13. Annabelle
Annabelle
I t’s been a long day, and after I dismiss the kids, I grab my things and walk to my car.
As I do, I catch a glimpse of myself in the window reflection of the school door and cringe.
God, I look a wreck. Usually managing the kids and working at the school is great and I love it.
But after the issue with the tire and rushing around, being late to school, I’ve felt frantic all day.
With Kevin playing baseball with Harvey after school, I just need to pick up Noah on my way home.
Not that he’ll want to come. Debbie, the lovely lady who watches him for me during the day while I work in exchange for soaps and eggs, makes delicious cookies and cupcakes for him and he never wants to leave.
As I walk to my car, I pull up short. It looks different.
Frowning, I run my eyes over it and look at the tire that I changed this morning, seeing it gone.
The old yellow metal rim is no longer there, and in its place is a brand-new one.
In fact, the entire car has four brand-new tires.
I walk toward my car slowly, my mind whirling, my eyes wide, trying to figure out what’s happened.
Did someone mistake my car for someone else's? Putting my bags down, I peer into my car, thinking maybe I’m the one who’s mistaken, but I spot the box of tissues on the seat, the ones I used to rub the dirt and grease off my fingers this morning, and Noah’s racing car in the back.
“Heard you had a hectic morning,” a voice says from behind me, and I scream. Jumping as I turn around, my body clearly still in fear mode from this morning, my back flattens against my car and I look at him, wide-eyed.
“Shit, you okay? I didn’t mean to startle you.” Sawyer strides toward me, his hands falling to my waist. He holds me tight as his eyes canvass my body, and my breath catches in my throat. “I’m sorry. I thought you heard me walking up.” His words rush out, his face laced with concern.
I’m not sure if it's the adrenaline moving through my body or the way his thumbs are rubbing my waist tenderly, but I shiver as I take in a deep breath, willing my eyes not to water. Things are just getting too much for me today. Clearing my throat, I try to pull myself together.
“Sorry.” I wish this insane fear that I’ve seemed to develop would leave me so that I could at least act normal.
“I shouldn’t sneak up on you. I should’ve known better.”
I grab my hair, twirling it a little with my finger, the move centering me.
“I’m okay, just a little startled.” I fake a wide grin, giggling awkwardly. “I didn’t hear you coming.” At least that part is the truth. I was so bamboozled by my car, I didn’t hear anyone next to me. It’s probably extremely stupid of me. I need to keep my wits about me at all times.
“You sure?” His frown deepens as he steps closer, his eyes on mine.
I plant my feet on the ground. All it would take is another small step forward, and I would be in his arms, burying my head in his chest, and that can’t happen because I would break.
But I would be a liar if I said I didn't want to.
“I’m sure.” I bring my hands to rest on his forearms, him still holding on to me.
This is nice, I can do this. Have him in my space, not feel scared by having a man's hands on my body. I’ve never felt this comfortable before, and with a complete stranger at that.
It should feel weird, my body should tense at being this close to him, but I almost melt every time he touches me.
I find myself blushing each time I catch him looking my way.
I hear the school door open with more staff filing out. They look toward us, some of the ladies grinning before walking away.
“I heard what happened this morning.” Still looking at me, he lifts his hand and pushes my hair off my face, not dissimilar to how he did at my place on Saturday night. But this time, I don’t flinch. I lean into his touch.
Only, then his words hit me, and panic flares.
How would he know about the slashed tire?
Only Kevin and I know what happened. It dawns on me just as quickly that he’s talking about my flat tire, not my slashed one, and I offer him a small smile in the hopes it communicates that I’m fine.
But I can tell by the way he’s looking at me he doesn’t believe me.
He’s very perceptive. I wonder if that’s a natural ability of lawyers.
They see through people's bullshit easily.
“Oh yeah, I just had a flat. But I… um…” I swivel around in his arms, looking at my car again. “But I…” As I walk to the back of my car, looking at the tires and then back to him, his arms drop from my waist. “I’m just not…” I can’t understand how I have all new tires now.
“I had your tires changed,” he answers my confusion, and my head whips up to look at him.
“You what?”
“I heard you had a flat this morning, and I remembered seeing your tires were a little bald on the weekend. So given that I knew you needed one new one and all the driving you do from home to town each day, I just had a guy come from Williamstown and change all of them. Thanks for leaving your keys in the car, by the way. Very helpful.” He acts like it's no big deal as he pulls my car keys from his pocket and offers them to me.
I blink a couple of times, my head scrambled. I was so rushed this morning, I even left my keys in the ignition.
“But I can’t afford new tires.” I feel slightly embarrassed, but he needs to know.
This is me. Frantic, always something going on, can’t afford four brand-new and what looks like top-of-the-line tires.
Hell, I wouldn’t be able to afford the cheapest tires right now; that horrible yellow rim spare was going to stay on for a few months, at least.
“That's fine because I paid for them.” He clearly sees nothing wrong with this at all.
“But I can’t pay you back.” I suddenly feel short of breath. There’s at least a thousand dollars’ worth of tires on my car. Sure, I agree I needed it, but I was saving to have them done, and I should have the money together before next winter.
His eyebrows pinch. “I don’t want you to pay me back.”
