An Appointment (Summer in New York Book 4) Read online

  I looked around my childhood home, running my fingers over the walls. I’d really missed this place.

  “Savannah.” Mom found me in my room. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” I sat down on the bed. “It’s just been a rough week.” I faked a smile.

  “Well, why don’t you get settled in and rest before dinner. You look tired.”

  She patted my cheek and left, cracking the door behind her. I lay down on my old bed and slipped under the covers, intending to only shut my eyes for a minute. When I woke up, it was three hours later.

  Feeling drowsy, I went in the bathroom and splashed cool water on my face. Then I patted my skin dry and looked in the mirror, wondering how I’d gotten here. I hated feeling so hopeless, so I told myself that there was a bright side. There had to be.

  On my way downstairs, I smelled something delicious. It had been so long since I’d been home. I closed my eyes at the familiar scent of a home cooked meal. Daddy was the best. I’d really missed his food.

  “Hey, sleepy head.” Mom sat at the kitchen table.

  Grinning, I trudged to the table and sat down.

  “We thought you were dead,” Daddy teased, tending to pots on the stove.

  “That smells so good. What are you making for dinner?” I asked.

  “Your favorite.” Daddy opened a lid and picked Trey up so he could look inside.

  “Really?” I stood up and made a bee line for the stove, lighting up when I saw chicken ‘n’ dumplin’s.

  Daddy touched my cheek and pulled me into a sweet hug. “We’ve missed you.”

  “I know.” I tilted over when Trey tugged at my pants. “I’ve missed you, too.”

  “You’ve been working too hard, Savannah.” Mom patted my hand. “You need to rest.”

  “I know.” I took a deep breath. “I’ve just been so busy.”

  “Mommy! Try!” Trey gave me a wooden spoon with a bite of dumpling.

  I ate the sample and immediately relaxed. “Mmm. That’s so good!”

  “I made it all by myself.”

  “You did?” I gasped.

  “Well, Grandpa helped me a little bit,” Trey said.

  I giggled, running my fingers through his floppy blond locks. “Did he now?”

  “Only a little bit,” Daddy smiled. “Trey did most of the heavy liftin’. Isn’t that right?” He held up his hand so Trey could give him a high five. When Trey slapped his hand, I felt tears in my eyes.

  My stomach growled as I put my hand over it. I was so stressed out, in such a rush to escape my life that I’d hardly eaten a thing all day. Daddy noticed and turned the burner off, while Trey fetched our plates.

  Avoiding Daddy, I helped set the table and planned out how I was going to tell them. Once everyone was seated, we held hands as Daddy said the blessing. I peeked while we were praying, looking at my son.

  For the first time in my life, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to protect him. That kind of terror kept me up at night. I hadn’t slept well all week. I’d already accepted the possibility that I may never sleep well again.

  I ate like a pig at dinner. After an entire plate of chicken ‘n’ dumplin’s, I scarfed down three pieces of cornbread, two scoops of green beans and a bowl of fried okra. Afterwards, I was so thirsty that I drained my glass of water in twenty seconds flat. My behavior raised a couple of eyebrows to say the least.

  “Who saved room for dessert?” Daddy asked, taking our plates to the sink.

  “Let me help you with that.”

  “No.” Mom grabbed my plate. “You sit right there. We’ve got it.”

  Trey asked to sit in my lap, so I patted my leg. Once he hopped up, I put my chin on his shoulder and wrapped my arms around him. From the moment he was born, I’d felt bonded to my son. It’s probably nothing more than the usual way a mother feels towards her young. But now that I knew what his father had done, my protective nature had escalated. I might never let him out of my sight again.

  “All right.” Daddy looked in the fridge. “What’ll it be, Trey? Peach cobbler or strawberry shortcake?”

  “Strawberry shortcake!” he cheered, putting his hands in the air.

  Daddy cut him a slice and brought it over. “Savannah?”

  “No thanks, Daddy. I’m stuffed.”

