Besides, knowing that his clothes still hung beside Ford's in the closet did something to his chest. He got out of the car and a cold breeze blew through. Sawyer buttoned his coat and pulled his gloves out of the pockets, only another pair fell out at the same time. Sawyer bent over to pick them up, a pair of colorful Christmas-themed gloves with mistletoe that he recognized as Ford's.
His lips curved at the memory they invoked. Both he and Ford had gone into town together and ran into Melissa, her mom, and a brand new puppy. Ford had worked part-time at the family-owned grocery store managed by Melissa’s dad and was good friends with them. This, of course, had been before college, and then he’d gone back again part-time afterward until he’d been hired to work for Sawyer. Ford being Ford took time to talk with the mother-daughter duo, and, of course, he had to pet the puppy, so he'd taken his gloves off and handed them to Sawyer.
He’d tried giving them back to Ford, but he’d looked up at Sawyer and told him that he preferred holding hands when he could feel their skin touching.
His lips curved at the memory, and he stuffed the gloves back in his pocket.
When he looked up, it was to find the driver already waiting on the sidewalk with his luggage. Sawyer pulled his wallet out and got a twenty for the man.
“Thank you,” Sawyer said as he took his luggage from the driver and handed him his tip.
“Anytime, sir. Have a good flight." The man’s smile was wide as he pocketed his tip.
Hearing the driver refer to him as “sir” made him realize how different life was in a small town, how much more open and friendly people could be, speaking to each other on a first name basis. Sawyer shook his head at the thought. It would never have occurred to him a month ago back in New York City.
The airport was packed with numerous other guests flying out of Colorado. He could hear several languages being spoken as he walked up to the desk to check in his luggage, and he steeled his will to re-enter this fast-paced world after the dream he’d been living.
Amber Falls was no Vail or Aspen—not yet—but it could be. It wouldn’t take much to make it one of those destinations people clamored to get reservations for. Still, he would do everything in his power to make sure that Amber Falls never lost its charm or appeal. It was that ambiance that made the place so desirable. The irony didn’t escape Sawyer since he'd complained a lot to Mark about all the hoops he'd had to jump through to get the resort renovations and all the other add-ons approved.
He didn’t want to drive the people of Amber Falls out because the cost of living became too high. Sawyer knew in Aspen, most of the people that worked there had to commute from down valley because housing in town was out-of-this-world in price, and rental units were nearly non-existent. It had become too exclusive and not for the average person anymore.
Sawyer finally got it. They were a community there, and somehow, he had been accepted and become a part of it, all because of Ford. He would do anything to preserve it. The plan he had for Amber Falls was a small town that happened to have a ski-resort. He wanted to help the town grow, but he refused to allow it to become another high-end vacation destination only for the elite.
“How was your stay?” The woman batted her long lashes at him. He noted her heart-shaped face and pouty lips, and unlike before where he might have flirted, he gave her a polite smile and said, "Fine, thank you," even though his brain screamed, Couldn’t have gone better.
When he didn’t respond to her obvious signals, she stopped her flirtations toward him and went ahead with completing his check-in, handing him his boarding pass and telling him what gate he was at. Sawyer thanked her before making his way over to security.
The whole song and dance of dealing with the TSA ate up some time. He felt like every inch of his body was scanned and scrutinized before he was finally able to pass. Sawyer worried it would put him over, but he checked his phone and sighed in relief.
He still had thirty minutes until they would announce boarding on the flight, so he wandered over to the magazine stand and leafed through a few of them. He grabbed one titled Colorado Tourism—he was about to be a part of it, so he might as well keep up with what was going on. He paid and returned to his gate. Sawyer was about to open the magazine but realized he had a text to send.
Sawyer: Checked in. Waiting to board. Miss You.
The reply was almost instant, telling him that Ford had been waiting for his message. Since he’d started dating, he didn’t think there was a time he’d ever checked in with a lover. Maybe his assistant to make sure there was a car waiting when he arrived, but there’d never been anyone serious enough to… that cared… Sawyer had never had a reason.
Ford: Miss you too. Make sure you call when you arrive. Love you.
His lips curved at those two words. He would never get tired of hearing, or in this case, reading them.
Sawyer: I will. Check out Colorado Tourism Mag and also see what other print and online publications we will need. Love you too.
Ford: On it. Have an idea about that actually. But gotta check some stuff out first.
Of course he did. Ford’s knowledge of Amber Falls and his insights had been invaluable to him.
Sawyer: I trust you.
Ford: You say the nicest things. Call me later. GTG. :)
Sawyer sent a smiley face, a heart and heart-eyes emoji, and shook his head at himself. He was communicating in emojis like a teenager instead of a thirty-four-year-old man.
Ford brought that out in him.
Even though the resort had been fulfilling a childhood dream, it was an excellent investment, and he loved that one dream coming true had led him to a dream he hadn't even known he wanted. Ford. Home.
It was a thousand times better that he was doing this with Ford by his side.
