by T. L. Haddix
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked her for the third time. It was close to two o’clock, and she’d been quiet all day.
“I’m fine. You can stop asking me.”
He rested his hands on her desk, leaning in a bit. “I don’t believe you. But I’ll back off. If you need to talk, I’m here.”
“I won’t need to talk, but I appreciate the offer. I think I have most of the work done for Mr. Grainger that I can accomplish from here. Do you want to go over that? I’ll probably need to head to Virginia one day next week.”
Sawyer let her change the subject, but his concern wasn’t diminished. He mentioned it to Rachel that evening at dinner.
“She wouldn’t tell me what was wrong.” He glared down at his menu as though if he stared at it long and hard enough, it would tell him what was going on. “Has she said anything to you?”
“No. Could it just be that she’s had a long week?”
“I don’t think so. Myrtle upset her, but she was okay after she came back from lunch. I don’t know what’s going on, but mark my words—something is.”
The restaurant was noisy, busy, and they’d had to take a table near the back of the place. When he glanced up toward the front door, he was surprised to see Sydney come in. The hostess led her to the bar, where she took a seat and ordered a drink. She had her back to him, and from the way she kept glancing at the door, he figured she was waiting on someone. He remembered then that she’d mentioned dinner with Danny earlier in the week.
“Who are you looking at?” Rachel turned in her seat to see. “Oh. Speak of the devil.”
“She’s supposed to be meeting Danny. I didn’t know they’d be here, though.”
“He’ll get to the bottom of what’s bothering her, then. I always thought it was a shame those two didn’t get together.”
Sawyer’s brows snapped together in a scowl. “I’d hate to wish his mother on Sydney.”
Rachel’s smile was tinged with amusement. “There is that. But if he wasn’t gay, they’d have already had a couple of kids.”
“Well, he is gay. Why don’t they have more vegetarian options here? This is the healthiest place in town and everything is still deep fried and smothered in gravy,” he grumbled, hating the thought of Sydney with the other man. When Rachel laughed, he shot her an irritated glare. “What?”
“Sydney’s not the only one in a mood, I see. Maybe she’s just playing off you.”
He didn’t bother to answer that. The waitress came to take their order, and after she’d gone, he kept stealing glances at Sydney. A good-looking man who appeared to be about her age took the barstool next to her, his eyes roaming a bit too freely for Sawyer’s comfort over her exposed arms and neck.
“What was she thinking, wearing that dress? If Danny doesn’t get here soon, she’s going to have to fend that guy off.” The dress was purple and green, a swirly pattern whose top was held up by tiny straps that tied on top of her shoulders. It wasn’t skintight, but it wasn’t a tarp, either, and Sydney was entirely too attractive in the garment.
Rachel twisted again to get a look at her niece. “There’s nothing wrong with that dress. It’s perfectly decent. And even if it were more revealing, she shouldn’t have to fend off some letch who can’t mind his manners because she wore it.”
“I didn’t mean it that way and you know it,” Sawyer said, flustered.
“Mmm. Okay.”
“I ran into your new neighbor the other day.” He hoped that by talking about Lee, he could get his mind of Sydney. “Have you met him yet?”
“The state trooper who bought the house across the street? He introduced himself. Why?”
“Lee’s a good guy. He’s not one of the hotshots.”
Rachel leaned back as their salads were delivered. “Do you think he’d be a good connection for Easton to make?”
“Probably. He’s a solid investigator, knows his job well and enjoys it. He mostly deals with marijuana growers and some of the less routine things, isn’t out on patrol as much these days. You should get to know him.” He tried to keep his voice casual, but he didn’t think he succeeded.
“Just to be friendly and all, right?” she asked. “You’re not trying to play matchmaker, are you?”
“You know me better than that. What the hell is he doing?”
The guy next to Sydney was making his move, and unless Sawyer was mistaken, he was ignoring her very clear “hands off” signs.
Rachel picked up her tea. “You might need to go over there.”
He was already out of his seat. “She can come sit with us until Danny gets here. She’ll be safer.”
He would have been appalled to see the knowing grin on Rachel’s face as he walked away or to read the text she sent to Amelia telling her they’d been right about him and Sydney. And he would have been stunned to know that instead of disapproving, she was planning to do whatever she could to encourage what appeared to be a budding romance between the two of them.
None of that even occurred to him, though. All he could think about was getting Sydney safely away from the creep who needed a lesson in personal space.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sydney was on the verge of saying something pointed and vulgar in an extremely loud voice to the jerk beside her. A suggestion of what he could do with his revolting pick-up lines would be where she started. And if that didn’t back him down, she wasn’t above using a knee to the groin.
“Just because I’m wearing a dress doesn’t mean I’m on the prowl, you dipshit,” she growled into her drink.
“What’s that, sweetheart?”
“I am not your sweetheart,” she hissed.
“Sydney, hey.” Sawyer stepped between her and the jerk just in time to keep her from going completely nuclear. “Is there a problem?”
The man looked from her to Sawyer, then shifted away. “Nope. She’s all yours.”
