The tiger-striped cat snatches his prize, and Savannah grins at the image. Hanging from his mouth is a small white flower. “You’re a sneaky one,” she teases.
He tosses the flower on the ground and bats at it playfully only to hiss and screech in indignation when the family dog, Libby comes running at her from the yard. Instantly, the two animals race off across the field, and Savannah’s eyes are drawn back to the flower.
“Poor thing,” she murmurs. Dirty, torn and ragged it lays in the dewy green grass and Savannah has the urge to photograph it and preserve its image. She rushes over to pick it up, ignoring the setting sun against her fair skin, feeling a sense of urgency, she can’t explain.
Cradling the flower in her trembling hand, she is saddened by the condition. Some of the lush petals are barely holding on, while others are crushed, and the remainder is torn and ratty.
“We aren’t so different you and I,” Savannah sighs, “I feel as battered as you look.”
“What’ve you got there?” Eli’s voice startles her.
Savannah jumps and whirls around to him, protectively curling her hands over the blossom. “Must you always slink about!” She hisses.
Eli smothers a grin, but she can see the curl of his lip, and it infuriates her.
“You were entranced Miss Ward, I called your name twice. What’ve you found?”
Curiosity has him moving closer to her, and he misses nothing. Not the slight blush from the sun on her fair skin, nor the haunted look in her beautiful eyes.
Interested in his response she unfurls her hands, revealing the flower to him. Eli frowns, “A white peony, where did you find that?”
“A hawk dropped it just now, I’m going to photograph it.”
Eli snorts and mumbles, “Figures.”
Savannah narrows her eyes at him “What does that mean?”
“Nothing, Miss Ward,” he turns to walk away but stops when she speaks.
“I wouldn’t expect you to understand,” Savannah snaps. “You look, and all you see is the condition of the blossom, some things can’t be seen, they must be felt.”
Eli walks over to her, stopping within inches of her hand. Savannah refuses to back away from him, and she is stunned when he curls his large, warm hands around her own and draws the flower up to his nose.
The fragrance of the blossom is heady as he inhales its sweet scent. “I see more than you give me credit for.” When Savannah attempts to pull away from him, he holds on firmly, locking her in place.
“I can see why you and Oliver were… close.” He smirks, “You see the world through the lens, perhaps you should stop hiding behind it and step into the real world with the rest of us.”
Savannah doesn’t think, she simply reacts. “You know nothing about me!” she shoves at him with both hands, shocking him and crushing the flower in the process. Eli releases her and is ashamed to see tears in her eyes.
“The years I spent working with the Sisters of Mercy changed me. War damaged more than just the men who fought it.”
“Forgive me, Miss Ward, I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“Yes, you did. You can lie to yourself all you want, but I don’t have to listen to this. Your brother was on his death bed when I met him. I was his nurse, and that is all! Anger blinds you to everything, even the most obvious. Like that poor girl today who is blindly in love with you!”
“What do you know of love?” Eli snaps. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He turns to march away.
“The Bible says, ‘There is no fear in love,’ and when I look at you and Kristin, I see a great deal of fear.”
Eli turns on her and glares. “She made her choice and so did I.”
“From what your Mother said, she chose to protect her sister. Would you have done any less for Oliver?” Savannah sighs and tosses the crushed flower onto the ground. “I can’t do this anymore. I’m going home.” Rushing through the house, she carries his bags into the main room, determined to put an end to this journey and return home.
“I promised you, Oliver, that I’d bring home your images from the war and give them to your brother, Eli.” She places it behind a chair in the sitting room and steps to the mantle, drawing down a hand-drawn image of Oliver. “It is done and out of my hands now. I hope you rest in peace,” she whispers.
“I talk to him too,” Felicia says from the doorway causing Savannah to jump.
“What is it with this family scaring people all the time?” Savannah quips.
Felicia stares at her and laughs, “I didn’t mean to startle you, forgive me.” Her laugh turns to a cough, drawing Savannah to her side.
“Are you well?” Savannah checks her automatically for signs of a fever.
“You’re too kind, I can see why Oliver liked you,” Mrs. Irwin sniffs. “I am refreshed after our visit today. Kristin and little Lucas,” she sighs wistfully. How I wish things were different. I’d hoped to have a house full of grandchildren by now.”
Eli is passing through to go to his study when he hears voices. Curious, he listens from the hallway.
Savannah guides her to the fireplace and helps her sit, before covering her legs with a blanket. “It was nice to meet her. I can’t imagine raising a child on my own and working two jobs just to do so.”
“The poor child just lost her father, and she’s working too? Do you know where she’s working?” Felicia watches Savannah and waits for her to sit down.
“The Becker Hotel and two nights a week at the Saloon.”
Eli flinches at the thought of her working like that. No wonder she