  I let Trey eat his dessert in my lap, while my parents got started on the dishes. When Trey was done, he hopped down and helped them. Daddy lifted Trey and set him on the counter. I watched them interact, thinking about how damaged Trey’s relationship was with his father. Daddy might be the only male figure he would ever have. As he dried the dishes with a towel, Daddy gave him a high five. It warmed my heart to see him smile at his grandfather.

  “Are you all right?” Mom whispered, joining me at the table.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” I rested my cheek on my hand. “Just tired.”

  “You just slept for three hours.” She tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”

  “Mommy, can I watch TV?” Trey asked.

  “Yes, but only for a little bit. Then you need to brush your teeth and get ready for bed.”

  “Okay.” He ran out of the kitchen.

  “Hey!” I called after him. “Don’t I get a kiss?”

  He spun around and raced towards me, jumping in my arms. Then he left a kiss on my cheek. I watched him run to the living room and get the remote. No matter what happened, we’d always have each other.

  “So what’s goin’ on?” Daddy pulled out his chair and sat down.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Savannah, don’t you think we know you well enough by now?” Mom said. “I know when something’s bothering you. You haven’t come to visit for this long in months.” She touched my hand. “And you look exhausted.”

  “Thanks,” I muttered.

  “What is it, darlin’?” Daddy pressed. “We can help.”

  I felt their support—how much they loved me. It brought tears to my eyes.

  “Savannah,” Mom said. “Honey, what is it?”

  “I got fired,” I cried. “And I’m going to have to sell the house.”

  Daddy looked shocked. His green eyes got huge. Mom didn’t say anything.

  “Next year, I may have to pull Trey out of private school.”

  “What about Kevin?” Mom asked. “He’s been paying child support. Hasn’t he?”

  “Yes, but without my job it’s not enough. I’m upside down on the house. We’re swimming in debt.”

  I covered my face as the worst tears broke through. I hadn’t balled my eyes out like this since the divorce. I felt out of control. But it wasn’t just about me. I had a son to worry about.

  “And that’s not even the worst part,” I sobbed. “I took Trey to the doctor this week. They found bruises on his body. The doctor took him to the back to ask him questions, because they thought it might be domestic abuse.” I could hardly breathe. “Trey told them Kevin did it. He hurt our son.”

  Daddy was furious. “Trey! Can you come in here please?”

  Being the obedient boy he was, Trey waltzed right in like there was nothing wrong. “Yes, Grandpa?”

  “Come here,” I said, opening my hand. He took it and I set him on my lap.

  Daddy stood up, smoldering. He put his hand on Mom’s shoulder as she stared at Trey with concern.

  “We just need to show Grandpa and Grandma your chest and your back. Just like you did with the doctor. Is that okay?” I asked.

  He nodded.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat and set him down. Then I lifted his shirt so they could see the front of his torso. Mom gasped. When I turned his body so they could see his back, Daddy looked like he was ready to get his shotgun out. I let Trey put his shirt back down and he crawled in my lap.

  Daddy squatted in front of us and looked Trey right in the eye. “Who did that?” he asked.

  “Daddy,” Trey said. “But he told me not to tell. You can’t tell.”

  “I
won’t,” Daddy said.

  “Neither will I,” Mom followed.

  “So don’t you worry about that.” He patted Trey’s head. “Your secret is safe with me.”

  “Why don’t you go upstairs and get ready for bed?” I said. “I’ll be up later to read you a story.”

  “Okay, Mommy.” He left us and went up the stairs, taking my whole heart with him.

  “Savannah,” Mom said. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  Daddy rose with a grunt. “I never liked that son of a—”

  “Kevin is Trey’s father,” I said, cutting him off. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “I think you should stay with us,” Mom said. “At least until you get this mess straightened out.”

  “I agree with your mother. It’s not safe for Trey to be with his father. You have full custody.”

  “Under the condition that Kevin is allowed to see Trey whenever he wants,” I reminded them. “You know what kind of power the Thornes have. I’d file a restraining order if I weren’t afraid that—”

  “Did you forget who your uncle is?” Daddy said.

