“You’re still healing, Savannah. Why are you fighting this?” Dayton demands.
“You must think of your safety. Have you even thought about your family?” Her eyes plead with him to understand. “I won’t be the reason you get hurt.”
Dayton smiles with relief. Savannah’s thoughts are for his safety and that of his family. “I promise you that no one knows you are with me. The first place they will look at is your family farm. I need you to trust me and let us do our job.”
“I do trust you, Dayton. I wouldn’t go home.”
“Where then? Do you have someone waiting for you?” he asks, praying the answer is no.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she whirls away from him. “I have a place to stay that isn’t connected with my family. It’s just seeing the images and knowing what they are makes it more real. What exactly did you do during the war, Dayton?” she asks.
His eyes darken, “I did whatever I needed to. I’m not ashamed of my service, though I’m ready for the new chapter of my life to start.”
“I wish I could see the next chapter of my life. Right now, all I can see is the promise,” she turns to put her glass on the counter and Dayton follows her.
“Really?” he asks softly and moves up behind her. She turns and startles at his nearness. “When I look at you, Savannah, I can see so many possibilities.”
Her lips curve in a smile, “You’re a dreamer, Dayton.”
“I’ll dream for both of us until you’re stronger,” he leans down and presses a kiss to her smiling lips. His beard is soft, and teases her, she sighs into him and Dayton destroys her doubt, soothing the worry from her mind.
It’s only later, as she’s lying in bed that she realizes he didn’t answer her. What did he do during the war and does it matter? He’s taking care of her as promised, and soon she will be reunited with her family, and their paths will separate. Savannah frowns and falls asleep, trying to envision her future without Dayton in it.
Chapter 32
Senator Buren stares at the telegram and hisses in rage.
Failed. Stop. Marshall coming. Stop.
“Can I bring you anything, Senator?” his young secretary asks and runs a hand over his shoulder. He balls the message up and tosses it into the wastebasket.
“Not now, leave me!” He jumps to his feet, slamming the chair back and paces. She slips from the room quietly. “Damn, I knew I should’ve handled this on my own. This S.E. Ward is costing me everything!” He quickly races to his wall safe and opens it, dragging out the cash he will need to disappear. He knew this was a possibility, that Fred would fail to protect his image. The cash withdrawals he’s been taking over the past few months will aid in his disappearance. It won’t be too hard to disappear, it’s a shame he will have to leave his wife and children behind.
“Not that I can’t find a new wife,” he grins and grabs a bag to drop his paperwork into it. He grabs the tintype of his wife and children and looks at it before frowning. Gently he lowers it to the desk and turns, decision made.
“Time to disappear and once I do, I’ll find a way to make Ward pay!”
Chapter 33
“What will you do with your tintypes?” Felicia asks. They have spent the past five days sorting through his bags. Dayton has been busy with the Marshall who arrived the day before.
“I don’t know,” Savannah replies softly. “For so long, I wanted to make them matter, count for something and now I’m not sure.”
“That’s nonsense,” Eli calls from the doorway, causing her to jump.
“I will not miss you when I leave, Eli,” she grumbles.
“I’m sure you won’t,” he stomps over to sit in front of her. “Mother, could I have a few minutes with Savannah?”
“Of course,” she stands and quickly leaves.
“What’s this about?” Savannah asks with a sinking stomach.
“Savannah, I owe you an apology.” Eli glances down, and when he lifts his eyes, she’s surprised by the emotion flickering in them. “You came here with the best of intentions and in doing so gave me back my brother and the woman I love.” Eli runs a hand through his hair choking back his emotion. He reaches out and takes her trembling hand.
“Eli,” she whispers, “You don’t have to…” he squeezes her hand gently, silencing her.
“I’ve spent the past few years under a cloud of anger. I was angry at my brother for leaving me, my father for dying and Kristin for betraying me. My pain was deeper than I realized. I know now that God was testing me, and I failed. I don’t want to fail any longer.”
“I understand, Eli,” Savannah takes a deep breath.
“I don’t think you do.” He releases her hand and sits back to stare at her. “I’d like to make you an offer. I prayed about it, and I think Oliver would agree. You’ve carried this burden for years. Savannah, it’s time to let it go and carry on with your life. We both owe it to Oliver, to God, and even to ourselves to live the life we were gifted with, to the fullest.”
Savannah doesn’t bother to wipe her tears this time, “I want to, Eli, but I’ve forgotten how.”
“No, you’re just afraid!”
Anger rips through her, and she jumps to her feet, “You don’t know me enough to say that.”
“Yes, I do. I figured out why we clash so hard, Savannah. We are kindred spirits, you and I.” Eli jumps to his feet to stop her from leaving. “I hid behind my anger
