Where There's Smoke: A Texas Heat Novel (7 page)

“I want it Miz Sawyer!” Billy wailed.

“Say sorry to mommy.”

“No!”

“No Halloween goodie bag for you.”

“So-wee mommy.”

“No donuts today, do you understand?”

“Yes Miz Sawyer.”

“Aw, that’s my good boy.”

Billy hugged Sawyer’s leg. The harassed mom took his pudgy hand. “You can have him for a few days,” she joked.

Not on your life sister! Sawyer smiled. “Happy Halloween my sweet dumplings!”

The kids waved, hugged her, some blew kisses. Billy farted and burped at the same time. Bless him! Some of the parents left, a few lingered to find picture books and exchange toddler war stories.

As Sawyer recommended an author to a mom, she saw Felicity near the magazine section. Sawyer excused herself and joined her sister-in-law.

“Hi!” she said, a bit surprised.

Felicity made the wheelchair look like a throne. She really is quite stunning, Sawyer thought. She sat down on a window seat so they were eye level.

“I like the way you handled that mom and little boy. Reminds me of some of our more demanding customers at our hotels. You wouldn’t believe the tantrums grown adults throw over the dumbest things.”

“Oh I believe it,” Sawyer said. She eyed the other woman curiously.

Felicity got straight to the point. “I understand you’re good friends with Donavan McClain’s wife.”

Sawyer nodded. “Harper and I go way back.”

Felicity had a death grip on a piece of paper. She forced herself to hand it over. Sawyer took it. There was a list of three women.

“Donavan and Seth are cousins but I know they’re close like brothers. I’m hoping you would whisper the names of these women to Harper. Maybe she could introduce Seth. He might hit it off with one of them.”

Sawyer looked from the list to her sister-in-law, fascinated. “You want Harper to set Seth up on blind dates?”

Felicity shrugged. The casual gesture didn’t fool Sawyer for a second. “They’re good girls, a perfect match for him. Sadie’s dad is military, she loves guns and tactical gear, she and Seth can go to the shooting range together and she has a Phd in Military History, he’d love that. Emily is so sweet, a Sunday school teacher, I mean, how amazing is she? So pretty, she’s a great cook, everybody likes her, she’d make a wonderful wife and mother.”

Felicity swallowed audibly. She looked away but not before Sawyer saw the yearning in her eyes. “Hannah comes from a big family. She’s a twin so she might give him-”

Felicity took an explosive breath. “She loves to kayak on Lady Bird Lake and hike Mount Bonnell. I saw her on the bike trail the other day. Seth likes the outdoors too I just…don’t want him to be alone.”

Sawyer squeezed Felicity’s hand. “I know what it’s like,” Sawyer managed to say over the lump in her throat. I wrote a list like this back in high school.”

“For who?”

“Your brother.”

Felicity’s eyes widened. “Did you ever give it to him?”

“No,” Sawyer said, “None of those girls loved him as much as I did. I had that epiphany the day after prom.”

“He adored you,” Felicity said, “Even back then, I was shocked when he married Becky.”

“You and me both.” Sawyer knew it was none of her business but she felt compelled to ask. “Why don’t you rip up this list and tell Seth how you feel?”

Felicity bit her lip. “It’s too late,” she whispered.

She perked up. “I’m so glad you and Rowan have a second chance. Thank you for making him so happy.”

Sawyer smiled. One of the moms had a book title question. When Sawyer turned back, Felicity was gone.

Chapter 12

Rowan, Deena, Felicity, Caleb and Sawyer went to The Dixie Pixie to celebrate the acquisition of an old Victorian Mansion in Great Hills with a panoramic view of The Colorado River. They debated the theme over plates of biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, sausage and grits swimming in butter.

“I think we should have a Victorian era theme,” Felicity said.

“What about Old Hollywood, the glamour the flair-” Deena said.

Caleb made a snide remark that had them all in hysterics. The laughter trailed into awkward silence when a beautiful young woman walked through the door. She had a Princess Catherine vibe – classical beauty, fashion forward and sweetness personified.

Rowan paled. Sawyer placed her hand on his. The woman had an eerie resemblance to Becky, his late wife. When she noticed them in the crowd, she attempted a smile that fell woefully short.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt, your secretary said I might find you here,” she said to Rowan. Her honey sweet voice instantly put Sawyer on high alert. She inched closer to her husband.

“Mom, Fee, Cal – you remember Holly Wright, Becky’s best friend.”

