so much as a word, Celeste reached out and hugged her.
“Thank you so much for stepping up to help Zach with the planning meeting,” Celeste said. “Volunteering is an excellent way to become part of the fabric of the town.”
Oh, jeez. She’s from the South, too. She even sounds like Francine!
Her spine stiff, her hands fisted at her sides, Savannah endured the embrace. After what seemed like ten minutes but was in reality only a few seconds, Celeste stepped back. She held Savannah’s gaze for a long minute. How weird. A cold, empty place inside her heart suddenly didn’t seem so cold and empty.
“You are going to love it here in Eternity Springs,” Celeste said. “This little valley has a special energy about it, a healing energy that soothes troubled souls.”
Savannah’s chin came up. “My soul isn’t troubled.”
Celeste simply smiled.
The sheriff stepped toward them, a challenge gleaming in his piercing blue eyes. Did he know she was looking for a way to get out of helping him? He leaned down and kissed Celeste on the cheek, then addressed Savannah. “Thanks for offering to help. The SARE meeting begins the day after tomorrow, and I’m really behind the eight ball.”
Too bad he wasn’t in front of the wrecking ball.
Celeste said, “It’s so generous of you to volunteer your time, Savannah.”
“I’m happy to do so,” she lied.
The look in the sheriff’s eyes said she didn’t fool him one bit. “How much time can you give me tomorrow?”
Five minutes? “How much time do you need?”
“Whatever I can get. To be honest, due to my workload of late, I’ve let a lot of things pile up.”
She put an extra tablespoon of sugar in her tone as she asked, “Lots of picnickers to harass?”
“You wouldn’t believe the litterbugs I have to defend the county against,” he replied in a droll tone. “Look, if you want to back out—”
Yes! Except she had more pride than that, and he looked entirely too sure of her as he stood there, all manly and lawly and … gorgeous. Gorgeous? Have I lost my mind? “I said I’d help. Where and when?”
One corner of his mouth tilted in a knowing smirk. “Reflection Point meeting center. I’ll be working there all afternoon tomorrow.”
“I have a full morning and a phone appointment at one-thirty. I could probably get there around three.”
“Perfect.”
In some alternate universe, maybe.
Celeste beamed. “Maybe once things settle down for you, Zach, you can return the favor by helping Savannah get her shop ready to open.”
Savannah couldn’t prevent her eyes from going wide, and his glimmered with amusement as he replied, “That’s a great idea, Celeste.”
“I’m glad you think so. Now, I have a million things to catch up on at Angel’s Rest, so I’m going to run. Before I go, Savannah, allow me to say welcome to Eternity Springs. I just know that you’re going to be so happy here.”
Savannah momentarily forgot about the sheriff as she watched her enemy’s twin depart the room with waves and farewells. Celeste and the sheriff. This wasn’t an alternate universe. This was a nightmare.
Damned if the lawman didn’t tip an imaginary hat as he said, “So, I’ll see you tomorrow around three.”
“I’ll be there.” Unless she had a convenient appendectomy or something.
Savannah watched Zach Turner walk away and pause in the hallway outside to speak with the mayor. The formfitting stretch of his shirt across his broad shoulders once again reminded her of Kyle Vaughn. Kyle’s uniform shirt had been blue, not khaki, and it had brought out the blue in his eyes. Blue eyes hauntingly similar to the sheriff’s.
When she dragged her gaze away from him, she saw Sarah watching her, her eyes alight with delight and her lips lifted in a satisfied smile. She dipped her head in the sheriff’s direction. “Man candy for the eyes. He’s not just pretty to look at, Savannah. Zach is a really great guy.”
“Wait a minute.” Savannah held up her index finger. “If you are thinking what I think you are thinking, you can just stop it. I’m not interested.”
Sarah Murphy clasped her hands to her chest, the very picture of innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Uh-huh.” Savannah folded her arms. “You are as obvious as a weevil in the cake flour, and I’m telling you to let it go.”
“Weevil in the cake flour? I love it! That’s so southern of you.” She put her arms around Savannah and gave her a quick hug. “I need to run. I’m meeting my husband