Page 33 of The Final Temptation (Men of Honor 3.5)
Sawyer isn’t fazed in the least—he’s too arrogant. Instead he watches her with an amused smirk then gets up and makes his way to the dance floor. We all groan because we know what’s coming, and so does Grace, if her attempt to dodge him is any indication. Of course she isn’t able to make her escape. Bending down, he picks her up, sweeping her off her feet.
“Put me down, Sawyer!” she demands with a laugh.
“Sorry, Cupcake, but no can do. We have some business to take care of.” We all shake our heads as he walks out of the tent.
“Where’s he takin’ her?” Ruthie asks.
“Nowhere!” All of us shout at once. I hope wherever he’s taking her, he has the decency to go somewhere private, or better yet, their room.
Ruthie lets out a big yawn and drops her head on Cade’s chest, her eyes getting droopy. “You tired, kid? Want Christopher and Alissa to take you to bed?”
“No, I’m okay,” she replies sleepily, then passes out not even two minutes later. Christopher and Alissa carry her to the suite Cade and Faith rented, and take Annabelle with them also.
Sawyer and Grace return thirty minutes later, Sawyer looking cocky and Grace looking…well satisfied but clearly embarrassed, if her red cheeks and lack of eye contact with any of us guys is anything to go by.
At the very end of the night, after everyone has cleared out and the staff is cleaning up, all of us friends walk out to the garden for one last drink. Katelyn headed up to her room a little while ago, while my cousin left with some chick Kayla works with. Us guys are sitting on the stone steps to the fountain while the girls sit on our laps and talk about the day’s events.
“It really was an amazing day. Thank you for letting us be a part of it,” Faith says, and a chorus of agreement goes around.
“No, thank you, all of you,” Kayla speaks for the both of us. “We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding party. Coop and I are very thankful for you guys… Even you, Hulk,” she adds, glancing over at Jaxson. “And to think you didn’t turn green once today, I’m so damn proud of you.”
He grunts at her smart mouth. “I guess we both deserve a pat on the back then, because just think—you didn’t take a bat to anyone’s truck tonight.”
She punches him in the arm. “Well, the night’s not over yet. Where did you park again?” All of us chuckle at their usual bantering.
“We definitely have been through a lot together,” Julia says softly, steering the conversation back to the original topic. “I tell Jaxson all the time how blessed we are to have each other. We’re more than friends, we’re family, and I know our kids will grow up to be close, too.”
Sawyer points at me with a smirk. “I guess it’s time for you to get cracking on your baby-making skills, Sheriff.”
I grunt. “Not yet.”
Kayla tenses on me, but before I can think too much of it the shrill ringing of a cellphone sounds. With a confused frown Jaxson pulls his phone out of his pocket and glances at the number before answering. “Anna?” His expression immediately puts me on alert. “Whoa, calm down. I can’t understand anything you’re saying. Just take a deep breath.” He puts a finger to his ear, trying to hear her better.
All of us look at each other, as we can hear a hysterical Anna on the other end of the line but can’t make out what she’s saying.
“What! What do you mean? How… Okay, okay, calm down. Just sit tight. I’m on my way.” Jaxson hangs up and stands up quickly, lifting Julia to her feet.
“Jax, what’s going on?” she asks in concern.
“That was Anna. She’s at the police station.” He pauses and looks at all of us, his expression unreadable. “Logan has been arrested for murder.”
“What!” We all shout at the same time.
“I don’t know what happened, she was so hysterical that I could barely understand her, but she wants me to come there.” He looks at Julia. “I told her I would come. Can you go get Annabelle? Then we’ll go home and pack a bag.”
“Jax, that might take too long, and she’s sleeping. Why don’t you go tonight and Annabelle and I will come tomorrow?”
He shakes his head. “No. I don’t want to leave you two and I don’t want you driving yourself there.”
“Grace and I will stay with her,” Sawyer offers. “I can drive them up tomorrow if you’re still there.”
“You sure?”
Instead of repeating himself he replies with a nod. Jaxson is still reluctant but Julia convinces him it’s for the best.
“All right.” He leans down and kisses her. “I’ll see you tomorrow, baby.”
“Drive carefully,” she says softly. “Text me when you get there and tell Anna I love her.”
He nods then glances at me but I wave him away. “Go, just call me tomorrow and fill me in on what’s going on. You know I’ll help any way I can.”
“Thanks.” After a quick goodbye to everyone else he’s gone.
We all get up to head to our rooms now, everyone silent while we ponder what could have happened. It’s clear Logan has been through some shit, but I would never peg him for killing someone in cold blood. I shake my head. No, he wouldn’t. I’ve gotten to know him well enough over the last two years and I know he wouldn’t do that. Something else is going on.
After one last goodbye to the others, Kayla and I walk to our room that’s on the opposite side of the house. Closing the door behind me, I turn to see her standing in the middle of the room, looking tired and upset. I walk over and pull her in my arms. “You okay, baby?”
“Yeah, I’m just worried about Anna and Logan. I hope they’re okay.”
“They will be. Jaxson will make sure of it.”
She looks up at me with a soft smile and nods. “Yeah, you’re right.”
