help support his family. For the first time ever, Savannah was embarrassed by her family’s wealth. Her studies and the occasional chores at home were the only real responsibilities she’d ever had. She’d certainly never had to do anything to support her family.
Other than the clink of silverware, there was silence in the room again. Savannah took a bite of something from her plate and then shot her grandfather a pleading look.
With an imperceptible nod, her grandfather said, “You’re a Bama fan, Zach?”
“Yes, sir.” He grinned and added, “Roll Tide all the way.”
“I really thought they’d pull off another national championship last season.”
Savannah listened as her grandfather and Zach talked easily about players and statistics as if they’d known each other for years. Even Sammie and Bri piped in with their own observations and opinions. Savannah felt ignorant, a feeling she hated. She who buried her face in a book sometimes from morning till night knew nothing about the one subject Zach seemed the most interested in. As a bookworm who read anything and everything she could get her hands on, that was unsettling. Oh, she knew there were touchdowns, fumbles, and tackles, but was totally in the dark on the rules and procedures of the game.
Vowing to remedy her lack of knowledge, she listened intently as the discussion went from last season’s schedule to the upcoming games this fall. And while she learned, she watched Zach. No longer ill at ease, he was leaning back into his chair, lively interest on his face.
So engrossed in watching him, she was startled when he stood and said, “Well, thank you for a delicious breakfast, but I have an appointment to get to.”
Savannah jumped to her feet, almost toppling over the chair behind her. “I’ll walk you out.”
She was aware of three sets of eyes staring at them as they walked out of the morning room. She couldn’t have made it more obvious that she was awestruck and enthralled with their guest. But her sisters and grandfather knew her better than anyone. Hopefully her fascination wasn’t as apparent to Zach as it was to her family.
They reached the front door and Zach turned to face her, that solemn, sincere expression back on his face. “Watch out for Dayton. He’ll be pissed … I mean angry about what happened and might try to take it out on you.”
“I will. You be careful, too.”
He shrugged and opened the door. “Always am.”
“Want to come back for supper tonight?” She winced, fearing he would see straight through that invitation. He did, but not the way she’d feared.
“You don’t owe me anything, Savannah. Okay?”
She inhaled a shallow breath to steady her courage and answered with the truth, “Yes, I do, but that’s not why I asked you to supper.” Swallowing hard, she took the biggest chance of her life. “I’d like to see you again.”
His expression softened. “Why?”
Because I’ve had a crush on you from the moment I saw you. Because I find you fascinating. Because I’ve never felt like this about anyone before.
She couldn’t say any of those things, so she shrugged and gave him a bland but truthful answer. “I’d like to get to know you better.”
Eyes the color of a stormy winter’s sky stared hard as if trying to see beneath her words to an ulterior motive. She understood that he probably didn’t trust a lot of people. That was something they had in common. Savannah withstood his scrutiny and waited.
“I can’t come to supper tonight.”
Though she wasn’t surprised at his refusal, disappointment swamped her. Before she could come up with a brave smile and another innocuous reply, he stunned her with an invitation of his own. “I’m working a concert in Mobile tonight. It’s just a setup and teardown of equipment for a rock band called Stand and Deliver. They’re pretty good. If you’d like to come.”
“I’d love to.” She didn’t even worry about sounding too eager. This moment was too monumental to hide her excitement.
“I’ll pick you up at five o’clock.”
She barely nodded before he turned away and jogged to his car. Savannah stayed at the door long after his car disappeared from sight. Maybe it was her imagination or wishful thinking, but she could swear she saw a flash of attraction in his eyes. Could it be possible?
Closing the door, she turned and leaned against it. Zach had asked her out … he must find her somewhat appealing. Then the thought hit her. She had a date to go to a