Page 58 of One Kind Goal

Sawyer’s eyes pricked at the corners and it took him a few seconds to find his voice again. “I would love that, Carina,” he said around a tight throat. “Thank you.”

“Can I say hello to Nia?” she asked.

“Of course. Let me go inside. I’ll call you right back.”

They ended the call and Sawyer stood outside, not believing the conversation he’d had with Carina. When the front door opened behind him, Morgan put up both of her hands.

“Not trying to butt into your phone call,” she said. “Nia wanted her giraffe from the SUV.” She motioned to the vehicle.

Sawyer waved his phone. “I’m off now anyway, but Carina wants to say hello to Nia.”

Morgan started for the SUV, but Sawyer snagged her around the waist.

“Carina also said we could discuss me seeing Nia more often.”

Morgan’s pretty blue eyes widened. “Sawyer! That’s wonderful!” She threw her arms around him.

He hugged her back. “I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.” He dropped a loud smooch on her cheek.

“Well, you’re definitely the guy with the coldest nose in the world,” Morgan said. “Let’s get you back inside where it is toasty warm.” She opened the SUV’s back door and retrieved Nia’s purple giraffe.

Sawyer followed her to the front door. His nose may have been cold, but his heart was toasty warm.

****

Sawyer was behind the wheel of his SUV now as they headed back into town so Morgan could check out Trixie’s Attic again. Charlie had also told Nia about a fun children’s bookstore Nia had then begged to see.

“I want a book about a Pegasus,” Nia had said after telling Charlie and Austin all about the carousel horse Morgan had bought her. Of course, Austin had given Morgan a curious look at that announcement and he’d cornered her in the kitchen when she’d gone to grab a bottle of water.

“Buying your way into the little one’s heart?” he’d asked.

She’d shrugged. “Seemed like an easy win.” Though it had pained her to give up the Pegasus.

“You may have noticed I didn’t pepper Sawyer with questions about whether or not he has a police record or if he’s wanted in twelve states or what his political views are,” Austin had said.

Morgan had unscrewed the cap to her bottle of water and taken a swig. “I did notice and I applaud your restraint.”

Austin had shaken his head. “Not restraint.” He’d rested his hands on Morgan’s shoulders. “I can tell he actually means something to you. The kid too. I would never scare away people you’ve truly let into your heart, Morgan. I like him for you.”

Her throat had grown tight, as it had a few times throughout their visit today. Something about getting Austin’s approval—without having to promise him a kidney or something—had made her emotional.

“I like him for me too,” she’d said quietly before stepping around Austin to rejoin the others in the living room.

Now she glanced back at Nia who sang a silly song to her purple giraffe. When Morgan turned to face forward again, Sawyer shot her a little smile.

“What’s that grin about?” she asked, wondering if that squishy feeling would stop at some point. Surely the man couldn’t inspire that sensation around the clock.

But it feels as if he can . . .

“Nothing.” He shrugged one shoulder. “I know I agreed with Nia that yesterday was the bestest day, but—”

“So is today!” Nia shouted from her car seat.

“Yeah.” Sawyer motioned to the back seat with a jerk of his head. “What she said.”

“It does appear we’ve had consecutive bestest days,” Morgan said.

“What does cosekatif mean?” Nia asked.