Chapter One

 

Sawyer Braxton sipped his beer as he looked out over the crowd at Lagoona’s. He’d been watching the woman at the bar, for the last fifteen minutes, as she filled out an application. There was something about her that drew his attention. Her clothes were worn in places, her hair unkempt, but her tiny stature and dainty features made his protective urges rise to the surface. Even from the span of the four tables that separated them, he could see a dirt smudge on her cheek, and he wondered where it had come from.

She handed the application over to the bartender and then turned to leave. She hadn’t taken three steps before the asshole behind the bar ripped her application in half and tossed it. Sawyer bit back a growl as he rose to his feet, intent on going after her. Something didn’t seem right, even if he couldn’t figure out what. She cleared the door before he could catch her and he raced into the parking lot. Scanning the bumper to bumper cars, he saw her slip into an older hatchback with more than its fair share of dings and scrapes. A small figure moved in the backseat.

Not wanting to scare her, he walked slowly toward her car, his keen sense of hearing picking up the conversation she had with what he assumed to be her child. He’d never been one to chase after a single mom before, assuming she was single, but for some reason, he wanted to get to know this woman better.

“I’m sorry, honey,” she told the child. “We missed curfew at the shelter. We’re going to have to sleep in the car again tonight.”

What the hell? Was she living out of her car, with a small child in tow? He didn’t know how she’d fallen so far, but Sawyer knew that he couldn’t leave them in this parking lot with their future so uncertain. If anything happened to them, he’d never forgive himself.

Sawyer approached the vehicle and hunkered down next to the door, in hopes he wouldn’t frighten them. The woman was turned toward the back, still talking to her child.

“Benjamin, I’m doing the best I can.” She sounded tearful. “We’ll get to the shelter on time tomorrow, okay?”

“I don’t like the shelter,” a small voice said. “Why can’t we have a house again?”

“Soon, baby. Mama just needs to get a job first.”

Sawyer tapped on the window, making the woman jump. It was cracked enough that he could talk to her, without her fearing for her safety.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” he said, “but it seems you’re in a bit of a bind.”

Her lips thinned, and her eyes flashed. “And let me guess, in return for certain favors you’ll get us a motel room for the night.”

He sat back on his heels. “Um, not exactly.”

“Then what do you want in exchange for a place to stay?” she asked, distrust etched on her lovely features.

“Nothing. I just want peace of mind from knowing that your son and you are safe for the night. I heard you say something about sleeping in your car, and despite how small Ashton Grove is, that still isn’t the safest thing you could do.”

“You really just want to help us?” she asked, seeming uncertain.

“That’s all I want. I’m in the blue truck over there,” he said pointing to his new ride. “Why don’t you follow me? I’ll get you a room at the motel for the night, and then I’ll pick you up for breakfast in the morning, and we can figure out something more permanent for you.”

“Permanent?” The distrust was back in her voice.

“I work construction for the local wolf pack. My boss and alpha might know of a place where you could stay while you get back on your feet.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re a-a-a wolf?”

He nodded. He scented the air and didn’t smell fear. Curiosity and a hint of…arousal? Interesting. Maybe she was just as intrigued with him as he was with her. The boy in the backseat gazed at him with a bit of wonder in his eyes.

“I’ll wait to make sure your car starts, and then I’ll get my truck,” he said.

“Since you’re helping us, I should probably introduce myself. I’m Winnie, and this is my son, Benjamin.”

“It’s nice to meet you both. I’m Sawyer, and I promise you’re safe with me.”

She nodded, gave him a slight smile, and cranked the engine. Or tried to. After three attempts, it finally caught and sputtered to life. Sawyer walked over to his quad cab truck and got behind the wheel. As he pulled out of the lot, he made sure the little hatchback was in his rearview mirror. He didn’t think she’d accept a room at the nicer hotel, even though he’d have gladly gotten her a suite, so he went to the motel instead. He’d stayed there when he first arrived in town and knew the rooms were clean and the service was decent.

The parking lot was only half full when he pulled up in front of the motel office. He got out and went inside to procure a room for the night, then came back out with the key card in his hand. He knelt beside her driver’s side window.

