by Glynna Kaye
“That display is perfect there, Sawyer.”
“Your idea.” He gave the glass a final swipe with a cloth, unable to resist a welcoming smile. “What are you doing here?”
“Therese took the boys in for their dental checkups, so I’m running errands with my unexpected free time.”
“And...?”
“And I wanted to stop by and let you know I talked to Ray and Therese last night.”
“About...?”
“Camping.”
He wished she hadn’t done that. He wadded the polishing cloth and dropped it on top of the case. Camping with the boys was his to deal with. If anyone had the rock-solid experience to win the Selbys over, it was him. Now she’d gone and stolen—probably forfeited—his only opportunity to present a credible proposal.
Folding his arms, he leaned his hip against the case. “Earlier you said the timing was wrong.”
“It was. But last night at dinner Landon let it slip about wanting to go camping with you.”
“I was afraid of that.” He raised his hand, then with a low, spiraling whistle, arched it over and downward in a classic crash and burn motion. He couldn’t blame her, though. Not if the boys jumped the gun. But if he’d been there, might he have been able to redeem the situation? “Thanks for trying, Tori.”
A crease formed between her brows. “I did more than try.”
“I’m sure you did. It’s not your fault.”
“What’s not my fault?”
“That Ray and Therese put the kibosh on it.”
She laughed and stepped up to him, grabbing a fistful of fabric on the front of his shirt. “Oh, ye of little faith.”
He clasped his hand around her fist, startled at the softness cradled in his palm. “You’re telling me they said yes?”
“They said they’d think about it. And talk to you.”
“You’re kidding me.”
Eyes dancing, she moved her head slowly back and forth. “Nope.”
He didn’t know whether to hug her or... His gaze dropped to her smiling lips and his heart did an excruciating rollover.
She must have picked up on where his unruly mind was going, for uncertainty flickered through her eyes as she abruptly unfisted her fingers. Slipped her hand from his. Stepped back. “So the rest is up to you, mountain man.”
“I don’t know what to say, except thanks.”
“It’s not a done deal yet.” She paced the floor, almost skittishly. “But after the twins left the table, I did explain how this would be a good experience and that you hadn’t made any promises to the boys. I made sure they understood, too, that it was Cubby and Landon’s idea, not yours. And that you wanted to talk to Ray and Therese first before any plans were made.”
“Sounds as if you covered the bases.”
“I mentioned, too, that you’re thinking of inviting several others who have children. That you thought Ray and Therese might like to go along.” She cringed slightly. “I hope that was okay.”
He couldn’t imagine either of them wanting to rough it, but Ray might decide it expedient to tag along and ensure the big brother didn’t reminisce about the father he shared with Cubby and Landon. He’d deal with it, though. Make the best of it should it come to that.
“The more the merrier.”
She gave him a quick smile. “Good.”
“This is quite a turnaround from how things looked Saturday. I guess I should give them a call?”
“Strike while the iron’s hot.”
“Thanks for laying the groundwork on this one. I’ll check with Luke and Delaney and Grady and Sunshine first, though. Make sure they’re interested before I commit them to anything.”
“Good idea. But I imagine it won’t take much persuasion to bring Sunshine on board. Like me, she didn’t have much of an outdoorsy upbringing. As a new Hunter Ridge town council member who’s attempting to bridge the tension between the artist newcomers and die-hard outdoorsmen, she’ll be eager to gain a better understanding of that vital element of the community. Camping will further expand her horizons.”
“And yours? You’ve been evasive on committing to this yourself.” Why was it important to him that Tori join them? So he could show off what a rough and tough outdoorsman he was?
“I’m still considering it.”
“You know if you agree to go, that will weigh in favor with Ray and Therese’s decision. They’re more likely to say yes to the boys going knowing you’ll be along, too.”
“That’s not fair to put that kind of pressure on me.”
“No pressure. And I promise I won’t make you clean a fish or bait any hooks.”
She placed her hands on her hips, looking somewhat offended. “You think I couldn’t handle that?”
“Something has you riding the fence.”
“Well, it’s not that.”
“Oh, yeah? Then what is it? Spit it out and whatever it is, I’ll make it good. Ease your fears.”
* * *
There was absolutely nothing Sawyer Banks could do to ease her fears. And she had no intention of sharing what they were. What woman wanted to tell a man she’d known only a month that she’d dreamed of him more than once in recent days? Woke up in the morning smiling before the dream fully faded?
All she knew was that she couldn’t allow herself to be drawn into the whirlpool of attraction to Sawyer. Not when she was beginning to take control of her own life again. Getting involved with someone new, so soon after Heath, wasn’t a wise move. She couldn’t allow herself to become distracted from her new job and the sewing projects that would get her foot in the door at the Hunter Ridge Artists’ Co-op. There was no doubt in her mind that Sawyer had the potential to be a major distraction.
