CHAPTER TWO
Grace
Chuckie sits by the counter, waiting patiently for something to drop while I bustle around the kitchen, frazzled as I try to get everything in order before heading back over to the bakery this morning. Thank goodness Mac was able to open. I didn’t want to miss the kids’ first day of school.
The first day of grade one.
Tears sting my eyes at the thought of my babies being gone all day from me. I already feel like a piece of me is missing.
“Hey, Mom?” Parker calls behind me.
Blinking back my tears, I turn around and paste a smile on face. “What, honey?”
“Pull my finger,” he says, sticking his hand out to me.
Crossing my arms, I shake my head, my smile becoming more genuine. “Nice try, but I don’t think so.”
“Come on. Don’t you trust me?”
“I trust you as much as I do your father, and even I know better than to pull anyone’s finger.”
“I promise it’s nothing bad,” he says with a straight face. “Please?”
With a heavy sigh I reach out to pull his finger, worried with what I’m about to encounter. However, the electric zap I get, zinging its way all the way up my arm, still catches me by surprise and I jump back with a yelp.
Parker doubles over, laughing hysterically, before turning his hand over and showing me the tiny metal buzzer hidden under his finger. “Gotcha good, didn’t I?”
“Where on earth did ya get that?”
“In my practical joke kit that Logan and Anna got me for my birthday. I’m going to do it to my teacher this morning when I meet her.”
My eyes widen in horror. “Oh no you’re not! Give it to me right now.”
“Aw, come on, Mom, it’s funny.”
“I mean it, Parker. Hand it over.” I follow up the order by holding my hand out to him.
He rips it off his finger and drops it in my palm, his hope deflating. “I just wanted to make my teacher like me,” he mumbles, making my heart falter.
Kneeling down in front of him, I cup his small, handsome face that looks so much like his father’s. “You don’t need this to make her like you. Just be yourself and she’ll love you as much as I do.”
“Chicks like to laugh, Dad said so.”
I groan. I should have known this was Sawyer. God knows I love that man but sometimes…
“Honey, you’ll make your teacher laugh without this,” I say, holding up the metal zapper. “Because you’re funny all on your own. You’re also lovable.” I press a kiss to his cheek. “Sweet.” Then another on his other side. “And brave.” I kiss his forehead last. “Okay?”
“Yeah, okay,” he grumbles. “But, Mom?”
“What?”
“No kissin’ me like that at school today, okay?”
I bite back a smile but my heart aches, hating that he already doesn’t want my affection in front of anyone else. “I promise, but then you have to promise to give me lots of love before we leave.”
He steps into me, wrapping his arms around my neck. I take the opportunity to pepper his face full of kisses. His infectious laugh fills the air as he tries pushing away from me. “Mooom, come on.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll stop,” I promise, then press one more kiss to his cheek. “I love you, Parker.”
“Love you, too.”
“Now go on and get dressed.”
As he runs out of the kitchen, I look over at Chuckie who sits next to me, his ears perked up and tongue hanging out. Reaching up, I stroke his soft velvet-like, chocolate ears. “Hey, boy. You’re gonna miss ’em as much as me, aren’t ya?”
With a whine he licks the side of my face, bringing a smile to my lips. Kissing the top of his head, I stand and finish packing up the kids’ lunches, making sure to stuff the little note I wrote, to let them know how much I love them, in with their dessert.
I’m about to check on Hope and Sawyer but end up staying where I am, feeling him before I see him. That awareness I always get when he’s near, settling deep in my bones.
“Hey, Mama,” Hope greets me.
Spinning around, I flash that perfected smile I just gave to Parker, my heart stuttering at the sight of my sexy husband with our daughter on his shoulders. “Mornin’, baby girl. You ready for your big day?”
“Yes, I’m excited. I can’t wait to meet my teacher and play with Annabelle at recess. But I’m sure gonna miss you and the bakery. Don’t be creatin’ pies without me, okay?”
My smile weakens drastically and I feel a lump form in my throat. “I’m gonna miss you, too. I promise, no creatin’ anything without my girl.” Turning back around I fidget with their lunches, hoping to hide my fragile composure. I feel Sawyer’s eyes on me and know I’m not foolin’ him.
“Go get dressed, Shortcake. Breakfast will be ready when you’re done.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
At the sound of Hope dashin’ from the kitchen Sawyer comes up behind me, his hard body crowding my back as his arms wrap around my waist. His scent surrounds me, bringing me the first small measure of comfort I’ve felt since waking up this morning with an anxious heart.
“Cupcake,” he murmurs in my ear before his lips move to my neck, giving me a soft kiss. “Talk to me.”
