Deceived: Devon Brothers, #2, page 20
“That’s good to know.”
“Mine will definitely not be off grid,” Sawyer said with a laugh.
“He’s a bit spoiled,” she joked, and Sawyer poked at her with a laugh, but he couldn’t disagree. He’d grown too used to modern comforts to do without them.
“Wow, this is just incredible,” she said as she wandered the space. “You’d never know you were inside a container standing here. It’s like a real home.”
“In every sense of the word,” Jeremy said with a nod, then gestured toward the spiral staircase in the living area. “This will take you upstairs to the bedrooms. We have several types of stairways to offer, the spiral is just the most space saving.”
“Not really conducive to carrying furniture up and down though, is it?” Sawyer laughed and Jeremy gave him a smirk.
“Therein lies the trick of the containers,” he said. “There are double doors at the back end... the original loading doors. When we design the homes we use about three feet of floor space to tuck the utility room in and the doors remain. They can be opened and utilized for moving large objects in and out any time.”
“I never thought of that, that’s pretty ingenious,” he said, following them upstairs.
“I don’t think I’d like a spiral staircase anyway,” Avalynn said. “It feels too claustrophobic to me.”
The upstairs was equally spacious with a large bedroom with a sizable en suite, and a smaller room at the front. Perfect for a home office.
“Windows, doors, flooring... it’s all custom to your wishes. The last one I did like this had a huge bay window out the front. It was really nice,” Jeremy said, and Avalynn’s face lit up. Sawyer could practically see all her ideas swirling in her mind as she took in the space.
They spent the next twenty minutes touring two other homes in various states of build before Avalynn was ready to make some choices.
“Why don’t you come with me to the office so we can make your design list and get this started for you,” Jeremy gestured to Avalynn as they exited the last home.
“I actually have to head in to sit with your rep, Garrett, to finalize my picks as well,” Sawyer said.
“Perfect. We’ll find you when we’re done with everything,” Jeremy said and giving him a nod, Sawyer watched as he and Ava went into the office together. Ava was talking up a storm and he knew her new place would be as unique and as special as she was to him. He’d already let Jeremy know via text that expense was no issue and she was to get whatever she wanted as far as finishes and extras. Sawyer wanted her to be comfortable in her new home. He wanted her to feel safe. And he’d already spoken to the security staff at the farm, so both of their places would be decked out with the latest and greatest in smart home security.
He’d also spoken to Mr. Peterson about the property and the refurbishment of the road. Though Peterson wasn’t keen on updating the pavement, he was more than happy to offer up land to both of them. As he’d put it to Sawyer, he was 87, had no living relatives that he was aware of and when he died, the state would more than likely steal it back. With that in mind, he was more than happy to sign over more than an acre as long as it stayed in Avalynn’s name and Sawyer was more than happy with that exception. If things didn’t work between them, he’d happily pay her rent or move his home if needs be. But that wasn’t something he wanted to consider. If anything, he could see them staying and growing old on the property together. When that thought initially popped into his head, it surprised him, especially this early in the relationship, but he realized how important she had become to him, and it was the least he could hope for. Spending his life with her didn't seem like such a chore. It seemed like an obtainable goal. One he was more than willing to strive for.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Are you sure?” Sawyer asked as he took a seat across from the DA.
Mellanie Everrett, who he’d known as Mellanie Gibbs at Harvard, gave him a broad smile as she keyed through some information on her computer.
“One hundred percent sure,” she said. “The sheriff’s office was definitely not pulling their weight when it came to this matter. At any rate, the local police were to be called in and they never were. Once I stepped in, things seemed to have transpired very quickly.”
“That’s good to hear, so charges will be filed?” he asked.
“No, Cartwright has agreed to pay for all damages, including distress.”
“Distress?”
“Intentional infliction of emotional distress upon Miss Barlow due to the break in, as well as loss of wages.”
“So Micheline goes free, she won’t be charged with anything?”
“That’s correct.”
“That’s bullshit,” he ground out.
Mellanie gave him a shrug and folded her hands on her desk.
“You know how these things work when people like Cartwright are involved. Money is their perpetual band aid.”
“And if Ava wants to press charges?” he asked.
“There would be no point. Bringing this to trial would be futile. Cartwright would just throw money and lawyers at it, dragging it out and it would end up costing her money and putting her through even more stress. No, take the deal. She’ll get a settlement that will cover all of her losses and then some.”
“So Micheline’s going to walk... even with all this slander she’s slinging against me currently?”
“Well,” Mellanie sighed as she organized some paperwork on the desk in front of her. “She’s being given probation for a year on this case. But that probation is contingent upon her not doing anything illegal within that period. Libel is a civil case, so I would just keep track of everything being said and file against her. Again, Cartwright will probably pay you off, but it is what it is. Given that he and his company are currently being investigated, things may not end well for either of them.”
That didn’t sit well with Sawyer. He wanted Micheline punished and he knew throwing fines and settlements at her would do nothing because her father would just pay everything off as he always did. But this was a no win situation, and he knew it. As Mellanie stated, trying to throw the book at people like Cartwright was pointless when they could pay for every book you threw. He knew that game very well.
