Page 26 of Sawyer
“Your father died in that car crash, honey.The car was burned.I know you miss him.But he isn’t here.”I swallow roughly as Kevin nods.
“I know.”
“But if it happens again, make sure you tell me.We don’t want anyone on our land.No trespassers, remember?”
“Sure, Ma.”I get back to work, finishing up with the tire, then rustling the kids into the car and driving to school.All the while my mind spinning about how to pay for a new tire and what the hell it is my son is seeing.
Knowing that he never lies.
12
Sawyer
The crisp morning air hits me as I jump from my truck and head into my new office.I have a spring in my step that’s not usually present on a Monday morning.Taking a deep breath in, I feel like I could take on anyone and anything.
The weekend in Whispers wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.Between the baseball game and dinner with Annabelle, Saturday was busy, and then on Sunday, I buried myself in work.
Opening the office, I wonder what time the town wakes up.It’s only just eight, but in the city, I would’ve been at work for an hour at least already.I look out the front window, seeing Rochelle at the diner, and I walk to my desk, already dreaming of her coffee.
Looking around, with the new paint job now complete, it’s starting to feel like mine.Jerry has taken most things or condensed them into the small office down the hall, which is where he’ll work from to close his remaining cases.The furniture’s now all replaced, my branding on the window, and I can’t help but smile.It feels kind of nice.
As did Saturday night with Annabelle.I’ve been thinking about her all weekend, wondering if I should send her flowers as a thank-you for dinner.That would be my usual thing to do, since flowers are my go-to.But to send them to a woman who has fields of them seems a bit thoughtless.
I run my hand through my hair, feeling so sure about her it’s startling.I need to be in New York, I need to focus on work, I shouldn’t even be entertaining the fact that there’s a woman here who has completely knocked me off my feet.But I am.
I’m also acutely aware that she’s not like anyone I’ve met or dated before.She isn’t going to be impressed by my bank account or my law success.I can’t just roll up with a bunch of flowers and impress her with my nice car.No, Annabelle is a woman of substance, and I have no idea how I can put my best foot forward with her.Hell, she might even chop it off with her hoe if I step a foot wrong.That thought makes me smile.
I put my briefcase on my desk and walk back outside, beelining for the diner, expecting it to be empty, but it’s a hive of activity.
“Good morning, Sawyer.Good to see you,” Rochelle greets me with a big smile that I find myself reflecting.
“Morning, Rochelle.Got the coffee on?”I look around at who’s here.I see Bob, the baseball manager and hardware store owner, talking to a guy I haven’t met yet but who’s wearing a taxi uniform.He gives me a wave, and I offer one back.This should feel weird.I normally don’t have time to talk with my barista in the city; hell, I barely get my own coffee, that job reserved for Wendy.But I find the more time I spend here in Whispers, the more I’m at ease.I’ve worked my ass off for years to get where I am, and as I think about it, I know I lost my way a little.The Sawyer I am now is not the Sawyer I grew up being, and spending time in this quiet small town is making me realize that even more.
“Sure is.Let me grab you a cup.”
“To go, thanks,” I add quickly, and she nods to me.I spot a young boy sitting at the end of the counter, having a small breakfast, probably close to Kevin’s age.He’s talking with the young woman who works at the diner.They’re clearly related; they look alike, but she seems awfully young to be a mother.Glancing at her name badge, I see her name is Nikki, and I wonder if Kevin and the young boy are friends.
“Counselor,” a man says next to me, and I look at him.In uniform, the local sheriff is a man I haven’t met yet but probably someone I should get to know.
“Morning.”I extend my hand.“Sawyer Silvers.”
“Tony.”He smiles, and I could make some quip about a policeman in a diner, but I refrain.
“Jerry tells me you’re settling in?”
“Getting there.Starting to meet people, learn about the town.”
“Well…” He stands, his breakfast clearly all eaten.“Don’t hesitate to stop by the station.I’d be happy to give you an overview of the legal issues we face.We’re a small town, but don’t let that fool you.We may not be New York, but we have our own kind of crazy out here.”With a nod, he puts on his hat.
“Sure thing.”I make a mental note to stop by to see him at some stage.While I don’t suspect my work in Whispers will be focused on criminal cases, I’m familiar with some of the issues, given my history of working with Tanner, Connor, and Hudson.So I understand better than he thinks about the crazy that can be found in a small town.
As I wait for my coffee, I feel my cell vibrate, and I grab it from my pocket.Seeing my brother's name on the screen, I frown.I’ve heard from him more this past week than I have all month.
“Sutton?”
“Hey.”He sounds weary.Rochelle comes back with my coffee, and I drop some cash on the counter for her before giving her a small smile and fleeing out the door.
“Why are you up so early?”I walk back across the street, that same pep in my step.