“I’m tryin’ so hard, Sawyer, but I’m totally freakin’ out. How am I just supposed to trust someone else to take care of my babies? What if they get thirsty?”
“Then they’ll get a drink of water.”
“How? Will Hope feel comfortable enough to ask? And what about when they get hungry? They’re used to eatin’ whenever they want. They can’t do that now.”
“Grace, they’re going to school, not prison. They’re allowed food and water.” His arms tighten around me. “Come on, baby, we talked about this. Julia will be there teaching, she’ll make sure all the kids are okay.”
Thank goodness for that. If she wasn’t I’d be even more of a mess.
“You’re right, I’m sorry, I’m acting ridiculous. I just hate bein’ away from them all day. It seems like such a long time. A lot can happen. What if someone is mean to them or they get hurt?” I whisper, voicing my biggest fear.
“Won’t happen.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because everyone in this town knows not to fuck with my kids or I’ll fuck them up.”
A giggle escapes me but trails off into a groan because I know he’s serious. I fear for anyone who messes with my babies.
“You’re lucky the kids aren’t around right now or you’d be payin’.”
“You know, Cupcake, I’ve been thinking about this swear jar shit and I have a better idea of how I can pay instead of using money.” His hands drop lower, finding their way up my dress and under my apron.
“Oh?” I say breathlessly, my brain short-circuiting like it always does from his touch. “What are you thinkin’?”
“I’m thinking I could use my mouth instead. I’d start at your lips, slipping my tongue between them to taste your sweetness,” he murmurs in my ear, sending shivers throughout my body. “Then I would move lower and suck your pretty pink nipples into my mouth, taking them between my teeth until you’re begging for more.” He nips my earlobe sharply, drawing a heated moan from me. “Then I’d move to my favorite place of all.” His fingers grip my hips, pulling me back against his hardness. “I’d dip my face between your sexy legs and bury my tongue in your sweet pussy, drinking in everything that belongs to me. I’d eat you so good, baby, you’d be screaming for my cock.”
A harsh whimper parts my lips, his filthy mouth robbing me of everything but the need coursing through me.
With a growl he spins me around and claims my mouth, inhaling all the air out of my lungs. Rising up on my tiptoes, I wrap my arms around his neck and he picks me up so my feet dangle off the floor. His tongue beautifully tangles with mine as he devours me.
No matter how many times I’ve kissed this man, he still manages to take my breath away with every kiss.
He sets me on the counter and steps between my legs. His kiss slows but his lips remain connected with mine. “I missed you this morning, Cupcake. I had plans for you.”
I smile against his mouth. “Mmm, sorry. I had to drop some stuff off at the bakery since Mac is opening for me.”
He pulls back, a scowl on his face. “I told you I don’t like you going in that early. You need to sleep more, Grace.”
I mock a scowl back at him. “I know that, Sexy Sawyer, but I own the place, thanks to you,” I add with a wink. “Which means I have responsibilities that call for early mornin’s some days. Like today.” Fisting my hands in his shirt, I tug him back to me. “So stop bein’ a grouch and kiss me again.”
He grunts. “If you would have stayed in bed I would have done a lot more to you.” His hands move to my hips, dragging me closer to the edge of the counter so I can feel his erection between my legs. “When we drop the kids off I’m parking some place and you’re going to ride my cock until you’re screaming my name.”
I scoff but shift on the counter, trying to alleviate the sharp ache between my legs. “Not when you’re bein’ bossy.”
With a smirk he leans into my neck, gently nipping and sucking at my delicate skin. “You like it when I’m bossy. Don’t tell me your pussy isn’t soaked for me right now.”
“God, Evans, that filthy mouth of yours is going to be the death of me,” I breathe.
He pulls back and captures my lips. “You love it, and I’ll bet your anxiety is gone.”
I still, and realize he’s right. That heaviness in my chest has lessened drastically. Instead I’m left with a different feeling, one torturing the spot between my legs.
My eyes narrow but a small smile quirks my lips. “Clever, Evans.”
His husky chuckle washes over me. “That’s nothing new, baby. I’m fucking brilliant, you know this.”
Rolling my eyes, I give him a push on the chest at the same moment Hope and Parker enter the kitchen, all dressed in their new outfits.
“Oh my gosh, look at my babies!”
Hope is wearing a cream lace sundress with her Grace and Lace knee-high socks, the frilly edge peeking above her brown boots. She holds the matching lace flower in her hand for me to put in her hair. Parker wears his new jeans, a white T-shirt with a green dress shirt over top that’s left unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled part of the way up. The distinct color makes his already dark green eyes pop.
