Free Heart of the Night by Barbara Delinsky Page B

direction in her life.”
    He snorted. “Could’ve fooled me. Sure sounded as though she knows exactly where she’s at.”
    â€œShe can be glib when she wants. It’s a defense mechanism. She’s really insecure.”
    He turned to stare thoughtfully in the direction in which Susan had disappeared. “She’s so different from you.”
    â€œI have my insecurities, too.”
    â€œBut you’ve never come on with a power play like that.”
    â€œI’ve never had to, at least, not with you. You don’t threaten me. But you threaten Susan.”
    He looked perplexed. “Are you kidding?”
    Savannah shook her head. “You’re strong. You know where you are and why you’re there.”
    He laughed in disbelief. “Your sister isn’t threatened by me. Weren’t you listening to her? She thinks I’m way below her.”
    â€œYou didn’t see her expression when you first came in.”
    â€œSure I did. I was looking straight at her.”
    â€œBut you didn’t see her expression.”
    â€œShe was terrified. She thought I was a thief.”
    â€œAfter that.”
    â€œShe liked my sexy walk.”
    â€œIt was more than that, Sammy.”
    He looked at her closely. “What are you saying?”
    â€œI’m saying,” Savannah explained slowly, “that you’re very different from the men in her world. You exude a self-confidence that is truly powerful. That makes her nervous.”
    â€œWhy should it?”
    â€œBecause you can see through her. You did. You put her down easily with that snobbery business. That’s why she’s threatened. That’s why her defenses came up. That’s why she came across as being tough. She had to. For her own sake, if nothing else.”
    Sam stood beside her, silently considering that for a moment. Finally he said, “So what can I expect? Will she be giving me the cold shoulder from here to eternity?”
    â€œThat depends.”
    â€œOn what?”
    â€œOn how comfortable you can make her feel. If she’s threatened, she’ll lash out. If not…” Her voice trailed off and a small, suggestive smile curved her lips.
    Sam studied that smile. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were giving me a push.”
    â€œMe?” Savannah held up her hand. “I don’t push you anywhere. You do your own thing. Besides, God only knows I have enough else to worry about.”
    It was an apt reminder for them both. Sobering, Sam said, “We’re ready for the lab. Want to call a courier?”
    She nodded and started off, then stopped. When she looked back up at Sam, she was less sure than usual. “Susan is nervous about all this. She’s here because I asked her to come and because Megan’s a friend, but given her druthers, she’d leave in a minute. If she stays, she’ll be tense.” She paused. “Go easy on her, Sammy. And keep an eye on her for me when I’m not here. She’s not happy with her life right now. When I called her to come over, I was thinking that it would do her good to focus on someone else for a change. Will you let me know if you think I made a mistake?”
    Sam gave her an understanding nod.
    She smiled in gratitude before leaving to call the courier.
    *   *   *
    Soon after, Savannah returned to the office. She’d been able to reassign some of her work so that she could spend time at the Vandermeers, but there were some matters that couldn’t be delegated. She was scheduled to go to trial the following week on an arson conspiracy case. There were witnesses to prepare, one of whom, an expert on insurance fraud, had flown in from Omaha and was waiting in her office when she returned. She spent two and a half hours with him, then met with the two police detectives who had been working on the case. She needed more information, including corroboration