Page 34 of Taming His Honeydoll
“Again, why would he call if he thought Marlene owned the policy?”
Her eyes widened. “Unless they are in it together? I can’t believe that though. Henry wouldn’t do that to me.”
“I’m going to call Nat and April and let them know this latest development. Unless you want to,” he added hastily, shooting her a glance.
“No, you go ahead,” Emma murmured, her mind trying to make sense of what she knew. Would Henry have even had time to get a burner phone? And if he had, why hadn’t he called her to let her know about the policy instead of just calling the insurance on his own? And would he really try to cheat her out of her share? She just couldn’t believe that he would. She sighed and looked out the window. There were way more questions than answers, but one thing was clear. She would have a way to repay Oliver for that loan she was going to ask him for.
***
BY THE TIME SAWYERfinished his conversation with Nat and April they were just pulling onto the gravel road that led to his homestead. As always, the pleasure he derived from nature’s bounty all around him soothed his soul in spite of the burning questions plaguing his mind. Something very strange was going on and he’d be darned if he could see the way it all fit together.
He kept his speed down so that the vehicles behind him wouldn’t be eating his dust—one of the hazards of living in the country. After a quarter mile down, he turned off and onto another smaller lane that led up to his home. It wasn’t new and fancy like Nat’s place, but it was still fairly secure except for the security system and cameras he intended to put in immediately.
When his moml walked out onto the front verandah, shading her eyes so she could see, Sawyer spoke. “Don’t be mad at my mother or hurt her feelings. She’s suffered enough and she’s not well. She is delighted at the idea of having a grandchild and the last thing I want is for you to take our relationship out on her,” he warned.
Emma flushed and shot him a stony gaze. “What kind of a person do you think I am?”
“That’s just the problem, I don’t know. I didn’t think you were the kind that wouldn’t tell a man about his child, but then I was wrong about that, wasn’t I?”
Her head jerked up with fire in her eyes. “You didn’t want me. Why would I think you’d want a child from me?” She reached for the door handle and opened it before he could reply and let herself slip to the ground. She opened the back door and reached for Levi, her lips set in a tight grimace.
Sawyer rounded the front of the truck to help her. “I never said I didn’t want you,” he gritted into her ear. “You misunderstood me from the beginning of our conversation that night.”
“I heard the part where you didn’t want me to wait for you perfectly clear,” she hissed back. “No misunderstanding there,” she added bitterly as she took Levi out of his chair.
“I’ll take him,” he replied, reaching for the boy. “He’s not big but he’s no lightweight and you’re still hurting.”
“Fat lot you actually care,” she mumbled, rubbing her temples.
Sawyer growled low in his throat. “One of these days, Emma.”
Her eyes widened in defiance. “One of these days what?”
He glanced up at Levi who was studying him with his big blue eyes, then looked back at Emma. “I think you know the answer to that.”
Emma flushed and was about to retort when Marsha and Oliver came up behind them.
“Everything okay?” Marsha asked, studying Emma’s face.
“Nat brought us up to speed,” Oliver added, his direct gaze moving from Emma to Sawyer.
“Good.” Sawyer nodded curtly at Oliver and turned to walk up the short sidewalk and then up the steps to the front deck to meet his mother.
“It looks like you were right, Mom,” he said softly. “This is Levi and he is my son. Levi, this is your grandmother.”
“Nana? You don’t look like my nana,” he replied solemnly, staring at Rachel.
Rachel drank him in, tears in her eyes. “I’m your other nana. You just haven’t met me yet.”
“Are you my step-nana?” He asked cocking his head to one side.
“No, son, she’s your real nana. Marlene was your step-nana,” Sawyer clarified again. He was amazed at the analysis his son was making.
“May I hold you?” Rachel asked wistfully, holding out her arms to the child.
He studied her for a few more seconds and then solemnly held out his little arms for Rachel to take him. “Nana,” he pronounced. “My real nana.” Then he looked back at Emma. “Mama, how many more nanas do I have?”
“Don’t you have enough now?” Emma asked with a chuckle.
