Faithful to Laura (17 page)

“We have nothing to talk about.” Cora peered at the stocky, broad-shouldered man who claimed to be Sawyer’s father. “I’m here for my grandson.”

“You’ve made that clear,” he said.

How dare he scrutinize her like this? She should be investigating them, especially since their rustic lifestyle was not exactly the ideal environment for a young man of Sawyer’s quality.

But I should have been here for him
.

She pushed the thought away. There was no room in her plan for guilt. It wasn’t her fault her daughter had kept Sawyer away from her. She blamed her wretched son-in-law for that.

If he hadn’t been in Kerry’s life, everything would be different now. She would know her grandson. She would have had influence over him. Now she couldn’t even get him to talk to her.

Lukas’s voice broke into her thoughts. “How do I know you’re telling the truth about being Sawyer’s grandmother?”

“You’re accusing me of lying?” First she had to come to this godforsaken town. Now this simpleton was impugning her integrity. If only her daughter had listened. If only she hadn’t destroyed Cora’s life with her selfishness. If only— “I don’t know you.” He crossed his arms again. “And Sawyer is my
sohn
. It’s my job to protect him.”

“He’s an adult.”

“I’ll never stop being his father.”

“You’re
not
his father.”

“The law says I am.” He shook his head. “Look, we’re getting nowhere. Sawyer was upset when he left. Shocked, if nothing else. I’m sure he’ll come back after he’s had some time to think. He’s a smart young man.”

“I hope so.” Cora sniffed. Fine, powdery sawdust flew up her nose. She sneezed.

“Gesundheit.”

She pulled a tissue out of her bag and wiped her nose.

Allergies. Dust, mites, pollen, dander. So many she sometimes lost track. “I can’t stay in this room much longer.”

“We can wait outside.” Lukas gestured to the door. “Or in
mei
parents’
haus
.”

“Outside will be fine.” She stood by the door. Lukas didn’t hesitate to open it for her.
At least this man has some manners
.

They stepped outside. The rain had stopped again, but the crisp autumn air still held a bite, along with that revolting animal smell that had surrounded her since she arrived. How did people live like this?

She pulled a blue-backed packet of papers, folded in thirds, out of the Hermes bag. “You wanted proof? Here it is.”

Lukas took the papers. Looked them over carefully, turning each page with slow movements, his thick fingers running across the words. Time stood still as he read the legal documents.

Finally he handed them back to her. She was thinking she might have to explain the legal terminology when he said, “These seem to be in order. So why are you just showing up now?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“I believe it is.” Lukas stood askance. “Sawyer grew up believing he didn’t have any family other than his parents.

When they died, he had no one.”

She wasn’t about to admit to this man the reason why she hadn’t known about Sawyer. She would not look like a fool.

“Now he has someone. The details aren’t important.”

“I imagine they are to Sawyer.”

She shifted on the heels of her pumps. Hopefully she hadn’t stepped in anything offensive and ruined them—they were one of her most expensive pairs. “I will explain myself to him.
Only
him.”

“I’m listening.”

Cora turned at the sound of Sawyer’s voice. As he walked toward her, her stomach turned. The nearly black hair. Square chin. Broad shoulders. He looked just like his vagabond of a father. The man Kerry had given up everything for.

Then she saw it, and one of the thick layers of ice around her heart started to melt.
His eyes
. His eyes were his mother’s.

Cora blinked back the tears. No weakness. She couldn’t afford it, not with so much at stake. “If you come home with me, Sawyer,” she said, “I’ll tell you what you need to know.”

Sawyer shook his head. “You’ll tell me now. Right here. Or I guarantee you’ll never see me again.”

C
HAPTER
14

As Anna and
Fraa
Byler talked in low tones, Laura stood and looked out the living room window. She was at a loss to know what to say to this family, these loving people who had not only offered her a job, but extended kindness far beyond the call of Christian duty. Kindness she’d never fully appreciated, especially Sawyer’s.

Until now. She pulled back the curtains and saw Lukas, Sawyer, and his grandmother standing in front of the workshop.

Laura homed in on Sawyer’s face. His black eyebrows were set in a straight line, his square chin lifted. Anger. Resentment. She recognized those emotions—she had seen them often enough in her own reflection. But she had never seen Sawyer express them. Until now.

“Is something happening?” Anna came up behind Laura and peered over her shoulder. “What are they doing?”

“Talking.”

