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He’d not seen her in anything that showed off her curves since the night he’d busted in on her talking dirty to Murray. Sawyer wasn’t feeling comfortable about seeing them now.
He was not interested in this woman.He just needed to remind parts of his body about that.
“Sawyer!” A shout had him looking left. Birdie’s parents approached, wearing matching khaki kaftans with a goat on their heels.
“Mom, Dad, we’re leaving,” Birdie said quickly.
“I know that, sweetie. We just wanted to say goodbye and give you some healthy snacks for the plane. Have you taken your drops?”
“Yes, Mom.”
Birdie shot him a nervous look. What drops? Was she sick?
“You look after our little bird now, Sawyer,” Mr. McAllister said.
The McAllisters always seemed healthy. Her parents spent hours outdoors. Then there were all the natural foods they ate. Studying Mr. McAllister, he thought maybe the lines on his face had deepened since he’d seen him last.
“What happened to your face, Sawyer?” Mrs. McAllister walked right up and into his space. “Oh now, that must hurt.” She placed the tips of her fingers on his bruise and ran them over every inch of his damaged skin. Weirdly, it tingled.
Birdie made a strangled moaning sound. “Let him go, Mom.”
“Just helping him heal,” Mrs. McAllister said. She kissed Sawyer’s cheek and stepped back. “You go on back into the house now, Birdie, and get your arnica. Drops and cream.”
Sawyer watched Birdie lower the large bag in her hand on the ground and stomp back into the house.
“She’s nervous, Sawyer.” Mr. McAllister moved into his space as well. “She’s not worldly, our little chick, and has yet to spread her wings. You watch out for her for us.”
“I will,” he found himself saying.
“We know you will. You’re a protector. Others may see that big gruff exterior of yours differently, but we don’t, do we, Hamish.” Mrs. McAllister smiled at her husband.
“He’s a lion, Meadow. Has a loud growl, and fierce when needed but loyal and protective of those he loves,” Mr. McAllister said, looking far too intently to be comfortable into Sawyer’s eyes. “He protects his tribe.”
Hurry, Birdie.
“And now our little chick is one of them. I couldn’t be happier,” Mrs. McAllister said.
Panic sliced through him, and his eyes shot to the door.Hurry, Birdie!
“Ready?” Sawyer said when he saw her seconds later. “We need to get going or we’ll miss our flight.” The words came out so fast her eyes widened.
“Yes.”
He’d not had much to do with the older McAllisters. Birdie’s brother Finch had been his age, and they’d shared a few classes in school. But he’d never spent time here. Sawyer had to say he was happy about that after what had just gone down.
“Remember what we said. You watch over our girl, Sawyer,” Mrs. McAllister said.
“Mom!”
“She’s doing me a favor,” he said so they didn’t get the wrong idea. “I’ll look out for her.”
“I don’t need anyone looking after me, for pity’s sake. I’m an adult.” Birdie now had her hands on her hips, clearly pissed. “I’ll be back on Sunday. You remember to take your pills, Dad, and rest if you get tired. Call if you need me. Nina is coming to sit with Woodrow while I’m gone, so she’ll be close if you want anything.”
More guilt settled on his shoulders. He hadn’t given it much thought when he’d told Birdie she was going with him to Ryker Falls. He’d just wanted to get everyone off his back, and he had something over her to achieve that. But he was messing with her life for a couple of days. Her responsibilities, which included her parents.
He studied Hamish McAllister. Did he look thinner than he used to? What did he take pills for?
“We can take care of ourselves for a few days,” her father said. “You go, little bird, and for once stop worrying. We’ll be fine.” He put an arm around his wife’s shoulders and hugged her.