“It’s room fourteen,” he said and passed the key card to her. “I’ll follow you over there to make sure you get inside okay. What time does your son usually get up?”

“Seven or so,” she said.

“Then I’ll be here at eight to take the two of you to breakfast. Maybe I’ll have some answers for you by then. I’ll call my alpha tonight and see what he says. With some luck, he’ll know about a furnished place, and you’ll be able to move in right away.”

She smiled a little. “As wonderful as that sounds, I’m not going to hold my breath.”

Sawyer went back to his truck and followed her down to room fourteen. He watched as she slid the keycard into the slot and let herself into the room. He didn’t pull away until she’d gathered her son, and their belongings, and closed the door behind them. When he got back on the road, he pulled out his phone and called Connor. He knew if he called Gabriel, the alpha would offer his spare room to the little family, but he didn’t think Winnie would be comfortable staying with strangers, not after the distrust he’d seen in her eyes. He didn’t know how they’d come to be homeless, or what had happened to them since, but he’d bet it wasn’t good. Her comments led him to believe that men had been offering to help her in exchange for sexual favors. Sick bastards.

Connor picked up on the fifth ring, just as Sawyer was about to hang up.

“This had better be good,” Connor said, a hint of a growl in his voice.

“Did I interrupt baby-making time?” Sawyer asked with some humor.

“You’re not funny.”

“I have a situation and could use some help. But if you’re busy, I can call back later.”

Connor sighed, and he heard sheets rustle. “What’s up, Sawyer? Please tell me you didn’t get into another fight at the bar. I don’t want to bail your ass out of jail. I thought that stupid shit ended when Cain settled down.”

Sawyer grinned. “No. I don’t need that kind of bail-out. I ran into a little family tonight who could use some help. The mom looks kind of young, and the boy doesn’t even look school age. I found them living in their car. She’d applied for a job at Lagoona’s, and the bastard bartender ripped up her application.”

“And you’ve decided to develop a hero complex and rescue them?” Connor asked.

“Something like that. I couldn’t leave them on the streets. I got a motel room for them for the night, but she’s going to need something more permanent. I think I have enough to pay first month’s rent if you know of something furnished that would be big enough for two people.”

“Christ, Sawyer. You can’t come up with something that has an easy solution, can you? Since you’re so gung-ho over helping them, why not just move them into that Craftsman house you bought?”

“I think she’s been offered some questionable assistance. She was leery of even accepting a motel room for the night. No way she’d move in with me.”

Not that he would mind if she did. He had the room to spare, and if the two of them were under his roof, he could keep an eye on them. If they were living on the streets, it was doubtful they were getting regular meals. Way to go, asshole. You didn’t even think of food when you got them a place to stay.

Sawyer pulled a U-turn and stopped at the first fast food place he saw, where he ordered cheeseburgers, fries, and sodas for both of them.

“So, can you help or not?” he asked Connor.

“Why don’t you call Matt and Cassie? Maybe one of his investment properties is vacant. I don’t know if it would be furnished though. He did just have The Towers built last year. Maybe one of the apartments is vacant.”

“Thanks, Connor. I’ll call them now.”

Sawyer disconnected the call and pulled up Cassie’s number in his phone directory. He saw the late hour and paused, not wanting to wake their hoard of kids. What did they have now? Five? Six? Hell, he couldn’t keep up with them.

“Sawyer?” Cassie said as she answered. “Is everything all right? It’s kind of late.”

“I’m really sorry, Cass. I hope I didn’t wake the kids, but I have a situation I thought I could discuss with Matt.”

“Yeah, sure. He’s right here.”

He heard her hand the phone over.

“Hey, Sawyer,” Matt said as he came on the line. “Since you’re calling me, and not the alphas, I’m going to assume it’s not life or death.”

“Not exactly.” He explained about finding Winnie and Benjamin and expressed his concern over their safety and well-being. “Do you think you can help?”

“The only furnished units in The Towers are the studio apartments. They’re pretty good sized, but there’s only one bed. I could always downgrade the bed from a queen to a full and add a twin so the boy would have his own place to sleep. If you think they’d even accept.”

