Page 19 of Savannah Sweethearts

If Rebecca Gloss had one talent, it would be filling her children with self-doubt. My mother had worked hard to keep us afloat and happy, always building me up. Rebecca Gloss didn’t care if Ashley or Tanner were happy or drowning, as long as they looked the part of dutiful daughter and son.

“Your mother is a piece of work. You know she’s wrong. You are not defective. You are not unworthy.” There were several more thoughts in my head that I didn’t dare say out loud because I was attempting to be respectful, even though the miserable cow didn’t deserve it.

There wasn’t time for her to respond beyond a nod because the girls did wake up then. Sami jumped up, startling the cat from her spot on a chair. Saffi blinked several times, trying to figure out where she was.

“Daddy! We had so much fun with Ashley. How’s Gigi?” Sami scrambled across the bed. Then she stopped cold.

I knew the look. Bathroom.

Ashley knew it, too. “Hurry, hurry!”

Without even closing the door behind her, Sami made it to the toilet, and we heard a huge sigh of relief. Sami, in all her decorum, hollered to us. “That was close!” We couldn’t help laughing at her declaration.

Saffi stumbled out of the bed and trudged after her sister, pushing past her as Sami came out.

“Wash your hands.” Ashley pointed back to the bathroom, and Sami turned on her heel to comply.

“How did you do that? I have to beg, plead, and chase the girls with soap to get them to remember to wash after using the bathroom.”

Her giggle made me relax. “I’m a teacher, remember?”

I hoisted Saffi up when she came from the bathroom, hands dutifully washed. “We need to go. Gigi is waiting for us. We’re going to stay with her for a few days.”

Sami went over to Ashley and stared up at her. Ashley picked her up effortlessly, and Sami rested her head on Ashley’s shoulder. The pang in my heart was immediate. That was where my daughter’s head belonged, snuggled up with Ashley.

“You be good for Gigi, okay? Help her out.” Ashley rubbed Sami’s back, and Sami nodded.

Sami looked at me. “Can we come back again tomorrow?”

I looked over her to Ashley, who blinked rapidly. I could tell it meant a lot to her that Sami liked and accepted her. Saffi would be a little harder, but she would follow her sister. Ashley hugged her tight.

“We’ll see Ashley soon, don’t worry.” I led the way downstairs to my car, Ashley following behind.

When the girls were buckled into their seats, I rubbed her shoulders. “Thanks again for keeping them.”

She shook her head. “Don’t mention it. Let me know if your mom needs anything.” She raised up on her toes and whispered. “And let me know if you need anything, too.”

The only thing I needed right then was a kiss, and I took that with joy. I would happily drown in this woman’s kisses. When we finally broke apart for air, I remembered the girls and pulled away from Ashley.

“I’ll call you later.”

She nodded. “You better.”

In the car, Sami was giggling. “Daddy, you were kissing Ashley.”

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. “Yes, yes, I was.”

Ashley

The next day, I called my brother. On purpose. “Tan, I need a good family lawyer.”

He chuckled. “You’re not suing Dad and Mom are you?”

I slid my shoes on before rushing out the door. “No. I have a, uh, friend who needs an excellent lawyer for a custody battle.” I jumped into my car, pressed the start button, and waited for the Bluetooth to pick up the call.

The shuffling that I had heard behind him stopped. “Would this happen to be an old friend of yours from high school?”

I squeezed my eyes shut, not that he could see me. Tanner had never been unfriendly to Tyrell, but they had never been friends. “Possibly. I guess you heard who I took to the ball.”

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