Sawyer found a seat at his gate and leafed through the magazine, getting lost in the picturesque views of Colorado. It was a far cry from the hustle and bustle of New York... and the perfect place to settle down with a family. Once the image slipped in, Sawyer wanted it. He could imagine it.
He was so engrossed in the vision of his possible future that he almost missed the call to board the plane.
“Now boarding… Flight 315A to New York City. Now boarding… Flight 315A to New York City.”
He jumped up and folded the magazine, then picked up his briefcase. Usually, this was the moment of relief after a long trip when he was heading home, but this time, it was the opposite because New York no longer felt like home. Now, he honestly wasn’t sure it ever had been.
The three-and-a-half-hour flight went off without a hitch. Once they allowed passengers to exit the plane, Sawyer grabbed his briefcase and disembarked. When he got to the terminal, he looked around, thinking he would find a driver with his name. Instead, it was Mark waving the sign that said “Lancaster.”
Sawyer shook his head and chuckled at his friend.
“Really? Was the sign necessary?” Sawyer raised a brow when he stopped a couple of steps short of Mark.
Mark snickered and then pulled him into a hug. “Welcome home, man. I was beginning to think you were never going to return.”
Sawyer chuckled and pulled back from the half embrace. “You’re lucky I did.” Even though his voice was teasing, there was a hidden truth behind those words.
Who wanted to leave when they had found their safe place in a storm?
They headed over to the luggage carousel, and Mark said, “I wanna hear all about it.”
“Well, the resort construction has gone off as planned. I'm sure you've gotten all the updates. Nothing new to talk about there, but I will have to get back soon to make sure everything is on schedule.”
Not that he needed to worry because he trusted Ford. It was the man himself that he was hurrying back to, and although he hadn’t planned on bringing that up yet, his friend made sure to point that out.
“I have a feeling it's not the resort making you want to return in a hurry.” Mark’s tone was knowing, and they t
urned to the carousel as it started up and the luggage came through. “Besides, I didn't mean a business update. I was referring more to the real reason you refused to return once the airports reopened, and every day since.”
Of course, at his friend's words, his mind went back to Ford—not that it ever wandered far from the man.
He wasn't sure what his face showed, but his Mark’s eyes widened. “That serious, huh?”
Sawyer simply smiled.
“Wow, that serious then.” When he met Mark's gaze, questions lurked, but Mark refrained from asking any of them. Instead, he shook his head, a bark of laughter escaping. “Never thought the day would come.”
Sawyer shrugged and looked away, back toward the carousel in time for his suitcase to go by them. Instead of shoving people out of the way, Sawyer waited for it to go around a second time.
Mark laughed. Sawyer knew he was being studied, so he turned and met Mark's gaze, raised brow. The awe in Mark’s expression, or maybe it was shock, was apparent.
Sawyer ignored his friend, and during the next go round, he grabbed his suitcase. Mark wasn’t wrong, though. Sawyer had dated extensively, both men and women, but he’d never considered making it permanent… Forever had always been for everyone else.
“Neither did I,” Sawyer admitted as they walked towards the escalators that led to the parking lot.
“Takes someone really special.” Mark’s voice was knowing. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
He smiled at his friend’s use of the word “them.” Mark had taken him being bi with a shrug. Literally.
Sawyer would never forget the day he’d defiantly brought a male date to a party. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t simply told Mark, and it’d been a risk since Sawyer didn’t exactly have a ton of friends. Truth was, there was Mark and his then-girlfriend and now-wife Theresa. Mark had smiled at his date—Sawyer couldn’t remember the man’s name all these years later—and that was that.
The rest of the walk to the car was filled with random work stuff and other mundane chitchat about things happening in their circle.
When they finally stopped in front of his friend’s Range Rover, Mark said, “I’m sure you’re exhausted and just want to get home.” He unlocked his car and opened up the trunk for Sawyer to toss his bag inside. The first thing Sawyer wanted to do was call Ford and tell him that he had arrived safely.
Also, it was on the tip of his tongue to say this wasn't home anymore, but it wasn't the time for that conversation.
He was tired, but there was also a lot of work to do.
“Actually, let’s head to the office,” Sawyer said. “I need to get caught up on what’s happening there.”
The quicker that happened and he got certain things in place and had the plans in motion, the quicker he could return to Colorado. He couldn't help wondering if he would feel this way each time he came back for meetings.
“Why am I not surprised you said that?” Mark shook his head and put the SUV in reverse. “Welcome back to the craziness of New York."
As they merged into the traffic out of JFK, Sawyer already missed the pace of Amber Falls.
3
Ford
Sawyer: Going into a meeting now. Talk to you at lunch your time.
Ford: About to leave now myself. TTYL. Love you.
Ford put his phone down and then looked at his reflection in the mirror. He looked perfectly presentable, but the dark circles under his eyes gave away the fact that he hadn’t gotten much sleep the past few nights. He’d woken up after reaching for Sawyer and, finding his side of the bed empty, had a hard time falling back to sleep.
A month could change his life. Who knew?
