Out of the Picture by Tracy Gardner

Author:Tracy Gardner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing
Published: 2020-06-23T18:49:49+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

As the Fall Fun Fest wound down, Savanna had stalled, giving Nolan a little longer in the bounce house while she filled Aidan in on what he’d missed this past week. She covered Lauren cancelling all deliveries from Happy Family, and then the delivery lady bringing get-well flowers and candy; Maggie Lyle’s strange, silent scowl at Savanna from the easement that day; Sydney learning that the grocer didn’t even carry the type of fancy wine bottle the claret had come from; and even the problem she’d discovered in Caroline’s smaller Minkov, hanging in the dining room.

Aidan was nodding, listening, as he and Savanna helped carry folding chairs to the supply room in the ballroom. “How is all of that connected?” he asked her.

“I have no idea. Maybe it isn’t.” She sighed. “Maybe none of it means anything. I just don’t want her to get hurt again. I feel like there’s something I’m not seeing.”

“Well, this isn’t only up to you. Skylar’s friend Jordan is looking into it too. He called me the other day with a few questions after he’d talked to you.”

“That’s good. Maybe he can make some sense of things.”

“When will you be seeing her next?”

“Monday or Tuesday, maybe both. Her party is so close, and I know she wants the mural finished. I’m going to try to wrap it up this week.”

“Maybe I’ll run into you. I have to see Caroline this week,” he said.

They’d parted ways unceremoniously, Savanna laden with Nolan and his collection of balloons, prizes, and a double-layer raspberry torte he’d won in the cakewalk, and Aidan having been captured by Tricia Williams, Mollie’s first grade teacher. He met Savanna’s eyes over Tricia’s head as Savanna gave him a quick wave goodbye from the doorway.

When Savanna woke the next morning in the blanket fort she and Sydney and Nolan had made in Syd’s living room, the Glen Hansard song from Once was still playing in her head. She’d loved “Falling Slowly” from the first time she’d heard it, but she would never hear it the same way again after last night. She closed her eyes, reliving the music, sitting with Aidan on the little piano bench and remembering the way he’d looked at her in the opening notes when he’d started to play. Had he chosen that song on purpose? Savanna knew she wouldn’t be able to get it out of her head all day.

She stretched out flat. Sydney had set up surprisingly comfy memory foam mattresses for the three of them, and Savanna had slept like a rock. Maybe she could fall back asleep. Her phone buzzed somewhere in the blankets near her feet. She kicked at it, turning on her side and resting a hand ever so lightly on Nolan’s warm little leg; he was snuggled up against her.

When Savanna opened her eyes again, the sun was much brighter through the blankets. She must have fallen back asleep. Now, Nolan was sprawled between her and Syd, arms and legs flung out to his sides.

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