Trinity's Trust (Sawyer Brothers Book 5)

by C. A. Harms

  “Well, I’m real glad she’s okay.” Ryan bumped my shoulder with his before he stood and leaned over to give Amber a kiss.

  “Chase said to tell you he’ll be back at the station tomorrow,” I offered as he stepped back from the counter.

  “You tell Chase that I said to take care of Nan, and when she’s home safe and all is well, then he can come back to the station.” Ryan was a good man. Family was number one, always, with the Sawyers.

  “Thanks,” I said, and he leaned in to offer a brotherly kiss to my temple.

  “You got it,” he said just before turning around and heading to the patrol car idling along the curb.

  “I threw in a few extra mini apple pie wraps because I know Chase loves those.” Amber sat a pink box in front of me. She had all the guys in our family spoiled and now she’d added Chase to that mix. I swore she could make a dishrag taste good with just a few ingredients. The woman was a genius.

  “Thank you,” I told her as I got up and grabbed the box of yummy goodness.

  “Of course. I’m so glad that Winnie is feeling better. She gave us all a scare with that stubborn heart of hers, but I gotta ask.” She tilted her head to the side and gave me a serious look. “How are you feeling?”

  I had been feeling fine so her concern was a little unexpected.

  “I just know that so much has gone on. From the moment we were all aware of your pregnancy I just worried that none of us have truly taken the time to tell you how happy we are for you.” Amber was always so sweet and concerned for everyone around her.

  “I’m real good,” I assured her.

  “You do know if you need anything at any time, Ryan and I are here for you, no matter what.”

  I did know that. Because it was just who they were. They had three little boys who were a handful. Crazy little devils full of so much energy one wished they could bottle it up and use it for themselves. But never, not once, did Ryan and Amber ever turn anyone in need away.

  “I know,” I said with a smile. “And don’t worry about me, everything is good, I promise.”

  And it was.

  I was rounding my fourth month, and feeling amazing. I was starting to show and no longer just looked like I was packing on weight from eating too many sweets. My tiny belly was proof enough that I had a little person to thank for my excess weight.

  Nan was getting better every day, even though for a while there we were terrified that we might have to get used to that big ole house without her there to liven the place up.

  Chase seemed less stressed, which always made me feel better too.

  Things were good.

  ***

  “What the hell are y’all doing here anyway?” I could hear his booming voice before I even entered the room. “You never gave a shit before. Hell, where the hell have you people been for the last year?”

  I paused outside Nan’s room wondering if I should enter.

  Rarely did I witness Chase in a hostile state. At this moment it was evident that whatever was going on, he was pissed about it.

  “Listen, boy, this has nothing to do with you.” A woman spoke and there was something about her condescending tone toward Chase that made me feel irritated. “That is my mother.”

  And in that moment I understood just why Chase was angry.

  His mother was there. Inside that room. A daughter who had turned her back on her own mother. A woman who until now didn’t give a shit about Nan’s health or her wellbeing. The only thing she did care about was whether she got an inheritance she felt she was entitled to.

  “Nothing to do with me?” Chase said with a laugh that gave me the chills. “This has everything to do with me.” His voice remained calm but anyone who truly knew him would understand he was barely hanging onto his patience. “I’ve taken care of her every day for almost two years. I never once asked for anything in return because I didn’t expect anything. That is what you call love, Mother. A word you are not accustomed too.”

  “How dare you talk to your mother like that?” Another man’s voice broke through all the anger-fueled words and I moved without any further hesitation.

  I don’t know what it was in that moment that made me feel bold, but I knew that I didn’t like the tone either one of them carried when speaking with Chase.

  I pushed open the door and all eyes turned to me.

  Nan’s bed was empty and that explained why these people were openly arguing with Chase.

  “Where’s Nan?” I asked, forgetting all about the two idiots who looked at me like I stumbled into the wrong room by mistake.

  Chase pushed past his father and walked toward me. “They took her for an EKG. She’ll be back soon.” He placed his hands on my hips and shot a look back over his shoulder where both his mother and father continued to stare at me like I was some filthy creature.

  I instantly hated them and vowed to keep them far away from my child. They were obviously poison.

  “Maybe you should head back home for a bit,” he said as he turned to face me once again. I shook my head to argue and I watched as he fought not to smile. “I think Nan is rubbing off on my girl; you never used to be so stubborn.”

  “Who is this?” hissed his mother.

  “Not that it’s any business of yours,” Chase said in return, with just as much venom as she was spewing. “This is Trinity.”

  I didn’t let it offend me that he offered her very few details about me. I knew it was more because she didn’t deserve to know versus being ashamed of me.

  “This doesn’t concern her.” His father was the one who spoke that time. The anger in Chase quickly returned.

  “This concerns her as much as me. This woman has been there for Nan more than you ever have.” He practically growled the words.

  I soothingly rubbed his arm, trying to gain his attention, but he continued to stare down his father.

