Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Amber hadn’t fooled Sawyer.
He knew the truth about why she’d put that macaroni and cheese back, as well as why she didn’t take Joe up on his offer of a gift.
The little cutie had some pride. He respected that. It was admirable. But it broke his heart to know she was on such hard times. He’d seen her money when she’d pulled it out to pay at the store—and she didn’t have much left.
His mind was racing as he drove her to the Collier place. It wasn’t just the money he was thinking about, either.
He was thinking about everything he wanted to tell her.
Stay with me.
I’ll help you fix up the cabin in the daytime and at night you can crash at my place.
You don’t ever have to worry about food or money again. I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”
That last part was true, even if she didn’t realize it yet.
They might not end up together. But this didn’t have a thing to do with him being her Daddy or them finding their Happy Ever After. No, this was about common decency. She’d obviously fallen on tough times. Actually, it sounded from what little he’d heard of her past, that her whole damn life had been one long tough time.
The gravel crunched loudly under his Bronco’s tires as he eased up the road to the Collier cabin. He put the vehicle in park and left the engine idling as he looked across the bench seat to Amber.
She returned his gaze.
“I’d be happy to stay and help you if you need it.”
“Thank you, Sir. But I can do it. Promise! Besides, I bet you have to take care of your trees.”
Sawyer did have some work to do around his place. Quite a bit, actually. But he’d gladly put it on hold if she needed him.
After a moment of reflection, he asked, “You good if I swing by tonight and check on you? I’d feel better that way.”
“Yes, Sir. I’d love that.”
She seemed genuine, a fact he was grateful for.
“And you have my number in case you need me?” he asked.
She nodded, patting the pocket of her jeans where she’d slipped the piece of paper. “I’ll hang it inside right by the phone, Sir.”
“Good girl,” he replied, then held back a wince. He might be overstepping, saying something like that. It had just slipped.
Thankfully, she didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she was beaming with pride. Whether it stemmed from what he’d called her or the fact that she was about to get started on her projects, he didn’t know.
But he sure liked seeing it.
“Alright. I’m going to help you unload this stuff,” he said.
They both got out and he opened up the gate in the back of the Bronco and began unloading all the items while she unlocked the door. A few minutes later, everything was inside.
“Well,” he said as he surveyed the materials. “I guess I’ll leave you to it.”
“Thank you again for everything!” she said.
“And you don’t mind me coming by tonight?”
“I can’t wait!”
“Me, neither.” He stared at her for a moment longer than necessary and then finally offered a little wave before turning around and heading toward the door.
He heard Amber’s footsteps rapping against the old wooden floor and he turned around just as she completed her run. She leapt into his arms, planted a kiss on his cheek, and said, “You’re the best, Mr. Sawyer!”
He laughed and hugged her back.
He’d never felt anything better than holding her against his body. Nothing in the whole damn world.
He let go after a moment, but only reluctantly.
He told her goodbye, got in his Bronco, and fired up the vehicle. It remained in park for a few moments, though, as he thought over his options.
“I’ve really got work to do,” he said to himself, as he stared into his own eyes in the rearview mirror. “Lots of work, actually.”
He sat there for a full minute before finally throwing the truck in drive. When he pulled out, he didn’t aim it toward his house.
That truck was aimed back toward Joe’s store.
Sawyer just couldn’t help himself.