Snowed in With My Small Town Billionaire

Chapter 27 Sawyer

27

C H A P T E R

Sawyer

A fter Lucas dropped Sawyer off at his house, “Estes Park is still another three hours away. Why don’t you stay the night and leave first thing in the morning.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m ready to be home. I can’t wait for a shower, clean clothes, and my own bed.”

“I completely understand. I don’t mean to sound like your mom, but it has been a long day. Send me a text when you get home. Don’t call unless there is an emergency, because I’ll likely be passed out by the time you get there.”

“Will do,” Lucas said. He was gone before Sawyer even got into his house.

Sawyer stepped inside and let out a deep breath. The silence felt odd after so many weeks of noise and people around constantly. He thought about picking up his dog right away, but he was exhausted. He would just pick him up tomorrow. Plus, he didn’t want to answer all the questions everyone was sure to have.

The first thing he did, after shoving his clothes into the washing machine, was take a shower, letting the water get as hot as he could stand it. He washed his hair, scrubbed his body, and just stood there, letting the water cascade over his body. Sawyer moaned as the hot water massaged his aching muscles. Between shoveling snow, chopping wood, and going on snowshoeing trips, he was tired and sore. The only reason he decided to get out after half an hour was that the hot water had become lukewarm.

He looked in the mirror and thought about shaving.

“I actually kind of like the look of having a mustache and small beard going on. It gives me a rugged look, although I won’t go as far as having the Grizzly Adams look,” he laughed.

After he was dressed in a pair of sweats and an old T-shirt, he padded barefoot into the kitchen. His fridge was almost empty except for a six-pack of beer. He didn’t feel like cooking, anyway.

“Chinese, pizza, or Mexican?”

He flipped through DoorDash’s website and checked out the menus in a few places. Sawyer laughed when he saw that one restaurant offered hearty beef stew.

“As much as I loved Millie’s cooking, especially since she was doing the best she could with the resources she had, I’ve had enough stew to last me a lifetime.”

He decided on pizza and ordered a large, thick crust, supreme with extra cheese. His stomach rumbled and his mouth watered at the thought of the food coming.

While he waited, he turned on the television and flipped through the channels. There wasn’t a whole lot on, so he settled for some reruns of Criminal Minds. His mind really wasn’t on the show.

Sawyer missed Gwen. He thought about how her blue eyes sparkled when she looked at him. He could almost feel her lips pressed against his and her arms wrapped around him.

Growling, he ran his fingers through his hair, wishing he could beat some sense into Jerome. Sawyer wasn’t mad at Gwen and understood and respected her decision. He had expected it anyway, but he still had to ask. Gwen was a good woman and would put Brent before anyone else. She couldn’t bear to lose him. Putting the kid first was the right thing to do. He was a child and had already lost his parents.

I can’t imagine Jerome’s comments if he told Brent that the Johnsons were not only responsible for Brent’s parents’ death but also for taking Gwen away from him.

The doorbell rang and Sawyer practically ran to the door. He gave the driver a fifty-percent tip before settling on the couch.

He had just finished when his phone rang.

“Dr. Johnson.”

“Hello, Dr. Johnson. This is Dr. John Anderson. I just got a new patient who is in the ICU with a broken leg and a massive infection.”

Sawyer leaned forward on the couch and asked anxiously, “Zaid. How is he?”

“He’s going to be okay. We’ve got him on an IV with morphine and heavy-duty antibiotics. He told me everything that you did. You saved his life.”

“I did my best. I was terrified that I was going to have to perform field surgery and amputate his leg.”

“You would have if one more day had gone by. I’m pretty sure we can save it, though, barring any complications. I think we might even be able to save his toes, but I’m not positive about that,” the doctor said. “Can you give me a rundown on the medication he received and all the care you provided?”

Sawyer kicked into professional doctor mode and explained everything, including the herbs he prescribed once they ran out of antibiotics.

“Good call. Like I said, you saved his life and likely his leg. He and his fiancé describe you as the best thing since Superman.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. Thanks for the update. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”

Sawyer sat back on the couch and smiled. He was glad that Zaid was going to make it. That would have been a hard, bitter pill to swallow.

The next day, Gunner brought Bubba, Sawyer’s Akita, over to the house. Sawyer greeted the huge dog and loved on him. Bubba stood on his back legs and put his front paws on Sawyer’s shoulders.

“I missed you, too, big guy,” Sawyer laughed.

