The Durango Affair - Brenda Jackson [49]
Durango shook his head and grinned. “No, they’ll probably get a kick out of it. The thought of being featured on a calendar will boost a few of their egos, I’m sure.”
He studied her, sensing something was bothering her. He hadn’t picked up on it earlier, but now without a camera in her hand it was becoming obvious. He couldn’t help wondering if she oftentimes used her camera as an emotional shield.
“Did something happen today that I should know about, Savannah? Does it have anything to do with your mother or your brother?”
He knew her mother was still in Paris and Savannah had spoken to her the day before. She hadn’t reached her brother until later in the day. He had been surprised but happy with her news and was looking forward to their visit to Philly.
Durango watched as she took a deep breath and said, “No, it’s not about my family.”
He nodded. That could only mean one thing. It was about his. “Did someone in my family call you today?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
He saw the small smile that touched her lips before she said, “It would probably be easier to ask who didn’t. You have a rather large family.”
Large and overwhelming, Durango thought, giving her his full attention. “And?”
“And…er…everyone, although surprised by the news we had gotten married, seemed genuinely sincere in wishing us the best, which made me feel like a phony.”
He understood her ambivalence because he’d felt the same way at work today. “You’re not a phony. Our decision to have a temporary marriage is our business and no one else’s.”
“Yes, I know…but.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “But what?”
“But everyone was so nice. Even your cousin Delaney called all the way from the Middle East. And all the Westmoreland spouses, those married to your cousins and brother, called to welcome me into the family. They said from this day forward we would all be sisters. It was the same welcome Jessica told me they gave her. Do you know how that made me feel?”
She was staring at him with a strained expression on her face. He smiled at her. “No, how did that made you feel?”
“Special. I’ve always dreamed of belonging to a huge family, but it’s not for real. Do you know what I’m saying? Am I making much sense?”
Yes, he knew what she was saying and she was making plenty of sense. He remembered that one of the main reasons she had agreed to marry him was that she wanted their child to have something she’d never had—a chance to belong to a large family; a family who would always be there for you through the good times or bad; a family who stuck together no matter what; a family that instilled strong values in future generations and a family who proved time and time again that when the going got tough, they didn’t get going. They rallied around each other and gave their support.
“Yes, I understand,” he said, after expelling a deep breath. “No matter what, there will always be a bond between us because of our child. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes, I know it, but I still feel like I’m being deceitful and that bothers me.”
Not for the first time, Durango compared Savannah with Tricia. The more he did so, the more he was discovering there was no comparison. Both were city girls for sure, but where being deceitful actually bothered Savannah, Tricia hadn’t shown any remorse when she’d looked him dead in the eyes and told him that she’d played him for a fool.
“I’m going to put dinner on the table now, Durango. I’ll let you know when everything is ready.”
Feeling her need to change the subject, he asked, “Need my help?”
“No. I can manage.”
Moments after Savannah left, Durango turned to gaze out at the mountains. Today was a clear winter day and what he saw was breathtaking, a sight to behold, and it provided such a picturesque view that it made him appreciate his decision to settle down in these parts years ago.
He’d always found comfort in looking at the mountains when something weighed heavily on his mind and today Savannah was weighing heavily on his mind.
Although he had decided