He watched Ford grit his teeth and couldn’t just stand there while she gave instructions as if this was her home.
“Cynthia, we have their schedules well coordinated and don’t need any advice or input. You are here staying the night by the minimal good grace that I had and at the request of the children. Please be so kind as to keep that in mind.”
Savanna took Callum from her mother and walked him over to Ford. The baby had chosen Ford as his person, and Sawyer knew it thrilled his man to no end.
Ford took Callum and left the room without a word, but there was a look of thanks on his face as he walked by, and that warmed Sawyer to know he did the right thing.
Paying close attention to her movements, it didn’t seem like Cynthia was using at the moment, but Sawyer had read up on addicts. He knew they were skilled liars and many could project acting sober even when they were high.
“Outside?” Her voice was measured, but Sawyer saw her tic in her jaw. “I’m only spending one night with my babies. I want to be close.”
Her voice was challenging, and he could almost hear the “Hah, take that.”
“You can sleep in my room, Mom,” Gavin spoke up. “I have a bunk bed.” He was so proud at his declaration, and Sawyer wasn’t sure if his brother could feel the tense undercurrents.
“I’m sorry, buddy. But tomorrow is a school day. You’ll get to see your mom in the morning before she leaves.” He was glad he was able to keep his tone level and calm as he spoke to Gavin. “It will be best if she slept in the guest house. And you know how comfortable it is out there...” He gave his brother a smile when he finished talking.
Gavin looked between his mother and Sawyer, but Cynthia was too busy glaring daggers at Sawyer to pay attention to the dilemma her son was having. Finally, Gavin stopped wringing his hands and looked at Sawyer, his eyes bright with unshed tears.
“Okay,” he said with a quivering voice.
It pained Sawyer to have to do this, but he knew it was for the best since Cynthia couldn’t be trusted, and he didn’t want her around the kids unsupervised, especially if she had any drugs with her.
“Why don’t you go and get yourself ready for bed, and then you can say good night to your mom before heading to bed. Deal?”
“Deal.” Gavin seemed somewhat pacified now, turned around and left the room, and Sawyer heard him stomping up the stairs.
Cynthia’s jaw was ticking as she rounded on him, fists on her hips. “Really, Sawyer? These are my children, and I have every right to be around them if and when I want. Her voice was cold as she spoke.
Ahh there she was. Sawyer knew the pleading and begging when he first met her had all been a facade. He’s hoped it wasn’t but… well.
“Cynthia, this is not up for discussion, and I am not going to keep repeating how you’ve lost visitation rights until you fulfill the terms set by the court. You will be staying in the guest house, and if you have a problem with that, then you are welcome to get back into your car and leave.” Who did this woman think she was and what the hell had their father seen in her?
She was nothing like his mom that was for sure.
He held Savanna’s gaze, and thankfully, she didn’t look away. “I have some work to finish up. Can you help Ford make sure it’s ready for your mother?” Savanna didn’t make her opinion known either way, and as much as Sawyer wanted to ask her how she felt about the whole situation, he knew now was not the time.
“Thank you,” Cynthia replied through clenched teeth.
Sawyer ignored her while he waited for Ford to come back down so he could let him know what was happening, and then, once Gavin had hugged Cynthia and gone back upstairs and the three of them left, he took a moment to check if there was a message or missed call from Madison. Unfortunately, there was nothing yet, and that just added to his irritation.
Sawyer made his way to the office to give himself time to calm down, and it was only after he heard Ford and Savanna come back in and go upstairs that he followed.
“Have a good night!” Sawyer called out as he walked by Gavin’s room.
“Goodnight, Sawyer,” Gavin replied, albeit with a sad lilt.
Savie’s door opened before he could make it further down the hall, and she looked at him. He walked over to her door and stopped a couple of inches from her, close enough that they could hear without having to speak up.
“Night,” she said in a low voice.
“Goodnight, Savanna.”
He waited a beat to see if she would speak. When it didn’t seem like she would, he turned to go.
“She’ll leave as quickly as she came,” she murmured. “She always does.”
Sawyer turned and found the door closed and let out a sigh.
Fuck… they’d been happy, and now Cynthia had shown up, disrupted their plans for the evening, and upset Ford and Savanna. If his sister was right, their mother would only disappoint Gavin again.
Sawyer slowly walked to his bedroom, Ford came out from Callum’s room and went into theirs, he didn’t acknowledge Sawyer. Man, he felt like he’d gone a couple of rounds with a heavyweight. He said a prayer that he was doing the right thing, especially knowing how Cynthia had treated Gavin… all the kids in the past.
Sawyer shut the door and leaned his back against it. Ford went into their walk in and he
