He saw the moment that she was going to strike him. Instead of letting her, like he should have, he grabbed her hand and held it in his own. Sawyer had never seen boiling over anger before today, and this woman, Merriam, was just seething with it.
“I’m a cop, and if you hit me, I’m going to have to arrest you for hitting an officer.” He didn’t think that this one little lie would be too bad. It might even calm her down some. “Now, as I suggested before, go over there and sit your skinny ass down.”
~*~
Holly loved the young man. Sawyer had given up going home to stay with them, as she had asked him to. Molly was better around him too. At first she’d told her that she didn’t like him, that he was a slob. Holly had scolded her for saying such a thing when he’d been covered in blood and dirty. She told her that some people had to get dirty in order to make a living. That she was ashamed of her for making such a statement.
After they’d come back from eating, Molly seemed a great deal more relaxed around Sawyer, and she would ask him questions. That had been four days ago. They both were avoiding Merriam like she had some awful disease that they were afraid of contracting.
Holly found herself an empty patient’s room to make a call. She wanted some answers that she knew only one person could get for her. Pulling out her cell, she called her attorney, Brooks Hall.
“Hello, Brooks. I need a couple of things from you. If you’re not too busy.” He said that he was never too busy for her. “Thank you. I should have done this days ago but I was just so worried about Raven and Molly. If you could, I need the names of the people that Raven had to fire recently—say within the last six months or so. Also, I have a young man here that was with Raven after she was injured. I want you to do a complete background check on him and his family. His name is Sawyer Bishop. I don’t know anything else about him other than he’s recently quit his job as a police officer close to the hospital.”
“I’ve heard of him. I don’t remember where just now, but I’ll have something for you in about a half hour—sooner if I can manage it. How is our little girl doing?” She told him what she knew. “That poor thing. Have the police found out anything? I know the paper said very little about her, but you said it wasn’t robbery.”
“Sawyer is keeping tabs on it for me. I like this young man, Brooks. And he’s mate to Raven.” She heard him laugh, a short bark of it. “Yes, sometimes I think we have the same mind. She’s not going to be happy if he decides to do anything about it. He’s saying that he’s not good enough for her. Damned boy. You should have seen him take on Merriam. And Molly is very attached to him.”
“I don’t think that it works that way, Holly. Let me get back to you on that as well, all right?” She said that would be fine. “Do you ladies need anything? Something to do for Molly? I just had a thought. You know what you should do? Have him take Molly home with him. You told me the other day that he was missing his family get together. Do that for them both. I don’t know how you’ll do it, but I have faith in you.”
“I love that idea, Brooks. My goodness, this might work out better than I thought. I really like him, so I hope you don’t find anything bad in his background. I might just have to hire someone to take him out of his life.” Brooks told her not to say such things. “Why not? I’m an old woman. I’d no more kill anyone than I would kiss a horse. Oh, I just remembered something. He told me that he’s a white Bengal tiger. That should help some.”
“I’ve written down everything. And I’ll get back to you. If you need anything, you just let me know. I’ll be there in no time.”
After thanking him, she joined her son, Roger, and daughter-in-law Merriam, along with Sawyer and Molly. Sitting down, she wondered what she’d do if Raven left her too.
She’d lost her husband about the time that Raven had found out that she was carrying a dead man’s child. Raven hadn’t been sure that she wanted the baby—giving it up for adoption seemed the best for her. But Holly had begged her to keep it, that she’d help her with the little girl. Then after Molly was born, it was as if every second Holly had been contemplating death and joining her husband was all washed away. All it had taken was the baby to grab her finger and Holly was in love.
Merriam, of course, was a different story all together. She had told Raven that keeping the child would guarantee her never getting a decent man to marry her. Whatever that meant. Merriam had liked Scott, Molly’s biological father. And then she’d ranted about Raven being fat, then too fat as the months went on. Finally, Raven had moved out, and had settled that quickly.
There hadn’t been any offer of babysitting from her mother. Merriam told Raven that she’d gotten herself into the mess she was in, and that she’d just have to deal with it. Holly would watch Molly everyday if she was allowed. Now that the child was older, it was absolutely wonderful to take her places, have conversations with her. Molly was a smart child. It was too bad that Merriam had pushed the child away from the very start.
Roger, her son, wasn’t like that, but he didn’t do anything to bring Molly into his life and home. He would give into his wife whenever she put her foot down about anything. The trials with Molly were no different. If he wanted to spend time with his granddaughter, he would come to her house and do that. But he would leave much too soon for her tastes, and leave behind a child that thought for sure that her other grandparents didn’t love her.
The more she thought about Molly and Sawyer together, Holly knew that Merriam would crumble if she saw them together. At least she hoped so. Raven needed a good strong man in her corner in dealing with life. Or just having a life would be good for her too.
Her cell was ringing just as she was about to ask Sawyer to do her a favor. When she saw Brooks’s face there, she went back to the empty room and closed the door this time. If she had to curse, she didn’t want everyone to hear it.
