Page 82 of Sawyer
“Because I know him.” She made a face. “Like you said, we finish each other’s sentences. Tell Pierre not to worry.”
He gazed at her, leaning against the cold doorframe in the half light of the kitchen. She didn’t look her usual tough self. She seemed vulnerable and more than a little melancholy. “I’ll tell Kyle and anyone else who asks too. You know all we want is for you to be happy.”
That had her mouth twisting like she was fighting some really tough emotions. “I know, and I’m…grateful for it. I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve like Thea, but I feel it. Hell, I hope Thea isn’t worrying. It’s her wedding day. Shit. All right, grab that drink. I’m done with this.”
He found a brandy snifter and reemerged to see her waiting for him, tapping her foot. Even though she’d worn the red dress, she’d still gone with black boots. Her badass veneer was back in place. Her posture was straight. Her chin was lifted. And there was that familiar fire in her eyes.
“Anyone asks, you tell them I was looking for the happy couple’s wedding present.”
He smiled as they walked to the front. “Wait until you see what I got them. Thea’s going to cry buckets.”
Funny, how he was actually anticipating her reaction. He wasn’t nervous at all, and wasn’t that another kick-ass feeling to celebrate. Toward the end of the evening, he pulled the couple aside and handed them the wrapped painting.
Thea pressed her hand to her mouth, her eyes wide, while Jean Luc took the present with a brotherly smile. “Oh, Sawyer!” Thea said. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Open it,chérie,and find out,” Jean Luc encouraged.
When she finally gazed at the landscape of them holding each other along the Siene, tears started to rain down her face. “It’s the most beautiful painting I’ve ever seen. Isn’t it, Jean Luc?”
“Yes,ma Thea.” He lifted his chin at Sawyer. “We will always treasure it, as will our children and grandchildren.”
“Oh, that’s really going to make me cry,” Thea said as tears coursed down her face.
They both handed her a handkerchief at the same time, making them all laugh.
When he finally turned away as they showed the others the painting, he wanted to pat himself on the back. Axel caught his eye, and he knew what he was thinking.
Job well done, maestro.
Damn straight.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
She wasn’t picking up.
Sawyer clicked off after leaving another voicemail. Surely Phoebe hadn’t missed her flight? Her plane had arrived on time.
Four hours ago.
Long enough to take a shower. Even if she’d fallen asleep, she would have called or texted. Because she’d been as excited as he had to meet. She’d even used the word feast.
He fingered the bouquet of flowers and the bottle of wine he was planning on bringing over to celebrate her return.
Something wasn’t right.
His chest tightened, and he took a couple of deep breaths to ease the tension strangling him. He didn’t want to panic, but he’d seen the firstTakenmovie. It was set in Paris. God, his mind was spewing out mayday scenarios.
Maybe he should head over to her place. But if she was there, why wasn’t she picking up or answering his texts?
“You’re still here, Doc? Was Phoebe’s flight delayed?”
He glanced over. Kyle stood in the open door of his bedroom. “No, and I’m starting to worry. We were supposed to get together after she’d showered. I’ve called and texted.No response. Man, this whole being in love thing will drive you crazy. I’m worried about her being in a real-life version ofTaken.”
“All right, that’s going off the deep end, even for you.” He came over and put two comforting hands on his shoulders. “First, breathe. Then let’s think this through. Tell me what you know.”
By the end, Kyle’s eyes were more narrowed, but his assuring smile was still in place. “I’m going with the wholeshe fell asleepscenario. You know how fun those transatlantic flights are.”
