Chapter Six

 

Saturday had come far too fast for Winnie. Benjamin had woken at the awful hour of seven o’clock and dressed in his swim trunks and a tee. They were a little small since he hadn’t worn them for a year and she knew she’d end up stopping by the store first to get him a new pair, and maybe, one of those swim shirts to match. She wanted him to feel like he fit in, even if it meant spending some of the gift card Sawyer had left with her.

At the store, Benjamin was bursting with excitement and could hardly sit still. When they reached the little boy’s department, she let him pick whichever swim trunks he wanted. He studied each pair as if it were a life changing decision, and perhaps for a five-year-old, it was. He finally settled on a pair of bright yellow ones imprinted with blue sharks and then he selected a matching blue shirt. After they had paid, Winnie took him to the restroom where he could change into the new clothes.

“I get to swim today, right, Mama?”

“Yes, baby. You get to swim today. Make sure you mind your manners while we’re there. Say yes, ma’am; no, ma’am;  yes, sir; and no, sir.”

“I know, Mama. Will Zachary be there?”

“I think so.”

They left the store and Winnie tossed his old clothes into the trunk before following the directions Sawyer had given her. The alpha’s house was near the edge of town. The Victorian loomed before her and Winnie wondered if she’d made a mistake coming. They obviously didn’t belong with these people. She’d come from a poor family and had been poor all her life. Maybe not as broke as she currently was, but even with Paul’s income, they had barely been scraping by. They’d had a house in a decent part of town, but nothing like this.

There was a privacy fence around the backyard, and the gate stood open. She could hear voices back there and followed the sound of laughter. Winnie came to a halt when she saw so many people gathered on the lawn and in the pool. She’d expected there to be more than just the wolves she’d already met, but she hadn’t been prepared for something like this. She took a step back, but it was too late. Autumn had spotted them and was hurrying over, as fast as the pregnant woman could waddle.

“I’m so glad you came!” the redhead gushed. “Why don’t you let Benjamin join Zachary in the pool and I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

Benjamin tugged on her hand. “Can I, Mama? Please?”

“All right. But remember what I said.”

He smiled widely and then scampered off.

Autumn led her straight into the thick of things. She recognized Connor, and Autumn introduced her to his mate, Aislinn. Then she met Ramsey and Harper, and their son, Rafe. By the time she’d met everyone at the gathering, her head was spinning, and she still hadn’t seen Sawyer. He’d insisted on picking her up this morning, but she’d told him she’d feel better having her own transportation, so he’d agreed to meet her here.

She tried to keep up with the conversation swirling around here, but it was obvious everyone was close and knew what was happening in each other’s lives. Winnie felt out of place and was starting to wish she hadn’t come, even if it did look like Benjamin was having a great time with his new friend. She escaped to the outer edge of the group and wondered if it would be possible to blend into the background.

A hand landed on her waist and she shrieked as she spun around. Sawyer grinned down at her before pressing a quick kiss to her lips. Her cheeks flamed at the thought that everyone might have seen him do it. She glanced toward the pool, but Benjamin wasn’t paying them any attention.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Sawyer said. “I picked up the pool for my house last night and started putting it together this morning. I’ll still need to fill it later and add the chemicals. I hope it’s ready by Monday. He seems to swim like a fish.”

Winnie smiled. “He loves the water. Always has.”

“You should get something to eat. We always have so much food that people take leftovers home. I have no idea what the orange fluffy stuff is that Harper usually brings, but you really need to try it. It’s like whipped cream with oranges in it. And Autumn’s pigs in a blanket are awesome. Whatever she does to them, they are the best I’ve ever had. I think she flavors the little weenies before she wraps them, or something.”

“So, you have the inside scoop on all the best dishes here. You sound very much like a bachelor who doesn’t like to cook.”

He laughed. “Busted.”

They filled their plates and Sawyer found a place for them to sit. Cole, Marin, and their three-year-old, Emma, sat beside them. Winnie had to admit the little girl was adorable, and she wondered if she’d ever have more children. Benjamin hadn’t exactly been planned, but she was grateful for him every day. He was also her only pregnancy in the seven years she was with Paul. They used condoms most of the time, but they slipped up often enough that it made Winnie wonder if she could have more children.

