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to frighten me into leaving? I will understand if you did. I promise.”
    â€œNo!” she exclaimed. Then her eyes narrowed. “I bet Lucy tore up your dress. She’s jealous of you because she wants Tyler for herself.”
    â€œLucy is just a child,” she protested. “She has a young girl’s crush on Tyler. Nothing more.”
    â€œA child!” Victoria exclaimed. “Lucy is no little girl. She is seventeen. The same age you were when you met Tyler. And Lucy will do anything to have him all to herself!”

Chapter
    20

    S eventeen!
    Could Victoria be right? she wondered.
    â€œBut her clothes are those of a child,” Savannah protested. “And her dolls. Have you seen her doll collection?”
    Victoria rolled her eyes. “And she is fascinated with fire. Have you forgotten how she played with the candles last night? She is strange, Savannah, but she is seventeen. And she is in love with Tyler.”
    Savannah ran her hand along the torn dress. Is Lucy in love with Tyler? Is she so jealous of the compliments Tyler paid me last night that she destroyed my dress?
    Victoria grabbed Savannah by both arms, her fingernails digging into Savannah’s skin.
    â€œOw!” Savannah yelped.
    â€œLet Lucy have Tyler,” Victoria cried. “Let all the bad luck stay in their family!”
    â€œI love Tyler, and nothing will stop me from marrying him,” Savannah declared. She yanked away from Victoria. “Nothing!”
    Tyler’s voice boomed up the stairs. “Everyone! Come outside! I have a surprise for Savannah!”
    â€œI’m not even dressed,” Savannah exclaimed. “Victoria, please go downstairs and tell Tyler I’ll be there in a few moments.”
    Savannah could see Victoria hesitate. “Please,” she begged.
    Victoria heaved a sigh. “All right.”
    Savannah watched her sister shuffle out of the room. Then she hurried to dress.
    Another surprise, she thought as she rushed downstairs. I don’t know how many more surprises I can bear.
    Savannah found Victoria, Lucy, Hattie, and Mrs. Mooreland on the front steps. Then she saw Tyler. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
    Tyler was leading the most beautiful horse she had ever seen straight toward her. He stopped in front of Savannah and patted the black stallion’s neck. “He’s yours,” Tyler said with a grin.
    Savannah glanced around at the others. Only Hattie had a smile on her face.
    What is wrong with everyone else? Can’t Tyler give me a present without them all getting jealous?
    Savannah climbed down the steps and cautiously approached the horse. He snorted. Startled, Savannah jumped back.
    Tyler pulled Savannah close to him. “Don’t beafraid,” he said. “He is as gentle as a lamb. I’ve named him Whisper in honor of your father’s plantation.”
    Savannah spun around. “Victoria, did you hear that?”
    â€œI heard,” Victoria said coldly. “It means nothing.” She walked into the house.
    I won’t let her spoil my wonderful gift, Savannah decided. “Can we go for a ride?” she asked Tyler. “Just one quick ride before breakfast. Please.”
    â€œOne quick ride.” He gave her a kiss, then lifted her onto the horse.
    As Tyler mounted his own horse, Lucy walked over to Savannah. She tilted her head back and placed her hand gently on Savannah’s leg. “I think Tyler likes you best of all,” Lucy whispered.
    Savannah glanced at Tyler. He winked at her.
    â€œKeep breakfast warm, Mrs. Mooreland,” he instructed the housekeeper. “We won’t be long. Now, Savannah, let’s see if you can keep up with me.”
    He kicked his horse into a canter. Savannah shrieked at his unfair head start.
    â€œI will not only keep up with you, Tyler Fier,” she yelled as she urged her horse into a gallop. “I will outrun