Page 10 of Beauty and the Bayou

“My two older brothers are assholes.The guys he’s been living with and hanging out with in his fraternity are definitely assholes.Without some good influences, Chase could easily be won over to their side.”

Sawyer was startled to hear a small chuckle actually emerge from his chest.“So what?You’re tryin’ to save your little brother’s soul in two weeks’ time?”

“Something like that.But—” she added, looking just a hint shy for a moment.

“But?”he prompted.

“I need a little help.”

Sawyer didn’t want to know more about all of this.He had plenty of people to help already.Still he said, “What kind of help?”He was a Landry.He couldn’t resist getting involved in other people’s business.It was a genetic flaw for sure.

“Giving him a good influence,” she said.She shrugged.“I know it sounds pathetic and you probably think my brother is a spoiled, rich kid who…” She sighed.“Heisa spoiled, rich kid.But he’s got potential.And I think that some hard work and being around guys who do actual hands-on work for a living could be good for him.”

“You don’t know anything about us.”But Sawyer couldn’t deny that her words stirred him.They did all work hard and they were all good guys—well, not him, but the other guys—who could be a good influence on a spoiled kid who’d had a pretty cushy life.

“I know that your family has owned this business for three generations.I know that you guys not only own it but actually do the work.And I know I only met Owen and Josh and Bennett and Maddie for a little bit last week, but I could tell that they really care about each other.I just thought they seemed like guys that could be good influences on Chase.”

Sawyer snorted at that.Josh and Owen as a good influence on someone?Right.They were both happier and stayed home more since Tori and Maddie were in their lives, but nothing could takeallof the mischief out of a Landry boy.“My most common phrase to those two?Quit fucking around.”

She tipped her head.“But is that on them…or is that more aboutyou?”

Sawyer lifted a brow.She thought she’d already figured him out, huh?“How about a little of both?”

She smiled, and fuck if it didn’t hit him in the gut.“But they’re hardworking guys, who run a family business in their hometown and who were willing to give my brother a chance to do the right thing.They’re about as opposite from the guys my brother hangs out with as you can get.I think it would be good for Chase to be around them.And if they’re also laid-back and like to have some fun, that’s great, too, actually.I want him to see that you can have fun without it involving platinum credit cards and yachts.”

Yeah, well, there sure as hell weren’t a lot of yachts onthesewaters.

She pressed her lips together, then added, “I’d love for him to see what it looks like when someone truly has your back.What real family and friends look like.From what I’ve read and seen, I think that could happen here.”

Sawyer opened his mouth to reply, but he wasn’t sure with what.She couldn’t have said anything better to get on his good side.Well, other than, “You’re right” and “I’ll do anything you say.”Those were both pretty good, too.

“How could you tell that after being around them for only an hour?”he finally asked.

Juliet shrugged.“How they talked to each other maybe?How they justwere.Maddie and Bennett, too.They gave each other a hard time and didn’t hesitate to disagree, but it was clear they were a united front when it came to what was best for the business.I admire that.And I read all about the business, the history with your grandfather and his best friend starting things up, and you and Tommy taking it over and then bringing the other guys on.It’s clear there are deep roots here.”

She’d done her homework.She’d noticed the bond between Josh, Owen, and Maddie.She respected the history here, and she wanted her brother to be influenced by Josh and Owen and even Bennett—who was a good guy even if he hadn’t been raised on the bayou.Bennett had a similar respect and affection for the way they’d built and maintained the family business and kept it in their hometown, for better or worse.Josh and Owen, even Maddie and Kennedy, drove Sawyer crazy.But they did work hard.They also played and laughed and loved hard.He loved them to his bones.He knew they loved him, too, and had his back.Hell, they’d been putting up with his grumpy, grieving ass for months now.

If Juliet Dawson wanted her little brother to spend time withhislittle brother and cousin in an effort to make him a better guy, Sawyer couldn’t really find fault with that.

Dammit.He was intrigued by this woman.He hadn’t been intrigued by anyone or anything in a very, very long time.Maybe intrigued was a strong word for it, but she was…not irritating.And even that was something.

“Come on.I’ll buy you breakfast and we can see what my brilliant partners thought was going to happen here.”

“Just remember, I do have the hard hat.”She bent to pick it up and plopped it on her head.

She looked adorable in it.

Fuck.Adorable?He hadn’t eventhoughtthat word in months.Even about the cute kids that came for swamp boat tours.Of which there were many.But Josh and Owen kept most of those groups on their tour boats lately.Sawyer, who had once been the best one with the kids, was too fucking grumpy to deal with kids and their tendencies to bounce in their seats, stand up on the boat when they weren’t supposed to, and reach out for things they shouldn’t.He’d snapped at a few, made two cry, and Owen had taken him off kid tour duty.

It was for the best.He liked the little ones—elementary school ages—but his scar would probably scare them.

But Juliet was a little adorable and didn’t seem a bit scared of him.She also seemed like she’d stay in her seat if she was out on a boat tour.He wouldn’t have to snap at her even once.

Sawyer nodded.“The hat’s a point in your favor, I’ll admit.”

“Oh, and safety goggles.”

Shedidhave safety goggles?

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