“You’re damned right that I’m well. And if you do not leave my room this moment, I will hurt you. Get out, and do not return until I tell you to.” Mother stood up, and Dad did as well. “Also, Mother, if you ever touch my child again, you will never have to worry about how we’ve embarrassed you. You’ll never see us or hear from either of us again.”
“I’m leaving, but only because I feel that you need to cool off. You will treat me with the respect that I deserve as your mother.” Raven said that she was getting more respect from her than she deserved. “I’m leaving. Not because you told me to, but because I feel that you need to calm down and think about what you’re saying.”
Merriam turned to the door, and Raven’s dad came back and kissed her on the forehead. He told her that he was sorry and that he’d keep Mom away. He would, too, even if he had to fire every person that worked for him. Mother would never stoop to taking a cab anywhere, Raven thought.
Sawyer stood up, his body close to her bed. When he stretched his arms over his head, Raven had to remind herself to breathe again. He said that he was going home, as she’d be busy.
“No, I want you to stay. When my attorney arrives, you and I are getting married. Today, if he can make it happen.”
~*~
Sawyer drove home with a heavy heart. He and Raven had had their first fight, and it had been a huge one. He wasn’t going to marry her to make her mom more pissed off. And he certainly wasn’t going to marry her without making sure she understood what marrying him meant. For her at least. He was coming into this—whatever it was—with his eyes wide open. She didn’t know shit about him or his financial standing. Which was pretty much zero right now.
He’d thought to have a job by now, at the very least to have put in some applications. But all he’d been able to do was stay with Molly and Raven through the week and help out around the farm on the weekends. Soon the latter of the two of his jobs would be put away for winter. Not that they stopped working on things, but it would be less stressful between getting the crops in and clearing the fields for next year’s growing season.
What’s going on? He asked his dad what he meant. I just had a phone call from Merriam Addington, and she told me that I was beneath her and that you and Raven were not getting married.
She’s right, don’t you think? Dad blustered about how they were good enough for anyone. I’m sure you’re right, but we are beneath them when it comes to money. Anyway, I’m not going to marry Raven just because she wants to get back at her mother. That’s what she wants to do.
I see. No one told me about that. He drove for another mile or so before his dad spoke again. Molly, I’m sure going to miss that little girl not coming around too much. She’s a sweet little thing when you compare her to her grandma Addington.
That’s what she calls her, Ms. Addington instead of Grandma. Molly is biting at the bit to call you and Mom her grandda and grandma. She loves you as much as I do. Dad said that would be nice. I don’t know what to do about any of this. While I’d like to marry Raven, I don’t want to do it this way. It’s just doesn’t seem right.
Let me ask you something, son. And this is just me asking, not trying to talk you into anything. But would it be so bad marrying her for whatever reason that you can? I mean, you said yourself that you’re nearly there anyway. I also have a feeling that Molly is going to need some protecting before this is all said and done. Regardless of how the wedding takes place. He didn’t answer his dad, not sure yet where he was going. You marrying this woman, is it going to mean a hill of beans why the two of you wed so long as you’re married when the crap hits the fan? After talking to that other woman, I have a feeling that it’s going to regardless of your wedded status.
She doesn’t know everything about us. Dad told him that would be settled after the dust was done moving. What if you don’t like her?
Son, I don’t know if you realize this or not, but somebody with a good heart sure did raise that little girl up right. Don’t you think? He said that was true. You do what you want. But I’m thinking that you saving her butt will be a sight better than her taking a tumble and getting badly hurt while you’re here at the ranch.
I guess you’re right. I don’t know, however, if the wedding is still on or not, to tell you the truth. We parted terms very badly. Dad laughed. You think this is funny?
Sawyer, I’m thinking that the fire in the two of you could be just the ticket to shake things up a bit around here. He grinned at what his dad said. You get in touch with that bride of yours, and I’ll get your mom to get us a wedding here all set up. That is, if we don’t embarrass you none to be having it here.
I’m never embarrassed about you or where I come from. She might be, but I suppose that is the point, isn’t it? To show her just what we are. Dad said there was that too. All right. I’ll go and talk to her. She might still be pissed at me, just so you know.
I think we can figure out something about that. Don’t you think? Sawyer took the next turn off and got back on the highway. Sawyer, a big limo just pulled up in front of the house. I’m thinking that it’s your in-laws. You best be coming here first.
Sawyer did another turn and was headed back to his parents’ home. He didn’t hear anymore from his father, and that made him nervous too. Sawyer wasn’t sure if they’d all be fighting in the front yard when he got there, or if he was going to be walking into a bloodied mess of bodies and cats.
By the time he got home, he was a mess of worry. Pulling in behind the limo, he was afraid to go into the house. When he got out, he was greeted by the best hug he’d had all day. Molly was back, and she was talking a mile a minute about so many things that he had to slow her down to make sense of it all.
Before Molly could repeat what she’d been saying, Holly and Raven came out onto the front porch. Holly was grinning from ear to ear, and Raven looked like she could bite a ten penny nail in two and not bust her teeth.
