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When we get home,we beeline it to the refrigerator and start pulling things out. Without a word, we open Tupperwares and grab forks. We eat right in front of the refrigerator, not bothering with plates or sitting down. “This is so good,” I say, after swallowing a huge bite of cold mashed potatoes.
“Right?” Sawyer’s got the Tupperware of the lasagna, and after a few bites each, we switch. It hits me how natural this is, having zero manners.
Once we finish our feeding frenzy, we head up to the attic, ready to open the third padlock.
My phone buzzes, and I check it to see it’s The Crusher.
Crusher:I need a disclosure agreement by tomorrow morning.
Me:Mark Chenning is responsible for that, sir.
Crusher:Mark is busy with his family. I need you on this right away.
I groan, taking a seat on the couch in the attic.
Me:I’m out of town for the holidays, sir.On approved vacation I don’t add.
Crusher:It’s due Saturday morning.
“What’s up?” Sawyer sits next to me.
“My new boss.” I scrub a temple. “We call him The Crusher, and next week, we have an emergency deposition. He’s just barking out his usual orders.”
I don’t tell Sawyer he’s demanding that I work on something due Christmas Eve. I’ll have to stay up late tonight and tomorrow night because I can’t miss the Quinn’s special dinner and tradition of heading to the Christmas tree downtown to hang their decorations and make their wishes.
The tradition that Eleanor started with the broccoli dog ornament, which is still lost, and I haven’t heard anything back from NeighborhoodBuzz. I’m glad I didn’t tell Sawyer and get his hopes up about it since no one answered.
Sawyer’s brows furrow. “That sucks. I know you’ve had a terrible year, but I at least thought you liked your job.”
“Yeah. I used to. Not anymore.” I wring my hands.
“We need another attorney here in Cherry Creek.” His mouth tilts. “If you want to take cases about disputed property lines and alleged hog theft.”
My mouth curves. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind a pay cut if I enjoyed work again. It’d also be nice to be making a difference in the community.”
“Well, I love my job as a small-town attorney, and that’s why.” He taps his fingers together.
“I can see that.” I always thought we were complete opposites, but the more time I spend with Sawyer now, the more I realize we’re becoming more alike. I decided to go the corporate law route because my parents talked me into it with promises of their subsequent pride and joy, which didn’t exactly pan out. I thought Sawyer was taking the hard road with a job as a public defender, but now, I realize that maybe he was onto something. The older I get, the more I realize that happiness and fulfillment mean more than family obligation. And, living in a place like Cherry Creek is definitely a simpler lifestyle, which I used to think I didn’t want.
Now, I’m not so sure.
I hold up Eleanor’s letter, saying, “We should find out our fate.”
Sawyer squeezes his eyes shut. “We should.”
When we unfold the note, we anxiously read,
Hello Sawyer and Dawson,
Good work getting donations for the shelter! I’m sure the staff was thrilled to have your help. Marlene needs all she can get.
Challenge number three: in order to get the code that opens the next padlock, you must first go to the library and get a book. You can’t check it out, but you do have to find it. I’ve hidden it behind my two favorite books. Good luck, and may you both win.
“This one sounds weird.” I set the note down.
“Definitely weird.” Sawyer sighs. “But at least not difficult, embarrassing, or cold.”
I chuckle. “Very true.”
