Chapter 8 Garrison #2
“What charges did he end up getting for the school incident?” Jack questions, pulling my attention away from Weston. Which, in my current mood, is probably a good thing. His verbally attacking Kyle won’t go over well, no matter his reasoning.
While I’m not overly thrilled that the FBI agent is involved in this particular conversation, I also appreciate Jack’s moral compass. We kept the truth about his involvement in what happened to me a secret, so as long as Jack doesn’t decide to shove his nose into it, that’s how it will stay.
Hopefully.
“They dropped it to a misdemeanor,” I say. “Kyle has community service, and he won’t be allowed back at the school, but he’s honestly thriving with the charter school route.”
“That’s good to hear.” Jack takes a bite of his food, and Anastasia smiles over at him, adoration in her gaze.
I glance over at Sawyer, not at all missing the jealousy clinging to him like a second skin.
Not that I can exactly blame him.
I wouldn’t handle it well if the woman I loved was in a serious relationship with another man, either. Though I’d like to think I wouldn’t have sat on those feelings for six years like he has.
For some reason, Katelyn comes to mind.
Is she seeing anyone? I haven’t caught wind of anyone in her life, but is that maybe why she’s backed off from me?
Or did it have something to do with what happened earlier on the beach?
Is she afraid of relationships because of a previous one?
My initial assessment was that she’s been abused. ..how true is that?
“I, for one, am so glad that you’re helping him,” Linda says.
“Sometimes people just need a nudge in the right direction.” She gently elbows Weston, who grunts in response.
He’d gotten into some trouble when he’d been a teenager, too, though none of his incidents involved anyone dying—or almost dying.
If I thought for a second that Kyle was an actual threat, or that he’d done what he’d done out of anything but desperation for his sister, I wouldn’t have put my neck out the way I did.
But he’s a good kid who just needs a second chance.
One I knew I needed to give. And the last month has done nothing but prove that.
“He’s a good kid,” I repeat, then continue eating.
Anastasia stands to carry her plate in, but Jack takes it from her and carries it into the kitchen. “I’ve got it, babe,” he says.
“Thanks,” she replies, then turns back toward the table. “What?”
I shift my gaze from her to Sawyer, noting the way he’s staring at her.
“Nothing,” he replies. “I think I need to get back to the shop. Do you still want me to take your car in?” he asks Linda.
“Only if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Happy to do it, Momma Knox.” He stands and deposits his plate into the sink, then takes the keys to his truck out of his pocket and sets them on the small kitchen island before pocketing hers.
“Just bring my truck by after your errands tomorrow, and I’ll have your car ready to be picked up. ”
“You are wonderful. Thank you, honey. I don’t know what I did to deserve such wonderful young men taking care of me.”
“Least we can do for family,” he replies, with a sideways glare at Jack, who is completely unbothered by the clear territory claim.
He even steps forward and rests a hand on Anastasia’s shoulder. “Mrs. Knox, I was actually going to ask if you’d be up for grabbing lunch tomorrow, so I can take you wherever you need to go if you’d like. Then I can drop you by Sawyer’s shop before I head to the airport.”
The room falls completely silent, and my gaze levels on Sawyer. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to calm himself before opening his eyes again and plastering an uninterested expression on his face.
“Lunch would be good.” She smiles, but I notice that it’s not quite one of joy. Interesting. “I just need to run to the bank tomorrow.”
“Happy to help.” Jack grins, completely unaware that there’s a man standing only a few yards from him who has the skills and desire to make him disappear without a trace. “I can pick you up about eleven tomorrow for lunch? Then we can head to the bank after that?”
“That sounds great,” she replies, clearly taken aback by his offer. I wonder if she’s thinking what the rest of us are.
That a one-on-one with Anastasia’s only living parent might mean this relationship is moving a lot faster than anyone is prepared for.