  “Looks like she found a meal ticket to support her,” Chase’s mother said with a sneer. “Please tell me you’re not responsible for her current condition.”

  Chase moved faster than I could stop him. He stepped up to face both of his parents and squared his shoulders. “I used to think the two of you hung the damn moon. My whole life I wanted to be just like my father, and one day find a woman to care for my children the way my own mother cared for me. Because in my eyes you two were the most caring and loving people.” He laughed sarcastically. “But then as I grew older I saw the real people behind the façade. Heartless, greedy people, who cared for no one but themselves.”

  I wanted to reach out and comfort him because a life like he had just described was no kind of life to live. I had not come from a magical world of peace and love, but knowing that this loving man came from these people before me broke my heart.

  “I won’t give either of you the satisfaction of ruining anything for me because even the poison you reek of couldn’t taint what I share with Trinity. She’s nothing like you. She’s sweet, kind, and so full of love. She is the person who has shown me what true honest love feels like. And yes, she is carrying my child.” His mother wrinkled her nose in disgust. “My child, who I can assure you neither of you will know. The hate you carry will never touch my child.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chase

  I knew they were heartless. I knew they were hateful.

  But I think somewhere down deep I had held out for the possibility that somewhere within them they still held some piece of humanity left.

  But their actions today proved me wrong.

  They weren’t the parents I thought they were when I was growing up.

  They were everything I didn’t want to be.

  Had I remained in that hospital room with them a moment longer I’m sure I would have lost it. But Trinity being the woman she was knew I needed air.

  She took my hand in hers and without even a backward glance, led me out of the room and down the hall.

  The moment we stepped outside she turned to face me, rose up on the tip
of her toes, and took my face in her hands.

  “You are nothing like them,” she whispered just before pressing her lips to mine. “You’re so gentle and caring and you do that because you are an amazing man, not out of obligation.”

  I continued to stare back at her as she watched me, and held my face. “I’m sorry you have to deal with the hatred they bring, but you’re stronger than they are. Please don’t let them get to you because that is exactly what people like them strive for. They will kick you when you’re down and be smug when you fail.”

  I knew she was right. But the anger I felt toward them was consuming. They deserted Nan. They left her here alone when she refused to sign everything she owned over to them. They wanted to put her in a home, for Christ’s sake.

  I couldn’t imagine that woman in a nursing home.

  She would rain fire on the place.

  “Nothing they say or do can ever change the man you are,” Trinity continued. “A man I love with all my heart, and Nan does too. They don’t matter; their words mean nothing.”

  I stared back at her as I allowed what she said to really sink in.

  She was right.

  I knew she was right.

  I just got so lost in the anger I had for them that I let their words eat away at me.

  “Have I told you lately how amazing you are?” I asked as she cocked her head in the cute quirky way she did when I gave her a compliment. “Because you are, and the way you calm me, the way you give me a sense of clarity even in my weakest of times, just confirms how perfect you are.”

  “I’m not perfect, Chase,” she whispered in return and it was my turn to take her face in my hands.

  “You’re perfect for me,” I whispered as I tilted my head toward hers and pressed my lips against hers. “I love you, sweet girl, so damn much.”

  After Trinity calmed me I had no intention of revisiting the hell that accompanied my parents. So I made a very calm suggestion to the both of them that they hit the road before I had them removed.

  The look on their faces when I spoke those words gave me tremendous gratification. I knew we weren’t rid of them yet. That would have been entirely too easy and nothing was ever easy with them.

  Instead I enjoyed the remaining part of the day with Nan. And my evening with the most beautiful woman wrapped in my arms.

  It was exactly how I imagined spending the remainder of my days. And soon we’d have a little piece of us here to share it with too.

  ***

  Nan had been home for less than an hour when the hell started.

  The assholes didn’t even allow the engine in my truck to cool before they pulled in the drive in their expensive rental.

  But Nan was ready for a fight, I could see it in her eyes. She had that smug take no shit look on her face.

  The minute my parents walked in the front door, she gave them no time to start.

  “Well, if it isn’t my loving and devoted family, who has been by my side through every hardship of the last two years of my life.” She plastered on the fakest of smiles and I tried not to laugh.

  Poor Trinity looked like she had no idea what she should do. Run and hide, or just grab a bowl of popcorn and pull up a chair.

  “Love the sarcasm, Mother.” My mother said the word with pure disgust.

  I honestly had no idea why it was that both of my parents had such disrespect toward Nan. They had once been close. I remember growing up around both my grandparents and seeing my parents laugh and share holidays here at the farm.

  Could it all really fall apart over money? And property?

  Did family mean that little to my parents?

  But I remained silent.

  Because this fight was Nan’s.

  A fight I knew she was more than willing to take control of and conquer. She’d been gearing up for this for close to two years.

  I would remain silent unless provoked.

  “Now what are you talking about, my dear daughter?” Again, full sarcasm.

