Reflection Point

chapter TWELVE





Zach couldn’t get Savannah Moore off his mind.

From the moment she’d fled from him and Reflection Point two nights ago, she’d haunted him. After nearly a decade in law enforcement he knew that 98 percent of the time you could count on a guilty person to claim innocence. He could count on one hand the number of times he wondered if the perp might actually be telling the truth.

Crazy at it sounded, he believed Savannah’s story. Was it good intuition or old-fashioned horniness?

Well, horniness certainly was a factor, but either way, he guessed, it didn’t matter. The fact remained that he did believe her and he wanted to get to know her better. A lot better. The woman appealed to him like no woman had in a very long time.

She was like a scrappy little terrier, a survivor who didn’t take crap from anyone. He felt sorry for her, and he suspected she’d hate it if she knew it. Betrayed by a lover. Framed by the man for a crime she didn’t commit? He’d like five minutes alone in a room with the son of a bitch.

A son-of-a-bitch cop. That really burned him. Dirty cops held top billing on his shit list.

Kyle Vaughn. Detective Kyle Vaughn, Zach had discovered. He’d testified against her at her trial. The sorry bag of crap. Zach didn’t know where this thing he had with Savannah would go, but having a dirtbag ex in the same profession as his own certainly wouldn’t help matters. She obviously held his job against him. Barney Fife my ass.

Zach intended to find out more about her case—he’d requested transcripts of the trial, for one thing—but first he thought he’d take the opportunity to investigate this business venture of hers … and score a glass or two of that fancy champagne Jack Davenport was passing around. When Gabi arrived at the sheriff’s office nearly late for her shift and babbling about Savannah’s success, he headed for Heavenscents.

He wanted to see Savannah in her glory. Hell, he wanted to see Savannah, period.

She was talking to the Brands when he walked in, and he enjoyed an unobserved moment of watching her. She looked gorgeous in a clingy red sweater and high-heeled shoes. She looked happy, too, and the light in her countenance put a smile on his face.

“Well, well, well,” Jack Davenport said, offering him a glass of champagne. “I recognize that look. So, you have a thing for our sexy soap maker?”

Zach shrugged. “Let’s just say I’m considering having a thing.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised after watching you at softball that night. I was a little afraid that you’d have to arrest yourself for violating the burn ban.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The two of you sent enough sparks flying around that I thought you might set the field on fire. So … what gives?”

Remembering the collision on the field, Zach gave a crooked grin. Maybe she sensed the men’s interest, because at that moment Savannah glanced over her shoulder and met his gaze. He lifted his champagne to her in a silent toast. She frowned and returned to her conversation.

“She’s not sure she likes me.”

“Woman has some sense.”

“Ass.”

Jack sipped his champagne. “She has spirit, too. That always makes a woman more interesting.”

“I agree.”

“I think you should go for it—if only because it would put an end to the matchmaking schemes of my wife and her friends.”

“That would be a good thing. I swear this town gets more like a reality TV show every day.” Zach was distracted by the sight of Ali Timberlake entering the room carrying a platter of chicken kabobs. “Those look good. I haven’t had dinner yet.”

“You should see if she’s got any of the crab cakes left. They’re spectacular.”

Zach filled a plate—including crab cakes—then spent a few minutes looking around Savannah’s shop. He liked what she’d done with this Victorian. Her displays were inviting, and she’d arranged them in such a way as to display a lot of stuff without having the place feel stuffy. But honestly, ten dollars for a ball of soap?

Judging by the way she appeared to be racking up the sales, she must know what she was doing. Gabi had admitted to spending over a hundred dollars tonight. Of course, his new deputy was a badass girly girl, but still, a hundred bucks?

He visited with his friends and fellow citizens, keeping one eye on the clock and the other on the prize. It didn’t escape his notice that she kept track of where he was, too. Every time he moved closer, she scooted away.

Zach bided his time, and as the crowd thinned, he decided he’d given her enough line and time to run. He picked up two glasses of champagne, then sidled over to her. Seeing her notice him and go tense, Zach made a judgment about which compliment she’d prefer hearing most. “The place looks great, Peach.”

It took her a moment, but she visibly relaxed and actually smiled at him as she accepted the glass of champagne he offered. “Thanks.”

“I like how you’ve named your products with an Eternity Springs theme.”

“Since my primary market for the retail shop is the tourist trade, I thought it would be fun.”