For the third time in as many days, Sawyer had come to her “rescue.” Knowing he meant well was the only thing that kept her from lashing out at him.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Rachel and I are having dinner. Grab your drink and join us. You waiting on Danny?”
“Yes. He shouldn’t be long. I hate to bother you two.”
She was dismayed. Dinner, with Rachel, her sexy aunt. And now she was going to be the third wheel who got to sit by and watch them make goo-goo eyes at each other. Could the week get any worse?
“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just Rachel. It isn’t like we’re on a date. And even if we were…”
Sydney wanted to refuse, but the jerk was still sitting there, and he was listening to every word. She picked up her drink and followed Sawyer to the back of the restaurant.
Rachel smiled at her, concerned. “Hey, kiddo. What’s shaking?”
“Not much. Trying to stay sane. You?”
“That sounds about right.”
Rachel was sitting on the end of her booth, her purse taking up the spot beside her. Instead of sharing that bench like she’d expected, Sydney had to slide in beside Sawyer. She tried to ignore his proximity.
“You’re meeting Danny?” Rachel asked.
“That was the plan, but he has an emergency with one of his parishioners. He wasn’t sure he was going to make it the last time he texted me.” When the server came over to take her order, Sydney grimaced. “I don’t know if I should go ahead and order or not.”
“Sure you should. Danny’d hardly expect you to starve yourself,” Rachel teased gently.
“I guess not. I’ll have the grilled chicken house salad with vinaigrette, and another mojito, please,” she told the girl.
“How was the marinara?” Sawyer asked.
She grinned. “Oh, it was okay. Have you tried y
ours?”
He nodded. “What sorts of bribes does Noah take? If he ever decides to close up the wood shop, he could bottle that stuff and sell it.”
Rachel laughed. “Oh, that marinara. It’s pretty danged good. Shoot, he’d make a ton of money just keeping the family stocked.”
Right after the server brought her salad, Sydney’s phone rang. “It’s Danny. Hey, are you on your way?”
“No. Syd, I’m so sorry. This lady’s husband just went back for surgery, and they aren’t sure he’s going to make it. I can’t leave her.”
She closed her eyes, sending a quick prayer up for the family even as she cursed her own luck. “Oh, the poor thing. I understand completely. You stay there and do what you need to. I’m fine—I met up with Rachel and Sawyer here at the restaurant. We’ll catch up later. Call if you need me?”
“I will. Are you sure you’re okay?”
She forced herself to smile, knowing he’d hear it in her voice. “I’m fine. I’ll say a prayer for her, and for you. Call me.”
“Everything all right?” Rachel asked as Sydney slid her phone back in her purse.
“He’s at the hospital with the lady. Her husband’s in surgery, and it doesn’t sound good. So I guess I’m flying solo tonight.” She really didn’t resent Danny having to stand her up. But God, she’d needed to talk to him.
“What all did you have planned?” Sawyer’s arm rubbed against hers as he shifted in his seat.
“Just dinner and talking. We’ve not had a chance to spend any time together much since I got home, and I was looking forward to catching up. That’s all.”
Rachel’s concern was clear on her face. “Are you okay, honey?”
Sydney nodded. “Mm-hmmm. Have you made a decision about work yet?”
Her aunt regarded her with skepticism, but she answered. “I’m taking the sabbatical. Right now’s the best time, what with Easton being in school and not living at home. I’m excited to get started.”
For the first time in over twenty years, Rachel wouldn’t be teaching classes at the local community college. The opportunity had come up for her to take a few semesters off while she worked on a non-fiction book for a local historian, and she’d decided to take the chance to go for her Ph.D.
“I’m glad you’re doing it. You should have some fun now and then,” Sydney told her. When she ordered a third mojito, Rachel’s concern morphed into a frown. Hoping to stave off any further questions about her wellbeing, Sydney held up her empty glass. “I’m not driving. I caught a ride up here with Mom and Daddy, and I’ll call a cab for the trip home.”
“A cab? No. One of us can take you home,” Sawyer said.
“It’ll have to be you,” Rachel told him. “I have an… appointment after we finish dinner.”
Sydney narrowed her eyes. “An appointment.”
“Yes.” That was all. The stubborn look on her face dared Sydney to question her further.
Once they’d finished their meal, they declined the server’s offer of dessert. Feeling pleasantly buzzed, Sydney slid out of the booth.
“I can still call a cab,” she said as they walked to the front of the restaurant.
“Or you could just go back in, pick up the jerk from the bar, and let him take you home,” Rachel said. “Good lord, girl, you are stubborn.”
“I came by my obstinance honestly, you know. I get it from you and Mom. And I don’t want to be a bother.”
“Then stop acting like you’re putting me out.” Sawyer unlocked the truck and held the door open for her.
Between the effects of the alcohol and the lousy week, Sydney was just about out of steam. Deciding her best option was to shut the hell up and do as she was told, she got in the truck.
“See you Sunday, Syd,” Rachel told her with a wave. “Sawyer, thanks for dinner.”
