"I miss you all too."
"So go off and have a good talk and get your ass back here."
"I'll talk to you soon; give everyone hugs for me."
Savannah was still smiling when she ended the call.
Chapter 18
The car turned up the drive to the lovely stone farmhouse shaded by stately old trees. There was an old but solid stone and timber barn surrounded by a lush green pasture with a couple of horses and ponies grazing peacefully. Savannah got out of the car and looked around in appreciation of the lovely home. The front door swung open, and her friend, Henri, rushed toward her with a shout of greeting. He swept her into a fierce hug, kissing both her cheeks.
"Savannah, my darling, you look good enough to eat!"
Savannah was laughing. "And you look like always, dangerously handsome and silly too."
"Come. Meet my beautiful wife, Laurel."
Laurel came forward with both hands extended. She took Savannah's hands and kissed her cheeks. "It's lovely to meet you. Henri talks about you often. I feel as if I already know you."
"You have my eternal admiration. I thought Henri would never be tamed." Savannah liked her instantly.
Laurel laughed merrily. "Oh, he'll never be tamed. But I love him just as he is. Please, come in."
Savannah walked in, admiring their home, beautiful but warm and welcoming. "This is wonderful. I must admit, when I heard that you had moved to the country, I just couldn't imagine you giving up the city, but you must love it here."
Henri nodded and said, "We do, darling. The city is greatly overrated. It's a wonderful place to party or shop, but this is much better for living. Come, we'll give you a tour."
After they toured the lovely home, they settled in front of a huge stone fireplace and Henri opened the champagne that was waiting in the ice bucket on a low table in front of the big, comfortable sofa. He poured two glasses and poured sparkling water into the third glass, handing it to his wife. Savannah took the glass he handed to her and the three of them toasted each other.
"Laurel is with child," Henri said with a wink. "She says the baby cannot have champagne."
"Oh, how wonderful! Congratulations to you both."
Laurel was smiling blissfully. "Thank you; we are very happy. Henri wants half a dozen children. I'm not so sure about that, but we will see."
"Henri, you're full of surprises. I thought you would live in the jet set world forever."
He looked scornful. "That's not a real life. It's just endless parties and gossip, seeing who can outspend everyone else. Although, I must admit, I do miss the gambling just a bit."
His wife smiled indulgently at him. "And yet an occasional night in the city is enough to send him back here for another few months until he feels the need for another night's gambling. I am going to the kitchen for a little while. The two of you talk, catch up. Henri has missed you."
"So, my darling, why have you stayed away for so long?"
"I felt that I should leave you in peace when you fell in love. I had never seen you seriously in love before."
"You are my friend, my treasured friend. There is always a place in my heart and my life for you. And my beautiful wife would never want our friendship to end. She was delighted when I told her that you called. She knows you are important to me, and therefore, you are important to her."
"Oh, Henri, that is so lovely for you. I can see how happy you are."
He looked pleased. "I am. I never knew how rich life could be until I met Laurel. Now, tell me what is happening with you."
They were deep in conversation when Laurel came back with a tray loaded with bread, cheese and fruit. Henri pulled her down to sit beside him.
"Savannah has a chance to change her life, just as we have changed ours."
"How wonderful." Laurel smiled.
"Ah, but I think she is a little bit afraid of the change. It would mean moving back to the little town where her family lives in the States. You remember when I was a little afraid to give up all of my old habits, the old ways that I knew so well."
Laurel nodded. "And have you ever regretted it?"
"Not for a second," Henri declared.
"And is there a man in this change of life?" Laurel asked.
Savannah hesitated. "Yes, perhaps."
The other woman looked at her closely. "I would say it is not perhaps. Tell us about him."
"H-he's not like anyone I have ever met before. He's strong and kind and smart. But he… I guess he won't let me get away with anything. He'll never let me push him around."
Laurel clapped her hands once and said, "That's wonderful! A real man will not let you push him around. Men who do that are so boring."
Savannah laughed. "I guess that's true. He's a cowboy."
Henri looked impressed. "An American cowboy. Darling, you can't let him get away!"
Savannah said helplessly, "You make it sound so simple. But it's my whole life. I'd be changing everything, giving up everything."
Henri raised an eyebrow and waved a hand. "What would you be giving up? Parties, beaches, horse races? Traveling around to yet another string of parties where you get to hear the latest gossip over and over? Darling, it is simple. None of that will disappear if your new life doesn't work out for some reason. All those empty headed gossips will still be there if you should return someday."
"But there's something else. Something that keeps me away."
Laurel looked concerned. "What is it, darling?"
"It was something that happened when I was thirteen. Something I just haven't been able to get over."
Anger flashed over Henri's face. "What is it, darling? Someone did something to you?"
"No, no," Savannah said hastily. "It was actually something I did. Or something I didn't do. It was a terrible thing."
"Darling, you were a child. What could be so bad that a little girl could do?"
Savannah stared at her friend, feeling something break apart in her heart. "It was my grandfather. I was there when he had his stroke. I was in my room sulking because I was grounded for the day. I thought I heard something, but I ignored it. It was hours before everyone else got home, and I stayed in my room that whole time. By the time they got back and found him, he was already dead. I could have called for help. Maybe he'd still be alive today if I had just called for help."
Savannah broke into tears. Laurel moved over to sit beside her, hugging her close. She held her while she cried, rocking her gently and murmuring wordlessly. Savannah fought for control of herself, mortified that she was crying in front of her friends.
"I'm so sorry," Savannah managed to say.
With tears on his own face, Henri said, "Darling, whatever for?"
"I don't cry." Savannah's voice was fierce.
"Well, then. It's past time that you learned. My love, there is nothing shameful about tears of grief. Tears of guilt, now, that's something we have to fix."
"But it was my fault."
"Don't be silly. Have you the power to strike someone down with a heart attack or a stroke? If you do, I know a man who needs to be struck down."