Page 50 of Small Town Beast

Saverin took her hand again, rubbing her fingers between his. “Hey, Tanya. Look at me.”

His burned, scarred face wasn’t really that bad. He could be so kind. She looked at him for just a moment before it became too much and she buried her face in his chest, not even understanding what moved her to do it. He hugged her solidly, like a friend.

“Your son is fine,” he said. “Just breathe a minute.”

“I’m breathing,” she said, inhaling his incredible smell that she had actually missed. “I think maybe I’m just fooling myself.Maybe everything I do to find him is for nothing. Maybe it’s too late.”

“Don’t give up hope,” Saverin said firmly. “Now, can I show you something before we go? It’ll make you feel better.”

“What?”

“Something nice.”

“Can I get another clue?”

“Warm,” he added thoughtfully. It was enough for Tanya.

They cut a path around the house. Why they needed to hold hands to do that she wasn’t sure, but she allowed it. It occurred to Tanya that a man who lived in such isolation probably didn’t get a woman’s touch unless he went out looking for it.Payingfor it. He was so much taller than she was. He looked nearly like a different species, his pale skin contrasting with her own dark brown shade.

“Can you believe people can look so different from each other?” she was moved to ask.

“One of God’s mysteries.” He frowned and didn’t say more.

They walked through another sunny glade like the one they’d climbed to get to the cabin. It was so beautiful up here. So lonely. Tanya had always lived around other people; even in her current apartment she had neighbors. She wondered how he could stand the nights up here with nobody to share it with.

Nobody…Until you.

She was slowly putting him together. Checking her advantage. It scared her. She’d been burned before in the worst way by a man like him. But what if she held the power this time?

Whatever I ask, he gives me.

What does he want from me?

“Tell me about this Colton,” Saverin said. “Your boy’s father. What type of man is he?”

“A dickhead.”

“Could you be more specific?”

“He owned the building Mama and I used to stay in.” She didn’t want to talk about Colton; even saying his name was too much.

“You think he’ll keep looking for you?”

She shuddered. What would be the point in telling Saverin what she’d seen last night on her doorstep? She still wasn’t sure she had dreamed it all. “I try to pretend he doesn’t exist,” she said.

“How’s that working out?”

Not very well, apparently. Tanya kept her voice neutral as she said, “He told me that if his family ever found out about me and the child, they would cut off his inheritance. So I did him a favor by running off. I guess he changed his mind.”

Her companion had stopped listening afterinheritance. “Rich boy?” he asked shrewdly.

“You could say so.” Tanya’s fingers went stiff in his hand. “Except he was a grown ass man…anyway.”

Saverin’s eyes narrowed but he kept his thoughts to himself.

“What about you? You don’t have a girlfriend?” Tanya asked curiously.

Saverin laughed at something only he could know. “Look– we’re almost there,” was all he said.

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