“Fantastic. Should we get going?” he asks Anastasia. “I have a call in about thirty minutes, but that will give me time to drop you off and get back to my hotel.”
“Sure. I—”
“I can take you home, Anastasia,” Sawyer offers. “If you want to hang around.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m actually pretty wiped.” She stands and kisses her mother on the cheek before taking Jack’s offered hand. “Love you, Momma.”
“Love you, too, sweetie. See you tomorrow, Jack.”
“See you, Mrs. Knox. Good to see you guys,” he adds to the four of us.
“You, too,” I reply. Weston and Ryker say nothing but offer him nods, while Sawyer looks about ready to snap him in half.
The moment they’re gone, Linda smacks Sawyer’s arm. “You do not get to do that to her, Sawyer Maddox.”
“Ow. Do what?” he asks, rubbing his arm.
“You know what.” She glares at him pointedly.
“Seriously, Cable Guy,” Weston adds, using the code name we have for Sawyer, “you had your chance to tell her how you felt, and you chickened out.”
“I have no idea what any of you are talking about.”
Linda simply shakes her head and smiles. “You wasted time, honey.”
“He’s not good for her. Do none of you see that?” Sawyer asks.
“He has a good job,” Weston says. Which is only to torture Sawyer since he doesn’t care too much for Jack and Anastasia’s relationship either. Though his lack of support is for an entirely different reason than Sawyer’s.
He just doesn’t trust anyone. Not after his sister was murdered.
“Yeah, well, it’s going to go sideways, and I’ll be the first one to say I told you so,” Sawyer replies.
“Maybe then you won’t sit on your hands too long,” Ryker offers as he stands, gathering his plate and the one holding the extra roast in the center. He carries it into the kitchen and gets to work washing the dishes.
Since Ryker and Weston have dish duty tonight, I stand and grab my jacket off the back of the chair. Sawyer does the same, but he heads into the kitchen to say his goodbyes to Weston and Ryker.
“Thanks for dinner tonight,” I tell Linda.
“Anytime, honey.” She lowers her voice and leans in. “If you have feelings for Katelyn, don’t sit on them too long. Nothing like regret to break a heart.” She smiles softly in Sawyer’s direction.
“Isn’t that the truth?” I pull her in for a hug. “Call if you need anything.”
“You know I will.” She returns my hug, then offers Sawyer one, too. “You are a great man,” she tells him. “You just need to work on your timing.”
“Yeah. Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.” His tone is defeated, and I imagine he’s wondering just what Jack has to say to her over lunch.
Will he fight for her if Anastasia says yes? Or will he give up and move on?
“Yes, you will.” She pats his cheek, then heads into the kitchen to try to force Weston and Ryker into letting her help with cleanup. Something neither of them will allow.
Sawyer pulls the door open, and I follow him out onto the small porch. Overhead, the sky is already alive with whatever storm is coming this way. Lightning flashes in the distance, and the earthy scent of coming rain clings to the air.
It’s one of my favorite times to be here in Stormwatch Landing. This calm before the storm always feels so alive.
“You good?” I ask Sawyer.
He shakes his head. “He’s not good enough for her.”
“Because you’d be better?”
He turns toward me. “Yeah. I would.”
I clasp a hand on his shoulder. “At least you’ll admit it to me. Now you just need to figure out how to tell her.”
“Kind of like you need to figure out how to tell Katelyn you’ve got a thing for her? I have eyes, too, you know. And the knowledge that you’ve been swinging by for coffee every morning even though we both know you prefer to make yours at home.”
“Can’t a guy support his friend’s shop?”
“Sure, but you’ve always done that by buying your coffee and supplies directly from Anastasia so you can make it at home.”
Because I know that Sawyer won’t let it go unless I admit it, I sigh. “I can’t get a read on her, and it’s driving me a little wild.”
“A little?” He laughs. “I tell you what. How about I meet you there tomorrow morning and we can both daydream about what we want but can’t have.”