SAWYER

by Lori Foster

  "You two sleuths sounded like a herd of elephants." Morgan's sibilant mutter was filled with disgust, but Sawyer didn't take exception. "Did you see anything?"

  "Two men, both big bastards. From the sounds of it, they're getting into Honey's car."

  "Looking for the tape."

  "I assume. And when they don't find it, they'll head for the house."

  "You see any weapons?"

  Morgan grunted, but the sound was drowned out by the myriad night noises, crickets, frogs, rustling tree branches. An eerie fog, visible through the darkness, drifted over the ground. Morgan wiped his forehead, his gaze still trained on the shed. "They'd be total idiots if they weren't armed."

  "Jordan said you put the call in to the state police?"

  "Yeah." Suddenly he pressed himself back, then glanced at Sawyer. "I don't think they're going to make it on time, though."

  Sawyer curled his hands into fists, easily comprehending Morgan's meaning. He was on his haunches, and he tightened his muscles, ready to move. There was no way in hell he was letting anyone near the house, not with Honey and Casey inside.

  Morgan reached past him and thrust his gun at Jordan, a silent order for Jordan to be backup. Jordan accepted the gun with a quietly muttered complaint, then braced himself.

  Shadows were visible first, then the dark, indistinct forms of two men creeping quietly across the empty yard. They mumbled to each other, then the one trailing slightly behind growled, "That little bitch has been more trouble than she's worth. When I get hold of her—"

  Without a word, Morgan launched himself at the first man, who caught the movement too late to turn. Sawyer was right behind him. It gave him enormous satisfaction to hear the grunt of pain from the man who'd threatened Honey as he drove him hard to the ground. His fist connected solidly with a jaw, earning a rank curse before the man shoved him aside with his legs and struggled to his feet. Sawyer faced him, taunting, anxious, confident in his abilities.

  And then he heard Gabe shout, and Honey was racing across the yard, distracting Sawyer for just a moment. The man swung, but she got in the way, and his fist clipped her, knocking her to the ground.

  Sawyer erupted with blind fury. He stood there heaving just long enough to insure Gabe had Honey in hand and that she was all right. He was barely aware of Morgan pounding a man into the dirt, or of Jordan standing silently in the shadows, the gun drawn. He didn't notice that his son had turned on the floodlights or that the man, knowing he was outnumbered, stood frozen before him, waiting. He'd been dealing with a clamoring swell of emotions all day, pushing him slowly over the edge. And now, seeing Honey hurt, he went into a tailspin. Sawyer felt himself exploding, and with a look of shock, the man raised his fists.

  The bastard was large, but not large enough. He was strong, but not strong enough. And he fought dirty, but Sawyer had the advantage of icy rage, and after a few short minutes, Morgan wrapped his arms around Sawyer from behind and pulled him away. "Enough, Sawyer," he hissed into his ear. "The state guys are here and we don't need to put on a show."

  He was still shaking with rage, his knuckles bloody, his heart pounding. Slowly, Honey approached him, and Morgan, using caution, released him.

  She had a swelling bruise beneath her left eye, but it was the uncertainty in her gaze that nearly felled him. Sawyer opened his arms, and with a small sound she threw herself against him.

  He hadn't wanted responsibility for another wife, but ironically, the more Honey insisted on taking care of herself, the more she agreed with his edicts, the more he wanted her. The fact that she didn't need him, that she was strong and capable and proud, only made her more appealing and made him more determined to coddle her.

  Noise surrounded them, questions, chatter. Sawyer heard Morgan giving directions for Alden to be picked up, but none of it mattered to him. He squeezed her tighter and tried not to make a fool of himself by being overly emotional. She'd been hurt so much already. He tipped her back and kissed the bruise on her cheek. "Are you okay?"

  Her long hair fell forward to hide her face. "Yes. I'm sorry I got in your way. Gabe told me you'd be likely to skin me for it, after he finished fussing over me."

  "What were you doing out here, sweetheart? I told you to stay safe in the basement."

  "I snuck out when Gabe wasn't looking." She peered up at him, her expression earnest. "I couldn't stay down there, hiding, while you put yourself in danger for me. I couldn't." Her uncertainty melted away, replaced by a pugnacious frown. "And you shouldn't have asked me to!"

  Sawyer fought a smile. "I'm sorry."

  She pulled away and paced. The small cat darted out of the bushes to follow her, keeping up with Honey's agitated stride. It was only then Sawyer realized she was wearing Jordan's shirt. Her housecoat, or what he could see of it beneath the shirt, looked nearly transparent under the bright floodlights. He glanced at Jordan, who lounged against the barn wall, his arms crossed over his bare chest. Casey stood beside him, looking agog at the men being handcuffed by a bevy of uniformed officers. Morgan was in the hub of it all, a tall figure of authority.

  Gabe reentered the yard with an ice pack and came directly to Honey. "Here, sweetie, put this on your cheek."

  Honey ignored him, still pacing, her bare feet now wet and her movements agitated. Sawyer took the pack from Gabe and corralled Honey and started the parade back into the house. They'd all be answering questions soon enough, but for right now, Morgan could handle things.

  HOURS LATER, Honey once again found herself seated in the kitchen, the center of attention in the middle of the night. All the men were fussing around her, fretful over a silly bruise that she felt stupid for having. If she hadn't panicked, if she hadn't run into the way of a fist, she wouldn't have been hurt. And after seeing Morgan's and Sawyer's knuckles, her one small injury seemed paltry beyond compare.

