Midnight Sons Volume 1 (8 page)

“Fine. You’re moving.”

“Where?” Abbey had been told often enough that there wasn’t any other place available.

“You can stay in Christian’s house. He phoned this afternoon, and he’s decided to make a vacation out of this trip. I’ll let him decide what to do with you when he gets home.”

“What?” Abbey’s eyes flashed with annoyance—and confusion. “I’m not moving into your brother’s home.”

The last thing Sawyer had expected was an argument. Okay, so maybe he hadn’t made the offer as graciously as he should have, but he had an excuse.

The woman was driving him crazy.

Worrying about her and those two kids stuck out on the edge of town had left him nearly sleepless for two nights. It wouldn’t have bothered him as much if there’d been neighbors close at hand. But so far, the other cabins remained empty.

“You won’t be there long,” he said. And he’d thought he was doing her a favor! He should’ve known that nothing with Abbey would be easy.

She picked up another of his mother’s books, handling it with respect, then added the author and title to a list. “The kids and I are doing well where we are. Really.”

“There are dangers you don’t know about.”

“We’re fine, Sawyer.”

He inhaled sharply. “Why won’t you move?”

Abbey’s shoulders lifted in a small, impatient sigh. “It isn’t
entirely
your brother’s fault that he didn’t know about Scott and Susan.”

“True, but you aren’t entirely to blame either.”

“It’s very thoughtful of you to offer me the house, but no thanks.” She glanced up and gave him a quick smile. For a second Sawyer swore his heart was out of control, and all because of one little smile.

“All right,” he said, slowly releasing his breath, “you can move into my house, then, and I’ll stay at Christian’s.”

“Sawyer, you’re missing the point. I don’t want to put anyone out of his home.”

“Christian isn’t there to put out.”

“I know that, but when he does return I’ll have to go back to the cabin. There’s nowhere else for me and the children to move. I can’t see that shuffling us from one temporary place to another is going to help.”

“But—”

“We’re better off making do with what we have,” she said, cutting off his argument.

“Are you always this stubborn?”

Abbey’s eyes widened as if his question surprised her. “I didn’t realize I was being stubborn. It doesn’t make sense to play musical houses when we have a perfectly good—When we have a home now.”

“The cabins were never intended to be full-time residences,”
he said, clenching his fists at his sides. He shouldn’t admit it, especially since his brother had begun interviewing job applicants again, promising them free housing and land. Sawyer hadn’t wanted him to do it, but Christian had gotten carried away. You’d think that with the Seattle press picking up on the story, Christian would reconsider his approach. At least—thank God—the reporters had stopped calling
him.
And nothing Sawyer could say seemed to dampen his brother’s enthusiasm for the project. Christian was having the time of his life.

Well, when the next women started to show up, Sawyer decided, he’d let Christian escort them to those shacks and gleefully announce that here were their new homes. No way was he going to do it.

“I don’t want you to think I’m being unappreciative,” Abbey said.

“You’re being unappreciative,” he muttered. “Christian’s place has all the conveniences. Surely the kids miss television.”

“They don’t.” She hesitated and bit her lip. “Though I’ll confess I’d like a…hot shower.”

Sawyer could tell that she was tempted by the offer.

“I’m not comfortable knowing you’re out on the edge of town alone,” he told her. “Because of the kids…People in town would be mighty upset if something happened. Pearl’s been at me to find you some other place to live.” He didn’t want her to think there was anything
personal
in his concern. “Anyway, Christian’ll be gone a month or more.”

“A month,” Abbey repeated.

“Perhaps we could compromise,” he said, walking forward
and supporting his hands on her desk. “You could move into Christian’s house or mine, whichever you decide, until one of the other women arrives. Then perhaps you could share the place until a more viable solution presents itself.” Her hair smelled of wildflowers, and he found himself struggling to keep his mind on business.

“When’s the next woman flying in?”

“I’m not sure. Soon.”

She took a moment to consider, then thrust out her hand. “Thank you. I accept your offer.”

Relieved, Sawyer shook her hand as briefly as possible without being rude. The softness of her skin, her scent, her combination of vulnerability and fierce determination—it was all too attractive. Too disruptive. His world, so orderly and serene before her arrival, felt as if it had been turned inside out.

One thing was sure—he didn’t like it.

