Page 35 of Taming His Honeydoll
He considered this and then broke into a grin. “I like cookies. My other nanas have cookies.” He turned to Rachel. “Do you have cookies?”
Rachel laughed in delight. “Oh, you precious boy—of course, I have cookies. You just tell Nana what kind you like and I’ll always make sure I have your favorite kind on hand.”
“Peanut butter,” he announced triumphantly.
“Well now, that is a coincidence. It just so happens that your father’s favorite cookie is peanut butter, so you’re in luck. I have some freshly made. Let’s go find them, shall we?”
“I like soda too,” Levi added helpfully.
“No soda,” Emma called after them.
Levi grinned unrepentantly at his mother. “I like strawberry soda, Nana. Do you have strawberry soda?”
“I’m afraid I just have milk, honey. Do you like milk?” Her voice drifted off as they disappeared inside and the rest of the adults chuckled.
“That boy is so smart, Emma,” Marsha said with a shake of her head. “I think I’ll just go inside and borrow the restroom, if no one minds. You men can do what you do with the security stuff. Want to join me, ladies?”
April nodded. “I think I will, as a matter of fact. The guys should be here soon with the systems to put in place. I don’t think they will need me for anything. Right, Nat?”
Nat nodded. “No, you go on ahead, honey. I think I see some dust out on the road, that’s probably them. If so, they are right on schedule.”
Once the girls were inside, Oliver turned to Sawyer and Nat. “Once the cameras are set up, I’m going to take Marsha home. She needs to put her feet up and just rest for a few days and I need to get back to the office. If you need anything call me. If you find out anything, call me. If you just think you might know something...”
“We got it...call you,” chorused Nat and Sawyer together.
“A bit overprotective there, old buddy,” Nat joked. “No wonder Emma rebelled when she was a teenager. You’re worse than a momma with a kid tied to her apron strings.”
“I can handle it now,” Sawyer added tersely. “Emma is mine to protect.”
Oliver’s eyes were wary. “Why do I get the feeling she doesn’t feel the same way?”
Sawyer stiffened. “Look, I get that you two have been buddies since the crib, but I just met you. Emma and I have some things to work out and that’s between us. I will just say that she should have told me about Levi, no excuses there. She will answer to me for that, but I am not about to hurt her. I already told you once that I love her. I always did and that isn’t going to change. Whether or not we stay together is going to be up to her. I won’t force myself on her if she doesn’t want me, but I’m sure as hell going to keep trying to change her mind.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “But I will see my son. That’s something we’ll have to work out as well.”
Oliver cleared his throat and glanced over at Nat. “Sawyer, I know exactly how contrary Emma can be. I should have turned her over my knee more than once when she was a teenager, but I was coping with our parents’ loss myself and certainly had no experience as a parent. If not for Aunt Tootie, I don’t know how it would all have turned out. All I’m saying is if you ever want to talk...”
“I got it...call you,” Sawyer jumped in, some of the tenseness leaving his body. “Thanks for the offer, I do appreciate it.”
The truck pulled in about that time and three men jumped out of the dual cab Chevy and the driver greeted Nat. “You got us out here on a Saturday, Nat, let’s get to it,” he boomed.
He was dressed in work boots, cargo jeans, and a long-sleeved camo t-shirt that fit every snug curve of his upper body. He looked ex-military with the closely cropped dark hair and an extremely muscular build. His blue eyes twinkled in his tan face and he exuded authority and confidence as he walked up to the detective.
“Charlie and Bud are raring to go.” The other two men walked up beside him, almost making them look like triplets with similar dress and builds.
Sawyer had never seen so many muscles in one place except in the service. He was no slouch himself but he’d need to spend a little more time training to achieve their level.
Nat chuckled. “Thanks, Denver. I appreciate you and the boys coming.” He pointed to Sawyer. “This is Sawyer Blackland, he’s the homeowner. And this is my brother from another mother, Oliver Tremaine. Just tell us what to do and we can get this done PDQ.”
“I appreciate you coming,” Sawyer added.
Charlie studied him intently with his dark brown eyes. “I know you. You’re that dude who created the stealth software for field recon. That’s some badass stuff, man. I was in some of the field trials and it’s going to be an awesome advantage for the good guys.”
Denver’s gaze raked to Sawyer. “You’rethatSawyer Blackland?”
He looked impressed and Sawyer nodded briefly. All eyes were on him in varying degrees like five sets of computer registers all thinking behind their bright gazes. It was uncomfortable. “Uh...yeah,” he grunted with a slight flush. “I’m hoping to branch into security usage here at home in the future.”
“I’m waiting,” Denver replied with a fist bump to Sawyer. “Had my eye on that technology for a while now, it’s just not for mass consumption yet. I doubt you’ll ever need a job, but if you ever want to get into the field for hands-on, let me know. I’ll always have a place on my team available.”
All three of the men stepped forward to clasp arms with Sawyer. “It’s already saved lives, man,” Bud said with great respect.
