help, but they’re only
once a week. Savannah needs to get into a regular routine. She
needs some semblance of normal in her life.”
Cole nodded in agreement. No shit, doc.
That’s the brilliant advice he probably charges three-hundred
dollars an hour to deliver?
“She seems to have a caring, nurturing
spirit.”
Cole recognized as much; she loved to cook
and seemed content to feed him and stay at home. But he waited,
wondering where this conversation was heading.
“She needs someone or something to care for.
Do you have pets, plants, anything?”
“Ah, no.” Cole scrubbed a hand over his
scruff.
“So it seems at the moment what she’s putting
her caring energy into is you. That concerns me.” Malcolm frowned.
“Savannah could grow quite attached at this vulnerable point in her
life. You’ll need to be careful.”
If the doc felt it necessary, he’d buy her a
plant, but he didn’t see how watering a cactus once a week would
help. Not to mention he was enjoying Savannah funneling her
nurturing energy into taking care of him. “Got any advice for me?”
Cole asked, shifting in the stiff leather chair. He didn’t like
admitting that he had no clue what he was doing, but he needed the
advice, and since Savannah had already told the doctor about him,
there was no use pretending he wasn’t involved.
Dr. Malcolm White laced his fingers in front
of his round stomach. “Watch for withdrawn or self-destructive
behaviors. She didn’t have the normal teenage experience, and even
though she’s wise beyond her years, it’s possible she could go
through a late rebellious stage — wanting to experience the typical
teenage things she missed out on.”
“Okay…” Cole wasn’t sure what he meant, but
he thought of his own rebellious years… sneaking out to go to
parties, drinking too much, getting in fights and fooling around
with girls he had no intention of dating. He couldn’t see Savannah
behaving like that. She seemed too sweet, too innocent.
“And there’s one other thing…” The doctor
swallowed and met his eyes. “She’s not ready for any type of
romantic relationship, physical or otherwise. I don’t know what
your interests in her are, but…”
Cole held up a hand, stopping him there. “I
have zero interest in starting a relationship with her. And as far
as anything physical…she’s just a kid.”
The doctor frowned. “I wouldn’t say that.
She’ll be twenty in a couple of months, more than old enough for a
relationship; I just don’t think she’s ready yet. She’s got a lot
of healing to do first.”
Cole nodded. “Listen, like I said, I’m not
interested in that with her.”
“She’s an attractive girl. I had to bring it
up.”
Cole didn’t respond. He couldn’t. His voice,
along with his self-assuredness had disappeared. The truth was he
had no idea what he was doing with Savannah. Not a clue. But he
knew one thing; he felt a compelling need to keep her safe. He’d
just have to shut off any attraction he felt for her.
He accepted a stack of self-help books from
Dr. White, unsure if they were for Savannah or him, and stalked
from the office.
Chapter 9
“Do you mind if we turn on the TV?” Savannah
asked. “It’s just so quiet in here, and I’m used to more background
noise.”
“Sure.” Cole handed her the remote, and she
stared down at it curiously like it was some strange foreign
object. “Here.” He hit the power button, bringing the flat screen
to life.
It was turned to one of the premium channels,
which thankfully kept the programming clean during the day. He
rarely watched TV, but when he did, it was typically when he
couldn’t sleep and it was either watch the soft-core smut on this
channel, or infomercials. And a man only needed so many Shark
Vacuums and Ab Rollers.
Savannah studied the TV for a moment, wincing
at the string of curse words that ripped from the foul-mouthed
character on screen. Cole quickly changed the station. The
once a week. Savannah needs to get into a regular routine. She
needs some semblance of normal in her life.”
Cole nodded in agreement. No shit, doc.
That’s the brilliant advice he probably charges three-hundred
dollars an hour to deliver?
“She seems to have a caring, nurturing
spirit.”
Cole recognized as much; she loved to cook
and seemed content to feed him and stay at home. But he waited,
wondering where this conversation was heading.
“She needs someone or something to care for.
Do you have pets, plants, anything?”
“Ah, no.” Cole scrubbed a hand over his
scruff.
“So it seems at the moment what she’s putting
her caring energy into is you. That concerns me.” Malcolm frowned.
“Savannah could grow quite attached at this vulnerable point in her
life. You’ll need to be careful.”
If the doc felt it necessary, he’d buy her a
plant, but he didn’t see how watering a cactus once a week would
help. Not to mention he was enjoying Savannah funneling her
nurturing energy into taking care of him. “Got any advice for me?”
Cole asked, shifting in the stiff leather chair. He didn’t like
admitting that he had no clue what he was doing, but he needed the
advice, and since Savannah had already told the doctor about him,
there was no use pretending he wasn’t involved.
Dr. Malcolm White laced his fingers in front
of his round stomach. “Watch for withdrawn or self-destructive
behaviors. She didn’t have the normal teenage experience, and even
though she’s wise beyond her years, it’s possible she could go
through a late rebellious stage — wanting to experience the typical
teenage things she missed out on.”
“Okay…” Cole wasn’t sure what he meant, but
he thought of his own rebellious years… sneaking out to go to
parties, drinking too much, getting in fights and fooling around
with girls he had no intention of dating. He couldn’t see Savannah
behaving like that. She seemed too sweet, too innocent.
“And there’s one other thing…” The doctor
swallowed and met his eyes. “She’s not ready for any type of
romantic relationship, physical or otherwise. I don’t know what
your interests in her are, but…”
Cole held up a hand, stopping him there. “I
have zero interest in starting a relationship with her. And as far
as anything physical…she’s just a kid.”
The doctor frowned. “I wouldn’t say that.
She’ll be twenty in a couple of months, more than old enough for a
relationship; I just don’t think she’s ready yet. She’s got a lot
of healing to do first.”
Cole nodded. “Listen, like I said, I’m not
interested in that with her.”
“She’s an attractive girl. I had to bring it
up.”
Cole didn’t respond. He couldn’t. His voice,
along with his self-assuredness had disappeared. The truth was he
had no idea what he was doing with Savannah. Not a clue. But he
knew one thing; he felt a compelling need to keep her safe. He’d
just have to shut off any attraction he felt for her.
He accepted a stack of self-help books from
Dr. White, unsure if they were for Savannah or him, and stalked
from the office.
Chapter 9
“Do you mind if we turn on the TV?” Savannah
asked. “It’s just so quiet in here, and I’m used to more background
noise.”
“Sure.” Cole handed her the remote, and she
stared down at it curiously like it was some strange foreign
object. “Here.” He hit the power button, bringing the flat screen
to life.
It was turned to one of the premium channels,
which thankfully kept the programming clean during the day. He
rarely watched TV, but when he did, it was typically when he
couldn’t sleep and it was either watch the soft-core smut on this
channel, or infomercials. And a man only needed so many Shark
Vacuums and Ab Rollers.
Savannah studied the TV for a moment, wincing
at the string of curse words that ripped from the foul-mouthed
character on screen. Cole quickly changed the station. The
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