The Eligible Suspect (21 page)

“
Modern Citizen Magazine
wants to do a feature on the two of you.”

She gaped at him.
Citizen
was the most venerable entertainment magazine out there. “What?”

“Yeah. You saved the country.” He grinned. “And there’s the other matter of a budding romance everybody is dying to hear about.”

Savanna rolled her eyes. “How do you know they want to do a feature?”

“Their chief editor called Dad. Asked him to talk to you. Apparently they’ve tried to get a hold of both you and Korbin, but neither of you is answering your phone.”

“I’ll come downstairs, just, please, stop talking about that.”

He chuckled. “At least you don’t have someone claiming you left them in Aspen.”

Macon’s ex-girlfriend had gone public with their breakup. She said that when he’d gone to help Savanna, he abandoned her in a hotel without a word.

“She was an airhead anyway. You can do better.”

“No actresses, I’ve decided.”

She stood up. “Come on. Help me show Mom I’m okay so I can go home.”

* * *

Korbin had just dropped Fallon off at the airport. She’d spent the weekend at his parents’ house. She had no living grandparents and had never met his mom and dad. They’d all gotten along great. Fallon had no family other than him. She seemed to be warming to the idea of having one with them. And as always, his next thought was of Savanna. Family. It was a new life. He still couldn’t make the transition. It all felt so surreal. His life was close to settling. When would he go for her? Now? It felt right...and then not. He still shied away from it.

Dropping his rental car keys into the doorman’s palm, he nodded his thanks and went to find his mother. She was in one of the living rooms, the less formal one. She smiled when she saw him. He’d made progress earning his parents’ forgiveness. His dad was much calmer now. Not completely trusting, but on the way there.

His mother patted the cushion beside her. “I want to talk to you about something.”

“Where’s Dad?” He went there and sat.

She turned off the television. “Out in the garage working on his motorcycle. Getting ready for spring.”

His dad owned a Harley. It was the one thing he didn’t hire someone to take care of.

“Dad said the chief editor of
Modern Citizen Magazine
called him.”

“They’ve left me messages.”

“Aren’t you going to call them back?”

“Do you think I should?”

“It would be a joint interview. You and that woman, Savanna Ivy.”

Excitement and reticence flopped in his stomach.

“What happened with the two of you?” his mom asked.

How could he explain that to his mom?

“Why aren’t you with her right now?”

“I’m here.”

“Yes, and we appreciate that, but we’ll always be here, honey. If you wait too long, you’re going to lose her.”

He stared at his mother. She was so insightful when it came to him. He’d forgotten that.

“Why did you leave her behind? Why not bring her with you here?”

“I had to set things right with you and Dad. And Fallon.”

His mom angled her head, all-knowing. “Honey, it’s okay to let her go.”

He sat back against the chair.

“Even Fallon agrees.” When he shot a look at her, she said, “We talked just before she left. She asked why you weren’t with Savanna. She said she was a nice woman, and brave.”

“She’s okay with it?”

“She said you should go get her.”

Fallon was okay with him moving on?

“It’s been a year, Korbin. That’s enough time to show your respect and love. Fallon doesn’t doubt your love for her mother. And she doesn’t expect you to live alone the rest of your life.”

While that helped, he still couldn’t take that leap.

“Let her go, Korbin.” When he just looked at her, she said, “Just do it. Just go back to Colorado and tell Savanna that you love her. I can see that you do. You had the same look with Niya. It’s okay if you love again. A lot of people don’t get another chance at it. Don’t let it pass you by because you feel guilty. What is that saying?
Feel the guilt and do it anyway
.”

“It’s not just that. What am I going to do with my future?” He was no longer a criminal. What would he do with his time? He needed direction.

“Do you love her?” his mom asked.

And the answer came into his eyes.

“Then go get her. Make a future with her. You both can figure it out together.”

It was the most sensible thing anyone had ever said to him. All at once everything became clear. Savanna. Him. Fallon. Family.

Chapter 20

S
avanna’s mother came with her to Wolf Creek and they were baking cookies when someone rang the doorbell. Savanna wiped her hands and went to the door. It was Hurley.

“Hi, Hurley.”

He extended an envelope. “This is for you.”