She’d permitted her former fiancé to do too much of that, influencing her to gradually let go of the business she’d shared with her grandmother. After all, as he’d pointed out, quilting was a fine hobby, but they were on their way to becoming partners in business, partners in love, partners in life. So she’d willingly invested time, money and creative energy, relinquishing her own dreams to make his dreams for a successful restaurant come true.
And then, as the restaurant gained popularity, he’d said he needed “some breathing room.” The next thing she knew, he was sending her on her way—making it clear, ironically, that she didn’t have a life of her own. He needed, he’d explained, a woman who could stand on her own two feet.
“Tori?” Sawyer’s voice jerked her to the present. He was gazing at her quizzically. “You’re going to make me guess what’s holding you back from a camping trip?”
“There’s nothing to guess,” she stated firmly. She certainly didn’t want him trying. “I have no fears related to camping. You have my word on that.”
“Then you’ll go?”
“If Therese and Ray say yes to the boys going, I’ll go.”
But would she later come to regret it?
* * *
“I’m still dumbfounded.” Sawyer shook his head as he wandered the floor of the Outpost, his cell phone pressed to his ear late the following Friday morning. “You must have expertly set the stage, Tori. As I’m sure you know by now, last night Ray got back to me. He voiced a few concerns he’d earlier shared with you, but I compromised because I think it’s important to get the boys into outdoor activities.”
Maybe Tori’s prayers had had an impact as well as her words? It wasn’t, however, as if Ray had dropped the somewhat distant approach he reserved for dealing with his grandsons’ older brother. Sawyer wisely hadn’t broached the subject of sharing family photos with his siblings. That could wait until later.
“Therese did fill me in.” She sounded excited. “I’m relieved they’re going along with this. When do you plan to tell the boys?”
“I want to get everything planned out first. Check the long-term weather. Next week ushers in April, but it can still get nippy enough to snow.”
“The least amount of time the boys have to wait after you tell them, the better.” He could hear the smile in her voice and found his own smile surfacing. “Time flies for adults, but not for children.”
“My thoughts exactly.” He’d called to let her know he’d gotten the official go-ahead, but was curiously reluctant to draw the conversation to a close. “Thanks again for your help.”
“I was happy to. Anything else you need to cover with me?”
She must have things she needed to get back to. “Not offhand.”
“While I have you here, then...do you know where Snowshoe Road is?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I’m going out there this afternoon. A woman I met at church who does quilt finishing invited me to her place to take a look at her work. I have a number of quilt tops put together and I’m looking for someone who does finish work.”
Snowshoe Road. Kyle and his wife lived out there. Crazy remote area.
“You’re not talking about trying to find the Guthridge place, are you?”
“You know Annie?”
“Annie and Kyle. Sure. Kyle and I worked together at Hunter’s Hideaway in the summer when we were teenagers. Then roomed together in college.”
“Small world,” she marveled. “And yes, that’s where I’m off to this afternoon.”
“You’ll never find it,” he couldn’t help but tease. “Either that or you’ll never find your way home.”
“I have a GPS on my phone,” she defended. “And Annie gave me directions.”
He chuckled. “Then you’ll definitely never find it.”
“I have to go. I’ve made an appointment for two o’clock.” She paused, hopefully to reconsider, but he detected a stubborn lilt in her next words. “At least I’ve heard this area has a top-notch search-and-rescue team.”
“It does. I’m on it.”
“You are? Then wish me bon voyage for now,” she stated cheerfully. He could picture the soft curve of her smile. “And I guess I’ll see you and your team later.”
“Wait! Don’t hang up.” She was serious about going despite his warnings? Well, he was serious, too. She had no business wandering around out there on her own. “That road isn’t for the fainthearted—or Kia compacts.”
“The Selbys’ SUV is in the shop for servicing.”
“You can’t wait a day or two until it’s out?” But even in a four-wheel drive that place wasn’t easy to locate. The road often washed out in the spring with winter snowmelt, too.
“Annie had a cancellation. So there’s an opening right now to get my quilts finished, and I intend to take it.”
It didn’t sound as if there would be any point in arguing. While he couldn’t afford the time away from the Outpost to play backcountry chauffeur, no way was he letting her go out to Kyle and Annie’s by herself. Especially not in that low-slung car of hers.
“You said the appointment’s for two o’clock, right? I’ll pick you up at one fifteen.”
“But—”
“No buts.” He kept his voice firm. “I can’t risk losing my valuable Outpost assistant right now. One fifteen sharp.”
Something in his tone must have stopped her in her tracks for, surprisingly, she didn’t argue.
When he arrived at the Selbys’ place he didn’t have long to wait for Therese and Ray’s front door to open. But instead of an expected rowdy welcome from the twins, Tori stood just inside, a fleeting emotion he couldn’t put his finger on flickering through her eyes. Had she changed her mind about going? Or had his arrival interrupted something? From that look on her face, she’d definitely been thrown out of the saddle.
He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Chapter Ten
Tori stared at Sawyer for a long moment, still stunned by what Therese and Ray had shared with her moments before Sawyer rang the bell.
Multiple sclerosis.
