skirt with one hand, put one dainty laced-up boot in front of the other, and then hurried as fast as she could past floats and other Christmas-themed participants. Her basket, laden with tiny toys and candy canes, swung back and forth.

A last-minute customer at Ava’s toy store, just a few blocks away on Main Street, had had her running behind, and then to make matters worse, her dog had decided to shred her white wig to pieces. Apparently, Rosie—her usually sweet little rescue mutt—didn’t take kindly to Ava’s recent long hours stocking A Touch of Whimsy in preparation for the holiday rush. In a panic, Ava had pulled her chestnut brown hair into a bun and sprayed it with the fake snow she’d been using for the front window display. Judging by the crusty white flakes falling from her head, it wasn’t her best idea. Although she considered herself a creative person, she was normally a casual dresser and not really equipped for situations like this. The label at least
said
the contents were nontoxic, so she hoped her hair wouldn’t fall out.

For the past ten years she and Pete Sully had played Santa and Mrs. Claus during the three-day celebration filled with food and festivities along Main Street in Cricket Creek. Pete also made Santa appearances at her store throughout the holiday season. With his real beard, round belly, and booming voice, Pete played the part well. And although perhaps more suited to play a cute elf, Ava dressed up and portrayed Mrs. Claus at Sully’s Tavern when Pete hosted Toys for Tots and Teens, a charity event to benefit local children in need. She just couldn’t fathom any child not having a toy on Christmas morning.

“Finally!” Ava muttered when she reached the row of plastic reindeer. Sure, they had seen better days, but the worn rosy cheeks and chipped paint somehow added a nostalgic appeal that Ava found endearing. Rudolph’s red nose blinked as if in welcome and Ava sighed in relief. She’d made it.

“Hey there!” Ava waved to Braden Greenfield sitting on the big green tractor that was going to pull the float. A huge red bow adorned the front grille. When Braden tipped his cowboy hat at Ava, she grinned and tossed him a candy cane, which he deftly caught.

“You took your sweet time getting here, Ava,” Braden called over to her.

“Long story,” she shouted back. The Greenfield farm butted up to her family’s farm and Braden was like a little brother to her. “Catch ya later!” Ava turned and accepted Santa’s white-gloved hand as she took the big step up and slid onto the black leather seat.

“Sorry I’m late,” Ava apologized a little breathlessly, and set her basket down onto the floor. She leaned over to pick up a few candy canes that had tumbled around her feet. “I had a customer who couldn’t decide whether to purchase trains or airplanes.” Sitting back up, she arranged her velvet skirt just so and brushed away a mist of white flakes that continued to flutter from her head as she moved. “And then a wardrobe situation complicated matters.” She pointed to her head. “So, how’s it going, Pete?”

“Pretty good, but, um…I’m not Pete.”

Ava chuckled as she tugged at her tight gloves. “Sorry.…Right, you’re Santa. I forgot that you like to stay in character.” After flicking another powdery flake from her skirt, she reached down for a handful of candy canes and finally glanced his way. “Would you like one?”

“Thanks,” Santa said, reaching for the treat. But when their fingers brushed, for some odd reason Ava felt a little tingle.