Page 60 of Sawyer
I swallow, letting the warmth her words provide me to sink into my bones.She makes me feel that no matter what happens, everything is alright.I think about heading home early tonight to start packing, and I frown, realizing that I never unpacked.
My suitcases are all still full.I’m treating my penthouse more and more like a hotel that I’m visiting, rather than the home I’ve had for years.
I guess it’s true what they say… Home is where the heart is.
27
Sawyer
My jet landed in Whispers about an hour ago, and I still haven’t seen Annabelle.My first stop had to be the distillery, where I’m now sitting in the boardroom across from Valerie Van Cleef, her husband AJ, Tanner, and Connor, discussing the new distribution of a limited edition line of whiskey, only available through her hotels.
I look at my watch, knowing that being the middle of the day, Annabelle and the kids will still be in school, but my knee bounces under the table in anticipation regardless.
“So we’ll have limited stock, but that just makes it all the more exclusive,” Connor explains.He and I have known Valerie for a while now, seen her out and about in New York a bit.She and AJ now keep a quieter life, although her company is thriving, and the two of them make a great team.Their future may be clouded by the new hotelier family that’s pushing into the country, the Grant brothers making major moves in property development for the past few years.But Valerie is smart; she knows what she’s doing.
“Sounds great.I love having anything that’s special or exclusive.”Valerie smiles wide, the contracts now all signed.I take in her words, and my mouth opens before I really think about what I’m doing.
“What about Gertie’s?”I ask the table, and they look at me.Tanner’s eyebrows rise before he nods, obviously not having thought about it himself.
“What’s Gertie’s?”Valerie asks curiously, while Tanner and Connor try to hide their shit-eating grins.
“Well, we’re talking about Whiteman’s single malts distributed through your bars.How about Gertie’s Soaps distributed within your bathrooms?Amenities at your hotels?Gertie’s is a locally made and owned brand of organic soaps, not sold anywhere else… yet.”
Her eyebrows rise.“The timing is interesting…” Valerie looks at AJ, who doesn’t give much away.
“Gertie’s is Victoria’s side hustle.She’s in business with a local woman, Annabelle, whom Sawyer has been working with,” Tanner says, giving me the nod to continue.
“Gertie’s isn’t currently available to everyone.It’s sold here at the distillery and locally in town, some at the next town over, so it’s exclusive and high quality, which is what you’re looking for, for your hotels.Plus, it’s all organic, made by hand right here in Whispers.”
“We had to cancel our contract with our current amenities’ supplier due to a conflict of interest, so your timing with this one, Sawyer, is impeccable.It’s a cute idea.Want to run me some numbers and send them over?”she asks, and Tanner practically beams, but I decide to push.
“Can you offer exclusivity?”I know being exclusive in her business means a strong, steady income for Annabelle, something she desperately needs.
“I'm sure we can arrange something,” she says easily.
I look at Tanner, who nods, looking at me appreciatively.
“Great.”My grin is wide, not able to be tamped down.
“Well, let's eat.I'm starving.”Connor jumps up, and we all walk to the restaurant for lunch.
“Good work, Sawyer.Good fucking work… This is why I hired you.Can’t believe I didn’t fucking think of that,” Tanner says to me quietly, and I chuckle.“Thanks for keeping Victoria and Gertie’s in mind.”
“We need to get it over the line first,” I tell him as we walk through the hallways.I’ve been here so many times, I could tell you the number of lines in the wood that’s under my feet.“And… I was thinking of Annabelle, actually.”
He gives me a knowing look.“Well, after lunch, before you go running over there to see her, I need you to stop by Bob’s place.He wants to show you that parcel of land he wants to sell.”
There’s no point complaining.This is the work that needs to be done in a small town.
“Sure, no worries.”
Tanner stops dead in his tracks and looks at me.“See, I told you, you’re a changed man.”
I wave him off, but I’m still smiling.The minute my jet wheels hit the tarmac on the Whispers airstrip this morning, the tension eased from my body, and I think that tells me all I need to know.
“Your brother is coming in tonight.Victoria has him meeting her in the jet on the tarmac later this evening.It sure must be serious if you need my jet at nighttime.”
I blow out a breath.“Yeah, not sure exactly, but he’s fleeing and doesn’t want anyone to know where he is.”
