Page 54 of Their Reluctant Catch

Something important.

Impatient, I wait for Todd to unlock the back, then toss my bags inside. “Be right back.”

He barely has time to frown before I stride back toward the store.

Henry lifts an eyebrow when I walk in. “Forget something?”

I don’t answer. My focus is already on the small floral display by the register. The bouquets aren’t much—somewhat measly and ridiculously overpriced—but the MacAllister brothers don’t declare love to a woman often. Hell, I’m not sure we ever have.

I stare at the bundles, completely out of my depth. What the hell kind of flowers do you give to a woman like Savannah?

Nothing fits. Nothing seems enough.

In the end, I grab two bunches closest to me. Simple, bright. Maybe they’ll make her smile.

I place them on the counter and swipe my card, trying not to wince at the price.

Henry smirks but, for once, keeps his mouth shut. “Have a good night.”

I nod and hurry out, gripping the bouquets like they might escape if I don’t hold on tight enough.

Todd takes one look at me and grins widely. “Great thinking, bro.”

We pile into the van, eager to get home. I barely register the short drive, my mind racing ahead, trying to picture Savannah’s reaction.

Will she be happy?

God, I hope so.

By the time we pull up to the house, we’re moving so fast we nearly forget the groceries. Between bags of food and the flowers, we must look ridiculous, but I don’t care. I just want to find her.

We drop the bags in the kitchen, which is empty.

She’s also not in the living room.

We check the laundry room, but there is no sign of her there.

Todd points to the ceiling, I nod, and we rush up the stairs.

The bathroom door is cracked open, steam wafting into the hall. She’s home. She’s showered.

Todd hesitates. “Should we?—”

“No,” I cut in. “We need to do this now. Before she hears it from someone else.”

I hear a voice from our bedroom. Is she talking to herself?

Todd opens the bedroom, and I zero in on her form. She’s standing at the window, talking on her cellphone. Her gorgeous hair, dark from the shower, is cascading over her shoulders.

“Hm-hm. Yes, Mom. I know.”

We shouldn’t be eavesdropping on her call. I bump shoulders with Todd and indicate with my head toward the hallway. We need to leave.

“Of course, I miss you and Miami, Mom. I know I was supposed to be back already.”

My world shatters and sounds become muffled as the roaring of the blood in my ears goes from normal tides to riptides, before it cascades to tsunami levels.

She’s planning to return to Miami.

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