Georgia he’d been wanting to make. He didn’t have to wait until after tourist season. His free time was his free time. He could spend it working if he wanted.
Then he could make a run at her again.
Because, if time proved that he was truly in love with Savannah Moore, then he wouldn’t let her fear stop him. If he wanted her, he’d win her. Of that he had no doubt.
Mr. Nice Guy wasn’t above playing dirty.
In Eternity Springs, August was the height of the tourist season, as people from all over the heat-baked Southwest flooded to the Colorado Rockies for weather relief and recreation. As a result, Heavenscents serviced customers from open to close, and Savannah stayed so busy that she was able to put Zach Turner out of her mind.
Sorta.
She missed him. She hadn’t spoken to him since she left Reflection Point that difficult morning almost two weeks ago. She’d seen him twice at various town events, but he’d made certain to stay far away from her. She told herself she was glad about it. It made life easier, didn’t it?
Easier, but not nearly so fun and exciting and thrilling.
Maybe not even easier when it came to dealing with TJ.
The boy might possibly be the death of her.
The day Jack brought him home from camp, the hair dye, earrings, and attitude returned. Around home, TJ continued to meet the terms of their agreement with regard to taking a return trip to Georgia, but he’d reverted to the sullen, angry boy he’d been upon his arrival in Eternity Springs.
Savannah hadn’t managed to get one word out of him about the events that led to his being sent home from camp. While he hadn’t gone back to his hoodlum ways, neither was he making any attempt to make friends. He wasn’t shooting baskets with Mandy anymore. When he wasn’t working for her, according to her friends, he was spending his time by himself fishing along Angel Creek.
The shop door opened, shaking Savannah from her reverie. Gabi Romano stepped inside, glanced around, then asked, “You alone?”
“Actually, I am. First time all day.”
“Good.” She folded her arms and scowled. “Then tell me what the heck you’ve done to my boss.”
Savannah blinked. “Um … I don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh, don’t give me that BS.”
“I haven’t talked to him in two weeks.”
“My point exactly. And now we only get rare glimpses of the easygoing, friendly guy I went to work for, because he’s hidden in a fog of sulky funk.”
Sulky funk? Zach?
“What happened to you two? One minute you’re lovebirds and the next he’s scheduling himself for double shifts so that Martin can go home to visit his dad who has been ill.”
“Martin’s dad is ill? I hope it’s nothing serious.”
“West Nile virus. He’s recovering. Talk to me, girlfriend. Did you dump my b—” Gabi hesitated, a strange look flashing across her face before she finished. “Boss?”
Savannah’s instincts went on high alert, and a surge of possessiveness washed through her. “Why do you ask? Do you want to date him? I guess that’s the next natural step. He’s worked his way through the rest of the women in town.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Gabi drew back, frowning. “Of course I don’t want to date him. I’m your friend. I’m his friend. I care about you both and I’m worried about you both.”
Savannah glanced toward the door, which remained frustratingly closed. Where were her customers when she needed them? “Look, there is nothing at all to worry about. From what I understand, Zach is accustomed to having a revolving door where women are concerned. He’ll be just fine. I’ll be fine, too. I am fine. We had a fun few weeks together, but that’s all it could ever have been. I’m not looking for a relationship.”
“Why not?” Gabi asked. “This is one of the good guys, Savannah. And he cares about you. Everyone can see that.”
Savannah hesitated, debating how to respond. She valued Gabi’s friendship and didn’t want to alienate her, but Gabi had a militant look in her eyes.
She’s on Zach’s side, Savannah realized, her heart twisting. Of all her new friends, Gabi was the one to whom she was closest, and the only one whose friendship with Zach didn’t predate a friendship with her. They’ll all take his side. I’ll lose all of my new friends because I indulged in a romance with the beloved town sheriff.
Serves you right for breaking his heart, her conscience chided.
“I didn’t break his heart,” Savannah defensively declared. “We were