She freezes when she hears a man mumbling, and the cart lurches to a sudden stop. “Stupid, Len, stupid. Need a drink,” he snarls and leans back against the wall to drink.
Savannah slowly begins to cut the bag holding her. She can see it! Light, she’s in a hallway, and the man is leaning against the wall, drinking something.
“Can I help you, sir?” a young man calls out.
“No, get back to work!” he grabs the cart and pushes through two large swinging bay doors, and Savannah desperately begins to cut the material on the side away from where the man is. Within a matter of seconds, she slices the large canvas bag from top to bottom.
“Hey, what are you doing in here?” A voice shouts and the cart stops, giving Savannah the chance to escape. She leaps from the cart and runs, ignoring the shouting and screaming behind her.
Maxwell and Dayton run inside just as Savannah runs towards them.
“Stop!” Len shouts and shoots at the yellow blur of silk. Savannah screams and drops to the ground at the same moment Maxwell shoots.
Len drops while Dayton runs for Savannah. “Savannah!”
“He missed me,” Savannah groans and sits up with Dayton’s help. “Good thing he was drunk,” she gasps.
Dayton laughs and wraps her in his arms, peppering her with kisses, “Savannah, I thought,” he presses a kiss to her split lip only to jump when she flinches. “Forgive me,” he pleads.
She smiles in his arms, and wonders, grabbing her head against the pain. What do I do now, she wonders?
The Doctor on staff treats Savannah. “You are one lucky lady,” the Doctor says and snaps his bag shut. “He didn’t break your jaw. It will be sore and bruise, but you’ll be alright. The headache will wear off, just sleep and drink a lot of water.” Dayton argues about the condition of her head, and she has to laugh back hysterical tears. “Could I please sleep now?”
Belinda shoos them from the room and covers her in a large blanket. “Savannah, if you need anything, you pull this chord.” It’s a long velvet chord hanging beside her bed for the concierge.
“I only need Dayton,” she whispers back a yawn, and her eyes close.
“I understand,” Belinda turns and walks into the parlor of the suite.
Dayton sits with Belinda and Max after the Doctor leaves. He explains the truth of Savannah’s promise. They are both silent for a moment, when Dayton is finished with his tale and when Maxwell speaks Dayton is dumbfounded.
“You are a fool!” he hisses. “I’ve been friends with you for years. She’s perfect for you.”
Belinda nods in agreement, “She loves you, Dayton, and if you throw that away, I know a ballroom full of men who would kill to be married to someone with the strength of character she’s shown.”
“I won’t lose her,” Dayton snaps.
“Why?” Max demands. “Ask yourself that question. When you thought she was dead for a fraction of a second, what went through your mind?
“Everything I hoped and wished for means nothing, compared to the promise of Savannah,” Dayton whispers.
Belinda tears up and grips his hand, “Tell her.”
“I will,” he promises, and she hugs him. “Thank you, both.”
Chapter 43
Sunset on Lake Michigan is beautiful. The yachts have started to leave, the races are over, and Savannah stares out over the water, wondering what her future will hold. She slept for five hours before she woke. After a hot bath and dinner of soup, Savannah feels more presentable. The headache is almost gone, leaving her neck and jaw to heal.
Dayton has been busy dealing with the Sheriff and answering questions about Fred and Len. He received the telegram from the U.S. Marshall’s office announcing the arrest of Senator Buren for treason. Fred’s in custody, and that means she’s free. It’s over, truly over now, and her heart is breaking because that means she can set Dayton free.
Savannah swipes away a tear and refuses to look at the reflection staring back her from the window. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” she whispers and touches a hand to the cold glass.
“No, it wasn’t.”
Savannah jumps and turns to look at Dayton standing in the doorway.
“May I come in?” he asks even as he steps towards her.
“You’re already in,” she teases.
“So I am,” he reaches for her face and lifts it to look at the swollen cheek and split lip. “I’m sorry I wasn’t with you, again.” His dark eyes show his emotions. “It’s purple.”
Savannah pulls away from him, “It’s not your job to care for me,” she turns to walk away from him.
Dayton frowns and follows her. “I feel like I’ve let you down. Twice now, I’ve failed to protect you.”
“It’s over now. You’re free, and so am I.” She smiles a watery smile and turns her back on him.
“Is that all you want, Savannah, your freedom?” he asks with a sinking heart.
NO, her heart screams, and she’s frozen unable to speak as he moves to her. “I don’t know what to say, Dayton?” she says.
“Then let me say it for you. I love you, Savannah Ward. I love your spirit, your bravery, your courage,” he presses a gentle kiss to her swollen lip, “I love that you fight for what you believe in. I love that you have a strong faith, that you have struggled and overcome your challenges. I need a woman with all of those rare traits, but none of that matters if she isn’t you.”
Savannah is weeping softly when he drops to his knee and pulls out a blue velvet box. “I’m sorry, I can’t,” she says and steps away from him.
Dayton stares at her and stands up. “Why?” he asks softly.
“Just last