I jump off the counter to kneel in front of them and take them in my arms. “Y’all look beautiful.”
“Thanks, Mama.” Hope’s little arms squeeze me tight while Parker steps back.
“Excuse me, but I think you mean handsome.”
I nod. “Yes, you’re right, I did. Sorry. But where is your bow tie I bought you?”
Instead of answering, he looks up at his father behind me. I turn around to see Sawyer shaking his head. “He isn’t wearing any bow tie, Cupcake.”
“Why not? It looks adorable.”
“I’m with Dad, Mom. I don’t wanna wear it.”
I look back at Parker, his expression saying it all. “Oh all right, if ya don’t like it, you don’t have to wear it.” I grab Hope’s flower and pin it in her hair. “Go on and have a seat at the table, your oatmeal should be cooled enough now.”
“Morning, boy,” Sawyer greets Parker, putting out his fist for him to bump.
“Morning, Dad.”
“You excited about today?”
“Yep.”
“You’re going to take good care of your sister, right?”
“Yep. Don’t worry, me and Beckett got this,” he assures him. “If anyone will be bugging her it’ll be us!” he adds with a chuckle, bringing a smile to my face.
That boy is so much like his father it terrifies me.
Hope’s little face scrunches up. “You boys better not or I’ll give ya a what for,” she says, shaking her fist at him.
“All right, eat up now, both of ya.” I move to the counter to grab their lunch boxes when a beeping noise ensues, alerting us of someone’s arrival. It always goes off when someone turns onto our driveway.
Sawyer looks at me. “You expecting someone?”
“Yeah, I’ll get it. It’s probably Mrs. Kershaw. She’s supposed to be dropping off a cake pan I lent her.” At the sound of the doorbell I pass the lunch boxes to Sawyer. “Can you put these in their backpacks please?”
Leaving the kitchen, I walk past the living room to the front door and open it with a smile that quickly vanishes when I see it’s not Mrs. Kershaw. I blink several times, thinking the man standing before me isn’t who I think it is.
It can’t be.
“Grace.” My father greets me with a nod, his expression somber.
My pulse kicks up, that long buried ache in my chest rising to the surface. “Governor,” I say, proud of myself for how strong my voice sounds but then quickly remember he isn’t the governor any longer.
“I know it’s early and I’m sorry to barge in on you like this, but…I was hoping I could speak with you for a moment. It’s important.”
I continue to stare at him, still having a hard time believing he’s here. A part of me wants so badly to slam the door in his face and tell him to go to hell. But the other part is curious as to why the man who threw me away like a dirty little secret is showing up here now after all these years. It’s that part that has me taking a step back and allowing him to enter.
“Thank you,” he says, stepping in.
After closing the door, I invite him to take a seat in the living room. Before he can sit on the couch, Sawyer walks in with Hope in his arms. “Grace, baby, where’s…” He trails off and comes to an abrupt halt when he sees who’s standing in our living room. There’s only a split second of shock that resonates on his face before fury replaces it. “What the fuck are you doing in my house?”
“Sawyer!” I snap, looking at Hope, whose smile diminishes, sensing the tension.
“What’s wrong, Dad?” Parker asks, walking into the room. He looks back and forth between Sawyer and my father. “Who’s this guy?”
Clearing his throat, my father is the one to speak first. “Well hello, you must be Parker and Hope,” he says, surprising me. “I’m—”
“Parker, take your sister and go into your room,” Sawyer orders, putting Hope to her feet. “Don’t come back out until I tell you to.”
“Okay, Dad.”
I try to give a reassuring smile as Parker leads Hope from the room, letting them know everything will be all right. Once the bedroom door closes, Sawyer takes a menacing step toward my father. “I don’t know what the hell you’re doing here but if you don’t get the fuck out of my house—”
“Sawyer, stop!” I step in front of him, pressing against his chest.
“Listen, I understand you don’t want me here and I don’t blame you, but I need to speak with Grace. I wouldn’t have bothered you both if this wasn’t a matter of life and death.”
There’s a crack in his voice that has me turning around to face him. For the first time I notice how haggard and worn he looks rather than the clean-cut politician he portrays himself to be. Or at least from what I’ve seen the odd time in the newspaper. This man is someone I try to avoid seeing at all costs, which is usually pretty easy since I’m here in Sunset Bay and I ignore all things political.
“Please, just a few minutes of your time,” he says, looking at me instead of Sawyer.
“It has to be quick. I need to get my kids off to school.” I can feel Sawyer’s disapproval at my back but he remains quiet.
