Page 63 of The Cannon
Coming directly from work today I brought them dinner from Le Lieu, their favorite restaurant. It was a good excuse to spend time with the baby. I have him all to myself as they dine.
I use the term loosely because January’s stretched out on the couch and Brick is in the club chair. They’re too pooped to sit at the table.
“Who’s the cutest boy in the room?” I coo at my lap mate.
“I’m pretty sure it’s me,” Brick says between bites.
“Maybe the second cutest. But it’s a close call,” January teases.
I lift Beau’s tiny hands in the air.
“No, Daddy. I win the contest. Look at my kewpie doll lips. Auntie Bristol is going to kiss them. Yes she is!”
“So, tell us about you and Sawyer. We’re out of the loop,” January asks.
“It’s all good. I told you about his sister, right?”
“Yeah, that’s amazing. Has he talked with her yet?”
“Not really. Because of the accident her jaw is wired. Not just that, but her right arm’s broken so she can’t text. You wouldn’t believe how many injuries she sustained.”
“Poor woman. She has a child?” January says.
“Kelly. She’s ten. Sawyer’s talked with her on the phone. They had a three-way conversation. Well, Anne listened.”
“We’ve been brainstorming how to make sure she’s well cared for. Her resources are limited. And the place she’s staying at isn’t on the Internet. When we Googled it all we saw were horrible reviews and grainy pictures people posted.”
“That’s disturbing,” January says.
“Yes. But he’s going to help her. Things are about to improve greatly for Anne Bradley.”
Standing, Brick takes his wife’s plate and his own to the kitchen counter. He turns his attention back to me. “It’s awesome for Sawyer. Man, for all of them.”
“We’re leaving tomorrow morning for Dallas. To get the lay of the land. Just for a couple of days.”
“That’s going to be so emotional. I could cry just thinking about it,” January says.
“January and I have cried more these last few weeks than in the previous ten years. We’re just a puddle of love,” Brick says taking Beauregard from my arms. He kisses the baby’s head and cheek and little hands. Never have I seen my brother so swept up in emotion. The making of a father. It’s beautiful.
“What happened to your trip?” January asks.
“There was just too much going on. Sawyer’s family, his work with the foster kids, my practice, all he needs to do to get ready for next year with the Mavericks. We decided to postpone what we could.”
“Make sure you save time for each other, Sister. Everything else is secondary,” Brick says, handing Beauregard to his mother’s open arms.
* * *
Brick’s wordslingered in my mind long after I’d left their home. They put a spotlight on my feelings for Sawyer. I’m falling. Falling in love with the man I considered a boy. Losing any last hesitations. In fact, I can hardly remember what they were.
In a matter of months I’ve gone from a woman so sure of her independent status I never questioned it, to this. I never pictured myself being in the kind of relationship I have with Sawyer. He’s earned not only my love but my respect.
It’s shocking to realize he’s my true north.
And now, as we get closer to the McKinney rehab facility, I sense my hero’s nervousness. I reach for his hand. It’s cool.
“How you feeling? Little nervous?”
“Feels like hamsters on a wheel inside my stomach.”
