Chapter Five

 

Sawyer was grinning the next day as he oversaw the latest project at work. Connor had given him a knowing smile before he’d ducked into the trailer, and he wondered if everyone else could read him as easily. Winnie had called as he’d left for work and had invited him to dinner. Once he wrapped things up, in another half hour, he’d have just enough time to go home and get cleaned up before heading over to her place.

He’d always been taught not to go to someone’s house empty-handed, but he’d already given her flowers and didn’t know if she drank wine or beer. With a kid in the house, he figured it was best to stay away from alcohol. Instead, he planned to stop by the store and pick up a box of chocolates for Winnie and a candy bar for Benjamin. He didn’t know whether or not the kid was allowed to eat sweets, but surely one wouldn’t hurt anything.

A slap on his shoulder jolted him back to the present. He looked over at Connor and saw that the alpha looked concerned.

“Did I miss something?” he asked, motioning to the job site.

“No, but since you’ve shown such an interest in Winnie, and have gotten the pack involved, I had Ramsey do a little digging on the boy and her. Did you know the boy’s father died?”

“She mentioned it.”

“And did you know that he was cheating on her, and had contacted a lawyer to file for divorce the day before he died?”

Sawyer’s heart ached for everything Winnie had been through, but he didn’t like the look on Connor’s face. “What exactly are you saying?”

“I’m saying it’s convenient that he died before he could file for divorce. Maybe she was trying to get her hands on some life insurance money. I just want you to be careful. She seems nice, but after everything this pack has been through, I think we know that appearances aren’t everything.”

“The guy’s parents got the life insurance money. She was left penniless when he died. Do you really think she’d have screwed herself over like that, especially with a small boy in the house?” Sawyer asked.

“What if she didn’t know the insurance money would go to his parents? I’m not trying to be an asshole, Sawyer, but I’m an alpha, and it’s my job to look after the pack. To look after you. I just don’t want to see you get hurt. For all we know, she’s another Luna. That woman had sweet and innocent written all over her, but she was conniving as hell.”

“I didn’t know Luna,” he said. “But I’ve heard the stories. Winnie’s not like that though. She’s sweet and good, and just trying to do the best she can for her kid. I know it was hard for her to accept the apartment and all the things we gave her, but she swallowed her pride, and she did it for her son.”

Connor sighed. “Maybe I’m way off base, and for your sake, I hope I am. Just be careful. Don’t rush things.”

Sawyer didn’t like the alpha’s words or tone, but he nodded his agreement. Hell, rush things? If he’d had it his way, Winnie and Benjamin would already be in his house. He’d known from the moment he saw her that she was different. He just hoped the pack would give her the benefit of proving herself. He wanted her to fit in, to be accepted, and he hoped like hell that Ramsey hadn’t told that story to anyone besides Connor. From what Sawyer had heard, Autumn was rather taken with Winnie, and he was hoping the two would become friends. If he had to guess, Winnie didn’t have many of those.

By the time his shift ended, he was troubled. He quickly showered at home and dressed in dark wash jeans and a black tee. Despite his thoughts of chocolate and candy, instead, he drove straight to The Towers, needing to see Winnie as soon as possible. His wolf hadn’t liked the accusations hurled her way and wanted to defend their mate. Even if the alpha wasn’t convinced Winnie was as nice as she seemed, his wolf knew differently. The beast could see how sweet she was and wanted to soothe all of her hurts.

Sawyer knocked on her door and waited patiently for her to answer. Instead of a smiling woman though, he came face to face with the frantic, frazzled look of someone in trouble.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, shouldering his way into the apartment. He looked around, but everything seemed in order.

“It’s Benjamin. I stepped into the bathroom to freshen up a half hour ago, and when I came back out, he was gone. I’ve looked everywhere, even went down to the front desk to see if they’d seen him, but he’s nowhere to be found.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m a horrible mother!”

“Hey, no, you aren’t,” Sawyer soothed, running his hands up and down her arms. “I bet he just decided to explore the building. There’s a security room on the first floor and they have cameras in all the hallways. I bet if head down there, they can show us where Benjamin ran off to.”

