Page 36 of Taming His Honeydoll
They all clapped him on the shoulders and Sawyer couldn’t help feeling proud. Even though he may not have served in the same unit as these men, they were still all brothers because they had served. He clasped arms with them and gruffly spoke. “Thanks, dudes.”
They stepped back and Denver boomed, “You got a stalker?”
“Not me personally. Someone set fire to my girl’s house and tried to kidnap her or my son—or both. We don’t really know what their intentions are right now, Nat and April are investigating that. I aim to keep them safe while we figure out what’s going on.”
Denver turned to Oliver. “And what’s your stake in this? Other than Nat’s blood-bro.”
“His girl is my sister and Levi is my nephew,” Oliver replied, his green gaze steady and determined under Denver’s steely blues.
Denver finally gave a brief nod. “Good reasons,” he replied, seemingly satisfied with the answers. “Okay, let’s get to work, boys.”
***
EMMA WALKED OUT INTOthe cool autumn air of the front deck after she’d put Levi in bed. It was still and quiet, nothing stirring except the chirps and buzzes of the night creatures around her. It was very different from this afternoon when the place had been humming with men putting in the security. Lucky for her, she was able to keep Levi as a shield to prevent having to have a personal conversation with anyone, including Sawyer.
The nickering of a couple of horses in the paddock drew her attention and she wandered over to pet their velvety noses. She hadn’t had a horse to ride of her own since Marsha and Oliver had married. She missed Mare-Mare, as the golden palomino had been nick-named.
Oh, she knew she was always welcome anytime at their home, but since it was technically no longer her home, and since the debut of her biggest mistake ever, she had avoided Oliver and Marsha. No way did she want to be drawn into questioning conversations about how her life was going. She liked Marsha but she couldn’t be a confidante. Not when her brother was married to her.
Things had changed so suddenly her head was still spinning. A part of her mourned that Sawyer had never come looking for her once he was home. She could hardly blame him though. In his mind she was married and that was the end of it. But when she’d first seen him standing in that lobby, she’d just reacted out of love—and it had felt so good to have him hold her like he used to.
Regret seared hrough her like a burning ember. Maybe she should have told him about the baby. What would have been his reaction? Would he think she was trying to hang on to him—to trap him? Or would he have been delighted and started making plans to be together? She shook her head ruefully; she would never know now.
The pretty little brown mare had the longest eyelashes she’d ever seen on a horse, and big dark eyes that shone in the moonlight, seeming to read her emotions. The horse nickered softly and nudged in between her shoulder and neck as if she understood her thoughts and wanted to comfort her.
A few tears leaked from beneath her eyelids when she laid her cheek on the soft muzzle.
Chapter 9
“Nutmeg remembers you. Maybe tomorrow if you’re feeling up to it, we could take a ride.”
Emma stiffened as Sawyer’s words floated behind her on the night air.
He moved in beside her and laid his arm on the top rail of the fence. The black and red-checked shirt he wore was open at the throat with the sleeves rolled up to reveal his brawny forearm muscles. His tanned chest with some darker hair peeked between the soft folds of a garment that he’d obviously worn many times. It looked soft and faded.
“Horses are loyal creatures. She liked me five years ago too. Besides, what does that mean take a ride?” She turned slightly to face him in the moonlight, her tone mocking. “Oliver takes Marsha out for a ride and what does he do? He takes her to my dad’s cabin and spanks her for some misdeed.”
