CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

Savannah turned to find Austin cuddled next to her fully clothed in the bed the next morning. He looked like he’d been in a bar fight. Apparently, he’d had a really long night of talking with his father and brother, who’d gone off and talked again after their late-night dinner. She spent the night getting acquainted with Aurora and Megan. They were both lovely ladies. It was obvious Megan was as head-over-heels in love with Logan as he was with her. They had the same fun energy and seemed a perfect fit for each other.

As she looked at him, Austin’s eye opened and he stared at her blearily.

“What happened last night?” she asked gently.

“T.K. said he could drink us under the table. We took it as a dare.” He groaned and threw his hand over his eyes.

“Well it looks like the table fell on you.” She caressed his stubbled cheek. “That five o’clock shadow is heading toward seven-thirty.”

“I think the bourbon Daddy brought can put hair on your chest and other places.”

She giggled. “Let me know if you need a Brazilian wax. I’d be happy to do it for you.”

“I don’t want any hot wax near my junk. So if you’re into that, we have to have a serious talk.” He trailed kisses down her neck.

She groaned. “We’ll talk about frisky expectations another time. We have a busy day ahead of us.”

“We do?”

“I’m going to spend some more time with your mom and Megan. She wants to go to lunch.” She ran her hand through his hair. “I have to get in the shower.”

“That sounds nice, but I’d rather stay in bed with you.” He rubbed his thumb over her nipple. “You feel so good.”

“You could go for a ride with Logan and your dad.”

There was a jingle of the door handle and a knock on the bedroom door. “Austin. The door is locked.”

“I know, Momma. I locked it.” Austin then whispered in her ear. “She will try to make the bed with you in it.”

Savannah covered her mouth to stifle her laugh.

“I just wanted to tell you that breakfast will be ready in a half hour. I want you and Savannah at the table with us.”

“OK, Momma. We’ll be down soon.” He listened for his mother’s retreating footsteps. Satisfied she’d gone, he squeezed her even tighter. “That means we have twenty minutes to take a shower together.”

“I like the sound of that.” She reached beneath the cover and stroked him.

Before they could get too playful, Savannah’s cell phone rang. She craned her neck toward the nightstand to see the display. It was her sister Ella.

“Throw it out the window,” Austin groaned. “I’ll buy you another one.”

She bit her lip. “Ella doesn’t call often.”

“Answer it.” Austin fell back on the pillows. “I’ll just be hanging out over here in agony.”

She sat up and answered the phone. “Ella. What’s up?”

“Savvy, did you see mom’s show on Friday?”

“I’ve been busy.” She swatted at Austin, who decided not to play possum and was kissing her spine. “I’ll catch a re-run.”

“No, I really think you should watch it now. I’m sending you a clip of the last five minutes of her show. It will help you prepare for the fallout.”

Oh no. What did her mother do to add on to her imploding life now? “What are you talking about?”

“Stop being so stubborn and watch the show. Make sure Austin watches too. I have to go. I’m having lunch with friends at Coriander.” Ella ended the call.

Savannah looked at the phone. A notification pinged that she’d received an email from her sister.

“Ella insists we watch this clip of my mom’s show.”

“Let’s do it.” Austin rubbed his hand over his face.

Savannah opened the email. It was a My Bubble clip of her mother’s show titled Clare Brewster’s Badass Mama Bear Prologue.

“What do you think she’s going to say?”

“Who knows with my mom? I just hope the move to New Zealand isn’t back on. But I hope your offer to run away with me is still on the table?”

“Absolutely.” Austin clasped her hand. “No worries. I have a feeling it’s nothing terrible.”

“You’ve met my mother and you still have optimism? I applaud you.” She laughed and clicked on the link.

The segment started with a return from a commercial break. When the audience applause died down, Clare launched into her speech.

“It has come to my attention that my daughter Savannah, a beautiful, lovely young woman who is a journalist has come under fire. She’s been accused of bias in a slice-of-life article she’s written by someone who clearly has a personal vendetta against her. During the course of her research, my daughter got involved with the subject of her story. That being said, Savannah is a true professional, and it is both laughable and sad that someone would make these wild accusations. She’s also a very private person, so much so she sometimes shuts people out.”

Savannah took a deep breath. Just when it was going well, it looked like her mom had switched gears and was going to throw her under the bus.

Clare continued. “I am happy to say that Austin is as kind, sweet, respectful, and intelligent as he is handsome and dynamic. He’s the kind of man most women read about in books, and there are definitely not enough men like him in the real world. My daughter is the epitome of integrity, and for anyone to accuse her of forsaking her journalistic code, which she takes very seriously, is insulting. I am proud of her for taking a chance and opening her heart to Austin. I have often said that she is what keeps me honest, because I know I’ll have to look into her beautiful eyes if I stray too far. So I’d like to say that the claims against my daughter are utter rubbish. I will defend her into oblivion. She’s never needed anyone’s approval, and I’ve never been prouder of her. No one messes with Clare Brewster’s kid. I wish you a good day my lovelies, and I’ll see you on Monday.” Clare blew a kiss and waved as the camera panned to the applauding audience.

“Well, that certainly was a surprise,” Savannah said.

“Your momma loves you.” Austin kissed her cheek and got out of bed.

“In her own crazy way.” It didn’t solve her many issues with her mom, but she stood up for her when it counted. It even sounded like she was beginning to respect the life she’d made for herself.

“Call her now. She needs to know you saw the show and saw her stand up for you.”

She pouted. “No sexy shower time?”

“I’d love sexy shower time with you. But there’s a theme going on. I have my family downstairs. You should reach out to yours.” He stripped off his shirt.

“I’m not expecting a miracle.”

“It’s good to be realistic.” He removed his jeans. “But her gut reaction was to put Lucinda in check. Start with that. Demand what you want from her and go from there.”

“You know you’re not making the case you think you are by taking your clothes off in front of me.”

“I’ll take a long, hot shower. When you finish your call with your mom, you can join me.”

“I’m on it.” Savannah went to scrolling through her contacts. “Anyone ever tell you that you could be a life coach?”

Austin removed his boxers and smiled.

“My. My.” Her eyes widened. “I don’t know whether to salute you or grab that thing and start singing karaoke.”

“Surprise me when you join me in the shower.” Austin winked and sauntered into the bathroom.

Savannah had to laugh at that one. She found her mom’s number and hit the telephone icon. As the phone rang, she leaned off the bed to see Austin’s perfect ass as he stepped into the stall. It was shaping up to be a fabulous beginning to the day.