She sniffled. “Really?”

“Come on,” He took her hand and led her out to the elevators. When they reached the first floor, Sawyer went to Security and knocked on the door. A burly man with a graying beard answered.

“May I help you?” the man asked.

“Winnie is new to The Towers, and her son is missing. We were hoping you might have seen a five-year-old little boy on your monitors, maybe playing in an area where he doesn’t belong?”

“What’s the kid look like?” the man asked.

Winnie pulled her phone from her pocket and showed him a picture.

The man smiled. “He’s in the laundry room talking to old Mrs. Wipple. The woman has eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He’s in good hands.”

The relief on Winnie’s face soothed Sawyer’s wolf. They headed for the laundry room, and as they drew near, they could hear Benjamin talking non-stop.

“I’ve always wanted a puppy,” the little boy said. “Do you have a puppy?”

“No, I don’t have any puppies,” the older woman responded.

“That’s too bad. I’d really like to play with a puppy. Maybe now that we don’t have to live out of our car, we can get one.”

“I’m sure when your mother thinks you’re ready, she’ll get you a puppy,” the woman responded.

Winnie rushed into the room and gathered Benjamin into her arms.

“I’ve been so worried,” she said as more tears slipped down her cheeks. “You can’t run off like that, Benjamin! I didn’t know where you were, or if something had happened to you.”

“I’m fine, Mama. Mrs. Wipple was keeping me company until you could come find me.”

The older woman smiled and patted Benjamin’s back. “He’s a good boy, if a bit adventuresome. I’m sure the landlord wouldn’t mind you installing a lock on the door, a little higher up, so he can’t reach it. I have one of those hotel security bars on the top of my door, for when the great-grands come to visit.”

“I’ll install one tonight,” Sawyer said.

Mrs. Wipple leaned down, so she was on eye level with Benjamin. “You mind your parents and be sure to eat all of your vegetables tonight.”

Benjamin beamed and took Sawyer’s hand. Something shifted inside of him, something that made him wish with all his being that he was Benjamin’s dad.

They said goodbye to Mrs. Wipple and made their way upstairs. While Winnie finished making dinner, which had been put on hold during her frantic search for Benjamin, Sawyer made a run to the hardware store to pick up a lock the small boy wouldn’t be able to unlatch. He didn’t think it would be an issue to install one, but he checked with Matt just to be safe.

Back at Winnie’s, he installed the lock before they sat down to have dinner. The apartment had a small table with four chairs, just big enough for them. Benjamin was quiet during dinner but kept casting glances at Sawyer with a calculating look in his eyes. Sawyer didn’t know what the boy was up to, but he was certain they would find out before too long.

When they finished eating, Winnie gathered their dishes and began washing them. Benjamin tugged on Sawyer’s sleeve.

“What is it, buddy?” he asked the little boy.

“Would you start my water for bath time? I always take a bath after dinner.”

Sawyer glanced at Winnie in the kitchen. “Shouldn’t your mom do that?”

“Please,” Benjamin begged. “Mama is always the one who helps with my bath, but some of the kids in my class at school said their daddies help too.”

Sawyer felt a knot of emotion in his throat. “As much as I would love to be your dad, you know I’m not, right? Just because Mrs. Wipple called me your dad doesn’t make it so.”

Benjamin’s lower lip poked out. “Can’t we just pretend this once?”

Sawyer felt Winnie’s hand on his shoulder, and he wondered what she thought of her son’s request. He didn’t mind helping the boy get his bath started, but would he be overstepping? Maybe it was something Winnie enjoyed doing, and she wouldn’t like for him to intrude.

“Benjamin, why do you want Sawyer to help with your bath?” she asked.

“Because I want to know what it’s like to have a daddy. A real daddy, not like the one I had before.”

“What do you mean?” Sawyer asked.

“My other daddy didn’t like me very much,” Benjamin said. “I was sad when he died because I thought I’d made him go away. Mama told me that wasn’t true though.”