“Looks like you’ve sold a lot to locals tonight, too.”

Her smile brightened with satisfaction. “I have. I completely sold out of Spring Cleaned bubble bars.”

“As sheriff, I appreciate that Eternity Springs can boast of a clean citizenry.” She rewarded him with a laugh, and Zach continued, “Also as sheriff, I like to support local businesses, so why don’t you help me pick out something to buy?”

“I can do that. How about something for Ace?”

“Dog bubble bath?”

“I was thinking about a shampoo.”

“That’ll work.”

Savannah led him to a display called “Suds for Spot,” and as she described the differences in the three dog shampoos she offered, Zach’s attention wandered. Something on the shelf next to the dog stuff smelled great. “I’ll take the green stuff,” Zach told her, then gestured toward the shelf. “What is this scent?”

“Isn’t it wonderful?” She picked up a cellophane bag filled with crystals and untied the ribbon bow that fastened it closed. She passed it to him to get a better whiff. “It’s something new I put together, and it’s quickly becoming my favorite scent. It’s a combination of oak-moss, bergamot, and …” A rosy blush stained her cheeks as she added, “Peaches.”

“Peaches. No wonder I like it.” He inhaled the spicy, appealing fragrance, then read the label. It was a takeoff on the name of the mountain pass leading into town, Sinner’s Prayer Pass. “Sinners Make a Pass Bubble Beads.”

He had a swift, intense mental picture of a naked Savannah Moore climbing into a bubble bath in a Victorian slipper tub. His voice was a little raspy as he said, “I’ll take this, too.”

Savannah clarified, “It’s bubble bath, Zach.”

“Yeah.” His vision shifted to a naked Savannah sinking into his hot tub at home and crooking her finger at him. “Actually, I’ll take half a dozen bags.”

Savannah gave him a quick once-over. Her voice sounded a little tight as she said, “I have that scent in soap if you’d rather.”

A naked Savannah in his shower. “Yeah. I’ll definitely take some soap, too.”

“Too?”

“Too.” When his fantasy moved to his bed, he distractedly asked, “Does it come in massage oil?”

She closed her eyes and moistened her lips. “No. No. I don’t have a line of massage oils.”

“Maybe that’s something you should consider.”

“I … uh … can I check you out?”

As soon as she spoke the words, she winced, and he knew she hadn’t meant it as a double entendre. Because she looked so miserable, Zach took pity on her and swallowed the suggestive remark that popped into his mind. “Great. I’ll pay cash.”

Five minutes later, Zach exited Heavenscents wondering just how the hell he’d just spent $105.62 on soap. After his comments to his deputy earlier, if Savannah told Gabi, he’d never hear the end of it.

At the threshold he paused and glanced back over his shoulder. She watched him with a curious combination of yearning and regret. Zach sniffed at the soap and considered.

When the last of her guests departed and only her girlfriends remained, Savannah gave them all enthusiastic hugs, gushing thanks, and huge gift baskets filled with lotions and soaps.

“It was a lot of fun,” Sarah said.

Nic nodded. “I had a blast.”

“Me too,” Ali added. “The party gave me an excuse to try out a couple of new recipes. The crab cakes were a hit.”

The women gathered up their things and departed, and when the door shut behind them, Savannah took a moment to gaze around her shop. She hugged herself and twirled around with a huge smile on her face. “Ah, Grams, did you see this? They love our soap. I wish you’d been here to share tonight.”

She waited, hoping that the message she’d read in the flutter of curtains and scent of peaches meant her Grams was back. She listened, hoping to hear the words I was here, Savannah Sophia. But the voice in her head remained stubbornly silent.

“Well,” she murmured, “I still feel your love in my heart and that’s what’s most important.”

But because she did feel lonely she went looking for her dog … and found more than she’d bargained for. Inny was in the backyard where Savannah had put her before the party, but she wasn’t alone. Zach Turner sat in the porch swing with Inny draped across his lap.

Savannah treated herself to a moment of drinking in the sight of him. Lamplight shining through the back windows cast him in a warm, honeyed glow. The man was so darned delicious to look at—in a totally masculine sort of way with his thick, dark hair, sculpted cheekbones, and squared jaw sporting a five o’clock shadow. He sat sprawled on the swing, his big hand stroking little Inny’s coat. Those glacier blue eyes of his watched her with an intensity that started her blood humming.

