Page 25 of The Naughty Elf

“This way,” she says with a command and confidence that rivals my own. Watching Sawyer, who’s practically a giant next to my daughter, follow her lead and crouch down to take a look at the little display is priceless.

My insides go gooey.

Everything is going smoothly as the kids file in to sit on the floor, or are rolled into the room in wheelchairs. A few are also in their hospital beds as Sawyer gets the curtain set, and Emily takes her seat with a book in her hand.

Jackson helps hand out lunches, and I hand out extra blankets and pillows for them to get comfortable. Once it’s all set, Jackson and Sawyer flank me on either side to watch the start of the show.

The curtain draws back with a flair as Emily reads. Gracie does a dramatic but good job ofmaking the characters do as the story dictates. Wrapping my arms around myself, I have to cover my mouth to keep from crying.

Sometimes, being a mom is so overwhelmingly amazing, that I struggle to control my emotions. I’m just so proud of my baby and all of her talent. Gracie is so creative and smart.

The kids nearly forget their food as they watch with wide eyes.

Tears wet the corners of my eyes before I wipe them away. Sawyer’s hand finds my elbow, drawing me out of the experience. He nods toward the hallway, where someone waves me over frantically.

Excellent. Another fire to put out.

I take another long look at my baby doing her thing before I run off to do my job. It’s Sally, and her frown immediately worries me.

“We’re missing your elf costume and the reindeer antlers for picture time.” The worry on her face has me patting her shoulder.

“I know just where they were left. I’ll grab them.”

She nods, and I’m off, back to the office where they’re sitting plain as day on my extra chair by the door. The bag is in my hand, and I’m halfway down the hall when I hear the front door open and close.

Hovering at the top of the stairs, I wait. Am I going to need to lock myself in the master bedroom and climb out the window? I’ll probably break my neck in the process, but I certainly can’t fight whoever’s broken in. Well, walked in, because I didn’t lock the door behind me.

A hulking man appears in the kitchen and meanders to the bottom of the stairs, and I heave a sigh of relief. “Sawyer. What are you doing here? You scared the shit out of me.”

His stormy eyes narrow as he looks at me. “Why didn’t you lock the door after you?”

My brows jump high on my forehead, and I start the descent down to him. “Was that more than three words strung together for my benefit?”

But he’s not smiling. His frown is deep and a little scary. “What if I’d been someone else?”

The roughness of his usually low voice sucker punches me under the ribs. I pause a few steps away.

“I’d have locked myself in the bathroom and called for help.”

That only makes him glower harder. “Not acceptable.”

“Well, there’s the two-word response I’m used to.” I take another step down. “I only planned on being in and out.”

The last step separating us disappears, and he doesn’t back away.

“Next time, lock the door.”

I nod, my hand smoothing up his chest and over one shoulder. Finally, after a handful of heartbeats, he softens. My hand makes its way to the base of his throat and the bare skin there. It’s hot, and his pulse rages against my fingers.

“Are you going to punish me for not behaving better?” My thumb glides up his throat, over his Adam's apple as he swallows. “Take advantage of me?”

A breath puffs from between those stern lips. Today doesn’t seem to be the day for self-control because suddenly, I’m leaning forward without much thought other than that I really want to kiss him.

So, I do.

12

SAWYER

---