Chapter Four

"Maria," Savvy yelled, running from the bathroom to her closet once again. She was panicking, and she realized it was not good for her system, but she could not spot one thing to put on.

"What mama, where's the fire." Maria said, coming into her room.

"I have nothing to wear and he's on his way. What the hell do people wear to family get-togethers, I've never been to one and I'm nervous as hell. Which I shouldn't be. I mean I've met parents before, but I have a feeling these types may be out of my league..... and Maria are you going to just stand there or help me?"

Maria shrugged her shoulders and stepping into the room walking into the closet, "Hell Savvy, I want to help I do but I don't do family functions either, I expect though that since it's family there is no need to be a dressy... something comfortable will do just fine."

"Are you positive?" Savvy asked, still uncertain.

Maria tossed a pair of dark blue jeans and a purple spaghetti strap shirt with silver stars on it. She rummaged around in the closet's bottom and came back out with a pair of white Nikes.

"Just the typical girl next door look. Every mother loves a girl who comes prepared to help," Maria said, tossing the Nikes into the middle of the room.

"Seriously?" Savvy asked again. This was so far out of her comfort zone and she was really thinking about canceling. She was stressing.

"Seriously, now get dressed," Maria snapped.

Just then the doorbell rang and Savvy shooed Maria away and closed the door to tug on the jeans and shirt. She was glad she had already flat ironed her hair, because he didn't seem like the type to wait in the living room for thirty minutes. She had also already did her makeup so once she put on her Nikes and a little body spray she was ready to go.

Before she made it out of the room, Maria was coming in and fell on the bed in a fake faint. She popped one eye open and mouthed the words "Delicious". Savvy couldn't help smiling as she walked away, shaking her head. Once this was over and she was paid, she would see about getting Maria a psych doctor. That girl needed help.

In the living room, she found him looking at her wall of fame that Maria had started last year. A wall with all of their accomplishment, largely hers, her honor roll and dean's list certificates from the University, her award for helping to raise money for the children's orphanage, pictures of her helping with Katrina and the tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri just a few months ago.

"You ready to go?" She asked, feeling a little uncomfortable, as if she was exposed.

"You go to the UMSL?" He asked, still looking at her wall.

"Yes," she answered reluctantly.

"And you're going to be a doctor?"

"Yes, that's the plan." she said this, a little annoyed. Geez, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. After looking at the wall, anyway. Dumb wall.

"Did you plan to tell me at some point?" He asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"It's really none of your business. It's my thing and mine alone."

"You act like you're not proud or something, that's crazy," he protested. "These are awesome accomplishments."

"Look, can we just go?" Savvy snapped.

"Sure," he said, but the look on his face said that the conversation was barely over.

Once outside, it wasn't hard to determine which car was his. He looked like a big truck driver type of guy. As soon as he hit the unlock button, she was reaching for the passenger side door when his hand on her shoulder stopped her. She looked up at him curiously. He just smirked and reached around her to open the door for her.

"Really, I'm not the girl who can't handle opening her own door." She said, looking at him up and down.

"Well, miss, I'm not the guy who lets women open their own doors around me, my mama taught me better than that." He said, then he winked.

"Whatever," she said and got in.

She would never let him know how much something so small had really touched her. No guy had ever done anything like that for her and truthfully she didn't know how to react, so instead of letting the small joy fill her up, she was annoyed by it. The guy who paid her would be the gentlemanly type. That's how her life was set up. She was glad she wore the jeans, she thought as she watched him slowly circle around the front of the truck, and he looked good today in his loose fitting jeans and V-neck t-shirt. He also wore tennis shoes, Jordan's. So different from the guy she saw in the club that night.

He swung himself into the truck and started the ignition, and the sounds of Lil Wayne filled the car, which he quickly turned down, implying he wanted to talk. She would so much rather ride in silence.

"So you like kids?" he asked, pulling away from her house.

"Yeah."

"So let me guess, you want to be a pediatrician." He said.

"Yes."

Now at a stop sign, he turned to glance at her. "You know these one-word answers are really annoying, I'm sure you can do better."

"Well then, let's talk about something less me and more we," Savvy said as she got comfortable in the large seat. "Like how did we meet, how long we were dating before we got engaged? Stuff like that. Let's keep everything on a need to know basis."

"How do you think we met?" he asked sarcastically.

"How about you helped me with a flat tire?" She suggested.

"Cool, and we've been dating for a year, off and on. Don't worry, they will blame me for the off. They all think I have commitment issues." Tyron said with a laugh.

"You don't say?" Savvy said, laughing as well.

"We'll tell them you're a server or something. You quit your current job, right?"

"Yes I did, sir." Savvy replied in a clipped tone.

"What's up with the sir stuff?" He asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Don't really know, it just comes to mind when I'm talking to you." She said, glancing his way.

"When is your birthday?" He asked randomly.

Savvy told him and continued to give him the rundown. "I'm Twenty-six, both parents deceased, I have a grandmother, no siblings born and raised in Missouri."

"August twelve, Thirty-one, both parents living, mothers, a gynecologist and my father's a geologist for an oil company. Two brothers, Trevor and Tory, one sister, Tasha. Ten nieces and nephews at last count. Born and raised in Arkadelphia, Arkansas."

"Who's the oldest?" She asked.

"I am."

"And you're the only one unmarried and childless. I know you must get the blues from your parents."

"Naw, Tory is still single, but they do like to drive me crazy about it. I think I'm too much guy for one woman." Tyron said casually, earning him a glare.

