Page 29 of Griffin
“I’m on my way. I'm five minutes away. Just take a breath…” My heart pumps harder at what could be happening.
“She alright?” Tanner asks.
“I’ll let you know,” I tell him as I jump in the truck, not waiting for him. I speed out of the distillery, the gravel in his driveway flicking out from beneath my tires as I race into town.
“Are you alright? Savannah!” I yell into the phone, driving one-handed. If the local sheriff was around, he’d pull me over for sure.
“I can’t… I’m trying to…” She sniffs and cries, and I still can’t make out a word.
“I’m here,” I bark into the phone as I pull sharply into a parking spot right at the front of the bakery. I barely turn off my truck before I’m out, pocketing my phone and pushing my way through the door.
“Savannah?” I yell, feeling like I’m going to have a fucking heart attack. Looking around, I don’t see her in the shop and have no time to admire how good it looks as I stride out the back to the kitchen and pause in the doorway.
She’s on the floor, leaning against the wall. Tears coat her cheeks, her eyes red, and she looks even more beautiful than when I left her a week ago.
“Savannah?” I stride to her, sinking down on my knees, looking her over. She’s intact. Not visibly hurt. Not grabbing her belly like last time.
“What happened?” My anger increases, ready to kill the person responsible for these tears.
“I can’t tie my shoes!” she wails, and I still.
“What?” I frown, wondering if I heard her right.
“I can't tie my shoes… I wanted to walk to the diner… to drop off some new cupcakes… and I can’t tie my shoes…” Her tears continue through hiccups, and my pulse starts to slow. Looking her over, I see that she’s highly emotional, her hormones probably all over the place. She’s likely overtired from working so hard, too. I guess growing a kid and having a belly the size of a watermelon would do that to you.
“Your shoes?” I look down at her feet, seeing some running shoes half-on, laces undone.
“I can’t even touch my toes… I used to be able to touch my toes. Now I’m so fat, I can’t even see them.” Her body is weary as she slumps against the wall.
“You’re pregnant…” I tell her firmly as I lean over to gently wipe her cheeks with my thumb. As I do, I lower my hand to her chin and tilt her face so she’s looking at me. “..and you’re beautiful.”
“You’re here?” Her pout is cute. Like she just realized I’m in front of her.
“I am. Are you alright?” Her breathing has calmed now. Her tears have stopped.
“Aren’t you still in Sundown Valley?”
I clench my jaw so I don’t grin like a fool. I didn’t tell her exactly when I’d be back, so her surprise is understandable. The relief is flooding me now knowing she’s okay.
“Great!” She throws a cloth onto the ground. “Now I’m hallucinating," she grumbles, and I roll my lips so I don’t laugh.
“I got back early. I wanted to be back for opening day.”
Her gaze snaps back to mine, in awe, her big, beautiful, now glassy eyes widening. The same ones I try not to focus on because they draw me in so deep I’m scared I’ll drown in them.
“You came for my opening day?” Blinking up at me, another tear trails down her cheek, and I wipe it away.
“I did. Are you okay?” I ask again, searching her face. She looks to be more settled now, but that tear has me concerned all over again.
“Yeah, sorry… I just… had a moment. I didn’t know who else to call. My emotions are all over the place, and when you can’t do something as simple as put on some shoes, I think my stress just overflowed. Sorry.” She shakes her head, a little embarrassed, but I nod in understanding. I didn’t mind her call. I know there’s no one else here to help her. I feel honored that she feels so comfortable with me.
As she wipes her face, with more tears having escaped, I glance around the space. Everything looks amazing. She already has prepackaged jars of caramels ready to go. There are batches of sourdough proofing over on the side. She also has bowls and bowls of different-colored icing ready to apply to an assortment of baked delights tomorrow. She’s been busy. No wonder she’s exhausted.
“You’ve been pushing yourself. I think you need to rest.” I lean over to scoop her up and lift her to me. I swear she’s heavier than she was last week, but I don’t falter as I stand, keeping her in my arms.
“I’ve got too much to do. I still need to ice the cupcakes…” She starts to wriggle, but it’s futile, because I’m not letting her down.
“You need to rest. When’s your new staff member starting?” I clench my jaw, hating her doing all this on her own, wanting to help her, yet also not wanting to get too close. Getting close to a woman like this is dangerous. I can’t catch feelings. She's pregnant. She doesn't need a man like me walking into her life. A man who isn’t worthy. Not for her or her baby. My past has proven I can’t be. I can’t be responsible for another person. Besides, she needs to concentrate on the baby and the bakery.
