Page 2 of Sawyer
My head shakes all on its own as I process this.“I manage your entire portfolio, which means I’ll need to be here whenever I need to work on something for you,” I state, feeling incredulous.
“Exactly.I’m estimating that it’ll probably be around three days per week.”He doesn’t give me an inch.The sly smirk on his face tells me he knows exactly what he’s doing.
“You're an asshole.Anyone told you that?”Putting my hands on my hips, I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do.
“Not today, but it’s still early.”I always knew he had me pegged for running this law office in his small town, but I never gave any indication that I would take the offer.In fact, I made it very clear I wasn’t interested.Now he’s basically bulldozing me.Although I know he won't have anyone else but me manage his legal affairs.We’ve worked together for years and have become firm friends, so this is him just trying to prove a point.
“Why?”is all I can ask.I need his reasoning.Need to understand why this is so important to him.
“Because the town needs someone like you, Sawyer.You’re the best damn lawyer I know, and I know a few.Whispers needs someone decent, someone they can trust.Someone with connections, knowledge, and experience.There are lots of small businesses here.Lots of large properties and farms.You know as well as I do that the wealthy are starting to move here in droves.New ranches are being built so quickly Griffin and his team might as well be here permanently.He’s already talking about building his ranch here and setting up an office where he and Victoria can base themselves.So there’s a lot of new money opportunities too, some that may even surpass what you have in the city.”
I raise my eyebrow at him.He’s right, as per usual.While I might be a city boy through and through, I’m smart enough to know that Whispers is the new hiding place for some of the country’s most wealthy.I can already see the dinner party conversations that will happen here soon are bound to birth new businesses and new innovations, and being part of those conversations would be extremely beneficial for me and my law firm.
“Besides, if you live here, you have less flying time to get to your brother.”
At that, I roll my eyes but nod, because that’s true too.My brother, Sutton, is on the West Coast and is a Hollywood movie star, which has made him a multimillionaire.With new feature films every six months, he’s worked himself hard the past few years, received a few award nominations, and has been an A-lister at events, each time with a different leading lady.Managing his business interests is almost as stressful as managing Tanner’s.
“He’s another asshole,” I murmur, and Tanner grins.
“I got you a ranch up on Billionaire Boulevard.”
“What?”I’m surprised.Usually, I fly in and out.If I need to stay over, I stay at Marie’s Place or his old home at the distillery.Both are beautiful.
“Well, I leased a place from a friend for a month or two.To see if you like it.If you do, you can buy it.”
I huff another laugh, knowing this man has had plans in place for me for a long time.He’s persistent and clever.I’ll give him that.
“You’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?”
“I sure do.Now you need to go and sort out the soapmaking paperwork with Victoria’s business partner, Annabelle.The two of them are now on the same page with building their little business into something bigger.”
“Gertie’s Soaps?”I’ve heard them talk about it before, but thought it was just a hobby for Victoria until now.
“That’s it.They’ve worked their asses off.Turns out, they might have something worth investing in now.Victoria has a vision for growth, and Annabelle needs the cash.So let’s get the paperwork sorted for them and see what they can do.”
Fucking soapmaking business.Is this what my legal career has come to?Years at university, long days and late nights in the office, all boiling down to soap.
“Fine.I’ll get it organized and go see this Annabelle woman today.”There’s no point in fighting it; I need to pick my battles with Tanner, and this is not the one.Nothing involving his girlfriend, Victoria, is a battle to pick.I won’t be winning.
“Great, while you’re gone, I’ll get Victoria to look at this office and suggest a redesign.Griffin is in town soon, so he can offer any help we need if you want a full renovation.”He smiles, thinking of Victoria, who’s now one of the most sought-after interior designers in the country.I look around the small space again, taking in the dust and smell of stale books.Griffin is the country’s best builder; the fact that he spends a lot of his time here, too, I’m sure Tanner loves.
“Fine, Tanner.You win.Three days per week here in Whispers, and the rest, I’ll be in the city,” I relent, already itching to get back to New York.I’m many things, smart, affluent, fueled by caffeine and billion dollar deals, but a country boy isn’t in my repertoire.I wouldn’t know the first thing about farm life and have no desire to learn it.
“I knew you’d come around,” he says with a big shit-eating grin.
It’s not ideal, but how hard can it be?I’ll just sit behind the desk here and be permanently attached to my phone.I don’t need to get to know people.In fact, I can probably accomplish more work here since there are no notable restaurants or bars.I’ll work day and night and then get back to the city to live my life.Have the best of both worlds.
It could be just what I need.
2
Annabelle Davis
Ipush my hair behind my ear, pausing my work of raking the vegetable patch to look up at my kids.Kevin sprays his little brother, Noah, with the hose as they run around, laughing.The sight brings a warm rush to my chest, and I take a deep breath, feeling blessed.
Bringing my attention back to the garden, I assess my options, knowing the vegetable patch needs redoing with fresh compost and new seeds, something I’ll add to my weekend to-do list.I grab a few carrots and some potatoes, before moving across to assess the corn.While ticking off things I need to get done, something else plays on my mind: Gertie’s Soaps, the small business I started with my friend, Victoria.For her, it was a hobby, but for me, it was a necessity.A way out of poverty and the only reason I can now provide special things for my kids.Victoria and I have talked about expanding, making it something more, which both excites and scares me.But regardless, it’s happening.Things are moving forward, and I have to get prepared.
Hearing my kids’ laughter fade, I spot Noah now infatuated with the bucket of water that he splashes in.It’s the simple things that keep a three-year-old entertained, and I’m thankful that he isn’t running off on us, which is his usual game at the moment.
