“Drive safe,” he says to his father, shutting her door.
When Cole reaches the SUV, he walks up to Abigail and June, laughing at Mark about the look on Mark’s face when Melanie arrived.
“No, no, please, laugh away. I’m glad my stomach hitting the floor and rolling out the door was so entertaining to you.” He scoffs from the front seat, only making them laugh harder.
Savannah looks out the window, off in her own little world.
He sits next to her, fixing the vent to blow warm air on her. “You see something?”
“No, just thinking.”
She seems far away, so he leaves her be and signals for Paul to start their drive home.
“A little music, Paul?” June asks. He turns on some music, and the Beatles’Hey Judefills the car.
Savannah’s hand rests on his thigh.
She appears troubled. He wraps his arm around her and nestles her against his side.
She runs her hand along his waist, flinching when she feels his gun.
He kisses the top of her head and holds her tighter. He doesn’t care if Paul sees him in the mirror; he wants to hold her. She has something big to tell him tonight, and it is obviously playing on her. He’s been patient, but she’s suffering, and it bothers him.
She tucks her head into his neck and relaxes a little.
His phone vibrates in his pocket. He reaches down, seeing it’s a text from Keith.
Keith: Green Land Rover. Since Zack’s. Branching off. See who he follows.
“Paul,” Cole’s voice is sharp through the music, “keep on course.”
Paul nods, checking in the mirror.
Savannah sits up and looks out the rear window.
“Look forward, please, Savi.”
She stares at him, sensing his mood change. “Is there someone following us?” Her voice is shaky, and she starts to rub her hands over her lap nervously. “Cole, say something, please.”
“Besides the blues, what other kind of music do you like?”
“I’m not five, Cole. Your attempt at a distraction is a little insulting. Keep me in the loop, or the panic that’s about to surface will be the least of your worries.”
He has to fake a cough to stop from laughing.She’s so feisty.
“Keith noticed a Land Rover following us.”
“So, couldn’t they just be going somewhere?”
“Not on this road.”
“We have company,” Paul announces.
Savannah reaches for his hand. He loves that she looks to him for comfort.
“How far are we away from the house?” she asks.
“Ten minutes to the first gate,” Cole answers while texting Keith back.