“Oh yes of course, hello,” Deena said.

Felicity and Caleb mumbled a greeting. Sawyer felt as if someone slipped ice down her spine.

“Holly, this is Sawyer…my wife.”

Sawyer shook the delicate hand.

“I’ve heard…so much about you,” Holly said.

Yeah I just bet you have, Sawyer thought.

“Row, may I have a word?”

Row
? He nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

Sawyer didn’t want him to go. She felt threatened in a way that bimbos who threw themselves at Rowan never made her feel.

Caleb, Deena and Felicity tried to distract her but Sawyer felt a stab of fear as Rowan stepped outside with the other woman.

“When I heard you remarried, I had to come,” Holly said. She curled a lock of silky hair around her ear. She had similar mannerisms to Becky, as best friends often do. It wounded him to see it.

“I had to tell you that Becks would want you to be happy. I think she wants me to give you her blessing.”

Rowan felt his throat constrict. It hurt to be near her. He expected Becky to round the corner with her shopping bags in hand and her impish smile. The friends were like sisters.

Holly’s stunning blue eyes swam with tears. “It’s painful to see you too,” she said. “Sometimes I catch your broadcast and I think how proud Becks would’ve been.”

Rowan’s jaw clenched. Holly played with her lustrous hair again. Diamond studs winked from her ears. Her cherry lips parted with a mournful sigh. “I think about her every day.”

Rowan couldn’t say the same. He loved Becky but some days the intensity of Sawyer’s love obliterated memories of his first wife. Guilt sliced through him. Rowan glanced away. The gazebo had several carved giant pumpkins. Families strolled through the park. Couples sat on picnic blankets. Others tossed a football or Frisbee. Kids played on slides and swings.

“I had to see you in person,” Holly smiled wistfully, “Being with you feels like Becks is close by.”

He felt the same way around her. It was good to be with someone who loved Becky too.

“How is Larry and Thelma?”

“They’re good.”

“I don’t call them as much as I should,” he said. Becky’s parents were always so good to him. He had to make time to give them a call.

Holly rested her manicured hand on his arm. Her touch was familiar, pleasant. She reminded him so much of Becky.

“It’s okay,” she said. Her voice chimed like music.

“You still sing?”

Her pretty face brightened. “Yes! I’m in the praise and worship ministry and I teach Sunday school.”

Wow. “Well done,” he said.

She blushed. “I love it.”

It suddenly occurred to Rowan that Holly Wright was the quintessential pastor’s wife. Beautiful, spiritual and primly vitreous, she was attractive and he definitely noticed.

Rowan cleared his throat. “I better go.”

“Yes of course, I didn’t mean to keep you.”

Neither of them moved to go. “How long will you be in town?” he asked.

“I’m staying at your hotel in downtown Austin, I’m heading back to New York in a couple of weeks.”

A ghost of a smile played on his full lips. “Little Italy?”

Her face softened in memory. “You remember our last Thanksgiving together? Becks orders the calzone and says to the waiter-”

Rowan and Holly quoted at the same time, “Size really does matter!” They both laughed.

Sawyer watched them from the diner window. She wasn’t an insecure or jealous woman by nature. Yet she’d be dense not to notice the intimate way they stood. She knew Rowan so well. He was attracted to Holly. Who wouldn’t be? Sawyer could tell by the way he smiled. His hands were shoved in the back pocket of his jeans, which meant he liked Holly but tried to conceal it.

Sawyer stood up and mumbled something about having to go to the restroom. Once inside the stall, she took several deep breaths, sternly ordering herself not to cry. Sawyer knew how much he loved her but he also loved Becky. She couldn’t compete with a ghost. Holly flew all the way from New York to seek him out. They had a shared history – a potent reminder of Rebecca Camden. The fact remains, Rowan chose Becky first. Had it not been for her tragic death, Sawyer and Rowan wouldn’t be together now. Becky’s mocking voice whispered to her in memory.

“God, you’re so plain…get a man of your own, if you can!”

Sawyer had to get her emotions under control. She longed for Harper or Emerson’s reassuring presence. Deena and Felicity looked at her with female sympathy as she fled to the bathroom. Sawyer leaned on the stall wall.
Get it together girl!
Stupid tears ran down her face anyway. Some women cried and a few seconds later you’d never know it. Sawyer was not one of those women. Not only did her eyes get bloodshot red, pale splotches dotted her cheeks as well. Rowan would know. Damn it!

