CHAPTER TEN

 

It had been a busy couple of weeks for Savannah and she couldn’t contain her excitement as she drove down the main road toward the stables. She and Austin had been spending a lot of time together and they’d even managed to go riding a few times. It was getting easier riding the horses as she now felt a kinship with them.

The banner for the Night of Romance event had been delivered to the ranch, and Austin had one of the ranch hands display it for her in an empty stall ready for her to inspect. Everything was coming together, and the final arrangements were being hammered out. The auction would take place on Valentine’s Day in the afternoon. That would give the town’s folk plenty of time to get ready for their evening plans. She’d be spending a cozy evening with Austin at his house after the Night of Romance event and she was looking forward to that. But she couldn’t help but feel like there was something gloomy hanging in the air. Which was a shame, because it was a beautiful, sunny day.

She was in such a good mood, she told her friend Barbara Jean she didn’t have time to hear the juicy gossip about Levi. Which probably had something to do with the woman he’d been seen around town with. She hadn’t heard much from him since the scene at the restaurant. Maybe he was finally getting the fact that she’d moved on. A call came through her cell phone sitting on the dock. She noticed Peyton’s number and activated the Bluetooth so she could talk hands free.

“Hey, Peyton. I’m just coming back from the restaurant supply store with the tablecloths. They were able to exchange them and give us something fancier free of charge. I explained what we were doing, and they threw in some other dishware for free. I told them we’d give them a mention when we do acknowledgements at the end of the night.”

“That’s great. I can’t wait to see them. Look…I thought I’d warn you about something.”

“OK. Shoot.” Savannah swallowed hard. She could hear the tension in her friend’s voice.

“Someone at the school had Lucinda’s show on in the administrative office while I was going in to file some paperwork. She said some crazy things.”

“She’s always saying something off the wall.”

“Well, she decided to make your article on Austin a focal point today.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes, she said it was biased because you used the article as a ruse to land a rich man. And then she questioned your professionalism.”

Savannah felt like she’d been punched in the gut.

Peyton continued. “I’m going to call her and tell her that I don’t want her at the event. She’s taken her gripe against you public, and she took a sucker punch at Austin too.”

“No, don’t call her out. This is her attempt at a social coup.”

“I’m not going to have you miserable while she prances around like the evil queen and says whatever she wants with no consequences.”

“I can do this. I just need to clear my head and tomorrow I’ll be as right as rain. Lucinda won’t get what she wants, which is me backing out of the event so she can take over and take credit for having organized it.”

“There’s one more thing.”

“Yes?” How could it get any worse?

“You know how quickly things spread in the digital age. You know she records herself for her My Bubble channel that she posts daily. It has an awful clickbait title, Gold-digger Writer Tricks T.K. Holbrook’s Son and Betrays Town. The clip has been shared a lot online, and it’s getting a lot of views. I don’t think it’s going to go viral but—”

She rubbed her palm on her forehead. This wasn’t happening. A snarky quip like this could spread like wildfire on a slow news day. She’d bet money no one was interested in her, but Lucinda had just linked her name with T.K. Holbrook online. That was clever of Lucinda because the average person wouldn’t know who was Austin was but they certainly knew T.K. His over the top personality, megabucks and unyielding dedication to his football team over the years had made him a household name even before the team started winning again. Lucinda wanted her name out there because she was interested in bigger and better venues than small town Harper’s Grove. It could put her on the map as an outspoken talk show personality. But it had the potential to destroy Savannah’s reputation. She was one viral meme away from being Internet entertainment fodder if anyone paid serious attention to it. She thought about Ralph. Would she lose her job if Ralph thought she wasn’t being objective? It was hardly a biased slant on a political investigation but still it was a well-positioned jab at her from Lucinda. It would give people the idea that she’d be biased when reporting on more critical issues in the future. Implications were everything these days even if there were no proof to substantiate some wrongdoing.

“Peyton, no worries. I’ve weathered a scandal or two with my mom over the years. Let’s keep our focus on the auction and setting up for Angela’s dinner. That’s what’s most important right now.”

“I hear you. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

She arrived at the main stable and parked. She got out of the car with Blue and walked toward the stables. Her head was beginning to pound. It was no surprise that Lucinda would stoop that low. Word had spread around town that she and Austin were an item, and Lucinda’s ego was hemorrhaging from that stab. The nerve of someone like Savannah getting Austin and not her. Now Savannah would be judged for it by strangers who knew nothing about the situation. Not to mention the damage that might be done to her career. This could damage her credibility and hurt the paper. Her mom would say there was no such thing as bad publicity. She wished she had her mom’s wherewithal to battle this episode. But right now all she wanted to do was hide.

“Blue!” someone yelled out.

She looked around only to see Andy ambling toward them. Blue was becoming popular around here.

“Hi, Ms. Savannah.” He knelt down and rubbed the dog. “How’s my buddy?”

“Hi, Andy. Have you seen Austin?”