“I’m sorry I interrupted your meal,” Sydney told him once he was behind the wheel. “Even if it wasn’t a date.”
He chastised her with a look. “I’m just happy we were there. That guy looked like he was getting aggressive.”
She let her head fall back on the headrest. “There’s a good chance that if you hadn’t stepped in, I would have ended up assaulting him. It’s been that bad of a week.”
“You ready to tell me what’s wrong?”
The evening was as gorgeous as the other night had been, even though there were some clouds in the sky, and Sydney almost felt insulted by the beauty. It should have been pouring rain to match her mood.
“My ex is getting married to his pregnant girlfriend,” she confessed in a low voice. “This is the same ex who had a vasectomy before we were married because he didn’t want kids.”
Sawyer cursed long and low, questioning everything from Adam’s parentage to the size of his testicles. “I’m sorry, Sydney. When did you find out?”
“Helen called me yesterday. She didn’t want me to hear it from someone else.”
He pulled his truck in her driveway and turned the engine off. One of the joys of living in a small town was being so close to everything, but one of the drawbacks was that it made going for long, contemplative drives a bit difficult. Now that she’d admitted what the problem was, the thought of going in her house for the night so she could stare at four walls held less than no appeal.
“I thought you wanted kids,” he said.
She laughed, even though she felt like crying. “I did. I do. Do you know when I found out he’d had the surgery?” She turned her head to look at him.
“When?”
“When I walked in the door after Eli’s wife’s funeral, my father-in-law and his business partner in tow, and heard Adam tell our maid that it was okay if he came inside her because he’d gotten snipped.”
Sawyer winced, but he didn’t look away. “Are you kidding me? God, Sydney. How is it that you didn’t castrate the bastard on the spot?”
“I was so stunned and so hurt, it was everything I could do to get out of there after he saw us. I wasn’t expecting it, not at all. It turns out she wasn’t the first woman he’d cheated on me with. She was far from the first, truth be told. And he brought his cooties home with him. Do you have any idea how humiliating it was to have to go to the doctor and get tested for STDs? And then to find out that I had gonorrhea? He gives me the clap and tears my life apart, and he’s the one who gets to have kids now? I can’t believe I just told you that.” She cringed, hiding her face. “Oh, my God. I’m so sorry.”
Sawyer was utterly silent across the cab for so long that she had to force herself to face him. When she did, he held his hand out, palm facing upward.
“My wife divorced me after a year of testing to determine why we couldn’t have kids. Turns out it was me. I have the rarest form of male sterility. There’s absolutely no chance whatsoever that I’ll ever be able to have children. That was a deal breaker for her. Didn’t matter that we’d been together since high school, that we’d gotten married as soon as we’d graduated. A year after we got divorced, she was giving birth with her second husband. It isn’t quite what you went through, but I think it’s close enough that I can say I adequately understand where you’re coming from. And I’m sorry.”
Sydney tentatively laid her hand over his, letting their fingers curl together. Before she knew it, she was crying. Sawyer used their connection to pull her to him, and she felt his arms come around her as she grieved. She wasn’t sobbing, but for several minutes, every time she tried to stop, a new wave of tears would hit.
She couldn’t even enjoy being tucked into Sawyer’s side or the feel of his hand rubbing up and down her arm, she was so miserable.
The tears finally slowed to a stop, and with a hiccupping sigh, Sydney apologized. “I know this is way more than you signed up for.”
Sawyer handed her a bundle of tissues
. “Would you please stop saying your sorry? I’m glad I can help.”
“It’s a good thing your windows are tinted.” Reluctantly, she sat up, sliding back to her own seat.
“That could have lead to some interesting questions from the neighbors,” he agreed. “Feel better?”
“I do. Thank you.”
“Thank me with some coffee,” he suggested. “I don’t want to leave you by yourself until I’m sure you’re okay.”
“You don’t have to do that.” As much as she loved the idea of him spending some more time with her, she couldn’t help but think she was putting him out.
“Maybe I don’t want to spend the evening alone,” he surprised her by saying. He picked at the wrap on the steering wheel, playing with a loose end of leather string. “So if you don’t mind the company, I don’t mind staying. Unless you have something else to do, I mean.”
She gave a soft laugh. “In that case, how does cappuccino sound? And I might be able to scrounge up a brownie or two to go with it.”
He sent her a winsome smile. “Sounds great.”
It wasn’t a date, even if she felt a bit like it was, she kept reminding herself as she led him inside. “I’ve still got some furniture I want to get for the house. It’s probably changed a bit since the last time you saw it.”
“Actually, I’ve never been here. I’ve seen the new house, but that’s it.”
“Mom and Daddy never invited you?” she asked, shocked.
“Sure, but it just never worked out that I visited. Most of the get-togethers I’ve gone to were at the farm.”
“You don’t want to risk being added to the kitchen duty list. I know what it is.”
He shrugged, spreading his hands. “Maybe.”
“Well, I’ll give you the tour, then. You might have to return the favor someday. I may show up on your doorstep one weekend.”
“The door’s open.”