are you doing here?” she asked. “Don’t you have hogs to slop? Feed to pitch? Cows to milk?”
He choked out a laugh. “I think you have me confused with someone else.”
“Well, aren’t those the kind of things people do on ranches?”
“Some, I suppose. Assuming they have milk cows and hogs.”
“Oh. Right,” she said, backing away and feeling like a complete dope. “Well, nice seeing you again.”
“Hey, look, I just wanted to say that if I made you uncomfortable last night, I’m sorry.”
“No, no,” she said. “It’s totally fine. You mistook me for someone else. We’ve all done that at one time or another...”
His brows drew together. Something in his expression began to chip away at her confidence. She’d hoped he hadn’t recognized her for certain, but maybe she hadn’t fooled him.
Was he expecting her to come clean? Confess that she was, in fact, Elizabeth Savannah Riley? She was Savannah James now. She’d legally changed her last name to her mom and stepfather’s when she was sixteen.
She shouldn’t worry he’d say anything untoward though. He’d certainly been discreet last night. “I’m sorry, I’m just... I have a lot to do today.” She looked behind her then took another step back.
“Right. Sightseeing.”
She smiled and nodded.
“You should go have a look at the creek. It’s risen in the last couple of years, with the heavy winters.”
Her stomach lurched. Did he mean her creek? The one where she’d spent half her childhood? He hadn’t been specific. More evidence he knew exactly who she was?
“I’ll see you soon, I’m sure,” she said, then turned, refraining from darting across the street so it wouldn’t seem as if she was running from him. Even though he couldn’t think anything else.
Why on earth had she put herself in this situation? Everything could blow up in her face, and it would be her own fault. Why had she thought it would be quick and simple to slip in and out of town and put the old haunting memories to bed for good, without anyone being the wiser?
Now she had to depend on Mike not outing her. He’d already proved himself, but her ditching him like a bad date might turn that around, and then where would she be?
This was the perfect time to figure out how deep a hole she’d dug for herself. Do some damage control. She wouldn’t dare acknowledge Mike when she was with Ron or Nina. They’d want an explanation that could cost her dearly. Worse, it could cost the company this job and damage its reputation.
Savannah turned around and headed back to the bakery, hoping he was still there. A gray truck was coming toward her. As it got closer, she saw Mike behind the wheel. He slowed down and lowered the passenger-side window.
“Can I offer you a lift?” he asked, despite the fact they were now headed in opposite directions.
“No thanks,” she said, but she found herself hopping in anyway. Guess she needed a bit more calm.
He rubbed his jaw and laughed.
“I know. Ignore me,” she said, and managed a slight smile. “We need to talk.”
He drove a short way then pulled over to the curb. “Okay. Shoot. I assume this has something to do with your fiancé?”
Her face got hot, and it was hard to look at Mike without blurting out every last thing. Of course he knew about Ron. He’d known it last night. “That’s not the only thing,” she said, then worked up the nerve to meet his eyes. “I don’t want anyone to know who I am. I’m frankly shocked you recognized me. It was so long ago.”
“I’ll admit, you’ve changed. I wasn’t sure at first.”
“You were very kind last night. I didn’t even realize how kind until this morning. I appreciate it. And honestly, I’d like to explain why I’m here, but it’s kind of complicated.”
“Hey, it’s nobody’s business why you’re here, including mine,” he said, shrugging. “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.”
He wouldn’t. She knew it. Even though curiosity was alive in his gaze. It was so tempting to spill it all. To let him know that Ron wasn’t her fiancé, far from it. Mike had to remember exactly what had chased her and her mom out of town. She’d had so few interactions with the people in Blackfoot Falls—a rare lunch at the diner, some trips to the market and then getting to attend school, which had seemed like a miracle but had ended up a public disaster. Mike had always been nice, though.
It would feel good to explain why she was here, that it was for her job. That she’d overcome her unfortunate past and made something of herself.
“Savannah?”
What was she thinking? She couldn’t admit any of that. Not yet. After she gave the presentation, then maybe. In the meantime, she needed to keep her head down, stay focused on the job. And not be sitting in his truck for everyone to see. Jeez. Talk about stirring the pot. She glanced around and noticed her rental heading their way, with Ron driving it.
She ducked down, bumping her forehead on the dashboard. “Drive. Please. Anywhere but the motel parking lot.”
Mike didn’t say a word, just put the truck in gear and zoomed out of there. He turned the corner, made another turn, drove some more then turned again. If he kept that up, it wouldn’t just be butterflies she was feeling.
Finally, he said, “I think we’re in the clear.”
When she poked her head up, she saw he’d pulled into a vacant lot behind the motel. “Okay. This is good,” she said, checking the side mirror. They were at the edge of town; the only thing past the motel was a gas station. “I’m sorry about that. About everything. But thank you.”
Before he had a chance to speak, she opened the door and jumped out.
“Wait.”
She considered ignoring him. But she didn’t want to make things worse and not just because he could cause problems. It wasn’t fair to him.
After another cautious look around, she got back in but left the door ajar. “There is an explanation,” she said, keeping her voice level. “I promise. Trust me, if you can. For a bit.”
“I meant it, Savannah, it’s none of my business.”
“I know,” she said. “I’d actually like to tell you as soon as I’m at liberty to do so.”
Now he looked twice as curious. “Look, I hope this isn’t out of line, but I’m glad I got to see you. You were such a shy kid, I couldn’t help wondering what had happened to you.” His smile filled the cab with its warmth. “You’ve come a long way. You should be very proud of yourself.”
His words brought a lump to her throat. She hadn’t realized just how much she needed to hear that. Barely able to swallow, she said,
