Savannah was another matter. Rick had never known the irrepressible Ms. Jones to be so skittish.
Why he found her quick retreat so fascinating he couldn’t say. Maybe he just liked seeing her flustered. She deserved it after tossing the baby at him and then standing so close that the sweet scent of her hair teased him even over the stink of baby burp, sending a spark of awareness streaming through his blood.
The shock of watching the gold flecks sparkle in her green eyes triggered an inappropriate physical response inside him he had no intention of acting on.
The last thing Rick wanted or needed were lascivious thoughts about his assistant. What a train wreck that would be.
Better to be annoyed than aroused by her.
The best thing would be if she quit. Hmm, he mulled the idea over. He saw two problems with that option. Gram would blame him, citing his promise, and Savannah wouldn’t be so easy to get rid of. She actually seemed to like her job.
She might talk too much, but she didn’t jump if he said a sharp word, unlike the temps before her. And she didn’t squeak at the long hours unless there was a conflict with a family event.
He understood family obligation. One of six brothers, Rick had a large, close-knit family that liked to get together on a regular basis. He participated because of Gram and because it was expected, but he often felt isolated even when he was part of the crowd. It’d been that way since he was a kid.
He loved his brothers, but he’d never found it easy to share, except with Rett, of course. That had always been enough for him. Especially after his broken engagement in college.
Losing people hurt. In his opinion, loneliness was a small price to pay for peace.
“Hey, Rick.” Jesse strolled in, her baby in her arms. “I really appreciate you and Savannah helping with Troy. Rett and I came up with some great ideas for Gram.”
“I’m glad.” They exchanged a few pleasantries as she efficiently strapped Troy into his carrier.
“I’m sorry to have to run off, but I have to get Allie from preschool,” Jesse explained.
“No problem. I’ll walk you out.” Rick saw Jesse into the elevator across the hall from his and Savannah’s offices. “See you later.”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Jesse stopped the doors from closing. “Do you know your grandfather’s birthday? We need to know his birthstone for Gram’s gift.”
Rick frowned as he raked his mind. “No. Sometime in the summer, but I don’t remember when.”
“I have it,” Savannah said, and he turned to her in surprise. “It’s in Molly’s history file. There are biographies on all the past presidents, including dates of birth and dates of death.” Her fingers clicked at the keys of her computer as she talked. “Charles Sullivan was born July 23. Do you need the year?”
“No. This is wonderful.” Jesse beamed. “You’ve saved me. I thought I was going to have to pump Gram without tipping her off about the party. Can you let Rett know?”
“Sure. I’ll send it to his email.”
“Thanks. And thanks again for watching Tr—” The elevator door cut off Jesse’s words.
Blessed silence descended on the office.
Rick sighed and met Savannah’s gaze to see an understanding gleam of amusement.
“Yeah,” Savannah agreed as she went back to the papers in front of her. “You love to see them. And you love to see them go.”
“Huh.” She’d nailed it on the head.
It felt strange to have her read him so well. Strange for anyone to make the effort with him. People tended to avoid rather than interact with him. Generally that suited him fine, but the moment of connection warmed him in an odd way. Turning back to his office, he rubbed absently at his chest.
She still talked too much.
The next afternoon the ringing of the phone summoned Savannah as she approached her cubicle after a late lunch. Rushing to answer, she expected the call to be business-related but was surprised to find her sister, Claudia, on the other end. A very excited Claudia.
“Oh, my God, Savannah. I love you. I love Mrs. Sullivan. I love Rick Sullivan. I love all the Sullivans.”
“Hold on, slow down.” Still catching her breath, Savannah struggled to understand her sister’s chatter. “What are you talking about? What has Rick done?”
“I just heard that because I’m going back to Paradise Pines after I graduate, they’re going to give me a bonus scholarship to help me get settled as I start my new job. That means—”
“Wait a minute.” Savannah sat down, setting her purse on the desk. “You’re telling me the Sullivans gave you more money?”
“Yes. Savannah, I’ll be able to get my own apartment, and a new computer. And a new wardrobe. I need to thank a Sullivan. I need to thank them all. Mrs. Sullivan didn’t answer her phone so I thought of Rick. Is he in?”
“I don’t understand.” Savannah felt thick-headed, but this was so huge. “You mean even though you’ll be out of school, they’re giving you another five thousand?”
“Yes!” Claudia’s excitement reached squeal proportions, dimmed only slightly by the distance of the phone. “This is so amazing! Can you believe it?”
Yeah, Savannah could, when she got past the shock enough to take it all in. One of the things she admired most about the Sullivans—including Rick, the whole doughnut incident notwithstanding—was their generosity.
“You deserve it. You’ve worked really hard these last four years,” she told Claudia.
“I’m overwhelmed. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank Rick.” Just when she had him pegged as all work and no play, Rick did this. Something so thoughtful and sweet it showed what a truly decent man he was. And she knew he was involved because Mrs. Sullivan had told her he had the final say over the scholarships.
“I do thank you. You’ve always been there for me. And of course, Rick, too. Is he there?”
Savannah glanced up at his closed door. “He’s on a conference call. But I’ll tell him you called.”
“Oh, okay. I know you’re busy so I won’t keep you. Promise you’ll give Rick a big kiss from me. Love you lots. Bye.”
“Claudia!” Savannah protested.
But her sister hung up, leaving Savannah with the image of kissing Rick. A visual she really didn’t need. After the incident with Troy yesterday it was easy, way too easy, to imagine how he’d taste, how he’d feel against her.
She’d never known a man like him, so physically fit, so stern in demeanor. All male, he made the men she’d dated seem like boys in comparison. Not that there’d been that many boys. Her high-school
