Page 27 of Icebound Hearts

“Do you need me to pay you upfront this week?” I ask, a protective instinct rising inside me. “I’m happy to do it if it’ll help you. Those overdraft fees can be nasty. I’ll send the money over right now if you want.”

“No, no, you don’t need to do that. I appreciate it though. I have the money to cover it, I just need to move it around, like I said. And I’ll have this new job in California starting in a few months that will be a huge step up for me in my career. It’s all going to work out for the best. It always does.”

Coming from anyone else, I probably wouldn’t buy the optimistic spin she’s putting on things. But there’s an earnestness to Violet that goes a long way toward selling her words. She’s not just putting a bow on things to make me feel better. She really believes everything will be fine. It’s refreshing, and it makes me like her even more.

“I’m sure you’re right,” I tell her quietly, a small smile tugging at my lips. Then I clear my throat. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you probably should tell Reese. He’d want to know about something like that happening to his little sister.”

“I know, but I really don’t want to be a leech on him. He’s done a lot for me over the years, and I already owe him for all of that. I’d rather go into a little bit of credit card debt than run up more sibling debt with him, you know?”

“I get it,” I say, thinking back to what she told me about how Reese took care of her after her heart surgery. There’s probably a lot more to it than she’s shared, and she and I don’t really know each other like that, so it’s not my place to tell her what to do. “I think he’d understand, but either way, your secret is safe with me.”

“Thank you. Truly, Sawyer, I mean that. Besides, it’s all fine now. I have a great job for the time being, thanks to you, andthere’s a big new step in my career on the horizon. Everything’s great.”

“I’m glad I could help with the job thing, and you’ve been a huge help to me too. But seriously, if youeverneed a pay advance or something, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“If that ever happens, it’ll be a last resort.”

I grimace, wishing there was more I could do to help her. “That’s fine. Just as long as you know it’s an option.”

“Thanks,” Violet says, and I can hear the smile in her voice. It makes something warm spread through my chest, and I find myself smiling back.

“Well, I should probably try to get some sleep,” I say after a brief moment of silence. “I’ve got an early morning tomorrow. I’m glad everything went well tonight.”

“Me too, not that I had any doubts it would. Sleep tight, Sawyer. I’ll see you in a few days.”

“You too, heartbreaker. Good night.”

We hang up, and I lie in bed for several minutes after the call ends, staring at my phone with Violet’s words buzzing around in my head. I would never betray her trust by telling Reese that she’s been unemployed for a while and is struggling financially, but I can’t stand the thought of someone as sweet and hard-working as her struggling.

That ends now,I promise myself silently. No matter what it takes, I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.

Chapter 10

Violet

“I heard the garage door! He’s here!” Jake hisses.

He darts away from the front window and hides on the side of the couch with the welcome home poster we made for Sawyer together. He brings a little finger to his mouth, silently shushing me, and I nod back at him from the opposite wall I’m crouching down against, waiting to surprise Sawyer when he comes inside.

Jake claps a hand over his mouth when Sawyer puts his keys in the lock a few moments later, but he can’t stop giggling. It’s adorable, and I can’t help laughing with him, but I press a finger to my mouth, urging him to keep quiet as Sawyer swings the door open and steps inside.

“I’m home!” he calls, but neither of us answer. Sawyer drops his bags on the floor by the door and steps inside, looking for signs of life and thankfully missing both of us. “Jake? Violet? Are you here?”

I nod at Jake, and we jump out together.

“Surprise!” we exclaim in unison.

Sawyer startles before he catches sight of the poster in Jake’s shaky handwriting, covered in sparkles and other craft stuff we glued to it, and a warm look spreads across his face.

“Welcome home, Daddy!” Jake throws himself at his dad, who scoops him up and spins him around a few times, filling the entrance with Jake’s high-pitched laughter. When they stop spinning, Sawyer settles Jake on one of his hips and beams at me.

“I could get used to this kind of enthusiastic greeting when I get back from away games. Was this your idea?” he asks me, and I shake my head, so Sawyer looks at Jake with raised eyebrows. “You thought of this?”

Jake nods enthusiastically, still holding the poster in one hand. “Yeah! Ms. Violet gave me some ideas for the decorations though.”

“Thank you, buddy. I love it,” Sawyer says and takes the poster from Jake’s hand to hold it up and admire it. “We should hang it somewhere.”

“Oh, I know! How about on the stairs?” Jake suggests and wiggles in Sawyer’s arm until his dad sets him down. He takes the poster and runs halfway up the staircase, then works the poster through the banister’s posts. It’s a little crooked, but it’s noticeable right from the entrance and looks nice there.

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