“I knew that I knew his name. He’s not only a retired cop, Holly, but a decorated one. Several times since becoming a police officer, he’s saved lives in a burning home. Twice he put a victim in his cruiser and rushed him to the hospital when an ambulance wouldn’t have made it there in time. He was also decorated with the highest honor that an officer can get. He’s gotten the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor twice in his career, Holly. Quite an honor for someone as young as him.” She was happy to hear that. Holly asked about his family. “He comes from a good home. Mother and father are still married and have six sons. They are barely making it on what the boys send them monthly, but each of them do it religiously every time they get paid. The father was sick recently, and each of them rushed home to see to him, then have been there whenever they can to help out around the house. The middle son—fourth, I believe—is just as highly decorated in the service. Whatever he does, it’s very hush hush. They’re all very good men, and they love their parents a great deal.”
“That’s wonderful news. Thank you so much.” He interrupted her good news for something different. “You said that you knew something about mates. What is it?”
“Once they find their mates, especially tigers—any cats, really—they are mated for life. Which is good. But if they find their mates and don’t do anything about it, like ignore them for some reason—in Sawyers case, Raven’s money—then they go mad with the need to be around them. In the background, so to speak. But they have to be put down like a mad dog would be. It’s not pretty.” She told him she didn’t want that to happen. “Neither do I. This is the best man for her. While he’s very quiet, I was told, he does have the ability to make people shut up when he needs it.”
Holly told him about Sawyer putting Merriam in her place. “I wish I would have thought to have my camera out. But I was too busy defending Raven. I don’t know what she has against that girl, but I have to tell you, Brooks, I wanted to hit her badly.” He begged her not to do that. “I won’t. At least where anyone could see me.”
He laughed, and
she thought he thought she was kidding. But of late, Holly was tempted to hurt Merriam any way that she could. The damned woman was pushing away the two most precious things in her life—a child and a grandchild. Perhaps Sawyer could bring them all together. And if he couldn’t, then he’d be there to stand up for them both. Holly thought that they needed that more than anything.
Chapter 3
Sawyer didn’t think this was such a good idea. Molly was a good kid and he loved spending time with her, but taking her to his house made him think that his parents and brothers were going to jump to the wrong conclusion. The right one, really, but wrong if they thought that he was going to have anything to do with Raven.
“My brothers are all big men. My dad too, but he’s been sick. You’ll like my mom. She’s the best cookie and pie baker in the world as far as I’m concerned.” She told him she was excited to see the tractors. “They’re being used a great deal this time of year, so if my mom thinks you’ll be okay on the big things, you can have a ride on one of them.”
“Really? Can you take my picture? My mom will want to see it when she wakes up.” Molly had gotten to see her mom before they left. He’d not been so sure about that either, but Molly wanted to tell her mom goodbye and to tell her that she’d be back. “You don’t want me to meet your parents, do you, Sawyer?”
“I do. I think that they’ll fall head over heels in love with you. My dad, he loves little girls.” That didn’t come out right, but he thought that trying to fix it would only make it worse. Sawyer was making big mistakes here, and had not a clue how to fix them. “I didn’t tell them that you were coming, just in case you changed your mind. Mom is making a big meal for all of us because she’s wanted us all to come—”
“Sawyer, are you nervous?” He nodded. “I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise you. GGMa packed me some clothing to wear outside. She said that I should have play clothes if I was going to a farm.” That was another thing. Holly seemed to know a great deal about the farm that his parents ran. But he didn’t say anything to Molly.
“I’m not worried about you not being a good girl, Molly. I’m really not. But we’re a big loud family that talks over each other, and we only use one fork and one spoon when we eat.” She giggled. “Yeah, I’m not making any sense, am I? I’m sorry. I’m very nervous, as you’ve pointed out. I don’t want to make any of your family upset with me if you scrape your knee or something like that.”
“I’ve cut my knees before. They always mend. You have to chill out or you’re going to have a heart attack. That’s what happened to my GGPa. He was so stressed out all the time that he didn’t relax. You might...Mom called it blow a gasket. I don’t know what that means, but I don’t want you to do that.” He said that he didn’t either. “Okay then. If I break an arm or something, you can freak out. But don’t sweat the little stuff. My GGMa tells me that all the time. I do know what that means.”
“Good. If I can, I’ll show you what a gasket is on the tractor. One of my brothers was on it when that happened once. They would have a better story to tell you about it. They curse. I do too, but I’ve been trying to curb it while around you.” She giggled again. “Molly, my dear, I think that I could love you forever. All right. Here’s the driveway. Last chance to have me take you back.”
“Nope, I’m ready to eat some down home cooking. Some pie and cookies. And to ride on a tractor. You are going to be all right, Sawyer.” She patted him on the arm as they pulled up in front of the house. “You still have my GGMa’s credit card, right? So that if I need clothing for something, you can get it?”
“I do. I don’t think you’ll need it, but I have it.” Mom came out on the porch, followed by Gunner. “That’s Gunner and my mom. Gunner will be carrying a gun and a knife. I think he wears it to bed. So don’t be afraid of him, all right?”
“I’m not. So long as you’re with me.”
She got out of the car before he could. Running up on the porch, she stood there in front of Gunner. Neither of them said anything as Sawyer got out of the car, so he went to the trunk and got their bags. He watched the three of them.
