Betzy shot off the couch and onto her feet. “Fine. He’s fine. We’ve just been sitting by him.”
Sawyer shot her a questioning look. It wasn’t like they were back in grade school.
Betzy snatched her shoes off the floor, plopped back onto the opposite side of the couch, and slipped into them.
Now Mom’s warning would be even greater. He could really get his heart hurt in this one.
Sawyer forced himself to stand, still reeling from disappointment, and wandered into the kitchen to look for his keys. Mom chatted with Betzy beside the Christmas tree, something about the cabin. There was a fair amount of snow up there, according to Betzy. It wouldn’t compare to the Colorado slopes Mom planned to ski with Ted, but the cabin did have a small ski resort nearby.
Sawyer wondered what the week ahead would look like. He looked forward to the mild snow. Even more, he looked forward to spending time with Betzy. Would they get another chance to recreate the moment they’d missed out on just now?
A fresh ache tore through him from the disappointment. They’d been so close. He shook his head, snatched the keys off the counter, and shuffled back into the front room.
Hearing Betzy and Mom in conversation, watching their faces as they related on the topic of wrapping paper of all things, Sawyer couldn’t help but crave the future he’d dreamt of all the more.
His mind shot to the task Betzy had circled on her list—the one about convincing her grandma that they were, in fact, in love. He liked the idea. This might prove to be a very nice week after all.
With that thought, Sawyer cleared his throat, dangled the key ring from his finger, and grinned when they turned his way. “Guess I better get Betzy back home.”
The article said she liked to hold onto the wheel, huh? He was man enough to let her do that. Of course, where this ruse was concerned, Sawyer had a plan of his own. One that helped Betzy see they were right for one another after all.
Sawyer Kingsley could be more than just her fake fiancé. He could be the man she’d always wanted.
“What do you say?” Sawyer said, shifting his gaze from Mom to Betzy. “Want to take the wheel?”
Chapter 12
Betzy rested a box of fresh groceries on the countertop and pulled in a breath of crisp, mountain air. She loved being at the cabin no matter the season, but nothing beat coming up here at Christmastime. Especially when the heavens had gifted them with a few fresh inches of powdery white snow.
She glanced toward the large, central staircase to see Sawyer helping Grandma take her things up to her preferred room. Mom and Matthew were getting settled in their rooms on the main floor, directly across from one another.
Betzy grinned. That was another thing she loved about their getaway in the woods. Here, they lived more like the rest of society. Or close to it. Carrying their own bags, driving their own cars, often even cooking their own food. At least their own snacks after the private chef was done for the evening.
Soon, Matthew’s daughter, Emmy, would come with her two kids, Lilly and Link. Betzy couldn’t wait. The small children had a way of brightening every event.
“So, you got the most eligible bachelor of NYC to agree to propose to you?” Duke asked Betzy as he stacked a few drinks in the fridge.
Zander, Duke’s twin, nudged him with his elbow. “Shut up, man. You’re going to make it awkward.”
“It’s already awkward,” Duke hissed. “Pretend that we’re going to get married. Who does that?”
Zander snatched one of Duke’s favorite drinks and cracked it open. “Shut up, man. Or I’ll tell everyone about the stupid thing you did.”
Betzy rolled her eyes. She knew Duke well enough. He wasn’t as rude as he let on. But as she looked at the exchange between her twin brothers in the quiet pause, she realized that something was off. What exactly did Zander have on him?
They stared at each other, those perfectly proportioned faces—identical save Duke’s scruff—a reflection of the same, I-dare-you glare.
Duke’s eye twitched. And suddenly he was reaching out, snatching the drink from Zander, and tipping it back.
“Ahh,” he said after a big gulp of it. He bumped Zander as he headed toward the back deck. “I knew you wouldn’t tell.”
Zander’s nostrils flared. “He signed up for some wedding game show. You have to marry someone you’ve never even met if you get picked.”
Duke stopped walking, the drink, partway to his lips, hovering in the pause.