“So how soon will she receive her settlement?” Sawyer asked.
“As far as I’m aware, he didn’t go through insurance. He’s paying out of pocket and was given a two week period. Seeing everything else going on around him, I can assume this’ll get paid sooner rather than later. If it doesn’t, have her get in touch with me so I can escalate that for her.”
Sawyer stood and held out his hand.
“Thank Mel, a pleasure as always,” he said, giving her extended hand a shake.
“Likewise. Nice to know you’re looking after your girl like that. Very refreshing to see.”
Sawyer gave her a smile at that. Protecting Ava was a given and something he’d always do.
“If you get the chance, you should stop by the farm. We have a restaurant on the property that’s getting rave reviews. Would love to offer you a free meal for all your help in this.”
“That would be lovely. I’ll check with my hubby and try to get over there.”
“You may see Ava there as well, she helps with the wait staff several days a week,” he said as he headed toward the door and Mellanie raised her brows at that.
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes really,” he said with a chuckle. “You find that surprising?”
“I do. Going from Micheline Cartwright to a waitress is a pretty long leap. And I remember the kinds of women you dated at Harvard. I wasn’t one of them, just to remind you.”
“No reminder needed, I know I missed out there,” he grinned. “But yeah, I think after years of debutantes and beauty queens I realized I needed someone who had more depth. Someone I could actually have a conversation with.”
“Sawyer Devon,” she exclaimed, patting him on the back. “I am so proud of you. You’ve finally matured and become the man you were meant to be. I am so happy for you.”
“Thanks,” he said with a chuckle, knowing she was mocking him. “And I’m sure while you were at Harvard I was the last person on your mind. I mean, you did marry Justin.”
“I did, God help me,” she joked. “I luckily didn’t give anyone else a chance.”
“I’m glad you two are happy. Justin’s a great guy, so you did well.”
“And I think you’ll do well too. Ava seems like a lovely young woman with a good head on her shoulders.”
Sawyer gave her a nod.
“That she is. I am a lucky guy.”
“Just make sure she knows just how lucky you are,” Mellanie gave him a pointed look.
“I try to, every day,” he said. “She deserves that and more.”
Sawyer headed out of the DAs office and once in his car, he texted Ava to let her know he was on his way back. She was working that evening and had let him know she’d be with Kit that afternoon baking. She’d been doing that a lot and it was so lovely to see her smiling and enjoying her time at the farm. She and Kit had grown to be great friends and they confided in one another often. That eased his heart as well. He didn’t want her sitting at his place alone mulling over the break in and what that meant to her new business. Spending afternoons with Kit kept her mind where it should be, creating and smiling and enjoying her time when they weren’t together. And granted, when they were together, he did make sure he showed her how much she was loved and appreciated.
Showing that kind of appreciation was easy for him. Unlike Micheline, who expected to be showered with expensive gifts, trips, and dinners, Avalynn expected nothing. Nothing but his time and attention when he had it to give. And even then she never complained about his schedule or that he couldn’t spend twenty four hours a day with her. That in and of itself was a huge blessing. She wasn’t needy or clingy or selfish like so many other women he dated, and it was a breath of fresh air to be in love and yet not have his life completely engulfed by his relationship.
In love.... that thought made him pause. He did love her, deeply. And after only a short period of being together he didn’t even question such a thought. He’d known her for years and deep down he was aware he always held a place in his heart for her. But lately it seemed so much more than evident to him. Being with her was effortless. She made it so easy to love her. He couldn’t not fall head over heels. And he knew it was crazy, but the thought of surprising her with an engagement ring after only a couple months didn’t seem like such a crazy idea.
As always she leapt from her seat and rushed into his arms when he entered the kitchen at the restaurant. There was flour all over her hands and Kit gave him a smirk as she watched them snuggle for a moment.
“Your girl has become a real pro baker,” Kit said as she pushed a cake pan into one of the ovens and shut the door.
“That doesn’t surprise me at all,” he said, dipping his head to give her another kiss.
“I learned how to make choux pastry today,” Ava said, and she leaned back and brushed flour off his shirt. “It was so much fun.”
“Her choux is better than mine, and I taught her,” Kit groused with a smirk.
“I will have you know that choux is one of my favorites, especially the ones filled with cream,” Sawyer said as she disengaged from Ava and brushed the remaining flour from his shirt.
“Then I will make you a hundred of them,” Ava said with a smile and Sawyer shook his head.
“No, no, no. If you make a hundred I’ll eat them all and I don’t have time to go to the gym. Just a few will be fine,” he chuckled. “Come out to the floor so we can talk.”
Furrowing her brows, she removed her apron and followed him out onto the floor, taking a seat across from him at one of the tables.
“I spoke to the DA today and Cartwright is settling.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, still looking confused.
“Instead of having any kind of trial or going through insurance, he’s going to accept the ruling of the DA and he’ll pay you out of pocket for any expenses and damages, including lost wages.”