“I understand.” Instead of taking a seat, he drags a hand down his face, letting out a weary breath. “There’s no easy way to say this so I’m just going to do it and hope you’ll hear me out. As you know I have two other daughters—”
“I know you have two daughters, yes.” I don’t let him get away with saying ‘other’ because he’s only ever had two. Which is fine because I have Mac and he’s been more of a father to me than anyone ever has.
“My oldest, Piper, she’s twenty-one and in college.” He continues to talk as if I didn’t correct him. “My other one, Lucy, is seventeen and supposed to graduate this year.” His eyes drop to the floor, his voice solemn.
“Get on with it, old man, my patience is wearing thin,” Sawyer warns.
My father’s eyes lock with mine, tears brimming in their depths. “Two weeks ago she got very sick. Just out of the blue. She’s always been a healthy kid. We just thought it was the flu. Except one night after cheerleading practice she passed out. Her coach called 9-1-1 and she was rushed to the hospital. We found out she had a severe bacterial infection and it entered her bloodstream. It almost killed her. Thankfully, the doctors were able to stop it, but not before it attacked her kidneys. Both are damaged beyond repair,” he says, a tear slipping down his face before he quickly wipes it away and clears his throat. “She’s on dialysis now but it’s not doing much and she’s getting sicker. It’s not something she can remain on much longer. She needs a kidney transplant and she needs one sooner rather than later or she will not survive.”
My heart breaks, thinking about the young girl who should still have so much life ahead of her. “Are the doctors going to give her a transplant?” I ask, still wondering why he’s telling me all of this.
“They don’t have a match. Lucy’s blood type is rare and she can only receive a kidney from someone who has the same type. No one in my family is a match…except one.”
I swallow thickly, my hands beginning to tremble, having a pretty good idea which one, but I ask anyway. “What’s the blood type?”
“O negative,” he replies, his eyes remaining locked with mine.
“You son of a bitch.” Sawyer’s furious tone has a shiver working down my spine. “How dare you think you can come here and put this on her.”
“I don’t have anyone else to ask.”
“You find someone else,” Sawyer bellows, moving around me. “You’re not jeopardizing my wife’s life for your daughter’s, you piece of shit!”
“There is no one else,” my father yells back, his own temper flaring. “Do you think I’d be here if I had anyone else?” Even though I already knew this, his comment still strikes me to the core. “That’s not what I meant,” he rushes to say, but it’s too late.
Sawyer grabs the back of his suit jacket, dragging him to the front door, while I remain frozen in spot, rendered speechless.
“Please, Grace, just consider it,” he begs, his voice desperate. “She needs you. She’s only seventeen.”
Sawyer flings open the door and pushes him through it. “Get the fuck off my property and don’t ever come near my family again.”
The slam of the door makes me flinch, knocking me out of my stunned state. Walking into the kitchen, I brace my hands on the counter and take deep breaths, trying to grasp what just happened.
She needs you. She’s only seventeen.
The broken words replay in my head, striking me in the heart.
“Don’t even think about it.” I spin around to see Sawyer watching me, his eyes harboring a concealed rage most people never want to see released. “This isn’t your problem.”
“How can you say that?” I ask on a whisper.
“Because it’s the goddamn truth.” He moves to stand in front of me. “You’re not even going to think about this. We are not going to talk about it. We’re going to pretend that bastard never showed up and continue on with our lives. Do you understand?”
My back goes straight, my turmoil quickly switching to anger. “Watch it, Sawyer. Don’t you be orderin’ me around like a dog. I have no idea what I’m gonna do but this is my decision and mine alone.”
“Bullshit it is! You’re my wife—”
“And this is my body,” I scream back. “How dare you try to tell me what to do.”
“Are you telling me you’re actually considering this? You’d risk us losing you?”
I shake my head, my heart slicing open at the thought. “No. I just…I don’t know what to think. I don’t know anythin’. All I know is you have no right to take away my decision.”
“There is no decision! We’re your family. We are what’s important. He can find someone else to help his family while I do what I need to do, to protect mine.”
“Mama, Daddy, why are y’all fightin’?”
My head snaps to the side at the sound of Hope’s wobbly voice. Parker stands next to her, his arm around her as he glares at Sawyer. Covering my mouth I turn around, wanting to shield them from my pain.
“We aren’t fighting, Shortcake. Just having a little disagreement is all, but it’s fine now. Nothing to sweat about,” Sawyer assures her.
“Promise?” she asks softly.
“Yeah. I promise.”
Gathering my composure, I turn around to see Sawyer holding her while standing next to Parker with a hand on his shoulder.
“Your father’s right, everythin’ is fine,” I lie, giving them a smile that I’m sure isn’t fooling them, because the fact of the matter is, everything’s far from fine.
“Come on now, let’s get to school.”