Zander glared at the back of his head. “Want me to say it louder next time?”
Duke didn’t respond.
“That’s what I thought.” Zander moved his gaze to Betzy and gave her a knowing grin.
Betzy waited until Duke made it onto the patio before speaking up. “Thank you. And is that true?”
Zander shrugged. “He was dealing with the whole Winston thing.”
She tipped her head. The whole Winston thing encompassed the overdose of their youngest brother. It seems they all did things that didn’t make sense after that.
“Are Camila and James on their way?” Mom asked as she wandered into the kitchen. She headed straight to the chilled wine cabinet and surveyed the selection.
“Yeah,” Zander answered. “They’ll be here soon.”
“Well, I have to say,” Grandma Lo said as she made her way toward the kitchen as well, a gorgeous-looking Sawyer in tow. “It sure is nice having Sawyer here at the cabin with us again. You haven’t come since you were a kid,” she added.
Sawyer nodded. “Yeah, it’s been a while.” He locked eyes with Betzy across the room, a heated look that made her toes tingle. It was a good thing he hadn’t pulled out the smolder card in years past. She might have asked him to propose to her sooner.
Suddenly, a short movement caught her eye. Grandma was looking between the two of them, back and forth, seeming to survey the exchange. She grinned then, and stepped over to the wine cabinet with Mom. “What have we got here?” she asked.
Betzy moved toward Sawyer, meeting him halfway, and noticed him blow out a breath through pursed lips. “You nervous?” she asked in a whisper.
He rolled his shoulders back a few times and grinned. “Not at all.” The wink he shot her said that wasn’t exactly true. Something about the exchange felt very natural. Even if the two really were dating, he’d likely be nervous to spend the week with her entire family.
“Duke said you guys have a few snowmobiles in the garage. Should we go test one out before the rest of the crew gets here?”
It felt as if he’d just asked her out on a date. All the whirls and twirls stirring in her tummy. “Sure. That’d be fun.”
“Hey, Betzy, mind helping me with this cork, dear?” Grandma asked. “I’m such a klutz with these things.” She motioned for Betzy to follow her onto the back patio, the bottle in one hand, the opener in the other.
Great. She could already feel the scrutiny coming on. Just days ago in Grandma’s boutique, Betzy had said she had no idea who she’d marry if she had to choose. On that same day, Sawyer had come up as table conversation while they ogled his bachelor feature. All the while, Betzy had never said she and Sawyer were even interested in each other. And now she’d shown up at the family trip with him by her side.
Sure, Betzy had told Mom to give Grandma a head’s up, but she knew that would only raise more questions. Questions she’d have to answer sooner rather than later.
Zander stepped in and put a hand on Sawyer’s shoulder. “I’ll help him get one of the Ski-doos out of the garage,” he said. “Let’s go.”
Betzy blew out a breath. Thank heavens for Zander. He was good at stuff like this.
A rush of brisk air swept over Betzy’s face as she stepped through the patio door behind Grandma Lo.
Bright, glistening snow clung to the tall, naked redwoods and needle covered pines, creating a spectacular winter view.
This part of the deck was covered, but that hadn’t stopped a dusting of windswept snow
from settling over the wood slats.
The wood-burning pit, complete with an array of log chairs, lay on the lower level of the deck. Grandma opted for the gas-burning fireplace on the upper level, flicked the switch, and motioned Betzy over to the sidebar.
Betzy joined her at the stone-slated bar before taking hold of the bottle and the opener. “How was your ride over?” She centered the corkscrew and began to twist.
“Fine, fine. Matthew drives much too slow for my taste,” she griped. “I like it better when you drive.”
Betzy grinned. She’d made it through the center of the cork, so she gripped hold of the steel wings and pressed them down nice and slow.
Up, up, and pop. Vapor wafted from the bottle top.
Grandma leaned over and gave it a whiff. “Ah, thank you.”
Betzy was hoping to slink back into the house for her snow clothes, but she knew she wouldn’t get off so easily.
