“I think we’re ready,” Savie said.
That was one good thing that had come out of Cynthia’s visit—Savanna’s walls had come down. Sawyer figured knowing they wanted her did a lot to help her feel secure, but both he and Ford weren’t sure it was worth Savie knowing her mother was willing to walk away from them for a price.
“Great!” Sawyer said, walking over to her and taking Callum. “Why don’t you check on Gavin so we can get out of here.”
Savie nodded and hurried off. Sawyer turned to Ford and held his hand out, and Ford walked over and took it without hesitation. As he pulled Ford into him, Cal immediately stretched his chubby arms out and went for Ford’s face with both hands.
“He loves me. He really does.” Ford’s voice was teasing, even as he leaned forward and kissed Callum.
“Should I be jealous?” Sawyer gasped. “But I don’t know who I need to be jealous of. I love you”—Sawyer turned to Ford—“and I love you.” Sawyer leaned down and placed a kiss on Cal’s nose, and the little guy giggled. Sawyer then looked between Ford and his youngest brother, both wearing matching smiles, before placing a kiss on Ford’s upturned lips.
Sawyer’s phone started ringing, and he groaned, handing Cal over to Ford before grabbing it from his pocket. Who was calling? The last thing Sawyer wanted was anything to delay their family outing. He didn’t recognize the number on the phone and considered letting it go to voicemail, but then figured he should answer in case it had to do with the construction site and car. “Hello?”
“Hello, this is Officer Rick Palmer.”
Sawyer shot a look at Ford, but didn’t cut into the officer talking.
“I’m calling to inform you that after a search warrant was issued for Larry Banks’ home, we confiscated several cans of spray paint along with some other supplies that we believe may have been involved in the vandalism of your property. Unfortunately, there was no clothing that matched what the hooded figure was wearing in the video.”
Since they had security cameras installed along with the alarm, they were able to give the saved footage to the police, which should have been helpful because there had been no other proof it was Larry who had been at the job site.
“Does that mean he’s in custody?” Sawyer asked.
The officer cleared his throat. “We couldn’t actually hold him at the jail. He was brought in for questioning, but the evidence is circumstantial at best. However, he has been told not to leave Amber Falls while the investigation is being completed.”
Sawyer frowned. He didn’t like the fact that Larry wasn’t in jail, especially when the police had caught him with supplies that were highly incriminating, but he understood the reasoning. Now, however, he had more reasons to be concerned about the safety of his family and vowed to be more vigilant.
“Okay. Thank you for letting me know, Officer Palmer.” Sawyer knew losing it over the phone wouldn’t do him any good, and the officer was just following the law. “Goodbye.”
Sawyer wished he had a landline so he could bang it a couple of times in frustration.
“They got Larry I’m assuming?” Ford asked.
Sawyer met his gaze and nodded. “Well, they found spray paint and other tools…” Sawyer clenched his fist in frustration. “But he’s not going to be held in jail.”
“What? No jail time? Why not? How?”
Sawyer didn’t want to worry Ford or ruin their plans, but he would check up on things tomorrow. “There wasn’t enough evidence that it was, in fact, him, but we can’t worry about that. He is still considered a suspect, so that’s at least something.” He wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince himself or Ford.
“Something…” Ford shook his head. “He should have been thrown in jail. He came to our home where our kids are, not to mention the hate-crime part. Add to that the fact he could have cost us a ton of money at the resort that could have ruined us.”
“We’re not really sure that he’s behind the recent mess at the site.” The words sounded bitter in his mouth, but the officer hadn’t been wrong. They had assumed it was him, but they had no real proof.
Ford eyes widened. “Are they serious?” Callum jumped in Ford’s arms at his tone, so Ford began walking and jiggling Cal as he spoke. “Come on… he must have been.”
“I know it seems more likely than not since this has all started after he was fired, but the police need conclusive proof.” Sawyer let out a tired sigh. “But we’re fine. The resort is on track, and he didn’t ruin us.” Sawyer walked over to Ford and Callum and pulled them into his arms. “We’re not going to let any of this get us down. We promised we’d keep living our lives, getting back in the swing of things.” Sawyer leaned back so he could see Ford. “Right?”
He completely understood Ford’s frustration, but there truly was nothing they could do. “Maybe the fact that he is a suspect will stop him from doing anything else if he is responsible.” Sawyer wasn’t even sure he believed what he was saying. What really would stop someone who was angry and bent on revenge?
Ford stepped back and his brow went up. Sawyer knew his boyfriend could read him and was calling bullshit.
“Let’s hope so.” Ford didn’t sound all that convinced, though.
Sawyer refused to let this consume him. Besides, the kids were excited, and he wasn’t going to let them down. “Let’s go get the kids. We’re going to have a fun time out, and all of this can be put behind us. Let’s hope the attention from the police keeps him away.”
Ford smiled, but his excitement had dimmed. “Right.” Sawyer heard the uncertainty in his voice.
“Up in The Air Adventures is going to cheer you up,” Sawyer added. “And the