“Hello, Sawyer. My, what a lovely place you have here. I’ve not been on a farm since I was a small child. This is a beautifully maintained place. I hope you’re proud of it.” He said that he was, and of his family. “Of course you are. They’re wonderful people. That being said, I’m going to take little Molly here inside and have another piece of pie. My goodness, your mother sure can cook.”
He moved to the porch, but didn’t step up the two steps to be standing with Raven. She had her arms over her breasts and her foot was tapping a mile a minute. He looked at her, from her head to her tapping foot, before he looked at her face.
“I’ve never seen you standing up before. You’re much taller than I thought you were.” Her foot tapped harder and faster. “You’re going to wear a hole in those pretty shoes if you don’t stop that and tell me what has you all fired up.”
“You have me all fired up, you moron. What did you think you were doing when you walked out on me right in the middle of an argument?” He took one of the steps up, liking the way her cheeks pinked up when she was yelling at him. “I still had plenty to say to you, and you just left me there. I won’t put up with that.”
“You sure do have a lot of rules for me when I’ve not agreed to marrying you yet.” She backed up when he took the next step up. Sawyer realized that he was a step taller than her. The way they were standing now, him on one step below her, made her mouth just where he could kiss her. “Your mom called my dad and told him that we were beneath her. That didn’t set too well with me. She also told him that we were not marrying.”
“My mother doesn’t think I’m worthy either, so we should get along pretty good on that corner, don’t you think?” He stood on the same level she was on. “I have us a license and everything is filled out. I’m to understand that your father knows a few people that could come out here and marry us right now.”
“Why the rush?” He moved her hair back from her cheek and then ran his fingers down her cheek to her lips.
“You’re very beautiful when you’re pissed, did you know that? I think you’re beautiful all the time, but out of the bed and looking like you are, I could take you against that wall behind you and give us both a great deal of pleasure.”
“Are you saying that I couldn’t give you pleasure, Sawyer?” Her voice was husky, her breaths hot as she spoke to him. “Will you kiss me? I have a feeling that you will make me feel like no one has before.”
“You know nothing about me, Raven. You don’t have any idea how we’re struggling here every day that—”
Raven pulled him to her body, her mouth making short work of tasting him. When she lifted her head, the kiss entirely too short for him, she looked into his face and he could see her cat just on the surface.
“I know a great deal about you, Sawyer. You come from a long line of white tigers. Your family is one of the most generous families in the entire state. Even at the risk of not getting your own crops in, you will help out someone that needs it.” He said that was just people talking. “Perhaps. You’re also in debt up to your forehead. So are your brothers and parents. There is a lien against their home that is more than can be met with the money that is coming in. Your parents took out a second mortgage on this farm to help pay for the funeral for your grandparents when they were killed a few years ago. Even though your father has several brothers and sisters that could have easily helped out, they refused to do so because they were left nothing in the will. Even the money that your father was left, he used it to pay off yours and your brothers’ educations instead of paying down the mortgage. That is where they got into the most trouble, isn’t it?”
“For the most part. Then my dad got sick—not unusual at his age—but he didn’t recover fast enough for him to get his crops out, and then when it came to reaping his harvest, it isn’t going to be enough to feed us this winter. I have to get a job.” He looked at her mouth, and his cock hardened when she licked her lips. “I want to taste you, Raven. But when I do, I want you to understand that it will bind us in ways that will make us a couple no matter what I say to the contrary.”
“Please, Sawyer, kiss me.” He leaned in closer, feeling the warmth of her breath again. Her scent, strong and full of need, made him groan. “Please.”
He didn’t want to overwhelm her; his need was much stronger than hers. But tasting her again, feeling her lips open under his own, made him dizzy with anticipation, to have her beneath him, to taste parts of her that seemed to call to him. Sawyer pulled her bottom to him, letting her feel him and his hardness. Lifting his head when he could hear someone coming, he held her to him so as to hide his erection from his mother.
“The minister has arrived. Are you ready for this?”
Raven looked at him and he nodded at her, then asked if she was sure.
“As sure as I have been of any decision in my life. The only thing I ask is, don’t let my mother run over you.” He said that he wouldn’t allow her to run over her either. “Just keep Molly safe. Please.”
“Yes, forever. Both of you.”
He kissed her again and they went into the house. They’d either be happy after today, or regretting this for a very long time.
Chapter 6
It had been a wedding to remember, Raven thought. She was dressed in a borrowed dress from his mom, and Sawyer had on a pair of dark jeans and a plaid shirt. Even her ring that he put on her finger was borrowed. Her grandma gave her the rings that she’d carried around her neck on a gold chain since Grandda had passed away. They both, his and hers, fit like they’d been made for them.
Sippy put on a huge feast. It was nothing like she would have chosen for a big day like this, but it was the most delicious food Raven had ever eaten. Corn bread and fresh green beans, freshly sliced tomatoes, as well as corn on the cob. And for their wedding dessert, there was peach cobbler, apple pies, and cherry Brown Betty. Raven tried a little of everything.