“I’ll stop by later and pick up your luggage,” he said.

Her eyes moved to meet his, and she gave him another of those heart-tripping smiles. There was something so genuine and unself-conscious about it. Their eyes held a moment longer, and every muscle in his body was telling him to lean forward and kiss her. As soon as the impulse entered his mind, he sent it flying. The last thing he wanted was to become involved with Abbey Sutherland.

“Mom—” Scott burst into the room like a warlord roaring into battle “—can I have lunch at Ronny’s? His mom said it’s okay.”

Sawyer leapt back so fast he practically fell over Eagle Catcher, who’d ambled into the room with Scott.

“Hi, Mr. O’Halloran,” the boy said in a near squeak, then stared down at the husky. His face flushed with guilt.

Sawyer looked from the dog to the boy. “How’d Eagle Catcher get out of his pen?”

Scott lowered his head.

“Scott, did you let him out of his pen?” Abbey asked.

His nod was barely perceptible. “I went to visit him and he whined and whined, and I was going to put him back, honest I was.”

Sawyer crouched down so he could speak to Scott at eye level. “I know you and Eagle Catcher are good friends, and I think that’s great.”

“You do?” Scott’s eyes rounded with surprise.

“But it’s important that you ask my permission before you let him out of his yard. Otherwise, I could come home and not know where he is.”

“I went to visit him, but he didn’t want me to leave,” Scott explained. “Every time I started to go, he’d cry. I only opened the gate so I could pet him and talk to him. I must not have latched it very good, because he followed me.”

“Next time make sure the latch is secure,” Abbey told him sternly.

Scott’s gaze avoided Sawyer’s. “I might not have closed the gate all the way on purpose.”

Sawyer tried to hide his amusement. “Thank you for being honest about it. Next time you want to play with my dog, all you have to do is come and ask me first. That won’t be difficult, will it?”

“No, sir, I can do that.”

“Good.”

“Eagle Catcher only likes
me,
you know,” Scott announced proudly. “He wouldn’t leave the pen for Susan or Ronny.” He closed his mouth when he realized what he’d admitted.

So the three friends had been in his yard and attempted to lure Eagle Catcher out of the fenced-off area.

“So, can I have lunch at Ronny’s?” Scott asked again, obviously eager to change the subject.

“All right, but I want you to take Eagle Catcher back to his pen. Later on you and I are going to have a long talk about Mr. O’Halloran’s dog.”

“Okay,” he said sheepishly, and before she could say another word, he dashed out the door, the husky at his heels.

Sawyer chuckled. “I can’t believe the way those two hit it off. It’s not like Eagle Catcher to become this attached to someone.”

“I hope this doesn’t develop into a problem,” Abbey said. “He’s got to understand that it’s your dog, and he has to obey your rules. But Scott’s always loved dogs, especially huskies, and we’ve never been able to have one. He was crazy about Eagle Catcher from the first time he saw him.”

“The feeling appears to be mutual. Eagle Catcher’s never had anyone lavish attention on him the way Scott does. They seem destined for each other, don’t they?”

Abruptly Abbey looked away.

Sawyer wondered what he’d said that had caused such a startled reaction. Did she think he was talking about the two of
them?
If so, Abbey Sutherland was in for a surprise.

Sawyer wasn’t interested in marriage. Ever. Not even to the beautiful Abbey Sutherland. He’d learned all the lessons he
needed from his own experience several years before. And from his parents, who’d tried to make their marriage work, but only made each other miserable. Sawyer wanted none of that.

Rarely had Abbey enjoyed a shower more. She stood under the warm spray as it pelted against her skin and savored each refreshing drop.

Exhausted from a day of playing, Scott and Susan fell asleep the minute they climbed into the two single beds in Christian O’Halloran’s guest bedroom.

Abbey was sleeping in the double bed in a second spare bedroom. Although Sawyer had repeatedly told her she was welcome in his brother’s home, Abbey couldn’t shake the feeling that she was invading Christian’s privacy.

It was fine for Sawyer to offer his brother’s house. But Abbey couldn’t help wondering if he’d bothered to mention it to Christian.

After she toweled off, she dressed in jeans and a thin sweater and walked barefoot to the kitchen, where she made herself a cup of tea. It was difficult not to compare her stark living quarters at the cabin and the simple luxuries of Christian’s home.