They’d known for years, keeping it from friends and family. But they’d talked it over and decided Tori needed to know. Too often over the past month she’d witnessed Therese’s sudden weakness, tremors, dizziness, chronic fatigue and mood swings. With Tori living under their roof, they said, it was becoming too difficult to hide. It wasn’t fair to her to leave her in the dark, and attempting to conceal it was becoming too stressful for them.
“What makes you think something’s wrong?”
“You look—”
She fisted a hand on her hip. “Now don’t go telling a woman she isn’t looking well, Sawyer. Surely you know better than that.”
“Are you ready to go, then?”
“Just let me grab my stuff.”
She left him standing on the porch, pausing in the kitchen doorway long enough to remind Therese and Ray she’d be back in time to pick up the boys from preschool afterward.
Ray nodded. “We’ll visit again when you return. I’m sure you have questions.”
“But please remember—” Therese managed a wan smile, as if the effort of having shared her long-held secret had further tired her “—not to share this with anyone. We’re not ready to go public with the details of my health.”
“I understand.” But the moment the truth had come out—not solely arthritis but MS—Tori’s thoughts had flown to her promise to Sawyer. A promise to share with him anything she thought could negatively impact the welfare of the twins.
Was this one of those things?
In her apartment, she slipped into her jacket and snatched three garbage-size plastic bags filled with her quilting. When she met Sawyer at his truck, he helped her in, then shut the door and climbed into the driver’s side.
“All set?” He studied her for a moment as if still not convinced there wasn’t something wrong. But he didn’t say anything more, for which she was grateful.
“All set. Thanks for doing this.” She knew the sacrifice he was making to be away from the Outpost.
He started the truck. “Believe me, a GPS wouldn’t have a clue when it comes to finding Kyle and Annie’s place. It’s beyond remote. A four-wheel drive comes in handy this time of year, too.” He glanced down at the bags piled between them. “So those are your quilts?”
“The base fabric and trim fabric are in this one.” She patted one bag, then opened the other two so he could see the contents. “These are the tops.”
“Nice colors. Woodsy.”
“That was intentional.” She looked back at the house as they pulled away, silent prayers for Ray and Therese foremost in her thoughts, then focused on the conversation at hand. “It seemed ‘woodsy’ might be a good sales angle here in Hunter Ridge. Play up the outdoors.”
“So Annie takes the top you pieced together and sews it to the solid bottom?”
“With filler between for warmth and loft. She does the actual quilting. I don’t have the space or equipment to do that for something this large. These are queen-size coverlets—with matching pillow shams. I’m fortunate that there’s someone locally who does finish work.”
“I had no idea Kyle’s wife had a business like that.”
“There’s a quilters guild in Canyon Springs that meets once a month. She’s invited me to join and come speak to the group this summer on determining value and pricing.”
“Important things to know.” He nodded thoughtfully, keeping his eyes on the road. “You don’t want to price yourself out of business or give your hours of creative labor away for a pittance.”
“Exactly. And she’s invited me to join her on a northern Arizona quilt shop tour this summer, too. I guess it’s an annual regional event.”
“Kyle and Annie are good folks. I’m sure you’ll enjoy her company
.” He paused, then gave her a sideways glance as they started down a gravel side road. “So what are the boys up to this afternoon? I’d expected to fend them off when I rang the doorbell.”
“The boys are at an additional day of preschool. They didn’t want to miss out on today’s games and art projects. Story time.”
“With those kinds of offerings, I’ll have to ramp up my camping plans. The boys may find hiking around in the woods and waiting for a fish to bite dull in comparison.”
She playfully poked his arm. “Doubtful.”
He grinned. “Well, bring an age-appropriate book just in case, will you? Something about wildlife maybe.”
“That will be unnecessary, I can assure you.”
“I’m still recovering from the fact that after they had a few days to think about it, Ray didn’t put up much of an argument. Therese none at all.”
But Ray had told her Sawyer had agreed to honor his concerns—up to a point. He wouldn’t initiate a conversation, but if the boys asked him questions about their mom and dad, he would respond. Therese was fine with that. Ray less so, but he gave the go-ahead nevertheless—and hadn’t said a word about coming along himself.
Had Ray given thought to what she’d talked to him about earlier? That in order to emotionally heal, the boys needed the freedom to speak about what was on their minds and how they felt. Or perhaps his concerns about Therese’s health were occupying most of his time and attention.
Farther on, she winced as the truck bumped through yet another road-wide pothole, and gratitude rose that she wasn’t out here on her own. If Sawyer stopped right now and asked her to drive them home, she was so turned around that she couldn’t have. “I see why you had your doubts as to my finding this place. This so-called road would have ripped the bottom right out of my Kia.”
He’d also had to put his truck into four-wheel drive to pull through a low-lying quagmire of mud more than once.
“I’ve been out here plenty of times and it’s worse in the winter and spring. Or after a monsoon rain. But it’s always easy enough to get turned around. Especially at night.”
She shuddered at the thought of being out here in the dark.