Page 101 of Sawyer

“He seems to love the diner.He goes there all the time?”Annabelle says once he leaves.

“Yeah…” I frown thinking about it, knowing my brother.He doesn't just go there for the coffee, even though it’s the best.

“How did you do today?”I ask her, smiling.She and Victoria were packing all the soaps for the Van Cleef project.The deal in progress, adding millions to her bank account, and her life has completely changed.

“It was so good.Victoria took a lot of footage for socials, and I think we must have packed over a hundred large boxes.”She’s never one to shy away from hard work.

After everything that happened up at the farm, we decided it was best for her and the boys to live with me, closer to town, where they can hang out with their friends, Kevin can get to baseball quickly, and Noah spends many an afternoon baking with Debbie.We have a nice little routine going where I drop them to school in the morning on my way to the office and pick them up at the end of the day.Except for days like today, when I come home and work from my home office, knowing Annabelle was going to be home earlier.

“The new distribution shed going okay?”I step up to her, my hands finding her waist with ease.We had the farm completely renovated, thanks to Victoria and her brilliant design expertise and Griffin’s amazing team.The old farmhouse has been remodeled, and Gertie’s Soaps now runs from the farm, right on the doorstep of the beautiful lavender and roses that make up the product itself.Each room has turned into an office for each of the girls; plus, they have a large meeting room and kept the kitchen for their lunch requirements.

She hums.“It’s beautiful.”

“So what do you think?”I ask her about my outfit.

“I hate it,” she says without hesitation, then rolls her lips.

“Seriously?I was trying to fit in.”I chuckle, knowing that I do look ridiculous.

“You don’t need to fit in, Sawyer.I love you for exactly who you are.Fancy suits and all.”She steps into me, and I wrap my hands around her, loving nothing better than having her close.Her hands loop around my neck as she looks up into my eyes.

“You sure?I mean, the lady in the store said that I look exactly how country men do around here?”I ask her, and she laughs.

“Don’t change, Sawyer.I think you're perfect.”She leans into me, her lips brushing mine.

“Hmmm, I think you’re perfect,” I say, taking her lips slowly, wanting to savor her, since the house is normally not this empty and quiet.

“You know… we have a few minutes before…” I start to say when the front door whips open.

“We’re home!”Kevin yells from the front door.

“Fuck,” I curse under my breath, having missed the opportunity to take her to bed.

“In here!”she calls out, grinning, looking even more beautiful, if that’s remotely possible.

“What are you wearing?”Kevin balks from where he is at the door, looking at me, wide-eyed, like I rolled in shit.

“New clothes, like them?”I ask him, and he huffs a laugh.

“Ahhh, no,” he responds quickly and honestly, just like his mother.

“Can I use your phone, Ma?I got to call Harvey about baseball,” he asks her.

“Sure, honey.”She passes him the phone.

“What do you think, Noah?”I ask and watch him look me over with a frown, and I sigh.

“Okay, back to suits it is,” I say, just as I hear Kevin on the phone.

“Oh my God, you should see my dad, he’s wearing the stupidest clothes…” Kevin giggles as he walks off to his bedroom, and I freeze, my eyes darting to look at Annabelle.The shock on her face is obvious.

“Did he just call me…” I ask her, my heart about to crack wide open.

Her eyes shine with tears as she nods.“He did.”

I cough, clearing my throat.

He just called me Dad.