Gunner grinned at him. “So, big brother, how was vacation?”

“I’m hungry, I don’t have any food here. Let’s go to Alice’s diner and I’ll tell you the whole long, drawn-out story.”

“Alice would love to see you. I know she’s been as worried as everyone else,” Gunner said.

Alice was their eldest brother’s mother-in-law. Alice and her husband, Jim, became an important part of the family when Lane married Taylor.

True enough, Alice ran up to Sawyer as soon as he walked into the place. She gave him a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

“You’re safe. We’ve been so worried about you. Taylor called me as soon as you let Lane know you were good and got the phone tree started, but it’s still great to see you in the flesh.”

“Thanks, Alice. What’s the special today?”

“Beef stew.”

Sawyer groaned. “Anything but that. That’s pretty much what we ate the last few days we were stuck on the mountain.”

“How about a steak, baked potato, and country green beans?”

“That sounds more like it,” Sawyer said.

“Make that two, please,” Gunner replied.

They took a seat in the back of the restaurant and Sawyer told him everything, including the situation with Gwen.

“That’s tough. Maybe she’ll change her mind.”

“I don’t want to be the guy who makes her lose Brent and who makes Brent lose the only good thing in his life right now.”

“That’s not on you. That’s on Jerome. I understand how you feel, though. Who knows, maybe he’ll change his mind.”

Sawyer shook his head. “I don’t see that happening.”

“Who knows? If she truly loves you, she’ll find her way back.”

“We’ll see. Do me a solid, though and please don’t say anything to anyone tomorrow. I don’t want to talk about it with any of them.”

“I understand. They mean well, especially Willow, but I can see why you wouldn’t want to deal with their comments, helpful advice, or offers to straighten out Jerome,” Gunner laughed.

They ate lunch and Sawyer went grocery shopping before heading home. Bubba insisted on playing ball for an hour before the both of them were completely worn out. Sawyer stretched out on his bed to take a nap with the giant dog next to him. As much as he loved being in the comfort of his home, a tiny part of him wished he was still on the mountain – as long as Zaid was healthy.

He spent the rest of the day watching television, playing ball with Bubba, and trying to decide whether or not to shave his face before heading out to the ranch the next day.

****

The sun was shining high in the sky and it was a warm day for winter in Meadow Springs. All ten of his siblings were at the ranch, as well as the wives of his three older brothers. Franny, the cook, Della, the housekeeper, and the ranch hands, Robert and Sam, were hanging out as well – they were considered an important part of the family.

Everyone rushed around him as he and Bubba got out of his truck and ambled over to the gathering. They were all talking at once, asking about his trip and what happened.

He held up his hand, laughing, and told them the whole story, leaving out any mention of Gwen and her family. The only reference to them was when he said that a little boy got lost, fell into a ravine, and nearly froze to death. Then, his older sister got lost a few days later.

Colton, the second oldest brother, grinned at Sawyer. “So, when are you taking your next vacation?”

“Not for at least another five years,” Sawyer exclaimed.

After everyone was done exclaiming about his adventures, Ryder said, “Sadie and I have some news, as well.”

Sawyer looked at his brother and grinned. “Let me guess. There’s another little Johnson on the way.”

“That’s right. This one is a girl,” Sadie said.

“At this rate, the three of you are going to double the population of Colorado. You guys are practically multiplying by the minute. Taylor and Lane have a little one and are about to have another. Talia just gave birth to Sean, and now Sadie is going to have a baby. I’m going to have to pick up some new patients just to be able to afford all the Christmas presents.”

Willow, the youngest of the ten Johnson kids, and the only girl, nudged Sawyer playfully. “I guess you’re next in line to get hitched. I could help you set up some profiles on the online dating apps.”

“No, thank you. I’ve heard horror stories. I’m happy just spoiling my nieces and nephews.” He shot a look at Gunner. “That makes Gunner next in line. Maybe you can set him up.”

Willow looked at Gunner, put her finger on her chin, and said, “Hmmm, there’s something to work with there.”

He held up his hands in mock horror. “No. Not me. I’ve got a horse ranch to run. I don’t have time for a woman.”

They sat around, chatted, laughed, and had fun. As much as he loved his family, though, he was happy to be back home with Bubba.

He thought about Gwen and his heart hurt. Sawyer knew that the wound was fresh and the pain would ease.

“We’ll be just fine, by ourselves,” he told Bubba.