She eyed his grin as she took it. “What’s this?”

It was thick, as though there was a card inside.

“An invitation.” His grin was suspicious.

There was a card inside, blank except for something handwritten.

Meet me at Silver Plume. Be there before the storm.

Korbin

Sparks of excitement and shock inundated her. She looked up at Hurley.

“He asked me to take you there.”

“He did?” Behind him in the driveway, a snowmobile was running. She was so surprised and thrilled she was bursting inside. She threw a hug around Hurley and then jumped up and down. “I have to pack! Give me a second.” She kissed Hurley’s cheek and ran inside.

“Mom!”

“Who is it?”

“Korbin! He came back!” She went still. “Oh my God, I have to get ready.”

“What? Why?”

She kissed her mom’s cheek. “Hurley’s taking me to him.”

“Now? Savanna, what’s gotten into you?”

“Korbin is meeting me at one of Hurley’s yurts.” Her mother could never guess the significance of that yurt. Savanna covered her mouth with her hand. He was here. He’d come back for her.

Savanna trotted up the stairs with waving hands. In her room, she packed sexy lingerie and a few other articles of clothing into a backpack and then raced downstairs. In the closet off the front entry, she quickly dressed in winter clothes and then put the pack on her back.

Her mother smiled, leaning against the wall where Korbin had once stood with a gun.

“My daughter in love,” her mother said. “You tell that boy if he doesn’t treat you right he’ll have me to answer to.”

Savanna walked over in her snow boots and kissed her mom on her cheek. “Sorry to leave you like this.”

“It’s good. I can go home now. I always hated thinking of you all by yourself in this house.” She lifted her head to look around. “It’s so isolated. Don’t you ever worry about wild animals?”

“No, Mother. I love it here.”

“Is this where you and Korbin will live?”

“Yes. At least I hope so.”

“What about your motivational speaking?” her mother asked.

“I don’t need it anymore.” Suddenly she realized that was true. Speaking positively helped her feel interesting, but she didn’t need that anymore. She was interesting without any convincing. Korbin made her feel that way. She fit him. They belonged together.

“Do you have your phone with you?” Camille asked.

“There’s no service where I’m going.” And she didn’t want any when she got there.

Her mother kissed her cheek this time. “I love you. Call me when you get back home. And tell me when the wedding is.”

Savanna could just smile big. A wedding! With Korbin. Her heart did an ecstatic flop.

She left the house and ran to Hurley, who’d climbed onto the snowmobile. It was a clear day, but the forecast had called for snow later that night. As Hurley drove the snowmobile away, she blew a kiss to her mom, who watched from the open front door.

It was a lot faster on a snowmobile. Hurley stopped beside another snowmobile parked in front of Silver Plume. Savanna got off and waved goodbye to him.

Her heart was racing wildly, as though she’d skied there. Taking a deep breath, she opened the yurt door.

Korbin was in a long-sleeved T-shirt, jeans and no shoes. His light gray eyes were fixed on her. He seemed anxious, but passion simmered underneath that.

She closed the door. It was warm in the yurt and the only light came from the wood-burning stove and candles. There was a huge vase full of red roses on the table, which was set for dinner. Whatever he was cooking smelled lovely.

“Hi,” she said.

He started toward her. When he reached her, he slid a hand to the nape of her neck and kissed her.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“More than okay.”

“You seem...tense.”

“I was. And then you walked through the door and everything made sense again.”

She smiled. “Got it all figured out, have you?”

“It took a little convincing, but yes.”

“What kind of convincing?”

“My mom. Fallon. They made me see that I have to move on.”

She looped her arms around him. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that.”

“And I came to the realization that my life would be lacking without you.”

She sighed with exaggeration. “Finally. A man for me.”

“A rich one.”

“A faithful one.”

“Always. I will never betray your trust, Savanna.”

Korbin was a man who did what he said and said what he meant. And he was all hers. For the first time in her life, she believed that.

* * * * *

We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Romantic Suspense title.

You want sparks to fly!
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
stories deliver, with strong and adventurous women, brave and powerful men and the life-and-death situations that bring them together.

Enjoy four new stories from Harlequin Romantic Suspense every month!

Connect with us on
Harlequin.com
for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com