Page 6 of Sawyer’s Mistake

“Don’t even think about it, Saoirse. We can’t trust these people,” he whispered.

She was tired of being treated like a child and not inclined to caution. This was the first time in fifteen months that she’d seen people behaving like people, and she wasn’t about to leave without speaking to them and understanding how they had managed to stay safe.

“Speak for yourself, Jake. Just because you don’t trust anyone, doesn’t mean they’re not to be trusted. Now let go of me,” she hissed. With that, she shook off his hold and started walking towards them.

For a moment, she feared he wouldn’t follow. Could she really leave him behind? Then she heard him sigh and felt his huge body behind her, hovering over her protectively.

“We won’t hurt either of you,” the man said.

“You are so tense,” the younger woman said, pouting seductively at Sawyer. Saoirse decided she didn’t like the brunette much.

“You’re too relaxed,” Sawyer retorted.

“Why wouldn’t we be? We are minutes away from our home. We have nothing to be afraid of. You have nothing to be afraid of,” the older woman said. She draped an arm protectively around Saoirse. “Come, child.”

“Where are we going?” Saoirse asked.

“To the river. That’s where we live.”

Chapter 3

Saoirse

“Can you believe this?” she asked, making her way around the cabin, astounded by the little luxuries these people could afford. Things she had not seen in years, like fresh soap bars, fluffy white towels, and plump feather pillows. She perched on the edge of the bed, running her hand softly along the side and inhaling the scent of crisp, clean sheets.

“This bed is too small for both of us,” she said. “Why did you tell them we’re together?”

Sawyer didn’t move from the spot by the porthole, where he’d been standing since Paul had shown them to the cabin, but now he turned and looked at her like he was bonkers. His green eyes seemed to glow.

“There’s no way I’m leaving you alone on this ship.”

She shrugged. “You’re still stuck on that? Shouldn’t we be figuring out what it is about this place that makes it special? Why haven’t the Remur found it? Maybe it’s something in the water or—”

“Humph.” He turned back to the river, ignoring her completely as she opened and closed every cupboard and drawer in the room. It was perfectly clean and impersonal, like a fancy hotel room. Eventually, she ran out of things to tinker with.

“What does humph even mean? Is that Canadian speak?”

He grinned wolfishly. “It means no, the bed’s not too small. In fact, I’d like nothing better than to show you just how well we fit together. But perhaps this isn’t the time or place?”

“You’re so cocky. It’s not a very attractive trait, you know.” She turned around and went to the sink. She tried to smooth her thick red curls with her fingers. The more she tried not to think of the two of them in bed, the more her brain insisted on picturing exactly what he would look like without clothes on. She sighed softly, feeling altogether too warm.

Yes, I’m definitely blushing.

“I’m just kidding,” he said, coming up behind her. “I can sleep on the armchair,” he said. “You look a bit tired. Why don’t you take a nap? It’s been a long day, and we have a little while before we have to meet our guests for dinner.”

“A nap? Are you insane? We need to go out there and talk to people, figure out what’s going on.”

He sighed loudly, running his fingers through his hair.

“Okay, Nancy Drew, but stick with me. I don’t trust these people.”

She didn’t know whether to be annoyed or unnerved by how safe she felt, knowing he was with her.

With one last look at herself in the mirror, she walked outside the cabin. She looked left and right, but both sides of the corridor looked identical to her. They’d taken so many turns coming here with Paul, it was hard to remember. Sawyer seemed to have no such problem. He pointed to the left.

“After you,” he said.

Humph. Could he be any more annoying?