“What’s the rent on something like that?” Sawyer asked.

“For a friend of the pack? I’d let her have it for four-hundred. The utilities and trash are included; she’d only have to pay for cable and internet.”

“What do they normally go for?” Sawyer asked, thinking that seemed really low, and too good to be true.

“Seven hundred, but I’m not going to miss the extra three-hundred on one unit. It’s important to get them off the streets. I’ll let them have the first month free to give her time to find a job, and if she still can’t pay it when the next month is due, I’ll work with her.”

“I appreciate it, Matt. Can you arrange for a key to be ready for her tomorrow morning? I could take them over after breakfast and let them check the place out.”

“Of course.” Matt paused. “How old did you say the boy is?”

“I don’t know for certain, but I’d guess around four. Maybe five.”

“The kids have outgrown a lot of the toys we have here, and they’re still in good condition. I’ll make sure there’s a box of them in the apartment tomorrow when you get there. It will give him something to play with while she checks the place out, and he can keep them if he’d like to.”

Sawyer’s throat tightened. He hadn’t even thought about the poor kid not having any toys. “Thanks, Matt.”

“No problem. I’ll call management now so they can have the unit prepped by morning.”

Sawyer ended the call as he pulled into the motel parking lot, stopping in a space next to Winnie’s beat up car. He grabbed the sack of food and drinks, got out and went to knock on the door of room fourteen.

“Who is it?” she called out hesitantly.

“It’s just me. Sawyer. I thought you might be hungry.”

“I am!” he heard the boy pipe up.

Winnie opened the door with the chain still attached to peer out at him. Once she seemed satisfied it was really him, she removed the chain and opened the door. Sawyer didn’t want to step inside without an invitation, to avoid scaring her, so he just handed over the food and drinks.

“I’m sorry I didn’t think to grab something for you earlier. I didn’t know if you’d had dinner yet, even though it is getting late. I called some friends, and I have something to show you tomorrow. I’ll stop by around eight to get you for breakfast and then we’ll head over.”

She nibbled her lower lip. “Why are you being nice to us? No one is ever nice, unless they want something in return.”

His stomach knotted that she felt that way. Obviously, she’d been hurt and used in the past. It sickened him that someone would take advantage of her, but he supposed a single mom made an easy target. He hoped like hell none of those overtures had been for the boy. The thought made him want to throw up, but he knew there were sick bastards out there. Just the thought of harm coming to either Winnie or Benjamin was enough to make his wolf howl.

“I don’t want anything, Winnie. I just want to know that you’re safe. The streets are no place for a young mom and her small child. But I think you know that already.”

“You really don’t want anything?” she asked.

“I really don’t want anything. I’ll pick you up at eight.” He grinned. “We can stop anywhere you want for breakfast. My treat.”

She nodded, and there was a spark of hope in her eyes, but she still seemed a little leery to trust that her luck might be changing. He hoped that, with some time, she might come to trust him. If things worked out with the apartment, maybe she’d give him a chance to get to know her better. He’d never thought of himself as the instant dad type, but the boy seemed quiet and well-behaved. Then again, he could just be as leery of strangers as his mom, and Sawyer wouldn’t blame him one bit.

He left them to their dinner and headed to his home on the other side of town. The ranch style house was on the small side, compared to the others in the neighborhood, but it was home. When he’d bought it, the place had been a dump. It still wasn’t show quality, but it was livable. With a little more TLC, it would be a home he’d be proud to own. Hell, he still couldn’t believe he’d bought the damn thing. Cain and Rex had joked that he was getting domesticated. The joke was on Cain though, since he’d caved to the pressure of his mate and purchased one down the street last month.

Sawyer parked in his driveway and let out a sigh. He hoped like hell that things went well tomorrow. No way could he let Winnie and Benjamin live on the streets another day, not if there was something he could do about it. He just hoped she wouldn’t see it as charity, but as more of a hand up. But if there was one thing he knew about women, they could be stubborn as fuck.

Well, the shifter ones were anyway. He’d always steered clear of human females, but something about this one just pulled him in and wouldn’t let go. He hoped his good deed didn’t come back to bite him in the ass.