  Did I mention how much I adore my grandmother and her ability to lay the shit on thick?

  “You know why we’re here.” My father broke into the line of the stare down my mother and Nan were currently having.

  “No, my dear son-in-law, I don’t, but something tells me you’re about to tell me. And I’m all giddy inside.” Nan faked a shiver and I couldn’t have held back the laughter that time even if I wanted too.

  I think I even heard a giggle escape Trinity that time.

  “After your recent health concern, we think it is best that we move you into Tall Oaks where you’ll be watched over at all times.” My mother tried to play the concern card. “We worry that you’ll have an instance again where you need help yet no one will be there to offer it.”

  Nan didn’t respond, she only watched them, waiting. It was concerning that she wasn’t arguing, but I continued to remain silent.

  “We worry about you,” my mother added.

  Was she fucking serious?

  “Since when?” I hadn’t spoken until then but I couldn’t stop myself. “Because not once over the last year have you called or stopped in to see how she was. You don’t care.”

  “Boy,” Nan said in a warning tone and I hung my head like a scolded child.

  Her fight. I had to remember that.

  “The only thing you two are worried about is what you feel you’re entitled to.” And here came the good stuff, I thought. “But now it is time for me to talk.”

  I wanted to rub my hands together like you do when excitement hits just before a really big moment.

  “When I do kick the bucket and all you damn fools come running thinking you’re about to rake in the Willard dough, you’ll all still come up empty-handed.” Nan smiled bright and even though I knew her words were not strictly directed toward me, I didn’t feel an ounce of disappointment knowing I wouldn’t get a penny.

  It was never about the money.

  “Everything I have,” Nan continued, “and all I have ever had, goes to that boy right there.”

  She didn’t even look at me, but she pointed.

  “Because he is the only real family I’ve had. He and that girl of his never once turned their backs on me. They are here for me because they want to be, because they care. Not for the money or the property. They’ve never expected a damn thing in return.”

  Both my parents looked completely shocked and angry.

  “So keep waiting.” She shrugged. “But you’ll be waiting a long damn time.”

  Neither of my parents spoke but I did.

  “Nan,” I whispered hoarsely. I’d never expected to be left anything; it was never the reason behind being here for her.

  But she refused to let me argue.

  “Chase, you are the only one in my family who stepped forward when I needed help. You are selfless and nothing would make me happier than leaving everything your grandfather worked so hard for to you.”

  And just like that Nan settled it.

  Trinity remained silent and we all watched as my parents angrily left the house knowing that their so-called concern was not going to get them the only thing they truly came to Livingston for.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Trinity

  “Just watch him,” Nan whispered as she quietly eyed Chase as he moved around gathering his coffee in his mug.

  He was fully dressed in uniform and ready to head off to work, yet Nan, I could tell, had a touch of the ornery bug this morning.

  The two of them were something else.

  “Hey boy,” she said as she slightly leaned back in the chair and placed her hands on the table top casually.

  Chase looked back over his shoulder, waiting for her to continue.

  “Grab my teeth,” she said, doing her best to hold back her smile. This was an ongoing thing with these two. Chase hated it.

  I loved the torment Nan gave him just because she knew how much it got under his skin.

  It was his fault, really; he showed hi
s weakness. And with a person like Nan, you never showed weakness.

  The look on his face was one of horror. He looked over toward the sink and we could tell he had zoned in on the offensive container that held her teeth just inside.

  His nose wrinkled and it was taking everything I had not to laugh at his expression.

  “They ain’t no bomb, boy,” she added, still playing it all out very impressively. “Just snatch ’em up and bring ’em over.” She waved her hand in the air, motioning for him to get a move on.

  His eyes shifted toward me for help but these days, it had gotten harder and harder for me to get up once I sat down.

  Over the last few months I felt like I’d tripled in size.

  I was just shy of eight months, living in a house with the two feistiest people I knew and loving every moment of it. I still worked at Sassy Ladies, but only part time because Chase insisted.

  But on mornings like this that started off with Nan teasing Chase and me getting to see him squirm, it made me realize how lucky I was to have found them both.

  Chase was still debating on how he could get out of touching his Nan’s teeth when the back door came open and in walked Olivia.

  “Morning all,” she said as she walked in and offered Chase a little push on his shoulder before walking toward Nan and me.

  I looked back over at Chase and in that moment it was as if I could almost hear what he was thinking. He had that crazy gleam in his eyes as he screwed the lid onto his traveling mug and then his gaze settled on me.

  He mouthed “I love you” just before he grabbed his keys and moved quickly toward the door. “Hey Liv, Nan needs her teeth,” he hollered out. “They’re by the sink in the blue container. Have a good day, ladies.”

  He had casually dodged that bullet and Olivia was in the line of fire.

  And as if it wasn’t funny enough to see Chase disgustingly horrified by Nan’s teeth, Olivia managed to make it even funnier.