  She sighed. The men each jumped to her aid, taking that small sound as one of pain.

  "Will you all stop hovering?" she groused. "You're making me nervous."

  Gabe grinned, finally seeing the hilarity in the situation. "I kinda like doting on you, sweetie. You may as well get used to it."

  Honey didn't dare look at Sawyer. She tried for a sunny smile that made her face feel ready to crack. "I don't think that'll be necessary. Thanks to you macho guys, my worries are over. There's no reason for me to keep imposing, or to hang around and get used to your domineering personalities. The police told me I could leave, that when they need me, I'll hear from them. And my sister was so anxious when I called her, I think I should be getting home."

  It was as if they'd all turned to statues. Honey managed to eke out one more smile, though it cost her. "Since I don't have much to pack, I can be out of here in the morning. But in case I don't catch any of you before you leave for work, I wanted you to know..." Her throat seemed to close up, and she struggled to hold back her tears. Casey stared at her, his jaw ticking, and she wanted to grab him up and claim him as her own. She swallowed and tried again. But this time her voice was so soft, it could barely be heard. "I wanted you all to know how special you are, and how much I appreciate everything you've done for me."

  Jordan and Morgan glared at Sawyer. Gabe got up to pace. Casey, still unflinching, said, "Don't go."

  Honey stared down at her folded hands. "I have to, Case. It's safe now, and my family needs me."

  Morgan made a rude sound. "Your sister, maybe. But your father? I can't believe you're so quick to forgive him."

  "I haven't. But he is my father, and I almost lost him by marrying the wrong man. He was as shocked by it all as I was. He said his lawyers will take care of everything, but we still have a lot to talk about."

  "You could stay just a little longer," Jordan suggested, and he, too, looked angry.

  "I can't keep hiding here, Jordan. It isn't right."

  Morgan walked past Sawyer and deliberately shouldered him, nearly knocking him over. Sawyer cursed and turned to face his brother, but Gabe laughed, diffusing
the moment. "Down, Sawyer. The fight is over."

  Sawyer stared at him, red-eyed and mean.

  Honey didn't quite know what to think of him. He'd fought so...effectively. Yet the brothers claimed he was a pacifist. After the way he'd enjoyed punching that man, Honey had her doubts.

  Gabe was still chuckling. "You know, Sawyer, it isn't Morgan's ass you're wanting to kick, but your own."

  Sawyer glared a moment more, then pulled out a chair and dropped into it. The brothers seemed to find his behavior hilarious, but Honey couldn't share in their humor. She hurt from the inside out, and trying to keep that pain hidden was wearing on her.

  Morgan crossed his arms over his chest. "What if she's pregnant?"

  Sawyer's narrowed gaze shot to Honey. She sputtered in surprise. "I'm not pregnant!"

  "How do you know?"

  "Dammit, Morgan, don't you think a woman knows these things?"

  "Sure, after a while, but not this early on."

  There was no way she would explain with four pairs of masculine eyes watching her, just how careful Sawyer had been. Through her teeth, she growled, "Take my word on it."

  Sawyer stood suddenly, nearly upsetting his chair, and he leaned toward Honey, his battered hands spread flat on the tabletop. He looked furious and anxious and determined. "Would you be opposed to getting pregnant?"

  Her mouth opened twice before any words would come out. "Now?"

  He made an impatient sound. "Eventually."

  Not at all sure what Sawyer was getting at, her answer was tentative, but also honest. "No, I wouldn't mind. I want to have children." She stared at him hard. "But only if a man loves me. And only if it's forever."

  Sawyer straightened, still keeping his gaze glued to hers. "Would you be opposed to sons, because that seems to be the dominate gene among us."

  Honey, too, stood. She bit her lips, feeling her heart start to swell. A laugh bubbled up inside her, and she barely repressed it. "I'm getting used to men and their vagaries."

  "Your father would have to change his goddamned will, because I won't take a penny from him, now or ever."

  "Absolutely. I already told him that."

  "Do you love me?"

  There was a collective holding of breath, and she smiled. For such big, strong, confident men, they were certainly uneasy about her answer. "Yes. But...but I don't want your pushy brothers to force you into anything."

  That response brought about a round of hilarity, with the brothers shouting, "Ha," and, "Yeah, right," and, "As if we ever could!"

  Sawyer rounded the table with a purposeful stride and the brothers got out of his way, still laughing. Casey whooped. Sawyer stopped in front of Honey and whispered, "Damn, I love you," which made her laugh and cry, then he scooped her up in his arms and turned so she faced everyone, and announced formally, "If you'll all excuse us, it seems Honey and I have some wedding plans to make."

  Morgan clapped him on the shoulder as he walked past, and then winked at Honey. Jordan gave her the thumbs-up.

  Casey yelled, "Hey, Dad, just so you don't change your mind, I'm calling Grandma to tell her!"

  Sawyer paused. "Now? It's not even dawn yet."

  Gabe smirked. "And you know damn good and well she'd skin us all if we waited even one minute more."

  Sawyer laughed. "Hell, yes. Go ahead and call her. But you can answer her hundred and one questions, because I don't want to be interrupted." He smiled down at Honey and squeezed her tight. "I plan to be busy for a long, long while."

  * * * *