“You came back,” she said, sounding a little breathless to her own ears.

“I never left.”

“Why not? Is my dog okay?”

“I didn’t want to leave, and your dog is fine. Come sit with me.”

“I shouldn’t.” But she wanted to. Oh, how she wanted to.

“Why not? It’s a beautiful night. Your dishes are done. I looked.”

Because you’re dangerous. “I need to make a night deposit at the bank.”

“I’ll walk you over in a little while.” He patted the empty space beside him. “Swing with me, Savannah.”

Temptation resonated in his voice, and Savannah couldn’t help herself. She crossed to the swing and sat beside him. Inny’s ears perked, but she didn’t so much as lift her head from Zach’s lap.

The dog knew when she had it good.

The porch swing was one of Savannah’s favorite spots in town. She sat there and drank her morning coffee and sometimes a glass of wine before bed at night. Ordinarily, sitting in the porch swing relaxed her. Tonight, though, she wasn’t relaxed. Tonight excitement hummed in her blood like her daddy’s moonshine.

“What a gorgeous night,” Zach said, staring up at the star-filled sky. Then his gaze shifted and roamed over her with frank male appreciation. “Gorgeous night. Gorgeous woman.”

Deliberately he looked at her, his intention in his eyes. Savannah shivered as he reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear, then skimmed his hand along her jaw to cup her cheek. “You left Reflection Point before I had the chance to say good night, Savannah.”

His mouth closed over hers and he proceeded to give her the sweetest, slowest, sultriest kiss she’d ever enjoyed. She melted against him in response.

He tasted dangerous and delicious and powerfully male, and as the kiss went on and on and on, a thick languor stole over her. She thought she might have purred. She knew he growled low in his throat. Savannah lost herself in the sensual pleasure of the moment, only vaguely aware that at some point Zach had shooed Inny down from the swing. He pulled Savannah onto his lap, her bottom set squarely between his rock-hard thighs.

“Now it’s time to say hello.” He deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking, then taking. She inhaled his masculine scent, and even as her hands slid up and across the broad expanse of his shoulders, a little part of her brain wondered how she could re-create the fragrance. I’d make a mint.

She bubbled along in a current of sensation like a leaf drifting in a mountain stream. She wished this could go on forever. She needed this man’s mouth on hers.

She needed more.

He gave her more.

His hand cupped her breast, his thumb flicking across the hard peak of her nipple and sending a bolt of desire shooting through her. His mouth left hers and went nibbling across her jaw, instinctively homing in on the sensitive spot on her neck that had her whimpering in response.

Zach gasped out, “Why don’t we take this inside before I have to arrest myself?”

The rueful laugh bubbled up inside her and spilled out onto the gentle night. “Good try, Turner, but no. I’m not that kind of girl.”

He groaned once more, then sighed. “You sure?”

No. “Yes. It would be stupid. You’re a cop. I’m an ex-con.”

“I’ll let you use my handcuffs. On me.”

A fantasy image of the sheriff of Eternity Springs naked and spread-eagled on her bed, his wrists cuffed to her iron bedstead, flashed into her brain. He removed them from his belt and dangled them before her eyes. Temptation, like the apple from the tree.

In self-defense, she scrambled off his lap and sat on the far end of the swing. “I should be insulted. We’ve never even been on a date.”

“Want to go to dinner tomorrow night?”

She closed her eyes. Yes. “No. It’s a bad idea, Zach. Any minute now I’m going to be horrified by what just happened.”

“Why? We’re two single adults.”

“Like I said. You’re a cop.”

“Sheriff. And what does that have to do with … wait.” He scowled at her. “Wait just one damned minute. You’re not comparing me to your ex, are you?”

Of course she compared him to Kyle. That man had fooled her completely, hadn’t he? Experience had proved that she had no sort of judgment where men were concerned, hadn’t it?

Yes, everything she knew about Zach pointed toward him being a stand-up guy. But like they say, Been there, done that, got the orange prison jumpsuit to prove it. Dodging the question, she said, “Look, I’m not myself tonight. I’m still on a post-party high.”

His scowl darkened. “You’re not claiming that I took advantage of you.”

I wish. She shook her head. “Absolutely not. You should know I value truth more than just about anyone you’ll ever meet.”

“That’s understandable considering what happened to you.”

