He shook his head. “No. They’ve never liked each other. That’s all I know.”
“Yeah, and they’vebothliked you.You’rethe common denominator.” She grabbed hold of the spoon once more and stirred. “I don’t think I’ll go to the cabin with you guys,” she announced.
“Why not?”
“First of all, I was already considering Ted’s offer to go skiing with him this week. I figured I’d see if I could bring you along. But this way, you can have that time with Betzy without yourmommythere.”
Sawyer let out a laugh. “Fine.”
“How long ago did Daisy go out there?” Mom asked.
Sawyer counted back the months. “August sometime. Maybe the beginning of September.”
“When are you and Betzy going to say things started being…romantic between you?” she asked next.
“I guess I can say it was around that time.”
“So, three months and then you propose?” she asked.
“Yeah, but after a lifetime of loving her…”
His mom’s gaze met his, an almost worried look in her eyes. “You’re not going to get hurt, are you? Doing this?”
Sawyer tried to shrug it off, but the heat flaring in his chest made him gulp first. “I might,” he admitted. “But I might just be able to show her how good we are together. In case she doesn’t already know.”
Mom motioned him over, and Sawyer readied himself for one of her long, sappy hugs. Which was exactly what he got once he neared.
“I love you, Sawyer,” she said, squeezing him tightly before stepping back to the stovetop where she leaned on one hip. “I’m torn on this one. I care about Betzy, and I’m glad you’ll be able to protect her image in time for the article to release. But you’ve waited a lot of years to make a move on her. Is this really the way you want to go about it?”
“No,” he admitted. “But I can’t let someone else step in and do it. Besides, it’s my own fault for waiting so long. This is what I get, I guess. Should’ve gone after her sooner.”
Mom nodded, her eyes drifting toward the living room where they’d set up the tree together.
“Why didn’t you do it sooner?” she asked. “Each year, it seems like you’re going to, but then you just…don’t.”
Sawyer never did tell his mom what he’d witnessed at his father’s that year. For a reason he still couldn’t explain, he felt a level of shame over the whole thing. Like he’d gotten what he deserved for ditching school and going out there and…and not being a good enough kid.
“I have my reasons,” he finally said.
His mom studied him for a blink before nodding. “Who knows?” she said with a shrug. “Everybody’s love story is different, right? Maybe this is where yours starts. This could be the crazy beginning to your own happily ever after.”
Sawyer forced a smile to his lips, hoping it didn’t look as fake as it felt. “Yeah,” he said, “you never know.” It was, after all, exactly what he hoped for.
He waited for the idea to replace the tumult happening in his heart. When it didn’t, one final warning crept in.Hold onto your heartstrings, Sawyer.This could be one painful ride.
Chapter 10
Betzy eyed the piece of artwork before her. A unique, three-dimensional painting of a tall, puffy-tailed poodle. The artist had used a blend of mediums to create realistic-looking dog hair that popped off the canvas. According to the description beside it, the piece featured the artist’s very own dog’s collar and charm as well.
Betzy tried very hard to pay attention to details like that—she was supposed to introduce the piece for auction in a few short minutes—but was having a very hard time focusing with the feel of Sawyer Kingsley so close.
Sawyer had been asked to play a part tonight: Serious-boyfriend-who-was-playing-it-down-in-public. So far, he was doing everything right. Staying close by her side, wandering only slightly as he observed one piece or another, only to slip up behind her, so closely she could feel his breath on the back of her neck. A sensation she paused to tune into even then.
So good.
They’d arrived at the event close to two hours ago. Dinner had been served, and the guests were making their way around the banquet room to study the pieces up for auction.
During the banquet, with several high profile people seated at the table, Sawyer would catch her eye and give her an admiring smile or flirtatious wink.