“Winnie, Sawyer said you’re looking for work,” Marin said. “Do you have a particular type of job in mind?”

“One that pays the bills,” Winnie said. “I’m honestly not picky.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your educational background?” Marin asked. “I promise, I have a reason for being nosy.”

“I finished high school and went to college for a year before Benjamin was born. I had to drop out after that. Juggling a new baby, a part-time job, and school was just too much. I was only nineteen when I had him and not prepared for motherhood.”

Marin nodded. “Do you think you’d like working with children? And maybe with books?”

“I love both,” Winnie said with a smile. “Why do you ask?”

“The Ashton Grove Library is looking for someone to fill a full-time position. You would work at the circulation desk during most of the day, checking out books and checking them back in, but for an hour a day you’d serve as the Children’s Librarian and take care of story time, which usually includes a craft of some sort.”

“That sounds like an amazing job, but do you really think they would hire me?”

“I don’t see why not. You could use me as a reference if you want, and I’m sure Autumn would give you one too.”

Winnie nibbled her bottom lip.

Harper, Ramsey, and their baby moved to the chairs on the other side of them. She’d only met them briefly, but Harper had been very welcoming. Her mate, not so much. He’d been introduced as the pack enforcer, and she supposed it was part of his job to be leery of anyone getting close to the pack. He made her a little nervous.

“If you think you’d like the job, you should apply for it,” Sawyer said. “You could stop by Monday, on your way to my place.”

“But what about Benjamin? With school out for the summer, I don’t have anywhere to put him while I work. He can’t stay home by himself.”

“He can stay with me,” Harper said. “I’m keeping Zachary during the summer so they could play together at my place. We sometimes go on outings to the zoo, the park, or maybe a museum, but I would make sure you were okay with that before I took Benjamin anywhere.”

“Harper, maybe you shouldn’t…” Whatever Ramsey was going to say, his mate shut him up with one look. He shrugged and went back to eating.

“I can’t just dump my son on you,” Winnie said. “We just met, and it sounds like you have your hands full already. Dealing with a rambunctious boy and a baby can’t be easy.”

Harper smiled. “It’s not so bad. Zachary usually keeps busy. Ramsey added a sunroom onto our house last year, and I have a play area out there for Zachary. He has art supplies and some toys, along with a TV and DVD player. Not that I leave him to his own devices all day, but he has plenty to keep him occupied, and I’m sure he’d love having Benjamin there.”

It was tempting, a little too tempting. What happened if Benjamin broke something at her house? Or if Ramsey decided he didn’t want her son in his house? For whatever reason, he didn’t seem to like her very much. The last thing she wanted to do was put Benjamin in a situation that could be temporary, and then be unable to explain why he couldn’t go back.

“Just think about it,” Harper said. “You don’t have to decide right away. Apply for the job, if you think you want it, and then let me know if you need someone to watch Benjamin for an interview or for the summer. We can do a trial run, and then, after you get your first check, if you decide you’d rather put him in daycare, I would understand. Like you said, we really don’t know each other, but I have a good feeling about you, Winnie. Something tells me you’re going to be around for a while.”

Had Sawyer said something to them? Did everyone know that he wanted her to become his mate? She glanced at him, but he was watching Benjamin. It amazed her how much he looked after them, without even being asked to. It just seemed to come naturally to him, as if they were all part of the same puzzle and their pieces were finally snapped together. They did fit together rather well, and the more she was around him, the longer she wanted to stay by his side.

“I’ll let you know, and thank you for offering,” Winnie said.

Sawyer practically threw his plate before starting to strip his shirt over his head as he raced toward the pool. Before she could process what was happening, he dove into the deep end and a moment later came up with her son. Winnie gave a cry when she realized that Benjamin was too still. She went running toward them, falling to her knees as Sawyer leaned over the boy and performed CPR.

Winnie cried as she willed her sweet boy to live. His lips were turning blue, and she wondered if what had started as a beautiful day would end in tragedy. Losing Paul had been one thing, but if she lost Benjamin…

When Benjamin sputtered and coughed up a lungful of water, Winnie wiped the tears from her cheeks and held him close. Sawyer stayed by her side, dripping water from his jeans and boots, a haunted look in his eyes. He looked every bit as terrified as she’d felt the moment she realized Benjamin was drowning. She should have paid closer attention to him.