The unstated support of her version of the tale warmed her like brandy on a cold winter night. It also made her vulnerable. She couldn’t go there with this man. She was finally getting on with her life, and he would be a complication. A delicious complication, true, but … “Look, Zach. It’s been a very busy day and I honestly don’t know what I’m feeling tonight. I think it’s best for both of us that you leave now.”

“Here’s your soap; what’s your hurry?”

“Don’t be difficult. Please?”

“All right.” He sighed dramatically and stood, but the gleam in his eyes showed her he had no hard feelings. “Want me to drop off your deposit for you?”

Savannah opened her mouth to say no and surprised herself. “Yes, thank you. That would be very nice. Wait here and I’ll get you the bag.”

“So you do trust me.”

“With my money, yes.”

“That’s a start.” He laughed and grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. He bent and gave her another thorough, knee-melting kiss. “Good night, Peach.”

Once she handed him her money bag, Sheriff Zach Turner picked up his bag of soap and headed around the side of her house with a wave and a parting comment guaranteed to haunt her through the night: “Guess I’ll just go home alone and take a bubble bath.”



Memorial Day weekend kicked off the Eternity Springs summer season with a bang—literally. The Wounded Wings One Hundred charity bike race, which wound through the mountains above Eternity Springs on a hundred-mile-long route, started on a pistol shot. The streets bustled with people, and in shops and other businesses all over town cash registers dinged and beeped and rang up a satisfying number of sales.

The bike race kept Zach busy, but not so much that he didn’t spare a thought or twelve about a certain shopkeeper.

He’d spent a restless night following the open house. Sexual frustration and mental puzzles clamoring to be studied didn’t make for comfortable sleep. After devoting considerable thought and a good bit of fantasy to the events of the evening, he’d concluded that Savannah likely did look at him through eyes clouded by her experience with a dirty cop, and that he needed to do something to change that.

He wasn’t that guy. He wasn’t like any of the men who had let her down throughout her life, and she needed to know that. He decided to make convincing her of that a personal challenge.

After his bike race duties ended, he strolled his patrol route through town and supported local business by stepping into the Taste of Texas Creamery and ordering two cones. Five minutes later, having increased his pace so that the ice cream didn’t melt, he slipped into Heavenscents just as a pair of tourists took their leave.

Savannah stood at her register ringing up a customer. Otherwise, the shop appeared empty. Perfect timing. Gallantly he held the door open for her departing customers, then offered her the cone. “Can I tempt you?”

She gave him a droll look but accepted the ice cream. “I’m a sucker for sweets.”

“Feel free to call me sugar, honey.” He waggled his brows in a teasing leer.

She rolled her eyes, but that couldn’t hide the amusement twinkling inside them as she took a long lick of the ice cream cone. “It’s peach.”

“I was thinking about you. What else could I have chosen?” He stared her straight in the eyes and took a long, slow lick of his ice cream. Her cheeks flushed, and satisfaction washed through him. His purpose accomplished, he backed off. “How has business been today?”

“Slow until the cyclists made their way out of town. Then I got so busy I couldn’t keep up. It slowed down again once they were due back and people began collecting near the finish line.”

“Bet you sold a lot of soap to cyclists’ spouses. A shower is one of the first things I want when I finish a long ride.”

“You ride a bike?”

“I love mountain biking, though I’m not into races like we had today. I like to ride the back roads and explore. It’s great exercise, a wonderful way to see out-of-the-way places.” He paused, considered asking her to go on a ride with him, but decided against it. It was too soon. He had a plan and he needed to stick to it. “Well, enjoy your ice cream.”

He hadn’t intended to kiss her, but she had a little dollop of peach at the corner of her mouth that needed to be licked. So he did it. Then followed that with a quick press of his mouth against hers. “I’ll see you around.”

He whistled as he exited Heavenscents, leaving Savannah standing with a stupefied look on her face. “My work here is done.”

For today, anyway.

The following day he didn’t stop by her shop, but he did send her flowers. The day after that he dropped by with a bone for Inny. Savannah appeared genuinely impressed by that effort.

Like most Eternity Springs merchants during tourist season, she worked ten hours a day, seven days a week, closing only Sunday mornings. As much as Zach would have loved to spirit her away for a scenic alpine picnic on his day off, he knew that June was not the time to do it.