“Sawyer is upset.” Anna gripped the edge of the curtain and pulled it farther back. “Hasn’t he been through enough? I should
geh
to him. He needs me.”

“Nee.” Fraa
Byler extracted the curtain from Anna’s grip.

“Let Lukas handle this.”

“But—”

“Anna.”
Fraa
Byler touched her face. “I know how much you love Sawyer. But he’s not a helpless
kinn
anymore. He’s a
mann
, and you must respect that. You must also trust your husband’s judgment. He’ll be there for Sawyer.”

Anna nodded. “It’s just so hard . . .”

“I know.” She lightly gripped Anna’s arm. “Let’s
geh
in the kitchen. We’ll have some
kaffee
while we wait.”

Laura looked out the window again. She’d join Anna and
Fraa
Byler in a minute. But not until she knew Sawyer was okay.

Sawyer didn’t move. He looked down at this woman who claimed to be his grandmother. He saw the legal papers she handed to his father. Heard Lukas say that what she claimed was true.

But it couldn’t be. If Cora Easley was his grandmother, his parents had lied to him. They would never have done that.

Would they?

“This isn’t the place to discuss the matter.” Cora looked past Sawyer to Lukas. “We should talk about this privately.”

“Anything you have to say, you can say in front of my father.”

“He’s not your—”

“Father?” Sawyer glanced at Lukas. He loved his biological dad, but he also loved Lukas. And he wouldn’t have her shortchange this man. He faced her again. “He is my father, just as much as Ray Thompson was.”

She pressed her lips together. “I’d rather not talk about that man. And as for your mother, she had her reasons for not telling you about me.”

“What reasons?”

For the first time he saw doubt flicker across her features. Up to this point she’d been demanding. Confident. And prideful. Every inch of her reflected wealth and position. So different from his parents and in complete contrast to the life he lived now. Yet his simple question made her pause. A knot of anxiety formed in his gut. Suddenly he doubted everything his mother and father had ever told him.

“I will tell you those reasons when we get home.”

He took a step back. “I am home.”

Cora looked around. “This is not where you belong.”

“Not true.” He narrowed his gaze. “If you knew anything about me, you’d know better.” He shook his head. “I’m tired of whatever game you’re playing. Tell me the truth. Now. Or I’m walking into that house.”

She opened her mouth to speak. Her bottom lip trembled. Only for a second, but he caught it. He steeled himself. He didn’t want to feel sorry for this woman. He didn’t want to feel anything for her.

He waited. She waited. A minute. Two. Five. Still she stayed silent.

“That does it,” he said at last. “I’m going inside.”

“Sawyer.”

He turned at Lukas’s voice. His father’s mouth was barely visible through his thick, dark beard. But his eyes were intense. Never had he seen Lukas look so serious. Or so worried, despite how he tried to hide it. Sawyer could sense the strain radiating from his father.

“We need to talk about this,” Lukas said. He stepped forward. Lowered his voice. “As a
familye
.”

“No.” Cora stepped between them. “What you need,” she said, pointing at Sawyer with her long, artificial fingernail, “is to stop being ridiculous. You’re wasting everyone’s time.”

“Did you really think you could show up in my life, after twenty years, and just expect me to jump at your command?” Sawyer said. “Do you actually think I’d walk away from the people who took care of me after my parents died?” He narrowed his eyes at her. “The police, the social workers, the lawyers . . . they all looked for a relative, anyone, to claim me.” Sawyer’s throat tightened. He forced out the words. “Not a single person showed up. Except for the Bylers. They were the only ones who cared enough to save me from the group home.”

“If I’d known . . .”

“If you’d
known
?” He sneered at her. “You’re rich. How hard could it have been to find me?”

She looked away. “You have no idea.”

“You should have tried harder.” He leaned forward.

“I don’t care where you go, just leave. I’m done here.” He stormed past her and bounded up the front porch steps of his grandparents’ home. His
real
grandparents. The ones who mattered to him. Not the woman who finally showed up when it was convenient for her.

He went into the house, letting the door slam behind him.

Laura was in the living room next to the window. She dropped the curtain, and the fabric swayed against the window. Her cheeks flushed, but the rest of her face was pale.

She’d been watching.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

Sawyer looked at her. Saw the concern in her eyes. And for some bizarre reason, he wanted to hold her. He wanted to wrap Laura Stutzman in his arms and keep her there. To draw from the well of strength he knew she possessed. Because right now, his well was running dry.

Instead, he walked away.