“My name is Molly Addington. You’re Gunner.” Gunner went down to her level and said that she was right. “You’re very tall to me, but I guess that’s all right. Do you work for the government?”
“Yes. Why are you here?” She told him. “I see. So your mom is the lady that was hurt, and Sawyer thought that bringing you here would be a good thing? Why? Are we supposed to have you for dinner”
“Gunner, don’t scare her. My name is Sippy. Well, it’s Serendipity, but everyone calls me Sippy. Is your momma doing better?” Molly told his mom that she was still resting. “Poor lamb. I do hope that you’re hungry. I’ve made a lot of food. Not that it won’t be eaten, but I want to make sure you get something.” The two of them went into the house holding hands.
“You brought a little girl here. Are you insane? She’ll be scarred for life after this.” Sawyer told him what was going on. “I can see that, Sawyer, but I’m not the kind of person that hangs out with kids. I don’t think any of us are.”
“She’ll be fine. She’s a great deal stronger than she looks. And has a bit of a temper too, so don’t fuck with her.” He said that Mom seemed to like her. “She’s not a hulking man with more testosterone then any ten men that we know. Of course she likes her.”
“I’m glad that you’re home. Anything you want to tell me about this kid? Or her mother?” Sawyer said nothing. “I see. Well that does make things a little different, doesn’t it? Will the mom live?”
“Yes, I believe so. She’s getting stronger daily, and the doctor said that was a good sign. They’re keeping her in a medically induced coma so that she won’t be in so much pain.” Gunner nodded. “Am I going to get a hug or what? I mean, I am bringing home a little girl for you to scare to death.”
Gunner hugged him and they entered the big house. The rest of them were there, sitting in the living room watching television, some black and white movie about cowboys. He said hi as he walked by the room and got several grunts. Going to the kitchen, where he knew Mom would have headed, he found Molly and his mom cutting into a pie. Apple, if he didn’t miss his bet.
“Oh my goodness, Sawyer, you were right. This is the best pie I’ve ever eaten. And your mom said that I could call her Sippy. Isn’t that a cool name?” Molly ate another bite before drinking some of her milk. “I’m to sleep in your room, and you have to bunk on the couch since you didn’t tell anyone that I was coming. I love your mom, Sawyer.”
“So do I.” He hugged and kissed his mom before asking where Dad was. “I’ll take Molly to go and see him. If that’s all right.”
“It is.” He took Molly off the stool she’d been on, and Mom stopped him by saying his name. “I’m not as dense as you might think I am. You’ve found her, haven’t you? And this little girl is...well, you know what she is to me.”
“Yes, but don’t get too attached, Mom. I’m sorry, but it’ll never work out between us. They’re about as far in the direction of being rich as we are being poor.” She said his name again. “I’ll talk to you later, Mom. I want to see Dad. Okay?”
“Yes, but you’re wrong if you think this will end it. You know what I mean.”
He nodded and left the kitchen. He didn’t want to think a thing about what ignoring Raven would mean for him. Instead, he was going to introduce Molly to his dad. But again, Molly beat him to it.
“How are you feeling, Mr. Saul? I’m Molly Addington. My mom is in the hospital, and I’ve come for a visit to keep my mind off of it. Do adults really think that works?” Dad looked up at him and smiled at Molly. “You smile just like Sawyer. With your whole face. It’s very nice.”
“Thank you, young lady. That’s the best news that you could give an old man.” She told him that he wasn’t old. He looked way younger than her Grandma Merriam. “Well, I don’t think
that I’d say that to her if I were you. It might make her upset.”
“She doesn’t like me.” Again Dad looked at Sawyer before Molly spoke again. “She didn’t want Mom to keep me so that she could marry a nice man. I guess nice men don’t want kids that they didn’t make.”
“You’re very outspoken, aren’t you?” Molly smiled at him. “Yes, that’s the best way to get out of an argument or anything with me. Just that pretty smile. Why don’t you and I have a walk around the barn? There are some new kittens out there. They’re too young to take from their momma, but you can pet them.”
“I’d like that, Mr. Saul.” They were out the door before Sawyer could get a hug from his dad, or even a “Good to see you, son.” Women. They would come between the best of men.
“Sawyer, you have a phone call.” He moved out of the library that his dad had claimed as his own long ago. Going to the kitchen where there was a house phone, he picked up the phone and said hello. If he’d been at work he would have just said his last name, but his mom hated that.
“Sawyer, this is Rose Marie Conley. Do you remember me?’ He said that he did not. “You and I went to high school together.”
“No, I’m sorry. I don’t remember you.” His mother smacked him with her towel. “Perhaps if you can describe yourself, that might help me.”
“I have blue eyes, brown hair.” Just like every other person that he knew. “We went to prom our senior year. You drove my dad’s car.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Conley, but that’s not possible.” She got nasty with him then, and told him that she had pictures of them together. “Perhaps you might be thinking of someone else. I graduated from high school when I was thirteen, and I wasn’t able to drive anything. I’m very sorry.” The line went dead.
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