“But I didn’t lose any wages,” she offered, furrowing her brows again.
Leave it to her to be honest and forthright even when people are trying to screw her over.
“You did, trust me. The DA is going to have her investigator get in touch with you to go over your itemized account and then you should receive payment pretty quickly after that.”
“Itemized account?”
She was so cute, and he gave her a sheepish smile.
“A list of the stuff you lost including a generalized guess of the loss of your home. I’ve already spoken to my lawyer about this and gave him the list so he is finalizing everything so it will go through smoothly.”
“I don’t want to ask for money for things I don’t need,” she said, and Sawyer gave a smile.
“That has nothing to do with it, Ava. Cartwright needs to pay for everything Micheline damaged or destroyed, and I mean everything. You were left with nothing.”
“But that just seems shady, charging them for stuff like wages. I didn’t lose any wages.”
God love her, but she was so innocent and didn’t understand the games people like Cartwright played. If Cartwright had anything to say in the matter, he’d say she owed him money for wasting his time.
“Hon, you lost sleep. You didn’t function for days. Your time is more valuable than you know. Plus, your vlogging was just taking off and you did lose wages. You lost days when you could have been posting.”
“I don’t know what to charge for that,” she said.
“My lawyer is already working that out. Amounts are based on averages for different occupations.”
“And I wouldn’t even know what to charge to replace my house. I mean, it was free,” she said.
“Yes but think of the hours and materials you put into it over the years. Again, that’s something my lawyer will validate and that's based on square footage and average cost of furnishing and stuff like that. And don’t say your stuff wasn’t worth anything because it was. Everything has a price. Everything. Even the steps you made out of crates. Time and effort went into all of that, and Cartwright will replace every last cent.”
Ava gave a deep sigh at that and looked away. He knew the whole legal situation made her uncomfortable, but it was necessary, and it was why he did a lot of the legwork for her. She’d be completely lost. And he was more than happy, again, to help anywhere she needed him.
“And just think, all that money you get back, you can use it to buy anything you’ve ever wanted, make your new place look exactly how you wish it to be.”
She nodded slowly at that, then gave a shrug.
“Again, I’m not much into things. I’ve done without pretty much everything for most of my life, I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
Sawyer gave a chuckle at that.
“No worries there, just let Kit know you have that money burning a hole in your pocket and I am positive she will help you window shop and pick all the things you will ever need.”
The four of them stood in the yard wide eyed as they took in the sight before them. Avalynn’s new home, her beautiful two story unit, sat almost exactly where her old place stood before. She had chosen to have it clad in a pale gray shingle and the lighting and other outside fixtures gave it a look of old world, as if it had been a carriage stop long ago. They had set the foundation at an angle, so the front and side was exposed to the open glade, and it was magnificent in the sunshine.
A small deck was added off the front door and the railing was fitted with planters already overflowing with wildflowers in every color imaginable. Even from the outside it looked homey and welcoming. Everything Ava could have ever imagined.
Three hundred feet to the right, beneath a copse of pines, sat Sawyer’s new place. His home was a similarly rustic two story unit, this one clad in a burnt shiplap and next to it, about thirty feet away and connected with a small walkway, was his one story office building in a similar design. Between the two homes there was a small gathering area consisting of a fire pit and four Adirondack chairs.
It was perfect.
“This looks amazing,” Kit exclaimed as she hugged Cade’s waist. “It looks so cozy.”
Sawyer could tell Ava was chomping at the bit to get inside her unit. He’d been inside, but not since it was finished and furnished, and he couldn’t wait to experience it with her.
“Shall we?” he asked, holding out his hand and she took it happily and they rushed toward her new home.
Holding the door open, he allowed her to step inside ahead of him and waited for her reaction.
“Oh my God!” she shouted and behind them he could hear Cade and Kit laughing and clapping. “Oh my God! This is beautiful! It’s so much bigger than I anticipated.”
“It is, isn’t it? I’m really surprised at how spacious it really is,” Sawyer marveled. Even now with all the fixtures and furnishings in place, it seemed so much bigger than it looked on the outside.
“Look how beautiful the kitchen is!” she cried out, running her hands along the counter. The cabinets she chose were a simplistic shaker style painted an unusual peacock blue. Instead of granite or marble, she’d chosen butcher block for the countertops. The fixtures and fittings were all in a dark rubbed bronze. And of course, she got the beautiful copper farm sink she’d always dreamed of. He made sure of it.
“And the floors!” she squealed, racing into the living area. “They turned out so beautiful.”
“I wouldn’t have thought the gray would work with the kitchen, but it does,” he said. “It looks really nice.”
It was a wide plank vinyl that looked like weathered driftwood. He actually stooped down to feel it, it looked so real.
Kit and Cade came in a few moments later and Kit immediately began swooning over the kitchen and he could practically hear Cade rolling his eyes. The amount of remodeling going on in their own home had been driving his brother crazy, but like him, seeing your woman smiling and happy was worth the grief of having to go through the mess and the cost.