“He had to go straighten out a fiasco with a purchase order. He said to tell you he’d be right back.”

“OK. Thanks.” She wrapped her sweater around her.

“I’m going to the outer ridge to check on a fence. Can Blue come with me?”

“Sure.”

“Come on, boy. We’re going to do an inspection.” Andy opened his truck door and Blue hopped in.

She wanted to get away. Escape all the pressure and negativity that had enveloped her like a cloud after Peyton’s warning call.

She noticed Juan Carlos moving about the stables. He’d be able to saddle a horse for her after she paid a visit to her namesake Savannah’s Heart. She was more comfortable with the horses now, and she just wanted to feel the sun on her face and the wind in her hair as she figured out her next move. Whatever she did, Harper’s Grove and the online world would be watching.

 

* * *

 

Austin knew Savannah would probably chew his head off later, but right now he didn’t care. When he’d heard from Grayson about Lucinda’s latest rant on the air, he knew he had to do something. Savannah was out getting ready for the event on Saturday, so it was convenient to drop in on Ralph at the paper. He’d purchase the Gazette if he had to so Savannah could keep her job.

“Ralph,” Austin said when he entered the bullpen at the Harper’s Gazette. “Can I have a word?

“Sure thing. Let’s go into my office.”

The door had barely closed before he launched into his speech. “I want you to know that Savannah—”

“Calm down. I know about that garbage move Lucinda pulled. I also know it was some sort of childish payback. But sorry to burst your ego, it’s not just about you.”

“What?”

“Have a seat.” Ralph waved for him to take a chair.

“I’d rather stand.”

“Suit yourself. I’m going to be honest here and share some things I wouldn’t if I didn’t know how close you are to Savannah now. So first off, I’m friends with Carl, the radio station owner. We play poker together.”

“OK.” Austin kept pacing.

“We both assessed a while ago that Lucinda had it in for Savannah, and we knew Lucinda’s animosity toward her would reach a boiling point. She’s smart, driven, and one hell of a journalist, and Lucinda doesn’t like competition.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Savannah really blossomed when she did her piece on you. Part of the reason I asked her to do it was because she needed to connect to the town. At first I thought she was just passing through Harper’s Grove, one step on the ladder she was climbing, so I held back on giving her stories. After she broke up with that idiot Levi, I thought she’d leave town, but she didn’t. She dug in her heels and wanted a life here. It finally clicked that she had to be part of the town in order to report on it. So I started giving her assignments worthy of her talents. I have faith in her integrity and I stand by that article she wrote on you. The romance just happens to be the byproduct of good reporting.”

“So you’re not going to fire her?”

“Hell no.”

“Don’t that beat all? I was going to ask you if I could buy the newspaper.”

“Just so Savannah could keep her job?”

“Well, yeah.”

“I hope you know if she were here, she’d probably punch you in the nose.”

“Probably.” He laughed. He knew she didn’t appreciate when her mom threw her weight around, and wouldn’t have taken too kindly to him trying to solve her problem with his money. Didn’t matter. He would’ve done it anyway. For her.

“You could make Carl an offer to buy the radio station. I don’t know if he’d sell, but he’d consider it a feather in his cap if T.K. Holbrook’s son tried to buy his station.”

“No, I think I’ll leave the wheeling and dealing to my dad.”

“Fair enough. Savannah’s a lucky woman. You must love her very much.”

“I’m the lucky one,” Austin said. “Thanks, Ralph.”

Austin shook his head as he walked out of the editor-in-chief’s office. Marching in and attempting to buy the newspaper was such a T.K. move. Maybe it was a Holbrook move. Still, he would do anything to protect her. If that meant suddenly owning a newspaper he didn’t want, so be it. What good was having tons of money if you couldn’t protect the people that meant everything to you?

It was time to head back to the ranch. He wanted to see how Savannah liked the banner. She was pretty excited about seeing it. He got in his truck and headed home content that she wasn’t in danger of losing her job. It would have killed him if Lucinda’s antics resulted in a setback for Savannah’s career. Soon he was back on his property and went straight to the main stable building. Savannah’s car was parked in the lot.

He got out of his truck and went in search of her. He’d have to do his best to explain what he’d done in Ralph’s office and hoped she would understand.

Juan Carlos touched the tip of his cowboy hat as he approached. “Hey, boss.”

“Hey, Juan Carlos. What’s going on?”

“Nothing much. I took a message from someone looking for riding lessons. It sounds like his daughter is a budding equestrian. He wants to see if it’s worth the money to invest in a horse.”

Austin smiled. “It’s always worth the money.”

“I told him I’d call back when you looked at your schedule.”

Austin stopped in his tracks. “Why don’t you do it?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. It’s time I start doling out more responsibility. You’re a great ranch manager. I trust you.”

“I’ll make an appointment for early next week. I can get a feel for what they’re looking to do.”

“Cool. Where’s Savannah? Did you show her the banner?”