Sawyer rushed out of the stall and splashed water on her face. She pat her eyes, pinched her bloodless cheeks. Her appearance would fool people enough to pass. Sawyer opened the door. Rowan stood on the other side. He took one look at her face, grabbed her by the hand and walked straight into the women’s bathroom.

“Rowan,” she sputtered.

He framed her face between his hands. “I love you more than anyone on this planet, do you understand me?” he said gruffly. She nodded. He kissed her forehead, her closed eyes, cheeks and lips. “Cricket, she’s not Becky,” he whispered, “And Becky’s not you. I love you and I’ll never stop.”

Sawyer felt secure in the warmth of his arms. He crushed her with a melting kiss.

Chapter 13

Lush gardens, trees and hills surrounded the new Grand Victorian hotel. Mineral springs flowed in natural pools through the atrium.   

Sawyer and Rowan arrived for the lavish grand opening celebration. Deena, Felicity, Caleb and his partner Xander met them on the ivy covered verandah.

“Darlings!” Deena said, kissing Sawyer and Rowan in turn. “So what do you think? Your sister has outdone herself.”

The frescoed dome, crown moldings, time period murals and antiques throughout gave the hotel a romantic aura from a bygone era.

Rowan kissed Felicity’s cheek. “It looks amazing, babe.”

Sawyer admired her sister-in-law’s interior design. “Can you please give our house a makeover?” she asked.

“We can’t afford her,” Rowan joked.

Felicity smirked. Caleb rumpled her hair affectionately. “We need you down at Pirate’s Cove, I’m getting a dated 70s vibe. We might as well hang a disco ball in the lobby.”

Felicity laughed. “Consider The Cove on my list,” she said.

Sawyer and Rowan bid their good byes until later. Rowan was the keynote speaker for the leader’s conference being held in the main hall. Pastors from all over the country flew in for the event. Rowan stroked her cheek. “I don’t know how late the first session will run, I’ll make it up to you later.” He kissed her and slapped her on the rump.

Sawyer hugged him tight. “You’ll do great.”

He kissed her again and winked on his way down the hall. 

Sawyer decided to enjoy her free afternoon. She strolled through the gardens with a book, looking for a quiet spot to read. She passed fountains, stone alcoves a small hedge maze. Flashes of blue from the Colorado River winked through the trees. She ventured deeper into the garden. She heard the voices before she saw them.

Caleb’s usual immaculate hair was disheveled. His handsome face ruddy and body tense. “You have to tell him!”

“No!” Felicity said with a note of sheer panic. “If you tell Seth I’ll never forgive you.”

Caleb tore at his hair with both hands. “This is all my fault.”

Felicity recoiled. “Are you drunk?”

Caleb stood before her, snort breathing. He swayed a bit on his feet. Tears dripped from his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said pitifully, “I’m so sorry for everything.”

Felicity burst into tears. She sobbed so hard, Caleb knelt down and reached for her. She reared back and slapped him with all her might. Her body trembled uncontrollably. “You bastard!” she hissed. Shoving him back, she spun the wheelchair around and sped away.

Sawyer was too shocked and baffled to move. She wanted to comfort them both. Caleb’s muscles and bones went slack as if all the life drained out of him. Sawyer reached him in time before her passed out. She caught him around the waist. She staggered under his tall frame. They fell hard on the nearest bench. Caleb belched strong fumes in her face that made her eyes water. He lurched away, doubled over and vomited in a flower patch. Sawyer pat his heaving back. “Caleb?” she ventured, “How can I help?”

“Go away,” he said bleakly. He back handed his mouth. He hung his head low. Sawyer knew instinctively not to leave him alone. He bristled with self-loathing. Caleb was in a dark place that only Rowan could reach. The leadership conference of pastors was in full swing. Prominent pastors gathered behind closed doors to the public and the press. Rowan couldn’t be disturbed, he was probably in the middle of his speech at that very moment.

“I can call your mom or Xander.”

“No,” he said, utterly dejected. “They’ll hate me too.”

Sawyer felt tears sting her eyes. She was so fond of him. To see him in this state was heart wrenching. “Please let me help you.”

Tears flowed unchecked down his face and dripped from his nose. “You’re so sweet,” he said softly. “You have no idea what a waste of space I am.”

Sawyer had no doubt if she left him now he would harm himself. “Caleb, you are kind and good-”