June was a good time to give her some pampering, however, so he arranged to have the masseuse from the spa at Angel’s Rest take her mobile table to Heavenscents at the close of a workday. At the end of the hour scheduled for her massage, Zach showed up with a bottle of port and a tin of chocolate-covered blueberries. He found Savannah sprawled bonelessly in her outdoor swing wearing a white spa robe and a languid smile.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“I’m not stupid, Zach Turner. I know you have an ulterior motive for being so nice to me. Massages and dog bones and flowers—you’re not fooling anyone.”

“An ulterior motive?”

“You want to get beneath my spa robe.”

“Well, of course I do, but I’ve made no effort to hide the fact.” He sat beside her. “This is something you need to understand about me, Peach. I’m a straight shooter, too. Unless I’m on the job and you’re under interrogation, I won’t lie to you.”

She wrinkled her nose in disbelief. “You’re a man.”

Zach hated to upset her relaxed state, but she’d served the opportunity on a platter, and he couldn’t pass it up. “I’m not Kyle Vaughn.”

At the name, she sat up. She clutched her robe at the neckline, set her mouth, and narrowed her eyes. “You read up on me.”

“I sure did. I read the trial transcripts. Guy was a real ass.”

She studied him, meeting and holding his gaze for a long minute. “You really do believe me, don’t you.”

“Crazy, isn’t it? I never believe the claims of innocence of—”

“Convicts?” she drawled in that slow molasses accent of hers that he found so arousing.

He rolled his tongue around his mouth. “Law enforcement clients.”

She snorted a little laugh. “I can’t make up my mind about you, Sheriff. You confuse me.”

“Just don’t confuse me with the d-bag.”

Savannah tilted her head and studied him. “Sarah said you’ve dated more women than any other guy in town. Ski instructors, summer residents …” Her brows dipped in a frown as she added, “Her and Nic and even Ali. And Ali was married!”

Showing interest. Excellent. “Now, that’s not true, Savannah. Ali and I didn’t date. We just flirted a little, and this was during the time that she was separated from Mac. She’ll tell you I was good for her. I’m a nice guy. Give it a little time and you’ll figure that out.”

“A little time,” she repeated before giving her head a baffled shake. “Why? We have nothing in common. We’re as different as can be. Why me, Zach? Because I’m handy? I’m handy and you’re horny?”

“That’s insulting to both of us.”

“Then explain it to me.” She punctuated her demand by waving her hand.

Zach could see that she seriously had doubts about him. The woman was gun-shy, and he needed to put her at ease. Otherwise, they’d never move forward … and he very much wanted to move forward.

So he used the most powerful weapon in his arsenal—the truth. “Honestly, I would if I could, but I don’t know that I understand it myself. Not totally. You intrigue me, Savannah. You challenge me. That’s a turn-on for me. I like climbing mountains. I like backcountry skiing. I like trying to get beneath your skin—not to mention your spa robe.”

Her eyes narrowed. “So this is sport to you. A game.”

“Maybe. I admit that’s part of it. At the risk of sounding egotistical, I haven’t had to work for a woman in a long time. You are work, Savannah Sophia Moore.” He ignored her wrinkled nose and sniff of disgust and pressed on. “I’m not afraid of work and I’m not afraid of challenges. I’m not afraid of relationships, either. Maybe that’s where you and I are headed.”

“A relationship?” she asked, horrified.

The squeak in her voice made him smile. “Maybe. Or maybe we’ll settle on a friendship.”

“Maybe we’ll want nothing to do with each other.”

“Maybe you’ll break my heart. Or …” He kissed the back of her hand. “Maybe we’ll fall in love.”

She leaped out of the swing as if her butt was on fire. “Love? Fall in love? Now you are being insane. You’re a cop. I’m a convict.”

“So?”

“So that’s like … I don’t know what that’s like. Oil and water.”

“I admit, it’s a long shot. Still, don’t you think it’ll be fun figuring out the answer?”

Zach rose and stepped toward her. Savannah, of course, backed away, until she bumped up against the house. “You smell like summertime and champagne. Kiss me, Peach.”

She placed her palm against his chest. “I am not having sex with you tonight.”

“A good-night kiss. That’s all I’m asking for. Trust me, Savannah.” Silvered moonlight illuminated her face, and the yearning in her expression broke his heart. “You can trust me, Savannah.”

Her hand slid up his chest and around his neck. Silently she offered him her lips.

For now, that was enough.