That was a surprise to Savannah. Other than knowing that her mother’s parents had died in a car accident when Maggie was still in college, she knew little of her mother’s side of the family.
Hearing about her mother like this was a special treat. “What was she like?”
A gentle albeit sad smile curved his mouth. “Delightful. She had such a sunny disposition and the most wonderful laugh.”
He had been in love with her. The glaze of tears in his eyes and quiver of his mouth were a clear indication of his grief. Though she would have loved to chat about her mother more, since he had apparently known her well, Savannah hated to cause him more distress.
As she searched her mind for a different topic, Kyle continued, his eyes taking on a faraway look as if he were in a different time and place. “She was the most popular girl in school, you know. But you never would have guessed it. Not a vain bone in her body. She was a cheerleader, too. Did you know that?”
Yes, she had known that. She’d always believed that was one of the biggest reasons Sammie had pursued the same type of activities. Somehow she felt closer to her mother by trying to be exactly like her.
Savannah nodded. “I’ve seen pictures of her cheer-leading.”
His expression went from the faraway look of before to something dreamy and not a little creepy. “Such a beautiful, talented girl.”
Uncomfortable with the look of stark longing in Kyle’s eyes, Savannah scrambled for something safer. “So if you grew up in Mobile, how did you end up here in Midnight?”
“He followed your mama here.”
She’d been so intent on her conversation with Kyle, Savannah hadn’t realized the woman across the table from them was listening intently also. Noreen Ingram had always made her uncomfortable. Sour and angry at the same time, the woman never seemed to have anything kind to say to anyone. No wonder poor Kyle always looked so sad.
Instead of responding to Noreen, Savannah kept her focus on Kyle. “I’m sure it was a comfort to Mama to have a friend from her hometown so close by.”
Again, before Kyle could answer, Noreen snorted her disgust and said, “More like it drove her crazy. She had her very own stalker.”
“Noreen … please.” Kyle’s voice was just above a whisper but the embarrassment and misery in his tone were easily detectable. Everyone at the table went silent.
“Mrs. Ingram, your roses are looking particularly beautiful this year.”
Zach’s comment to Noreen not only defused a volatile situation, it had an amazing effect on the woman. A smile of delight lifted the sour expression to one of almost prettiness. Amazed at the transformation, Savannah stared at her and didn’t realize for several seconds that Kyle had left the table and was rushing from the room. The glimpse she got of his face showed tears were streaming from his eyes.
Should she follow him? She didn’t know Kyle that well but she hated to see anyone so obviously upset. Somehow she felt responsible for his distress. Torn, Savannah’s quandary was solved when a large, callused hand covered hers under the table. Squeezing gently, Zach whispered, “He’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Then, as if he’d said nothing to Savannah, he continued to charm Noreen.
Grateful for Zach’s diplomacy and ability to ease the tense atmosphere, Savannah whispered a quiet “Thank you” and tried to pull her hand away. Zach wasn’t having it. Her heart in her throat, she shot a sideways glance at him. Nothing in his face revealed that they were holding hands. She tried once more to pull away. This time, though he didn’t release her hand, she did notice a small smile curve his mouth.
Not wanting to attract attention, she stopped tugging. Everyone had gone back to their meal and their own conversations. Kyle returned; his apology that he’d had something in his eye brought comments about the allergy season but nothing more.
The rest of the meal passed in a blur. She knew she ate and even managed to answer when someone spoke to her, though she wasn’t sure she made sense. Her concentration was shattered by the hand holding hers and by the large masculine thumb that caressed the inside of her palm in slow, erotic circles. She was stunned to realize that each time he completed a circle, she felt a corresponding and answering throb to her sex.
How the hell could one become aroused by a thumb in the middle of dinner surrounded