  “You want me to call Uncle Ben?” I asked.

  “If you won’t, I sure as hell will,” Daddy declared.

  “I don’t want to worry him or Aunt Claire. Don’t they have enough grandchildren to worry about?”

  Daddy gave me a look.

  “What?” I groaned.

  “Ben would help you, Savannah. You know he would.”

  “Daddy, I’m a grown woman now! Would you give me a chance to figure something out before you start shoving orders down my throat? I’m trying to decide what’s best for Trey. Okay?”

  Daddy looked down. “I was only trying to help.”

  I stood up. “Well, if you weren’t so high-handed I wouldn’t have married him in the first place.”

  I stormed out and ran up the staircase, feeling like my whole world was spiraling out of control. Trey had just gotten out of the shower. So I helped him into his pajamas and put him in the room next to mine. As I read him a bedtime story, Trey told me something out of the blue.

  “Mommy?”

  “Yeah?” I lay in bed with my arm around him, touching his blond locks.

  “I don’t have to go to Daddy’s anymore, do I?” He looked up at me with innocent eyes.

  “Do you want to go to Daddy’s?” I asked.

  He shook his head.

  “You don’t have to see Daddy anymore if you don’t want to.”

  He visibly relaxed and put his head on my chest, squeezing his arms around me. We were quiet for a few minutes, while I sorted through all the thoughts racing in my head. I had to be strong for my son.

  “Are we going to the doctor tomorrow?” he asked.

  I thought it was a strange question. “No.”

  “Oh.” He frowned.

  “I thought you didn’t like going to the doctor.”

  “I don’t.”

  I tried reading between the lines, but he had me befuddled.

  “Did you know Dr. Cole wears glasses, too?”

  I hadn’t really been paying attention. At least not to his glasses.

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “He showed them to me,” Trey said. “He was nice.”

  Something fluttered through me at the memory of that man. His dark eyes, brooding and sexy. I wondered what he looked like with his shirt off. But then I snapped out of it, kicking the fantasy away. I was a mother now. My days for romance had come to an end.

  “Mommy, do you think we’ll ever see him again?”

  I looked down at my son, shocked he’d formed an instant bond with a stranger.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “Do you want to see him again?”

  “I told him about Daddy. He promised he wouldn’t tell.”

  My heart pitter-pattered. I’d always known Preston’s father to be a nice man. As a little girl, I’d enjoyed seeing him when I had my yearly check-ups. Maybe his son’s bedside manner was just as cordial.

  “It’s been a long day.” I tucked him in and kissed his forehead. “Why don’t you get some sleep?”

  As I turned out the light, he said, “I love you, Mommy.”

  I was so emotional I could hardly get the words out. “I love you, too.”

  I went to my room and cried myself to sleep. In the middle of the night, Trey climbed into my bed and told me about a bad dream. I pulled the covers around us and drifted off with the intention of building a better life for my son. No matter the cost.

  THE NEXT DAY, I WENT shopping at the grocery store with Mom. Trey came with us.

  While I strolled down the cereal aisle, he picked up a box and showed it to me. “No, honey. Let’s get something a little healthier than that.” I welcomed the occasional indulgence. But after his asthma diagnosis, I’d made a point to keep Trey’s diet as nutritious as possible.

  “Mommy, look!” Trey pointed at a yogurt booth handing out free samples. “Can I have some?”

  Hesitating, I eyed the small plastic cups. The word organic was printed on the front. “Maybe a little.”

  “Yay!” He ran down the aisle while I chased after him.

  “Trey! Slow down!” I rounded the corner and crashed right into a shopping cart. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  There was a tall man bending over. I must have knocked something down, because he picked up a box of cereal. When he stood, my mouth dropped wide open. He looked at me and grinned.

  “Hello there.”

  Chapter 4

  Preston

  Savannah parted her pretty pink lips when she saw me. I scanned her from head to toe, loving everything I saw. She was tall and fit but had curves in all the right places. Her hair was dark blonde, not bleached with peroxide. Maybe it was natural. Just like those green eyes I’d seen in my dreams.