“I swear I was watching him,” Sawyer said. “He was there one minute and the next he was gone. I thought he was playing for a moment. If I hadn’t hesitated…”

She placed a hand on his cheek. “You saved him. You saved my baby.”

He wrapped them in his arms and held them tightly. Sawyer buried his face in the crook of her neck. Gabriel came over and knelt beside them, a hand on both of their shoulders.

“Why don’t you take him inside and get him dried off,” he suggested. “Sawyer, you can borrow some of my clothes.”

“If it’s all right,” Winnie said, “I think we’d better leave. Benjamin has had enough excitement for the day.”

Gabriel nodded. “I’m sorry we didn’t notice him before Sawyer did. I hope it won’t stop you from coming back again.”

“Thank you for having us over today.” Winnie stood and tried to pick up Benjamin, but he was clinging to Sawyer. The wolf lifted him with ease then took her hand, leading her out to the curb where she’d parked.

Sawyer buckled Benjamin into the car then leaned his hip against the door as he faced Winnie. She saw indecision in his eyes and a bit of fear. But fear of what? Almost losing Benjamin? Her heart was still racing, and she wasn’t certain she wanted him near anything deeper than a bathtub anytime soon, but she knew that wasn’t realistic. Her little boy loved water, and would probably want to swim again soon. He’d bounce back faster than she would over the incident.

“You taking him home?” Sawyer asked.

“Yeah, I think that’s best. He needs a bath and then maybe some quiet time.”

Sawyer nodded. “Will I still see you Monday?”

“I…I don’t know, Sawyer. I’m not sure Benjamin needs to swim again so soon, not after…” She glanced toward the backyard and shivered. “I just think we need a little time.”

“Please, don’t shut me out.”

She looked up and realized the wolf looked close to tears. It surprised and humbled her that he would show that side of himself to her. Sawyer was far more manly than Paul could have ever hoped to be, and yet, he was almost crying over the thought of losing them. She reached up and placed her hand on his cheek, wanting to give him comfort, and yet not quite sure what she could promise him. She didn’t blame him for what happened to Benjamin. She blamed herself. For once in her life, her focus had been on herself, and not her child, much like it had been the day he’d gotten lost at the apartment.

“Just give me a few days to sort things out and then I’ll call, okay?” she said.

“All right.” He backed up and gave her space to walk away.

It was the hardest thing she ever had to do, and watching him in the rearview mirror, as she pulled away, was even harder. He looked like he’d just lost everything. And for some reason, she felt the same way. It was insane. They hardly knew one another, and yet, she felt closer to Sawyer than she’d ever felt to Paul. Maybe it was because he was older than her, or maybe it was all those muscles, but he made her feel safe and cared for. Paul had made her feel like an inconvenience.

So, why wasn’t she jumping into Sawyer’s arms and begging him to let her stay?

Winnie didn’t know what the next few days would bring, but she did know one thing. Her son was a priority. She’d nearly lost him today. Being around Sawyer was amazing, but he took her focus off her son, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. What would happen the next time she wasn’t paying attention?

“Mama,” Benjamin said.

“What, baby?”

“You made Sawyer sad.”

“I know, baby. I know. But right now, Mama needs to focus on you, okay?”

“Mama?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Sawyer saved my life. Just like he saved us from sleeping in the car the other night. That makes him a good guy, doesn’t it? Maybe even a hero?”

Her throat was tight with emotion. “Yeah, I guess it does.”

“You shouldn’t make a hero cry, Mama.”

A tear slipped down her cheek as she realized that her small son saw far more than she’d ever realized, and understood more than she gave him credit for.

“We’ll call him after we get you bathed and into some dry clothes, okay? I promise, we won’t let him be sad for long.”

“I know what would make him happy again.”

“What’s that?”

“Being my daddy.”

Winnie couldn’t have held back her tears if she tried.

As soon as she took care of her sweet boy, she could think about Sawyer and determine where, if anywhere, things were going for them. She knew he cared about her, about them, but her infatuation with the wolf had almost cost her son his life. Could she be selfish enough to go after what she wanted if it meant taking her attention away from Benjamin?