The kitchen was large and cheery, the white walls stenciled with a blue tulip pattern. The room’s warmth and straightforward charm reminded her that Ellen O’Halloran had once lived here. Her touch was evident throughout the house.

Taking her tea with her, Abbey wandered onto the front porch and sat in the old-fashioned swing. Mosquitoes buzzed about until she remembered to light the citronella candle. The
evening was beautiful beyond anything she’d imagined. Birds chirped vigorously in the background. The tundra seemed vibrant with life.

Although it was nearly ten, the sky was as bright as it had been at noon. Cupping the mug in her hands, she looked past the small patch of lawn to Sawyer’s house across the street.

His home clearly lacked a woman’s influence. He, too, had a yard, but there were no flower boxes decorating the window ledges, no beds blooming with hardy perennials. The porch was smaller, almost as if it had been added as an afterthought.

Drawing her knees up under her chin, Abbey gazed unseeingly at the house while she reviewed her situation. She’d taken the biggest gamble of her life by moving to Hard Luck. No one had told her she was playing against a stacked deck. But the stakes were too high for her to back down now. She wouldn’t. Couldn’t. Somehow, she’d find the means to stay and make a good life for herself and her children.

The front door of Sawyer’s house opened, and he stepped onto the front porch. He leaned against the support beam, holding a mug in his hands. For what seemed a long time, they did nothing but stare at each other.

As if he’d reached some sort of decision, Sawyer set the mug aside and crossed the street. “Do you mind if I join you?” he asked.

“Not at all.” Abbey hoped she didn’t sound as shy as she felt. She slid over so there was plenty of room on the swing.

“My mother used to sit out here in the summer,” Sawyer reminisced. “There were many nights I’d get ready for bed and I’d look out and see her sitting exactly where you are, swinging as if she was eighteen again and waiting for a beau.”

A sadness crept into his voice, and from the little she knew about his parents’ marriage, she guessed his perception could be right. His mother might well have been waiting for the man she loved to join her—the husband she’d once, and perhaps still, loved.

He seemed to have read her thoughts. “My parents didn’t have a good marriage. Don’t get me wrong—they rarely raised their voices to each other. In some ways I wish they had. It might have cleared the air. Instead, they practiced indifference toward each other.” He hesitated and shook his head. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all that. What about your parents?”

“They’re great. They’ve had their share of squabbles over the years and still argue now and then. But underneath it, well, all I know is that they’re deeply committed to each other.” She paused, thinking about the fact that they’d disagreed with her move to Hard Luck. “My family gave me a firm foundation, and for that I couldn’t be more grateful.” She wondered how the conversation had become so personal. “I particularly appreciated that foundation when my marriage fell apart.

“My parents were wonderful. They’d never liked Dick, but they’d raised me to make my own choices and gave me the freedom to learn from my mistakes without I-told-you-so lectures.” Abbey stopped, a little flustered. She hadn’t meant to discuss her marriage, especially with someone she barely knew.

“Does your ex have contact with Scott and Susan?”

“No. And he hasn’t paid a penny of support since he left the army. I haven’t seen him in years, and neither have the kids. In the beginning I had a lot of anger. Not so much because of the money—that isn’t nearly as important as everything else. Then
I realized it’s Dick’s loss. He’s the one who’s missing out on knowing two fabulous kids, and now I just feel sorry for him.”

Sawyer reached for her hand and she held his tightly as tears clouded her eyes. She looked away, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“Abbey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“You didn’t. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t usually tear up like this.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re a long way from home.”

“Are you going to start that again—telling me I should go back to Seattle?” The argument had grown tiresome.

He didn’t answer for a moment. “No.” His free hand touched her cheek and brushed a tendril of hair aside. Their eyes met in a rush of discovery. It seemed inevitable that he’d kiss her.

It had been a long time since she’d been kissed. An even longer time since she’d wanted a man to kiss her this much. Sawyer lowered his mouth to hers and she leaned forward shyly.

As soon as Sawyer’s mouth touched hers, she experienced a reawakening. She felt…cherished. For years she’d been the protector, standing alone against the world, caring for her children. She hadn’t had either time or energy to think of herself as feminine and desirable. Sawyer made her feel both.