“I was going to, but she wanted to take a ride instead. I put her on Otis. She should be able to handle him.”

“Where did she go?”

“She said she would stick to the beginner trail.”

“OK. I’ll go look for her.” He walked toward the stable and grabbed his saddle for his horse Midnight. He couldn’t help the bit of unease—no, worry—that trickled inside him. She wasn’t a very experienced rider to be off on her own, even on a beginner trail. She was probably upset about Lucinda, but that was no reason to give him a heart attack.

Austin rode the beginner trail for a while. It was a straightforward shot for someone at Savannah’s skill level. The land was mostly flat, and there weren’t any thickets or nests of trees that would obstruct her view. But he’d been on the trail for ten minutes and still didn’t see her. He stopped and looked around and finally he saw her in the distance. She was off the trail and headed toward more hilly terrain.

“Savannah!” he called out. He rode hard to her, hoping he could stop her. “Savannah!”

She reined in and held up her hand to block the sun. “What’s going on?”

“I was worried sick about you.” Austin dismounted his horse. “You scared the life out of me. Why would you ride on your own? And deviate from the beginner trail on top of that?”

“I hadn’t noticed. I was getting in some practice for when Savannah’s Heart is able to be ridden.”

“Otis noticed.” He touched the horse’s mane. “That’s why he’s a little antsy. These animals instinctively know where to go. You set out one way and ended up doing something different.”

“That’s the story of my life.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I just came out here to clear my head. I heard some disturbing news.”

“I heard about it too. I was concerned because you’re not an experienced rider. I don’t think it’s wise to get too far off the typical trails.”

“Otis wouldn’t let anything happen to me.” She dismounted the horse. “And I have my cell phone.”

“Darlin’, that’s not the point. I don’t want to see you hurt.” He caressed her arm. “Not from anything. I wish I could fix the smear campaign Lucinda has going on.”

“It’s not your fault. Lucinda’s angry because she feels I derailed her chances at snagging you. She’s reacting like any idiot with a little bit of power would. Using her resources to tear me down. That little report of hers has made it to social media and is spreading like a communicable disease.”

“She said she had ambitions to be a national radio star again. But you’d think she’d learn after that original debacle landed her, as she’s stated, ‘in the backwaters of California.’”

“If her new angle is inaccurate, hate-filled reporting, she’ll be a star in no time.” She tried to smile but didn’t really succeed.

“Hey.” He pulled her close. “No one can take away what you’ve accomplished. And I hardly believe anyone in Harper’s Grove will pay her venom any mind.”

“No, but she can put me front and center for controversy, and I’ll have to defend myself. It’s on the Internet, means it’s forever. I’ll always have this questionable stain on my career. It doesn’t matter if it’s true. I’ll have to move to New Zealand to get away from this.”

“That’s a bit farfetched.” He tried to joke but it didn’t work. He didn’t like the sad look on her face. He had to do something. “Then I’ll have to pull up stakes and move with you.”

Her eyes lit up. “You’d do that for me?”

He wanted to cheer her up but the weight of the words he’d just said struck him too. Yes, he’d follow her anywhere. The notion made his heart pound against his ribcage. “Yes, I would.”

She straightened up. “Nice to know I’ll have company.”

“I am so sorry.” He hugged her. “Just give it some time to fade. If it’s any consolation, I talked to Ralph, and he’s standing by you.”

“When did you talk to Ralph?”

“A little while ago.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “What did you do?”

“I was just being protective of you. Which isn’t a bad thing.” He gave her a grin. “I went with the intention to buy the paper but turns out I didn’t need to.”

“You what!” She put her hands on her hips.

“Ralph has the utmost confidence in you. But, in my defense, I wanted to pre-empt you losing your job. I know how much you love being a reporter. I couldn’t see it ripped away from you because of malicious gossip.” He looked at her trying to get a read on her mood.

After a minute her face softened. “I can handle it, but thank you for wanting to protect me. I have to get ready for the event. There’s no use feeling sorry for myself. This event is important to Angela, the town, and to me. It’s the reason I’ve gotten to know everyone better. I won’t be run off by Lucinda and her acid-laden microphone.”

“I’ve been in Harper’s Grove for a while. The people here can surprise you.”

“I hope so.” She looked into his eyes.

They mounted their horses and rode back to the stables. Blue was waiting for them in Austin’s office. As life got back to normal, he wanted to take a moment and explore what he’d said. He’d just told her he’d run away with her a few minutes ago. It was time to take the plunge and talk about it. But Savannah beat him to it.

“About the New Zealand thing.” She bit her lip.

“Yes?”

“You said you’d pull up stakes and go with me.”

“I did.”

Juan Carlos stormed into the office. “Austin, can I get the key to—” He stopped in his tracks when he spotted them.

Austin turned to her. “How about we talk about New Zealand and anything else you want after the event?” He kissed her.

“I look forward to it.”