“But you can’t do that,” I say, shaking my head, not knowing what to do.
“I can. I did.” There’s that arrogance of his. Sneaking right into his tone and the nonchalant shrug.
“I’m not a charity case,” I grit out, and I see the flash of understanding wash across his face, my own face flushed with shame. God, I wish this parking lot would open up and pull me under.
He takes a step toward me, and I watch him, willing myself not to cry, but my eyes sting anyway.
No one has ever done anything like this for me before.
Sure, I had help from the local church when things were really bad.
Tanner and a few others around town sometimes delivered groceries and things, knowing me and the kids were roughing it, and he always gave more pocket money to Kevin whenever he milked their goats or cows. But this is too much.
“Breathe, Annabelle. Just breathe.” He lifts his hand slowly and cups my jaw, his calming voice unexpected but having the desired effect as I slow my breathing.
“You know, I thought about sending you some flowers, maybe a box of chocolates to say thank you for dinner. There are these nice chocolates from the city… I thought about flying them in for you.” His thumb brushes against my jaw, and I swallow against the movement.
It’s so soft I almost cry. Flying in chocolates, who does that?
“But then, I thought about how you are surrounded by big, beautiful roses and lavender at home, so flowers and chocolates may not hit the mark with you.”
I bite my lip, unsure where he’s going with this. “You don’t have to buy me anything.”
“I’m trying to sweep you off your feet a little here, Annabelle…” he murmurs with a little smirk as his other hand reaches for mine. My heart rate escalates at his admission, and I take in a shaky breath, feeling unsure yet somewhat happy that the connection I feel between us isn’t one-sided.
“It was just roast chicken.” I know he probably eats at the fanciest restaurants and has had the most amazing meals.
“It wasn’t the chicken, although that was delicious. It was you. So when I heard that you had a flat tire, I wanted to do something to say thank you for having me in your home and welcoming me to your dinner table.”
I can barely breathe. “Sawyer, I… It’s too much…” I start to shake my head. Declining help is my usual response whenever it’s offered.
“Tires are on and there are no takebacks.” His hand holds mine tight, entwining our fingers, and I let him, knowing I probably shouldn’t. I’m a single mom, living on the outskirts of Whispers, but it has been a long time since a man touched me, and I really, really like it.
I take a moment to look him over. He’s wearing his signature black suit and a crisp white shirt, but his expression is different. Not as hard-set as it was when I first met him a few weeks ago. His eyes sparkle with kindness, like the shield he wore has completely dissolved.
“Thank you. For the tires…” I know the words are not enough, but I’m unsure what else to say. My heart races as his thumb strums patterns onto my palm. His continual soothing touch completely puts me at ease.
“You are very welcome.” He smiles as he lowers his hand from my jaw.
“So you’re in town for the week?” I thought he would already be back in the city after being here for the weekend.
“Flying out tonight, and I’ll be back on Wednesday.”
“The work never stops, I guess.” He works just as hard as I do, just in a luxurious office, not on a dusty farm with ghosts.
“Why didn’t you call me?”
I think back to this morning and how I almost did. I swallow past the lump in my throat before I answer.
“I'm no damsel, Sawyer.” Regardless of what he thinks of me, I can take care of myself. “Maybe you don’t come across strong women in the city, but out here, we’re bred a little differently. I don’t need a man to hold my hand or keep me safe at night.”
“I’m not trying to insult you. I know you work hard and are capable. I just want you to know there are people who will help you if you are willing to accept that help.”
I huff a laugh at the ridiculousness of this conversation. “People?” Having people help me is mortifying. I’m still mentally trying to figure out how I can save enough money to pay him back for these tires.
“Me.”
The sincerity in his tone, the way he’s looking at me, emotions start to build all over again.
“You don’t even really know me.” I breathe out the words.
I don’t trust easily. My gut is telling me that this guy is someone I can trust, yet my head is forcing that option away.
The internal struggle going on inside of me is terrifying and exhausting.
I try to think about what he’s saying, what he means.
I haven’t had to navigate men or dating.
It’s hard to know if he's flirting or being serious.
“I know enough to want to know more.” I squeeze my eyes shut, and he squeezes my hand again. I can’t break down in front of him. I pull in a breath, open my eyes, and smile.
“Then you will know that I will pay you back every penny these tires cost,” I tell him adamantly, and he grins like I humor him.
“And you will soon learn that I won't accept it,” he banters back. Seems like this is an argument that neither of us will win.
“I need to go get Noah. I’m cooking stew on Wednesday night if you want to come for dinner when you come back…” I hold my breath as I offer him another meal. Another date of sorts. I tell myself it’s to start paying him back for the tires, but that’s another lie. I like having him around.
“I’ll be there at six.” There’s no hesitation.
His grin is wide as he steps forward, putting his lips to my forehead, leaving no question that he feels for me in a way beyond the professional.
I hold my breath, as his kiss is so gentle I can barely feel it, before he steps back.
Our hands still hold each other and reach out between us until we reluctantly let go, and he walks back down the street to his office, and I get in my car.
I let go of the breath I didn’t know I was holding and say a quick prayer to heaven to give me the strength I need to enjoy spending time with a man like Sawyer. Hoping the fear I have from my past doesn’t hold me back from something that could be amazing.