  “Dr. Cole.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “What are you doing here?”

  “Shopping for groceries.” I motioned to my shopping cart. It was filled with produce.

  She seemed nervous, which surprised me. I’d felt nothing but pure confidence from her when we met.

  “Right.” She looked over my shoulder, but my eyes stayed on her. “Trey? Come here.”

  Turning back, I spotted the cute little guy. He had a small cup of yogurt in his hands. In a lot of ways, he reminded me of myself when I was that age. Energetic, yet shy. Curious about life. Afraid.

  Savannah put her arm around Trey and knelt down on his level. “Don’t run off like that, okay?”

  “Yes, Mommy. I’m sorry.”

  She sighed and pulled him into her side. “I’m sorry for crashing into you. I was chasing this rascal.”

  “It’s okay,” I chuckled. “I don’t mind.”

  She averted her eyes and looked at Trey. “How’s your yogurt?”

  “Delicious!” He smiled at the two of us.

  “Do you remember Dr. Cole?” Savannah asked him.

  “Yeah,” he grinned at me, adjusting his glasses.

  “How are you feeling today?” I asked.

  “Okay,” he shrugged, focusing on his yogurt.

  “Savannah!” An older, attractive blonde appeared in the aisle. “Your father wants steak.” She looked at a list in her hand. “I’ve already got everything for dinner tonight and—” She stopped talking when she noticed me. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She smiled. “Savannah, who is this?”

  “Umm.” Savannah pressed her lips together. “This is Dr. Cole’s son, Preston.”

  “Oh. Hi!” She shook my hand. “I’m Amy, Savannah’s mother. You remind me so much of your father.”

  “Thanks.” I couldn’t help my eyes bouncing back to Savannah. “I get that a lot.”

  “And how is he? I haven’t seen Dr. Cole since Savannah was a little girl.”

  “He’s getting up there, but he’s in good health. He’ll be retiring soon, so he’s got me working at the practice. That way I’ll be prepared whenever he leaves.”

  “Well,
I think that’s great.” Amy nodded her head. “I’m so glad you were able to help with Trey. Savannah told me all about your appointment.”

  “Mom.” Savannah blushed.

  “Well, you were just saying something about it the other day.”

  “Wow!” Trey was staring at my shoes. “You have really big feet.”

  “Trey!” Savannah scolded. “Don’t be rude!”

  I chuckled. “It’s okay.”

  “Savannah has big feet, too,” Amy said.

  “Mom!”

  “What?” Amy said. “You do! It runs in the family.” Amy looked at me. “It comes with the height.”

  Savannah shook her head in obvious embarrassment. But I thought she was adorable.

  “How tall are you?” Amy asked.

  “Mom,” Savannah griped.

  “About six five,” I said.

  “Savannah is five eleven. We’re thinking Trey is going to be really tall when he grows up.”

  I looked at the boy. “I’ve seen his chart, and I’d say the odds are in his favor.”

  Amy laughed. “Yes, I think they are!”

  Savannah lowered her eyes. She seemed uncomfortable. I hoped it wasn’t because of me.

  “Trey, why don’t you help me find the steak?” Amy took Trey’s hand. “It was nice to meet you.”

  “You, too.” I smiled with a wave as they walked away.

  “Sorry about that.” Savannah ran her fingers through her hair. “She likes to embarrass me in public.”

  “It’s okay. I have a mother, too.”

  We were blocking the aisle, so Savannah pushed her shopping cart out of the way. I moved beside her and smiled at the people walking by. When she looked at me, I saw fear in her eyes.

  “I’m sorry about the other day,” she said. “You were just looking out for Trey.”

  I shook my head. “No, you’re his mother. I can understand how you would feel.”

  “I was rude.” She looked into my eyes. “And I’m sorry.”

  “How is he doing?” I asked.

  “Fine.” She saw him in the distance. “He’s a really good kid.”

  “I’m glad.” My eyes lingered on her face. I could watch her all day.

  “I should go,” she said abruptly. “Thanks for everything.”