Her dad had told Mom that he was going out of town for a couple of days. Instead, he’d been there to give her away. He, too, was dressed in jeans and a shirt. Dad even got to wear his cowboy boots that had been gathering dust in his closet, he told them, for the last few years. Dad looked amazing.
“Thanks for not turning your nose up at this feast.” She looked at her new father-in-law and asked him what he meant. “I know that this isn’t up to your usual standard, but we do the best we can.”
“I love this, Saul. Every morsel of it.” She kissed him on his cheek. “I’m so glad that you did this for us. It’s probably the most festive wedding I have ever attended. And I’m happy, now that I’ve met you, to be a part of this family.”
“You’re a good girl. That daughter of yours, she could have only been raised by a caring and wonderful person. I’ve fallen in love with the two of you.” She kissed him again, and took his hand into hers. “You gonna tell me that you were just kidding?”
“No. But you have given me an idea where Sawyer gets his lack of optimism. I’m having a wonderful time. I do need to talk to you all for a bit. It’s something that my grandma did for me.” He asked her what it was, to tell him straight up. “I paid off your home and the back taxes. There is money in your accounts to pay off all your bills, including any medical bills.”
“You shouldn’t have done that, Raven. We’re getting by all right.” She just watched his face. “Raven, honey, I don’t want you thinking that you have to bail us out when we get a little behind. It’s not right.”
“It’s very right, as far as I’m concerned. You’re good people, and I’m glad to be a part of this family. And there is no reason whatsoever that you have to do without just because you got sick, Saul.” He nodded, and told her that he’d pay her back. “You want to pay me back? Then I’d like for you to make sure that my daughter is loved like a grandparent should love her. Take her on more adventures with you than she’s ever been on so far. When you meet my mother, and I have no doubt that you will, you’ll see why it’s so very important to me to have Molly know that there are very good people in the world that can and will love her.”
“We sure do love her. And I’ve a feeling that we’ll be loving you more than we are right now too. But don’t tell Sawyer’s mom just yet. She’ll get herself in a tizzy about it, and that will spoil your day.”
Someone knocked on the door and Saul excused himself to go answer it. As soon as he was at the door, Raven knew who had come to their wedding.
“Mother. You weren’t invited here.” Merriam huffed at her and grabbed her arm. The room went so silent that Raven was sure that there could have been a shot fired two miles away and they’d have heard it. “Let me go or I will hurt you.”
“You will not marry this man. I cannot believe that you’d even consider it after what I told you. They’re nothing to us. Nothing at all. Come on, before it’s too late.” Raven could feel Sawyer coming up behind her before she felt his arm around her waist. “What? Are you going to have me arrested for coming to my only child’s rescue? I’m an Addington, and so is my daughter. Either unhand her or so help me, I’ll have you living in a cardboard box rather than this piece of crap falling down house.”
“Raven and I were married an hour ago. We were just having our dessert when you blew in. It was a lovely wedding too, in the event that you’re interested.” Mother said that she was not. “Well, suit yourself. Once we have the paperwork ready, I’m going to adopt Molly too.”
“Can I call you Daddy then?” Raven hadn’t seen Molly until she spoke. She didn’t turn to greet her grandmother, and that was very telling. Molly was without a doubt polite to everyone. But Mother had hurt her. “I’m going to have the best grandma and grandpas in the world too. Grandpa Saul is going to teach me to fish—”
“You will not call them your grandparents, young lady. Do not make me have to teach you a lesson again.” Molly buried her face in Sawyer’s leg, but didn’t turn to her grandmother. “C
ome here this minute. I will not have you acting like a witless fool over this. Molly Anne, I am not joking here. Come to me this very moment.”
“I haven’t any idea what kind of lessons you’ve been giving my daughter, Ms. Addington, but you touch her again and I will rip you to shreds.”
Raven’s dad came up to stand by Molly and took her hand in his. Raven was glad that she went with him willingly.
“Roger, what are you—? You lied to me. You came here to this travesty of a wedding and lied to me. I’ll never forgive you for this.” Dad handed Molly off to Sippy, who was standing close to them. Mother decided to lay down the law to Dad, and Raven was glad that Molly wouldn’t hear it. “You’re to come home with me this minute. If I had known that you would lower yourself to lying to me over this, I would not have allowed you to leave. The nerve of you, coming here and not telling me about it.”
“You would have raised a ruckus, and I didn’t feel like hearing it. And as to you telling me what I was going to do, I’ll have you know that I was running a multi-billion dollar company long before you came along.” Dad stood beside Sawyer. “I like this man. He’s solid and has a good family behind him. His family has done nothing but be nice to me, despite you being a royal bitch about this. I’m glad that they got married. I couldn’t have picked a better man for my little girl to be married to. As for Molly, you hurt her again and I will leave you for good. I’m serious about this, Merriam. And you’re to leave Raven and Sawyer here alone, too. They don’t need your acidy tone and bad manners bringing them down.”
Whatever Raven expected from her mother wasn’t for her to punch her in the face. It didn’t hurt much, but it did startle her enough to have her falling back onto Sawyer and them both hitting the floor. Raven held onto her cat with the help of Sawyer again. When she was calmer, both her and her cat, he stood up.
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