Holding Savannah

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Savannah struggled to breathe. To comprehend what she just heard. Her best friend did not just propose to her on the street. Had he? A cursory glance around the street showed people had stopped to watch them. “Jonathan, please get up,” she whispered, not wanting to draw more attention than was necessary.

Jonathan stood slowly. Savannah didn’t miss the flash of pain in his eyes. She hated being to cause of it, but what was he thinking to propose to her? “I know it’s a shock.”

That was an understatement.

Savannah looked around the growing crowd before dragging Jonathan to her apartment entrance. There they could be afforded some privacy. Fiona was home, and she didn’t want a crowd for what she had to do. She didn’t want to embarrass Jonathan.

It wasn’t that she didn’t care for Jonathan. She did. Greatly. He was a wonderful friend. But that’s all he was to her. A friend. They had never done more than hug. “What possessed you to propose to me?” she whispered harshly, still in shock.

“Because that’s what people do.” He shrugged. “I care for you, Savannah. I know you care for me too. The next logical step is marriage.”

Savannah thought her eyes might bug out of her head. Next logical step? What was this the eighteenth century? “Jonathan we’re friends. Most people date before proposing marriage.”

“I know, but I've come to a point in my life I want to settle down and start a family. And when I think about the perfect wife all I can picture is you. Your kind, humorous and nurturing.”

Savannah could only stare at him. She never knew Jonathan had any desire to settle down. It was true they were the same age, but she wasn't ready to settle down. She was so busy at the hospital her love life had taken a back seat.

Hearing Jonathan's reasons for marrying her left her cold and hollow. He might as well be describing a painting or a meal they shared. Those were not good bases for marriage.

Savannah struggled for words. How to set him down gently. “I care for you, Jonathan, but my feelings for you don’t go beyond friendship.” He was handsome and kind, but she didn’t feel anything s****l toward him. How he described her, she knew he didn’t have s****l feelings for her either.

Jonathan looked away sadly before settling back on her. “Friendship is a good bases for marriage. You know I care for you and I’ll provide, not that you can’t for yourself, but I just want to assure you.”

“Thank you, but don’t you want more than friendship in your marriage? Love?”

His eyebrows pinched as if in pain. “I do love you,” he said as if it should be obvious.

“As a friend,” she pointed out. Friendship love and romantic love are two different loves.

His brows pinched. “I don’t see the difference.”

Savannah patted him on the arm encouragingly. “And one day you will. I cannot marry you, Jonathan.”

Jonathan was quiet as he stared at his feet. “I may not love you now as a man loves a woman, but surely feelings can grow.” She was about to argue when his head shot up and he continued, “Will you at least consider it?”

Not wishing to further argue and hurt his feelings she nodded. “Yes,” she said softly. She knew her answer would still be no, but if she at least gave the impression she would think about it, it would make him happy. Wait until she told Fiona. They were friends as well, but she knew that Savannah had no wish to marry.

Jonathan sighed deeply. “Thank you, let me escort you the rest of the way.”

Knowing there was no point in arguing Savannah agreed and led him up to the third floor where her apartment was.

Fiona greeted them at the door as soon as she walked in. Her black hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun and her olive skin was glowing. She definitely saw more sunshine than Savannah’s pale skin.

“Hello, Jon.” Fiona said, using the nickname he didn’t like but she did it anyway.

Fiona glanced between Savannah and Jonathan knowing something was going on, but Savannah just shook her head. She would explain when Jonathan left.

“Hello, Fiona.” He smiled tightly at her. A ringing sound interrupted anything further he would say. “Excuse me,” he took his phone out of his pocket and answered it quietly.

“How was the hospital? I expected you home yesterday.” Fiona had aided in several surgeries over the past few days and had left shortly before she was supposed to yesterday.

“Getting busier. I feel guilty we’re leaving for the next few days.”

“Savannah, there will always be people in the hospital whether we’re there or not.” Fiona smiled sadly. It was a sad fact. Long before the militia attacks, the hospital was full for one reason or another. As guilty as she felt she was glad to get a way for a few days and visit with her father. Fiona had offered to come along for emotional support and do a little touring, since she had arrived, all she’d seen was the hospital. Savannah wanted to get Fiona out and see the country she loved.

“You’re right,” she ceded.

“So, what is Jonathan doing here?” Fiona asked innocently, but Savannah knew there was more to it.

