Savannah's Song (South of Forever, Book 2)

Chapter 1

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"Arms up," Savannah said, tickling Chloe's belly. The four-year-old giggled as her arms shot into the air, begging for Savannah to tickle her armpits. Grinning, Savannah wriggled her fingers into Chloe's skin. The toddler shrieked with laughter, nearly falling to the floor. Savannah caught her and, in one swift motion, peeled off her pajamas. This had been their ritual for the last two years—for almost as long as she'd known Chloe. She sighed. Chloe wouldn't want to wear footed jammies much longer.

A door squeaked open on the other side of the apartment. "Daddy's home," she told Chloe. "Hurry!" She tugged an undershirt over Chloe's head, then helped her into a romper and sweater. The floor groaned under Max's feet as he crossed the apartment while Savannah maneuvered Chloe's feet into socks and sneakers. The grocery store would be cold inside, their only access to air conditioning all summer.

Max entered Chloe's bedroom, his delivery bag still slung over his shoulder. He brushed hair out of eyes punctuated by dark circles and gave Savannah a nod. "Gonna take a shower."

"Wait." She stood, brushing dried soap from her bare legs. She had shaved for the first time in days, specifically so she could wear shorts. Spring in Boston had seesawed between cool rain and warm rain. She was ready for summer. Crossing the room, she stood on tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. "I figured I would drop you off at the studio, and we'd take the car to go get some groceries." She struggled to remember the last time she had left the house that week.

Even though it would be nice to drive for a change, the Taurus wasn't the same as her BMW. Selling it had been the only way they could afford the move from Connecticut to Boston.

Max ran a hand through his hair. "This early?" He nodded toward the yellow clock on Chloe's wall. In complete contrast to her pink and purple bedroom in Connecticut, Chloe had asked for yellow when they moved in. "Don't you think it's a little early to be dragging Chloe out?" His voice was rough. He stepped away from Savannah.

Frowning, she closed the distance between them. "It's not that early." She lifted a hand toward the clock. It was a little after seven.

"If you need the car for later, I can just take the Red Line." He spun away from her and into the bathroom. The door slammed shut.

Biting her lip, Savannah turned back to Chloe. The little girl watched Savannah, blue eyes wide. "Daddy's cranky when he's tired, huh?" Savannah scooped Chloe from the floor and carried her through the apartment. She hesitated in the living room, eyeing the fabric fraying from their couch. Shoulders slumping, she made her way to the kitchen.

"I want waffles," Chloe told her.

Savannah put her in her booster seat. "No kidding." She opened the freezer and withdrew the box of store-brand waffles. Pausing, she tapped her finger against her chin, staring at the bread on top of the refrigerator. She could surprise Max with something to eat at the studio. He certainly seemed like he could use it—along with a good night's sleep.

As Chloe's waffles popped out of the toaster, Max jogged through the hall. "See you later." He stopped only long enough to kiss his daughter on the forehead, then swung the front door open and disappeared from view.

"Thanks for the kiss." Savannah kept her voice low. Max needed more than some rest. Maybe, her mind whispered, he was so tired because he was spending all his free time with another girl. She shoved the thought away and grabbed sandwich meat, mayonnaise, and maple syrup from the refrigerator. She plopped a plate of waffles and the syrup in front of Chloe.