“I thought we could talk a little bit, before we go back in there, about Sawyer.” She never was one to beat around the bush.
“Okay,” Betzy said, shivering against the cold anew. A tiny bird fluttered in and poked its delicate beak into the thick of a pine tree.
Grandma scooted the bottle aside and rested her elbows on the bar. “You like Sawyer, do you?”
Betzy nodded. “I’ve always liked him.”
“Liked, yes. But your mom says you two are dating?”
“Yes. I know I haven’t told you, but not that long ago, I started to sense that maybe he had feelings for me, the way I do him.” It felt odd saying it aloud, but this was how Betzy wished things would’ve gone. Long before now.
A bit of sadness threatened to creep in. After their almost-kiss at Kellianne’s, Betzy had started to convince herself that perhaps Sawyer’s feelings were there after all. But if that were the case, he’d have pursued her a long time ago.
“Anyway,” she said, forcing a smile on her face. “We’ve been kind of exploring that, long distance.” She didn’t sound too convincing. “Not actual dates, of course, but flirting. Lots of that. And telling each other that…”
“That you like one another?” Grandma finished for her.
“Yes. Exactly.”
Betzy knew Grandma well enough to know what her reaction would be like if she actually believed her. Her eyes would go wide and teary, and she’d snatch a hard hold of Betzy’s shoulders like she did over the dress. Then she’d rave about how exciting it all was and ask for more details.
None of that was happening. Instead, she was getting the woman’s skeptical stare. Chin lifted, a quiet peer down the bridge of her nose.
Quick, Betzy, be more convincing.
“I’ve been in love with Sawyer since I was eight years old.” She could hardly believe the words had poured out of her mouth so freely. “Ask the boys. They’ve probably known it all along. I’ve always had a crush on him. I guess I’ve been waiting for him to come home and say he felt the same way.”
“Which he has?” she challenged.
No, an inner voice blurted. “Mm hmm.” She gulped as a fresh ache tugged at that corner of her heart. The one she’d tried very hard to keep buried. “It’s getting pretty serious, actually. That’s why he’s here.”
In the distance, she heard the roar of an engine—Sawyer must be ready with the snowmobile.
“Where in tarnation did the wine go?” Betzy’s mom hollered as she shuffled onto the covered deck in a pair of thick padded Christmas socks.
Grandma handed over the bottle. “Pour one for me too, will you, dear?”
“Yep.” Mom, surely aware of the topic, scurried back inside. Earlier, while they spoke about the importance of this trip, Mom warned Betzy that if everything went awry, she planned to play ignorant to the ploy. Most women don’t get along so well with their mothers-in-law like I do, she’d said. I don’t want to risk messing that up.
Plus, there was Matthew to consider. He and his family hadn’t been clued in on the plan either. As Betzy predicted, Mom was certain he’d try to talk them out of it and find a ‘higher road.’
“Listen,” Grandma said, reaching out to hold Betzy by the arm. This wasn’t the excited double arm grab. This was the gentle, one-arm hold. The one reserved for lectures.
“I’m not trying to grill you or anything, Hon, but I want to make sure that if you’re with somebody, you’re with them for the right reasons. I’d hate for you to get serious with someone just to prove a point.”
Prove a point? Whoa.
“Prove what point?” she repeated. “To who?”
But Grandma only smiled. “To yourself, of course. If someone were to write that type of article about me, the first thing I’d set out to prove is that I could, in fact, get married whenever I darn well pleased.”
Betzy grinned. They were a lot alike, in truth. Always had been. Too bad Betzy couldn’t admit that right then. She fought back a shiver and shuffled closer the warmth of the nearby gas flames. “Yeah, well, that’s not what’s happening here.”
“Good.”
But she could see it in her face. See that she didn’t really believe her. And though it wasn’t the smartest thing, and though she’d seen how many times it led to disaster, Betzy began to ramble.
“You remember that time I flew all the way out to New York? I said I was going out there to see a friend of mine but then I came back early?”
“You mean over New Years?” she asked.
