Se connecter“It looks like we need another bottle of wine,” I announced, as the girls laughed happily after a great dinner. “I’ll go grab one.”“Oh, we really shouldn’t,” Christina said. “We have to drive and we don’t know the city at all yet.”“Just stay here tonight,” I offered, seeing how much Sawyer was enjoying their company. “The guest room above the garage is set up for the most part. You can stay tonight. Get a fresh start in the morning.”“Yeah, stay,” Sawyer said eagerly. “You’re more than welcome.”Darla shrugged and looked at Christina. “I’m okay with that,” she said. “It is getting late and we don’t even have a bed set up.”“Then I guess Sylas should get that next bottle of wine while we move to the living room,” Christina announced.I returned to the kitchen and grabbed another bottle from the chiller. I had enjoyed the evening. Coming home to Sawyer and a hot meal. Good friends. Good conversation. It felt like just another thing that was now going to be a normal part of my life. Li
“Thanks, Lewellyn,” I told my assistant as he handed me the file I’d asked him to track down. “I’m still not sure about this, Eric. Taking on another government contract right now is…”“In line with the R and D plans we had for the labs,” Eric stated. “And it’s right on track with our projections. Look, this contract is basically ours. There’s only one stipulation…”I sighed. “And that is…?”“That you head up the project,” Bella said as she came into the room. “Sorry I’m late. The call with the EPA went long. They’re eager to move forward.”“As long as I’m in charge?” I commented. “That’s another reason why it’s not the right time.”“What are you talking about?” Eric pressed. “This was your pet project from the start. You’re back in town. Your schedule is clear…”“No, it’s not,” I stated. “I told you. I’m easing back into work until Sawyer is settled in.”“Ah, yes, the mysterious new girlfriend,” Bella replied, sitting on the edge of my desk. “I’m sure finding her own way around is im
I rushed downstairs to the front door when I heard the doorbell ring. Opening it excitedly to be greeted by my favorite bouncing ball of fur. Arlo pounced on me, nearly knocking me over in his own excitement after not seeing me for so long.“Oh, I know. I missed you, too, buddy,” I told him as I hugged and petted him. “I missed you so much.”“I hope I get some of that love, too,” Christina said as she and Darla came in.It had been four days since I had seen them last, when I told them goodbye at the airport. Now they were here in Cofield for good. How could I not show them how happy I was to see them?“Of course.” I gave them each a big hug. “How was the drive down? Was Arlo good?”“He enjoyed the ride,” Darla said. “He liked the campground we stayed at last night.”“Well, come on, now,” Christina urged. “Show me this new house”I gave them a tour of the place. Sylas really had done an amazing job picking it out. I guess Christina did too. Lord knows we’d had enough conversation over
The hallway was dark. It seemed to go on forever. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. Was I looking for something?No, not looking for something.Getting away from something. I felt like someone was following me. I kept looking over my shoulder but all I saw was more hallway. The light kept changing. Getting brighter. Then darker. I could see. The beautiful molding. The ornate wallpaper. The expensive trim. It was familiar while feeling foreign. Then I couldn’t see it anymore. And still something was there. Something that wanted me. I couldn’t escape it.I kept trying to open doors. Some opened. Some didn’t. But it didn’t matter. They all led to nowhere. But I kept trying. I just needed to get away. Get somewhere safe.I could hear my heart beating it was pounding so hard. It was all I heard. Everything else was ominously silent. Until I heard laughter… echoing off the narrow walls. The lights flickered faster. I pushed my feet to move quicker. But I wasn’t getting anywhere. There w
We finished touring the house. The more we saw, the more Sawyer fell in love with the place. I could feel her excitement growing with every room. It was contagious. By the time we settled in for dinner, she was sharing ideas and asking my opinion. She was talking about how we needed to check the fence for holes or damage before Arlo got here with Christina when the doorbell rang.“Are you expecting someone?” she asked curiously.“I am not,” I said. “I’ll go see who it is and then I’ll clear up.”I headed to the front door, only to see Carla through the glass.“Knock, knock,” she said when I opened it, lifting a potted plant. “I brought a housewarming gift.”“Come on in,” I told her. “This is unexpected.”“Yes, well, we need to talk,” she said quietly.“Carla…?” Sawyer came in from the kitchen. “It’s good to see you. What are you doing here?”“Well, I came to make sure he was taking good care of you,” she replied, giving Sawyer a hug. “And to drop off my housewarming gift.”“Oh, my gos
Sawyer was released from the hospital first thing this morning. Just in time for us to make our flight back to Cofield. The whole day was a bit of a surprise for her. She thought we would need a few days to pack up her house after she got out of the hospital. However, I had the means to negate that necessity. Without putting everything on Christina. Ever since Sawyer agreed to move in with me, I’d been busy ensuring she’d have everything she needed. Ensuring that she wouldn’t have to worry about anything but her recovery.“We’re here, baby girl,” I said to Sawyer as I pulled into the driveway.Sawyer had been resting her eyes. She stirred as I moved her hair behind her shoulder.“This is your house?” she asked. “It’s beautiful.”“It’s our house,” I corrected with a smile. “Wait there. I’ll come help you.”Getting out of the car, I rushed around to open her door. Wrapping an arm around her waist, I led her toward the front door. My heart racing with each step. Praying she would like th
I spent some extra time on my makeup. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wear a skimpy dress again, at least. I told Darla that I would come up to the club, but I obviously wasn’t going to be working. So, I picked something I felt more comfortable in. I would speak to this Mr. Smith and thank him for int
“I owe you a congratulations, Ms. Hopkins,” Lauren said giddily as she came into my office. “The confirmation on the groundbreaking just came in. It’s the fastest completion in the last two years. Oh, and I may have heard that they signed off on the check for your signing bonus. So, I’m guessing yo
“I still say you let me and my team handle this,” Carla stated. “I can get them caught up and they can get a warrant.”“You know that won’t happen,” I snapped, giving her a harsh stare. We’d already talked about this. “They’ll never get one broad enough without stronger evidence of a crime. The onl
I felt calmer than I thought I would… No, that’s not right. It wasn’t calm. It was numb. A numbness was forming in my gut. I knew it was what I needed but it also scared me. Because I wasn’t going to feel it anymore. All the things Sylas made me feel…He may not believe I knew what I was giving up







