Page 27 of Fierce: Sawyer

“I don’t think you are even trying,” her mother said. Her mother never said much. She’d always been quiet. Her father was her aunt’s brother and the more outgoing of them.

“No one can best my sister,” her father said. “So like Liam said, either find someone on your own or be prepared to get set up. It’s the only way it works in this family.”

“Did Aunt Jolene set you two up?” she asked.

She wasn’t sure why she never thought of that before. Even Liam stopped to look at her parents.

“No,” her mother said. “I met your father in college. Your aunt had nothing to do with it.”

That was good at least. And Faith wasn’t sure why she asked that because she knew they’d met in college anyway.

“Let’s open gifts,” her father said.

There was a bark in the kitchen. “Oh crap,” her mother said. “Hang on, Fred. I’m coming.”

She grinned as her mother ran to the kitchen, pulled out a few treats and handed them over as Fred came running back to politely eat them away from the tree.

Gifts were exchanged and opened; Fred got a few toys and bones and was thrilled.

“Did you burn yourself at work?” her father asked.

“What?” she asked, looking down at her palms. She’d forgotten that she hadn’t told her parents what happened. She didn’t need that lecture either. They always worried about her living alone even though Fred was more than enough protection.

She decided to lie for now. It was better.

“I tripped outside one day and landed on my hands.” That wasn’t much of a lie, to be honest. She held both hands up. “Looked like a fool and scraped my palms. No biggie.”

Her father shook his head. “I hope Fred didn’t trip you up when you were walking him.”

“No,” she said. “It was me not paying attention.”

Again, not a lie since she hadn’t known the guy who was running up from behind her would knock her down.

She helped her mother clean up the wrapping paper and then moved to the kitchen to set the table with Margo.

Then she stuffed her face full of yummy breakfast foods and took her leave to go home and do some yoga to make room for some snacks at her aunt’s.

She wanted to text Sawyer today but knew he was at his grandmother’s. Maybe she’d see his SUV in a few hours at least when she worked up enough courage to go and deal with more matchmaking meddling from her family.

Hours later she did pull into her aunt's but didn’t see Sawyer’s SUV at his grandmother’s. She’d bet he’d left already, but it looked as if there was another car there. Maybe it was Sean Brennan’s. Oh well, she’d talk to Sawyer tomorrow.

“Merry Christmas, Uncle Gavin,” she said, moving right to him.

“There is my favorite niece.” She wanted to say she was his only niece, but she wasn’t. He had one on his side. Jade Fierce James. But since Jade lived in Durham, her uncle didn’t see Jade as much as he had her.

“You always say that to me when you are up to something,” she said. “What is going on?”

“Just letting you know to not let your aunt get to you. She’s annoyed that Kendra didn’t have an engagement ring on her finger. She might turn her attention toward you.”

She frowned. “Ivan will do it when he’s ready. Just like me. I’m not sure why Aunt Jolene thinks otherwise. She should find some other sucker to fall for her plans.”

Her uncle put his arm around her shoulder. She had to look up at him with as big and tall as he was. “You tell her that, but know I’m on your side.”

She laughed but didn’t buy it. It was almost overkill.

“You’re brave to come back again,” Brody said to her.

“I’d never hear the end of it if I didn’t,” she said. “Your mother would ride my butt about being single forever because all I ever do is spend time with Fred. It’s better to stand up to her. It works her up and you all love that anyway.”