“Yes. I wasn’t going to just see any friend. I was going to see him. Because I was in love with him and I thought he loved me too, but then I saw him kissing some chick in the elevator and I freaked out and came home.”
“Who was he kissing?” Grandma asked.
“You’re missing the point,” Betzy said, mainly because she didn’t have a clue who he’d been kissing that night. “All I’m saying is that I’ve loved him forever and now he finally likes me back, and in fact he says he liked me all along and he was just waiting until it was time to move back.” Shut up, Betzy. You’re making it worse.
Grandma gave her arm a pat. “If you two like each other, I’m happy for you. But don’t go around acting foolish all because some article is toying with your head. Those people don’t know you. They can’t predict the future better than anyone else, so they can shove it.”
“Cheers to that,” Mom hollered from inside. “Now come get your drink, Lorraine.”
“I’m coming, Claudia,” she assured before turning back to Betzy. “As for you, I just don’t want to see you get hurt, okay? Sometimes men, they...they act like they want one thing, but really—”
“He’s not like that,” Betzy blurted. She wasn’t about to stand there and listen to the men can be jerks talk like she was some naïve teenager.
“I’m sure he’s a sweet guy. Just…be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
An ugly recollection shot to mind. The way Marcus had used her so blatantly. And now, he’d given Slipper Magazine an earful since, apparently, he hadn’t done enough damage. Grandma had good reason to question her judgment after that mess.
“Thanks, Grandma,” Betzy finally said. She wrapped an arm around her and gave her a squeeze. “Now go in there and get your glass.”
She did, leaving Betzy alone with her thoughts. Grandma didn’t know all the facts, but still, her warning caused a pool of doubts to rise up in Betzy’s gut. Could she really let herself fall even deeper for Sawyer, only to send him on his way once the holidays were through?
What Grandma didn’t know is that Sawyer was playing a part. A part Betzy had asked him to play, of course, but that didn’t mean lines wouldn’t get blurred.
They were sure to. For Sawyer, it’d be all for show. For Betzy, it’d be different.
She’d buried that part of her heart to forget about Sawyer, but now she’d watered the seed and allowed it to sprout. As Betzy spent the week with him, a full-on tree would grow, complete with deep roots, reaching limbs, and fruit she’d be so tempted to
taste.
But where would she end up in the wake of it all?
Be careful, Grandma had warned. Betzy nodded, musing that she would, in fact, heed to her counsel after all. Perhaps there was a way to do this while still guarding her heart.
Chapter 13
Sawyer closed his laptop and tucked it into his bag. Thank heavens he’d been able to get online and take care of a few things. Several deals were set to close over the next few days, and as much as he encouraged clients to send questions to the office, many insisted on going directly through him via email or text.
As if on cue, his phone let out a chime once his laptop was put away. Good thing it was only seven a.m. here on the west coast. If all went well, he’d be able to wrap up his work before Betzy was awake. A grin crossed his lips as he recalled their time spent on the snowmobile. James and Camila had joined them once they arrived, along with Zander and Duke.
The time chasing over the snowy ground with her siblings gave Sawyer a taste of the life he’d always dreamed of having. Dinnertime was even better. A large family gathered around a big table, laughter echoing clear up to the log rafters.
Their extra visitors, Matthew’s daughter and grandkids, had shown up. Lilly was five and her older brother Link was seven. Dang, they were cute. The kids’ father, who was serving overseas, hadn’t been able to join them. Sawyer couldn’t imagine. Even as he considered it once more, he felt a swell of gratitude for those who sacrificed and served in such a way.
His phone buzzed once more, breaking into his musings. He snatched it off the side table and glanced at the screen.
Ryan: Are you finally going to go after Betzy Benton this year? If so, I want details.
Sawyer chuckled under his breath and tapped out a reply. Maybe I am. I’m actually at her family cabin as we speak.
May as well warm Ryan up to what would come. His phone buzzed back a second after he hit send.
Ryan: That’s what I’m talking about, you lucky dog. Same room?
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