Midnight Sons Volume 1 by Debbie Macomber Page B

cabins remained empty.
    “You won’t be there long,” he said. And he’d thought he was doing her a favor! He should’ve known that nothing with Abbey would be easy.
    She picked up another of his mother’s books, handling it with respect, then added the author and title to a list. “The kids and I are doing well where we are. Really.”
    “There are dangers you don’t know about.”
    “We’re fine, Sawyer.”
    He inhaled sharply. “Why won’t you move?”
    Abbey’s shoulders lifted in a small, impatient sigh. “It isn’t entirely your brother’s fault that he didn’t know about Scott and Susan.”
    “True, but you aren’t entirely to blame either.”
    “It’s very thoughtful of you to offer me the house, but no thanks.” She glanced up and gave him a quick smile. For a second Sawyer swore his heart was out of control, and all because of one little smile.
    “All right,” he said, slowly releasing his breath, “you can move into my house, then, and I’ll stay at Christian’s.”
    “Sawyer, you’re missing the point. I don’t want to put anyone out of his home.”
    “Christian isn’t there to put out.”
    “I know that, but when he does return I’ll have to go back to the cabin. There’s nowhere else for me and the children to move. I can’t see that shuffling us from one temporary place to another is going to help.”
    “But—”
    “We’re better off making do with what we have,” she said, cutting off his argument.
    “Are you always this stubborn?”
    Abbey’s eyes widened as if his question surprised her. “I didn’t realize I was being stubborn. It doesn’t make sense to play musical houses when we have a perfectly good—When we have a home now.”
    “The cabins were never intended to be full-time residences,”he said, clenching his fists at his sides. He shouldn’t admit it, especially since his brother had begun interviewing job applicants again, promising them free housing and land. Sawyer hadn’t wanted him to do it, but Christian had gotten carried away. You’d think that with the Seattle press picking up on the story, Christian would reconsider his approach. At least—thank God—the reporters had stopped calling him. And nothing Sawyer could say seemed to dampen his brother’s enthusiasm for the project. Christian was having the time of his life.
    Well, when the next women started to show up, Sawyer decided, he’d let Christian escort them to those shacks and gleefully announce that here were their new homes. No way was he going to do it.
    “I don’t want you to think I’m being unappreciative,” Abbey said.
    “You’re being unappreciative,” he muttered. “Christian’s place has all the conveniences. Surely the kids miss television.”
    “They don’t.” She hesitated and bit her lip. “Though I’ll confess I’d like a…hot shower.”
    Sawyer could tell that she was tempted by the offer.
    “I’m not comfortable knowing you’re out on the edge of town alone,” he told her. “Because of the kids…People in town would be mighty upset if something happened. Pearl’s been at me to find you some other place to live.” He didn’t want her to think there was anything personal in his concern. “Anyway, Christian’ll be gone a month or more.”
    “A month,” Abbey repeated.
    “Perhaps we could compromise,” he said, walking forwardand supporting his hands on her desk. “You could move into Christian’s house or mine, whichever you decide, until one of the other women arrives. Then perhaps you could share the place until a more viable solution presents itself.” Her hair smelled of wildflowers, and he found himself struggling to keep his mind on business.
    “When’s the next woman flying in?”
    “I’m not sure. Soon.”
    She took a moment to consider, then thrust out her hand. “Thank you. I accept your offer.”
    Relieved, Sawyer shook her hand as briefly as possible without being rude. The softness of her skin, her scent, her