“It’s lovely. I will have to see the gardens before I leave. I’ve heard they are exquisite. I’d love to photograph the building and gardens.”
Eli snorts and covers it with a cough. Savannah ignores the obvious disdain coming from him.
After a few moments, they are guided to a table apart from the other diners. It’s near a large window, and the streaming sunlight feels amazing after the cold welcome from Eli. Savannah places her bags against the wall beneath the windows and sits down.
Eli watches quietly while his mother chats with Savannah about the weather and her hotel. “I’m staying at the Becker House, near the rail station.”
Mrs. Irwin gasps in horror. “That won’t do. We have plenty of room. I insist you come home with us and stay until you leave.”
“Mother!” Eli snarls, “that’s not happening,”
Savannah smothers a grin, “Truly, Felicia,” she uses her first name, hoping it will irritate Eli. “It’s a fine hotel. I’ve stayed in much worse conditions, believe me.”
“I’m sure that you have, but Oliver would be ashamed of us if we didn’t insist. It’s the least we could do. Please, say you’ll come home with us.”
“My train is set to depart in three days. I assure you I will be fine.” Savannah refuses to look at Eli when he sits back and crosses his arms across his chest. The rude way he’s glowering at her makes her want to kick him in the shin.
“Eli, you will fix this.” Felicia turns weepy eyes on him, and he rubs a hand over his face in frustration.
“Fine, you are welcome to stay with us, Miss Ward.”
“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Irwin, but as I’ve said before, I’m only here for a few days. It’s not necessary.”
Eli leans forward, “Yes, Miss Ward, but you’ve also said that you aren’t sure we’re worthy of whatever it is you carry in those bags. Perhaps, if you spent some time with the family of the man you claim to care for, your decision would become clearer.”
Savannah jerks and for the first time, he sees a crack in her calm façade. “Oliver said you were pigheaded,” she hisses at him and starts to stand only to stop when Felicia grasps her head.
“Please, my vapors, Eli!” her face has fallen ghostly pale, and Savannah jumps to help.
“What’s wrong?” Savannah gasps as Eli turns to his Mother, drawing a small vial from the inside pocket of his overcoat.
“She has spells from time to time. Get some water.”
Savannah moves quickly and grabs a glass of water, from a waitress passing by. “Thank you!”
Eli waves the vapor beneath her nose while Savannah gently encourages her to sip from the glass. “I’m sorry, Mother, forgive me.”
“I will recover in a moment, dear. Just give me a second.” Eli fans her with the menu, yet still manages to glare at Savannah.
“This was a mistake,” she whispers. Savannah grabs her bags and hurries across the room.
“Eli, don’t let her leave!” His mother insists, waving him away. “I’m fine, go!”
“You rest, I’ll bring her back.”
Before she makes it across the busy restaurant, Eli catches up to her and blocks her way.
“Oh, no you don’t. Miss Ward, you and I will finish this discussion. My Mother insists I take you to the Gardens to walk and get to know each other.” He grabs her by her upper arm and guides her through the restaurant, causing her to stumble along beside him.
“There’s no need to manhandle me, Mr. Irwin,” Savannah huffs under her breath. Calming herself, she tries to reason with him. “Look, this is clearly a mistake your Mother’s in no condition…”
“You don’t get to decide what happens now, Miss Ward.” Eli shoves her through an open door leading into the gardens causing her to stagger.
“What is wrong with you! You’re making a scene.” Savannah tries to walk around him only to have him block her, yet again.
“What exactly did my brother promise you on his death bed?” Eli stomps closer to her.
Savannah flinches as if struck, “I don’t have to listen to this,” she turns and walks away seeking an exit.
“Money perhaps, or land, maybe a share in our family farm?” His voice stalks her, and she feels each insult like a knife. “You must have been one special friend. Did that friendship come with any side benefits?” he sneers at her from behind.
The bags hit the ground, and he’s expecting the slap when she whirls and cracks his cheek. He even accepts the fury behind her eyes.
“You’re disgusting.” Her tears of outrage don’t reach him, but her next words do. “I was gifted with the honor of holding your brother’s hands when he spoke his last words on this Earth.” Eli shuts his eyes against the image of his baby brother in such a way. She steps forward lowering her voice, so only he can hear her words.
“Oliver begged me to come home and see his last wish through, I promised, and a Ward always keeps her promise.” Her voice breaks, “You don’t deserve his last breath.”
Savannah grabs her bags and this time he lets her go. He walks slowly back to the restaurant. Felicia is sipping on hot tea and biscuits waiting for him. She glances past him looking for Savannah.
Her teacup slaps the plate, and she glares at him. “Eli Irwin, what did you do?”
“Mother, please,” he rubs the cheek she smacked and glances at her with a grin, “For such a tiny thing, she sure packs a wallop.”
“Did you deserve it?”
“I imagine I did,” Eli says and grabs a biscuit.
“Then you can pay for the hotel bill, I