Savvy just shook her head and closed her eyes. Men and their egos. She was seriously getting a bunch of cats and maybe a dog. Men were such pigs. They all had it in them, some of them just grew out of it quicker than most, but it was like a gene that came with the male sex. They chased ass, and all they wanted to do was eat, sleep, and fuck.

"We're here," he said, hoping out. Savvy would have jumped down too, but she was caught by the sight of the most beautiful ranch-style house she had ever seen in her life. Where the hell were they, she had live in this state all her life and knew nothing about this area. Before she could jump out of the truck, he was there once again, pulling her from the truck. This time, she didn't complain.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Freewood, I thought you were born and raised here."

"Yeah, I just have never been this far in the county." Savvy said, taking in her surroundings. The home was surrounded by miles and miles of land and trees. It seemed to blend into nature and unless you were looking for it, you would probably never find it. It appeared to be built of cobblestone and wood. The large wooden porch held a table that could seat six. Through the open windows she could see children running around and adults moving through the house.

"This isn't that far really, it's close to Hazelwood, they moved out here so they could have their horses." Tyron explained.

"They have horses?" Savvy asked, and she couldn't suppress her excitement.

"Yeah, do you ride?"

"Not since I was a child. I'd probably fall on my ass now, but I love horses."

"I'll have to take you to the stable then." Tyron said, "It's a walk, but worth it."

"Naw, it's cool, I'd rather not." Savvy said quickly.

"Why," he asked?

"because," She didn't want to say that she didn't want to get used to this kind of thing, and that she really didn't want to be alone with him too much. She also didn't want the memories of her parents coming back to her. They always took her horseback riding when they went on vacations or to the country. Her grandfather on her daddy's side had been a horseman, and when she was younger, she had ridden every chance she got.

He looked annoyed, "Whatever." He gently took her hand and entwined their fingers and moved towards the house. She pasted on a smile, even though she wasn't feeling it, remembering what Maria had said. Just smile and be charming.

The door was opened by a younger female version of Tyron. The girl launched herself at him as soon as the door was all the way opened. "Tasha, you're getting too big for this and I'm getting too old." Tyron grunted as he sat the small woman down.

"Ty, I'm going to keep doing this until you have your own little girl to knock you over." She lightly punched him in the chest and while he staggered, looking wounded, she turned to face her. "You must be Savannah. You really are pretty. Are you sure you want to marry my brother, he's messy and he will eat you out of house and home. He also snores and drools."

Savvy couldn't help but smile. His little sister was charming and also not so little. She was a grown woman, and she was on the thick side. "Well, it's a good thing I enjoy cooking and cleaning."

Tasha linked her arm through hers and walked on in the house, leaving Tyron on the porch. "You're going to just leave me here Savvy. What about having and holding, better or worse, up, and downs?"

"Brother dear, stop the act. Get your to big ass in the house and introduce your fiancé to the fam." Tasha said, and they kept walking.

"I also know a really excellent trick for snoring," Savvy was saying as they walked in.

"Well, girl share with your sister, because my husband be sounding like he can wake the dead."

*****

Later, after a tour of the house and introductions, there were drinks and barbecue. They were all sitting around an outside dining area in the backyard. Savvy had genuinely enjoyed her time with them so far. They were not at all snobby and had welcomed her with open arms. They were great down-to-earth people. When a familiar-looking man came walking in, she was a bit surprised.

"Him," she said aloud.

Tyron turned to her, looking worried. "You know my brother?"

She saw it in his eyes. He thought it was from the club. "Not like that," she whispered.

"Then how?"

"Ask him."

"Bruh, what's up," he said, walking up to Tyron. He gave him a brotherly hug. "Where is this special lady?" He was saying and stopped dead in his tracks, and a gigantic smile played across his lips. "I knew y'all was full of shit, you and your friend."

"Well, your friend was being rather rude, and neither of us was interested. Me for obvious reasons and he just wasn't Maria's type." Savvy said, while holding out her hand to shake his.

"Well, welcome to the fam," Tory said while giving her a bro hug as well. Tyron's family did not do handshakes, they were all hugs.

"Thanks." Savvy smiled, looking at all the fresh faces she had committed to memory today. For just a moment, she wished all of this was real.

"How do y'all know each other?" Mrs. Turley asked. Tory sat down and told the story about Houlihan's, and everyone laughed, including Tyron. It was the first time that she had heard him laugh. It was a deep belly bellow, and it was adorable.

After the meal, Savannah sat back with a satisfied smile on her face. "I'm stuffed, and that was wonderful Mrs. Turley.",

"Well, next time we should do this at you guys' house, I know you can cook, I can see it in your eyes," his mom said with a wink.

"It would be my pleasure, Mrs. Turley. I am self-taught though, so I experiment a lot." Savvy said being honest. Her eating habits were always changing, and she enjoyed all kinds of food. She found his mom comforting and easy to talk to.

"Your mother didn't teach you?" She asked.

"No, mame. My parents died when I was fourteen. They died in a plane crash. My grandma basically raised me, but it was all neck bones and potatoes, neck bones and spaghetti. She loves her neck bones." Savvy said, making light of her tragedy. Her granny was that light. She had always found her neck bone habits hilarious.

"Oh dear," Mrs. Turley grabbed her in a hug, "I'm so sorry, that must have been horrible."

"I managed, I Still miss them though. It was a long time ago," Savvy said.

"Of Course you do. I still miss my parents, and they passed when I was in my forties." Mrs. Turley said.

There was an awkward silence where Savvy was busy cursing herself out for letting them in her comfort zone. She never talked about her parents. Not even with Maria.

Tyron stood up and grabbed her hand. "I'm going to show Savvy the stables, we'll be back shortly." He said, and pulled her away. The horses would be a welcome distraction.