Know Your Heart: A New Zealand - Tracey Alvarez Page 0,59
him. “You’re calling me a pussy? Considering I thought you’d had a run in with an axe murderer, that’s rich.”
She edged closer to him and stabbed a finger at the spider, who must’ve decided they were both pussies and high-stepped it away from them.
“It was a bloody gigantic spider, and it dropped onto me while I was clearing cobwebs from the windows.”
“It didn’t bite you?”
Glen scanned through his knowledge of New Zealand’s eight-legged inhabitants. The country only had one venomous spider, and he was pretty sure that butt-ugly brown thing wasn’t it.
She shook her head then ran a shaky hand over her hair, ripples of disgust still twitching across her shoulders. “It’s a wonder it didn’t, but no. God.”
“I’ll check again.”
He turned her away from him, positioning her under the pathetic glow of one of the bulbs. Smoothing his hands over her hair, he searched, feeling a little like a chimp grooming his mate. The thought would’ve made him smile, if not for the continuing shudders running through Savannah’s body.
“I’m sorry I disturbed you by being such a drama queen.”
Savannah apologizing? Perhaps the spider had bitten her, and she was going into toxic shock. Another tremble as he skimmed his hands over her shoulders, gathering her hair and gently moving it out of the way. The back of her shirt was clear of creepy crawlies, as was her cute, denim-clad butt—and he really shouldn’t be examining that so closely.
“You gave me a hell of a scare, but after seeing the size of that thing, I’d be screaming soprano if one dropped on my head.”
She gave a shaky laugh. “If we’re both too chicken to kill that monster, Nate’ll have to relocate him later.”
His hands dropped away. He couldn’t justify touching her any longer.
“Him and the family of rats living behind the toilet,” she added.
Rats too?
His eyes narrowed. “Why are you cleaning out the barn? Tell me you aren’t scheming to sleep in here instead of at Nate’s?”
“Sleep in here?” Sav’s nose crinkled. “Are you nuts? No, I’m cleaning the barn so Tom and I have somewhere to rehearse and a space where he can play his guitar without disturbing you.” She dragged an elastic band out of her pocket and pulled her hair into a ponytail. “See how considerate I am? I’m going to stay at the Sea Mist Resort—you’ll appreciate the irony, I’m sure.”
Or she could stay with you, a little voice piped up in his head. If you stop conning yourself and admit that’s what you really want.
“Sav, listen, you don’t have to—”
“Is that a truck coming up the drive?” Savannah darted past him to the open barn doors. “Yes! It is. The truck’s here.”
And…the moment was gone as she disappeared outside.
***
Glen stood on his deck with Savannah, Tom, Nate, Lauren and Drew while two guys in fluorescent vests loaded Daisy onto the back of the truck bed after removing the gum tree and revealing the extent of the caravan’s damage.
“Poor Daisy,” Drew said, perched on Nate’s shoulders. “She’s all squished.”
Savannah, bookended by Lauren on one side and Nate on the other, sighed.
Lauren slung an arm around Savannah’s shoulders. “Thank God for insurance. You’ll be able to get a replacement in no time.”
“Time is something I don’t have, and Daisy’s a one of a kind. For now, the Sea Mist will be fine.”
“Or you could stay with me and Tom.” The little voice had needled Glen enough to loosen his tongue, so there it was, out there.
Five pairs of eyes swiveled toward him, but only Savannah’s had the power to jam the air in his lungs. Hope and heat flashed across her gaze as it lingered then dropped away.
Nate hissed out a breath. “What? No way.”
Glen refused to react to the unspoken challenge in Nate’s tone. His friend had thrown them together shopping yesterday, now Glen tried to do something decent and charitable, and suddenly he was the bad guy?
“Hey, I’m right here.” Savannah poked an elbow into Nate’s ribs. “And it’s nice of Glen to offer.”
“There’s nothing wrong with the futon in Lauren’s workshop if you don’t want to stay at the hotel.” Nate glowered at his cousin. “I slept on it for weeks.”
“We already discussed this—”
“What are you talking about, Daddy?” Drew tugged on Nate’s chin, effectively defusing the situation.
“Sweetie, let’s get a better look at the truck.” Lauren held up her hands for her son and gave Nate a sort yourself out look.
Glen gave Tom’s shoulder a gentle push. “Go with them.”