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The back door opened and Matt, sweaty and dark with dirt, stepped in Savannah’s belly twisted and her body burned at the sight of hi Carter wouldn’t notice

“Sorry to interrupt,” Matt said, lifting his thermos “I just wanted—”

“Matt Woods?” Carter asked, pushing away frolanced wide-eyed at Savannah “Your handyman is Matt Woods?”

Savannah nodded and Carter turned back to Matt, his mouth open, a thousand questions poised

“I’ll come back later,” Matt said and ducked out the door

“What is the Savior of the Inner City doing in your back courtyard?”

Savannah sighed “Okay But don’t freak out”

THE CLOUDS WERE PINK in the west, dark in the east as Carter was leaving Matt watched Savannah’s brother hug Katie hard, swinging her slightly so the girl shrieked with laughter

Savannah watched, her heart—wounded and bleeding—in her eyes

Matt stood under thein the front yard, wishing he could put his arm around Savannah Stand at her side and shore her up

Carter was a good guy, even if he had trouble taking no for an answer He’d co out to the courtyard with lots of talk about the inner city of Baton Rouge and how it needed someone like Matt Someone with vision

Carter had talked about the old buildings, historical details falling to ruin and waste Matt had actually salivated, his i sparks

Sparks he ruthlessly smothered

“I’ cities any his head down, his hands busy

“I understand What happened in St Louisin his wallet for a card “But, if you change your mind”

They’d shaken hands, and before he’d returned to the house Carter had apologized for his mother “I’ht have had in your father’s incarceration”

“My father knew the risks when he took those gehtly stunned that Carter felt the need to apologize for so so removed from him “And really, outside of yourto do with you or your family”

Carter had nodded then s to hear froive you a tour of the city at some point”