Bitter Sweets

It’s just that so much has happened, and ...”

    She hiccuped and sobbed harder. Gran climbed into bed beside her and gathered her in her arms as though she were still ten years old.

    And you know how I am just before my period,” Savannah continued, unable to stop the torrent. “Sometimes I cry over the darnedest things...the national anthem...an inspiring margarine commercial on TV. I mean, that crown appears on the kid’s head and I... I just lose it.”

    "There, there .. .” Granny Reid stroked her granddaughter’s hair and kissed her forehead. “This time I think it’s a lot more than a margarine commercial.”

    “Of course it is. Oh, Gran, you should have seen what that son of a bitch did to her. And now he has Christy, and I have to find him. I have to undo what I’ve done.”

    “Shhh-hhh, sweetheart. My dear, brave girl. You will find him. You’ll do everything you need to do to set things right. Because that’s the kind of person you’ve always been.”

    Savannah could feel the words sinking into her heart like a healing balm. She snuggled closer into her grandmother’s arms, allowing herself the rare and wonderful luxury of absorbing the other woman’s strength.

    “But the day is over and done,” Gran continued. “And you can’t do a single thing tonight, except sleep, and gather strength for tomorrow.”

    Gran wiped the tears from Savannah’s cheeks with her fingertips, and Savannah wondered at how soft human skin was, at both the beginning and the end of life.

    Granny Reid began to sing quietly. Her voice wasn’t as strong as it had once been, and it quivered with an old lady’s vibrato. But to Savannah, her grandmother’s singing was, and always would be, a gift of love.

    Savannah could feel herself drifting off into a sweet sleep. “Gran . . .” she whispered, “why did you really come to California? Did you know I needed you?”

    “Shush. Of course not. I told you, I want to go to Disneyland.”

    CHAPTER ELEVEN

    “I heard that yesterday was pretty awful for you, Savannah. I’d llike to make it up to you with a champagne breakfast.”

    Ryan Stone’s deep bass voice was like velvet caressing her skin first thing in the morning. She wasn’t even out of bed yet. All the better to lie here in her silk nightgown and imagine, just for a moment, that the big, gorgeous hunk was lying beside her, not just on the other end of the telephone.

    “I’d love to, Ryan, believe me. I’m half-starved. But I have work to do.” She glanced at the clock and groaned. Eightthirty.

    “You don’t have to feel lazy; this will be work. I’ve uncovered some very interesting facts for you. I can fill you in over strawberry cheese blintzes. How about it?”

    “My grandmother is visiting me and ...”

    “I know. How do you think I found out about your terrible day?”

    Savannah sighed. “If I want something broadcast, I don’t need to telegraph or telephone. Tell-a-Gran is much more efficient. When did she bore you with all the gory details?”

    "When I called last night. But she didn’t bore me at all. She kept me entertained for half an hour. What a colorful turn of phrase...reminds me of a certain, charming relative of hers. Why don’t you bring her along for breakfast, and I’ll invite Gibson.”

    Warning bells went off in Savannah’s brain. “Ahhh... I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

    "Why not? She and Gibson will get along famously.”

    "Exactly. John Gibson is a very attractive older man, and Granny can be a bit of a vixen. She might even hit on him.”

    ‘It’s just...Well. Then Gibson will understand the torment I’ve had to endure for his sake, resisting the allure of a beautiful, deliciously available Reid female.”

    Savannah dared to hope...but only for a couple of accelerated heartbeats. Then she came back to earth with a thud. Why...Mr. Ryan Stone, I do believe you’re toyin’ with my affections.”

    "Cut that out, you know that I love you, Savannah, and I do want to buy you breakfast. Fredrico’s. Half an hour.”

    “We’ll be there.”

    Savannah hung up the phone, sprang out of bed, and ran to her bedroom door.

    Rise and shine, Gran!” she called down the hallway. We ve got a double date for breakfast... kinda sorta.”

    Polished teak furnishings, classy maritime decor, a magnificent view of the harbor, and the best cheese blintzes in town. Ah... Fredrico’s was one of Savannah’s favorite bits of real estate on