Page 13 of Sawyer
“Redecorating?”I try making conversation as I look around his office.
“Victoria’s doing it.It was in dire need of an update.”
Gee, if he thought Jerry’s office needed an upgrade, what the hell does he think of my place?
“I want to apologize for the other day.You caught us at a bad time… With the cow fiasco, and the kids were a little crazy after a big day at school…” I want to at least explain so he thinks my life isn’t a total shit show, even though it obviously is.
“No need to apologize.I turned up unannounced, and I didn’t want to intrude.”He stands near his desk, his eyes piercing and his stance firm.I push down the desire to step forward and ruffle his hair or scrunch his tie, anything to make him look a little more human.
“But your suit?”I cringe, because I’ve been thinking about it all week.I should’ve offered to dry clean it or something.But I didn’t.I was too frantic after the cow escaped and then hearing him swear in front of the boys… my stress levels peaked.Then he scrambled away so quickly after falling in the cow manure that I didn’t get a chance to offer.Not that I could afford to, since dry cleaning a suit like that would cost a pretty penny, I’m sure.
“It’s fine, I bought another one,” he says so casually it almost stuns me.I’m pretty certain I saw the label on his jacket when he threw it in his truck.I might live in the country, but I know designer labels, and I know that suit probably cost a small fortune.As does the large watch that’s on his wrist today.A completely different one from last week yet still blinding in the light.
Spotting a few boxes near his feet, filled with books and files, I ask, “So you’re staying, then?For good?Here in Whispers?”He didn’t seem to want to when he mentioned it at my place the other day, but by the looks of the redecorating, he certainly is.
“Not if I can help it.I’m not made for country living.Whispers is nice, but I prefer the city.”
“It must be nice to have a choice.”I wonder what my life would’ve been like had I left for college instead of marrying my childhood sweetheart.If I’d gotten a proper education while seeing the world instead of falling pregnant as a teen, doing night school, and struggling to pay my bills.
“So you have the paperwork?”He quickly masks his slight look of vulnerability, and I open my tote bag to pull out the file.
“Yes, everything looked fine.I signed them all.”I pass the folder over, feeling a little intimidated as he leans on the side of his desk and opens it, flicking through the papers, checking that they’re signed.I’m well equipped for most things.I can cook a three-course meal out of basic ingredients, I’ve taught myself how to sew, I tend to the farm, make soaps, teach kids their reading, writing, and arithmetic, and I’m an expert in making twenty dollars stretch farther than most.But when it comes to legal letters and in-depth details around business and finances, that isn’t my forte.
While he looks through the paperwork, I take the time to look at him thoroughly.He’s in another suit, and this time, I notice how well he fills it out.Broad shoulders, tall, he still has some stubble, but it’s well maintained, as is his hair.He probably gets it cut every week to ensure it’s always one hundred percent perfect.I imagine him being the kind of guy who has his own hairdresser, someone who comes to him, while he’s taking an important online meeting.
“Ahhh, I think we are missing a page?”
I move my eyes from his body to the folder he has open, and I feel my cheeks flush when I spot my electricity bill front and center.
“Oh, sorry, no idea how that got in there.”I quickly swipe the bill from the folder, knowing he couldn't miss the bright-red overdue stamp, so big it’s made for the entire world to see.I had misplaced that one and have been looking for it all week.He keeps looking through the papers, not mentioning it, yet I notice his jaw clench, and my cheeks remain heated.Yep, this is me.Hot mess, borderline broke, single mom.
“The last page is missing from the legacy agreement.Did you sign that one?”He looks up at me, his eyes piercing mine, and I freeze like a deer in the headlights.I should know what he’s talking about, but I can’t find the connection.I play with my hair, an annoying trait I have when I feel nervous or unsure.
“Um, yes, is it not there?”I squint in confusion, my confidence now dissipating.I was sure I had included everything.I trust Victoria and Tanner, so I just signed everything.It may be incredibly stupid of me, but I had no other option.The one time I try to keep things orderly and I fail miserably.
“No, doesn’t appear to be,” he confirms, and I grit my teeth.
“I can try to get it to you next week?”I offer, mentally calculating what I need to do.I could ask Kevin to cycle down to deliver it, but that boy does too much already.Plus, his first game is tomorrow, and I want him to sit in his excitement and not worry about chores for the weekend.
“I need to get it submitted in a few days… Tell you what, Tanner has talked me into staying here for the weekend.I’ll come by your place and grab it.”
I was hoping to avoid him being in my space again, given how it turned out last time.But he’s offering, and it’s only business.He’s just collecting a piece of paper.It’s not like anyone will see him and the whole town will talk; he’ll be at my place no longer than five minutes.
“If you don’t mind…”
“Sure, just no more runaway cows…”
Did he just make a joke?
His lips quirk a little, his eyes sparkling a touch, and it looks good on him.
“I can’t promise anything,” I tell him honestly, one eyebrow raised and a small smile on my lips.He huffs a laugh and nods.
It appears the city lawyer does have a relaxed side, after all.And I like it.
7
Sawyer