“I ran into him at the hospital, and he escorted me home,” Savannah answered evasively.

“And,” Fiona prodded, not dropping the subject.

“He asked me to marry him.” Savannah cringed.

Fiona stared at her open mouthed and wide-eyed when Jonathan walked up to them. She schooled her features before he could see.

“Everything alright?” Savannah asked him.

“Fine, I’ve been instructed there is to be a guide for you and Fiona to your father.”

That surprised her. “A guide? Why? I know how to get to my father’s camp.” It wasn’t that hard to find. You just followed the main road out of town a few hours to the village. His base camp was just at the edge of the forest. She had journeyed there enough times she could almost do it blindfolded.

“The Colonel wants to make sure you’re safe. With all the recent attacks he doesn’t want to leave anything to chance.”

“I understand, but I’m sure we’ll be perfectly fine. Last I heard the militia wasn’t anywhere near where we are going.” She hadn’t been following the news so she could be completely wrong.

“There have been recent sightings of militia and this guide, Akachi, knows the land and how to avoid them to keep you safe.”

This was new. She’d never been offered an escort before. Then again, she never tried to visit her father during a war either. “Thank you, Jonathan.”

“With these turn of events I will escort you to your fathers as well.”

“I couldn’t impose on you like that.” She said quickly, though it would be nice to have someone to travel with she knew who could protect her.

“Think nothing of it.” He waved off.

“I’m sorry you’re stuck with babysitting duty.” She tried joking, but he remained straight faced.

“I would never call guarding you babysitting.”

So serious.

Another reason she didn’t want to marry him. He was always so serious about everything. She was serious about her work, but she liked to have fun too.

“Of course not.” She sobered up. “Thank you still. I know you have to be tired after your last travels.” She looked down pointedly at the blood on his shirt.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll get plenty of rest tonight, and we’ll leave tomorrow.”

“Was that my father who called?” She knew she shouldn’t hope. He was far too busy for a simple call.

“No, it was the guide.” He looked at her sadly.

Savannah nodded. At least he was thinking of her. That was something. He had moved here to stay close to her but she never saw him. Only a handful of times. “Thank you.” she said brightly to Jonathan. There was no point in being sad. It wouldn’t change anything.

Jonathan, gentleman that he was, didn’t call her out. “I’ll see you ladies in the morning.”

Savannah still didn’t understand why they needed a guide but didn’t want to argue. She knew it was useless. Her father would be upset with her if she didn’t take her safety serious. She was also traveling with her friend and didn’t want to endanger her.

“Very well. We’ll leave first thing tomorrow.” A small part of her wanted to cancel the trip due to the headache it was causing. What was she thinking traveling when a war was going on?

Jonathan came up to her taking her hands in his. “I will keep you safe. You and Fiona.”

Savannah gave him a brief smile. “I know you will. I just hate causing you an inconvenience.” There was also the fact the man wanted to marry her and now was escorting her to her father. What if he asked her father for her hand?

Jonathan kissed the back of her knuckles. “Think nothing of it. I’ll leave you now to pack. Until tomorrow,” he said before leaving.

Savannah signed heavily when he left. A headache forming in her temples.

“Are you going to marry him?” Fiona asked, startling her.

She had forgotten she wasn’t alone. “No,” she said softly.

“Well, this will make for an interesting trip.”

Savannah turned to face her friend. “Oh, Fi, what am I going to do?” She didn’t want to hurt Jonathan’s feelings, but she didn’t have a choice. She couldn’t marry him. She didn’t want to marry anyone. She was married to her job. It took all of her focus and attention. She couldn’t be in a relationship. How would she ever make Jonathan understand?

Fiona took her in her arms and hugged her. “All you can do is tell him the truth.”

Savannah reared back. “I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”

“It’s better to do it now that drag this on. You both deserve love.”

“I don’t have time for love right now.”

“Just wait,” Fiona said with a knowing grin. “Love has a way of sneaking up on people.”

“Doubtful.” Savannah rolled her eyes. Not her. If and when she fell in love, it would be on her terms.

“As you say.” Fiona grinned like the cat that got the canary. “Relax, Savannah. Think of the adventure we’re about to have.”

Oh yes. A guided trek through war striven country to visit her father with the man who wanted to marry her. What an adventure it would be.