Page 19 of Sawyer
He held him like that last time too.I have to hold back a chuckle.“Looks like you’ve never held a child before…”
“I haven’t,” he says all too seriously, and my eyebrows rise.
“Really?”I wonder how that’s possible.Everyone has held a child at some point, haven’t they?
“I have one brother, but we’re only a year apart.”
“No nieces or nephews?”I’m keen to learn more about the man standing in my kitchen, holding my child, as he slowly brings him to his body, holding him tighter to his chest.Tentatively, like he’s getting used to the feel of it, deciding if he likes it or not.
Sawyer huffs a laugh.“No.He’s too busy jet-setting around the world.”
“Much like you?”I assume that’s what someone like Sawyer does.I know he has his own jet.It’s parked at the airport, and the town talks.
“What do you mean?”He frowns in confusion as he wrangles Noah, and I bite my lip at how weirdly domesticated it looks.
“Well, you have a jet, don’t you?From what I hear, you fly in and out of here most weeks.”
“My travel is for work, not pleasure.”Again, it’s all work from him.I need to remember that.
“Well, you have a way with them,” I offer with a shrug, trying to be kind.Because it’s true.Noah now has his head down on Sawyer’s shoulder, his hands gripping on to his shirt collar.He’s clearly comfortable with the businessman.
“Jets?”his brow is pinched, as Noah grabs his ears, and once again, I have to hold back a chuckle from bubbling from my mouth.
“No, kids.”I nod to how my tired son rests against him, and Sawyer looks down, taking it in.“You’re a natural.Noah doesn’t really just go to anyone.”
My boy is a bundle of energy, so seeing him like this with a man he barely knows is unusual.But I firmly believe that small kids are pretty good judges of character.
“Hmmm.He’s warm,” is all Sawyer says, not in a hurry to remove my son from his chest.
Smiling, I hold out my arms.“Here, let me take him.He’s already eaten, so I’ll put him down, then I’ll try to find that contract.”I grab Noah from Sawyer, and my boy snuggles into me.
“Make yourself at home.I won't be long.”
Kevin is sitting on the sofa, watching TV, ignoring the whole situation as I walk by.Just as I step into the hallway, I notice Sawyer looking around the house.Not snooping but seemingly interested.As predicted, Noah is almost asleep before I even put him in bed, so a quick tuck in and he’s in dreamland.
When I get back to the living area, Kevin hasn’t moved, and I spot Sawyer looking at some framed photos on the side wall.
“You and the kids look good in these,” he says in passing as I once again start looking for the contract, knowing that it’s futile.
“Thanks.”I smile warmly.I love having a lot of photos around.It makes a house a home, in my opinion.
“I can’t help noticing there are none of your husband.”
My gaze flicks to his in surprise.I quickly look at Kevin, who’s now watching the interaction, and I swallow roughly.
I keep my response simple.“No.There aren’t.”
I feel his gaze resting on me, waiting for me to say more, but I don't.There’s only one photo of my husband in this house, and that’s in a box in the cupboard, which I’m keeping just for the kids.There are no others, because I don't want there to be.My eyes return to the piles of papers in front of me, but my mind races.
Before he can ask any more questions, I ask, “Have you eaten?”
“Excuse me?”His head tilts slightly as he turns to face me.
“Eaten.Dinner?”I repeat.
“Oh, no, I haven’t eaten yet.”He shakes his head.
“Would you like to stay…?For… dinner?”Why I’m asking him for dinner to avoid more conversation about my late husband, who knows?It just came out, and now I can barely put a sentence together.