It was crazy. He was a grown man, not a high schooler whose boyfriend had just gone off to college. It was not quite a week since Sawyer had left, so why did it feel like longer? Still, work didn't stop because he missed his boyfriend. In fact, he'd thrown himself into the resort trying to ensure that this project was a success. If not for himself, for Sawyer. He wanted Sawyer to be proud of him, to know that in his absence, Ford had his back and could handle whatever difficulties crept up.
“Get it together, Ford.” He turned from the mirror, grabbed his messenger bag, and slung it over his shoulder as he walked out of his room and down the stairs.
“Heading to work,” he called out to his mom and probably his dad, too, if he was with her.
“Breakfast first.” His mom approached from the back of the house where the kitchen was.
“Mom, I don’t have time for breakfast. I’ll grab something on the way. I have a ton to do today.”
“You know you won’t.” Her eyes took him in, which was what he’d been trying to avoid. His mom’s brow creased, and the next words out of her mouth told Ford that he’d been right on the money. “You don’t look good.”
“Gee, thanks.” He tried for a witty response, but it didn’t work because his mom stepped into his space, the back of her hand going to his forehead.
Ford barely held in his impatient huff. His mom was more overprotective than most, so he wasn’t surprised. He figured going along with it would get him out of there sooner, and it wasn’t like he was lying. He was perfectly healthy.
“You don’t have a fever, but it looks like you haven’t gotten any sleep.”
“Are you saying I don’t look perfect, Mom, because that would be a very mean thing to say to your child.” Ford stuck his lips out in a mock pout.
“Try again, hun. Several times last night I heard you get up and leave your room.” Her hands went to her hips, and she stared him down like he was a suspect and she was expecting a confession, “In fact, it’s happened the past few nights. I know that you miss him, but he’ll be back soon.”
“Ma… I’m fine.” Ford did his best to hold on to his patience. “I’ve been busy. Lots to do at work, you know.”
“Ford Lucas Erickson, do not lie to your mother.” There was no heat to her voice.
“I really am okay, Mom.”
Her eyes studying him said she wasn’t convinced. “Maybe you should call Owen up and go have a night on the town.”
This is what you get for living at home.
Ford released a capitulating sigh. It was probably easier to give in.
“Is that a ‘get off my back’ sigh?” His mom gave him a knowing look even as her lips curved.
Ford flashed her a smile. “A little, but I still love you.”
“You’d better.”
Just like every other time he said those words, his mom’s face lit up. He was lucky to have two parents who adored him. Even though growing up as the only child of slightly older parents who always told him he was their miracle had some drawbacks, he wouldn’t trade it for the world. Ford was so very aware of how good he had it.
Not to mention Sawyer’s voice and the look in his eyes when he reminded Ford just how lucky he was to have them.
“I miss him.” Heat stained Ford’s cheek. It was probably juvenile telling his mom that, but he’d always been able to tell her anything. He looked down at his feet and added, “I guess I'm just sad that Sawyer had to leave. That's crazy, right? We're so brand new, but I feel like I’m missing a part of myself…” Ford snorted at his admission. “I'll be okay, Mom. I promise. It’s going to take some time to get used to it. But I’ll be fine.”
She tilted her head, surveying him. “Why do you have to get used to it? Sawyer will be home soon, dear. I know how it feels—I was young once.” Her lips curved in a smile, and her eyes lost their focus. “I remember the honeymoon period.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, and that managed to get a smile out of him even as her cheeks pinked.
Ford watched as his dad came up behind his mom, and his arms went around her waist. His mom's eyes lit up, and she relaxed into her husband’s body.
“Are you saying we're not in the honeymoon period anymore?” His dad’s voice was teasing, then he nuzzled his mom's neck, and she giggled.
His mom actually
giggled.
“Okay, that’s clearly my cue to leave.” His parents were so gag worthy, ughh.
But you hope you and Sawyer are the same after over thirty years together.
“Have a good day at work, honey. You know you can call me if you need anything.”
Instead of pointing out to his mom that he was a grown man, a college graduate, he placed a kiss on her cheek and backed away towards the front door. “Thanks, Mom. I will.” Not... “Today is going to be a long day, so I might be home a little late.”
“I know that you miss Sawyer, but he'll be here before you know it. We'll help you get through it until he's back home.”
Help him get through it. He considered pointing out that Sawyer was only in New York, not off to war in Iraq or something.
His dad shot him a sympathetic smile over her head. Yup, they were both used to her worrying and loving nagging. He wasn’t sure that was a thing, but it was what he called it.
“I know, Mom.” She was over the top, but he loved her anyway.
Still didn’t mean he needed help getting through.
Well, she wouldn't be all up in your face if you weren't moping around the house like a five-year-old that just found out Santa wasn't real.
“Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad.” Ford waved at his parents and spun around, heading out the door.
“Call me if you need anything, son.”
Ford rolled his eyes at his mom’s words. He wasn’t in eighth grade. He didn’t need to call his mom because he was having a hard day. And it was going to be one of those. Ford was so not looking forward to what he had to do, but like most things that came with being a responsible adult, he didn’t have a choice. The contractor had to go.
Forever With His Boss Page 2