Sawyer gathered the boy close and hugged him. “Your daddy was very lucky to have you, and I’m sure he knew that. Sometimes adults don’t know how to show their emotions. If you really want me to help get your bath started, I would be honored to do it.”

Benjamin hugged him tight and ran off toward the bedroom area. He returned a moment later with pajamas and the tiniest boxer briefs Sawyer had ever seen. The kid was too damn cute. He got up, went into the small bathroom and started the water. While they waited for the tub to fill, he added a little bubble bath and threw in some bath toys. Sawyer shut off the water when he thought it was high enough, then stepped out of the room to give the boy some privacy.

“He can bathe himself, right?” he asked Winnie.

She smiled and nodded as she put the last of the dishes into the dishwasher. “He didn’t really start bathing himself until last night though. He’s tried a few times but always called me for help. I think being in this apartment has really helped him, even in such a short time. He feels safe here.”

“I’m just glad I was in the right place at the right time. If I hadn’t looked up when you came into Lagoona’s, I might not have ever met you.” He winked. “And that would be a tragedy.”

“Thank you, for everything you’ve done for us.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Winnie.” He gave her a slow smile. “But a great way to say thank you would be to accept the pack’s invitation to the gathering on Saturday. I’ll be there, and if you’d like, I could swing by and pick you up on my way.”

“I already promised Benjamin we would go. He really liked Zachary.”

“There are plenty of other kids for him to play with, although except for Zachary, they are all still quite small. Maybe too young for Benjamin.”

“I’m sure he’ll have a great time. Besides, Autumn said the magic word for him. Pool.”

Sawyer laughed. “I’m installing one of those above ground ones this weekend so he can swim as much as he wants this summer. Maybe I’ll have to look into getting an inground pool for next year, like the alpha did. The backyard is plenty big enough.”

“I like your home,” she said.

“Needs some paint, and the inside still needs some work. It was a wreck when I bought it though, so it’s come a long way. Don’t get me wrong; it’s livable; it’s just not that pretty inside right now. I need to rip out the carpets and put in new flooring. I thought about using laminate. The tile in the bathrooms is sound enough, but the grout needs a good cleaning. I just haven’t had as much time to work on it as I’d like.”

“Well, I’m no carpenter, but if you ever want help, just let me know. I think I could handle a paint brush. Or a scrub brush.” She smiled. “Maybe I’ll like doing those types of things, and I’ll make a career out of it.”

“If you really want to help, I’d planned to use some vacation days next week, and I want to get some stuff done around the house. You could always bring Benjamin over to swim while I get the outside painted.”

“I’d like that.”

So would he. Winnie helped Benjamin finish his bath, but before the boy would let her tuck him in, he scurried over to Sawyer for a goodnight hug. His heart warmed as those little arms closed around his neck and squeezed. Benjamin went to bed, leaving him alone with Winnie, even though a curtain was all that separated them from the little boy. He wanted to kiss her again but wasn’t certain if he should with Benjamin so close. He didn’t want the little boy to get the wrong idea, in case things didn’t work out with Winnie.

His wolf howled in his head at the mere thought of the little family walking away from him, but he knew it could happen. Since she wasn’t a shifter, she didn’t feel the mating pull like he did. He’d never really talked to the human mates to find out how they handled being mated to a wolf, but maybe he should. Even better, Winnie would get to meet them on Saturday. He hoped his pack would make a good impression.

“Would you like to stay and watch a movie?” Winnie asked. “I don’t know that I have anything a guy would like though.”

“Anything you want to put on is fine.”

Winnie selected a movie and then curled against his side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her close. Fifteen minutes into the show, he couldn’t have said what was playing. He’d spent the entire time watching Winnie. How anyone could have ever cheated on her was beyond him. She was warm and sweet, and from what he’d seen, she was a great mom. The guy she’d been with must have been an idiot.

Whatever it took, he would win her trust, and eventually, her love. Because accepting any other outcome was out of the question. Winnie was his, whether she knew it yet or not.