Now and Forever Still by A.M. Johnson

either Lizzie or Sailor was going to have a heart attack. Thomas just eased his son in the right direction. No fear or worry in his eyes. I liked that Thomas was quiet and reserved. A man with patience like that would surely be tested married to my girl, but I could tell he loved her. It was the little things, like how he always held her hand and how he offered to help her without hurting her pride. He was a real gentleman, and when my little girl lights the hell up when he looks at her, I get a concrete feeling in my chest, a permanence that once would have scared me, but today, I realized it meant she was safe, happy, and living the life I wanted for her.
    Sailor yawned as she raised from the couch. “I’m going to get this little one to bed.”
    Thomas stood as well.
    “No, I can do this, baby, you did all the dinner dishes.” She gave him a smile.
    “You should spend time with your family.”
    She leaned down and picked up Eli. “Sit, hang out with my dad. I think he’s been chomping at the bit to have you alone all night. Third degree.” She winked. “Are you ready?” She giggled and Thomas swallowed.
    “He’s already had the third degree… remember when you showed up on our front porch, unannounced, and said you were going to marry our daughter?” Elizabeth laughed and I smiled.
    I’d really scared the hell out of the poor kid.
    “Have a seat, Thomas.” I let my voice drop just enough to make him nervous; it was always fun to mess with him.
    He sat back down onto the couch, and I inched to the edge of my chair.
    “He’s just screwing with you, Thomas.” Sailor giggled as she and Lizzie made their way up the stairs.
    “I really am. See, this was my point when we were talking at dinner. You don’t know me well enough.” I leaned back in my chair, and he took a breath.
    “Mr. Bryant, I—”
    “It’s Sawyer, just Sawyer.” I shook my head and smiled.
    “Sailor and I have spoken, and I was offered a job in Denver.”
    My spine stiffened. “Denver.” It wasn’t Ogden, but it was a hell of a lot closer than London.
    “I declined.”
    I shut my eyes briefly, and my jaw tensed. “You declined.” I took a deep breath trying to hold off my anger.
    “I was under the impression you needed my particular marketing skills, here, at Willow Wood… Sir?” His dark eyes met mine and he sat taller. “Was I under the wrong impression? I would never want to be presumptuous, but Sailor and I… She’d said—”
    “Thomas.” I exhaled a sigh of relief. “Willow Wood is Sailor’s and yours if you want it.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’m not getting any younger, and the work, it’s too much for just me. The staff over the years has dwindled, and after Colby and Cam moved to California a few years ago for Cam’s job, I just can’t do it on my own anymore. It would be one hell of a blessing if you took over.”
    “Your craft, it’s an art, Sir, and I cannot presume to take over fully. I’d like to work on the business side of things, and help find talented carpenters. What you do is more than a crudely put together cabinet… it’s sculpture.” His brown eyes were lit with excitement.
    Normally, I would’ve felt like smoke was being blown up my ass, but this was just Thomas. It was what he did. He loved art, and according to Sailor, he was passionate about all mediums; it was why I was hopeful he’d be willing to consider taking over for me when I finally fully retired.
    “When?” I asked.
    “We were hoping to look at some houses while we were here. There are a few we found online in Salt Lake and a couple in Farmington. We’re here until after the New Year. I think we can secure a home in the time allotted, then it’s just a hop over the pond to address our affairs. So a couple of months, I’d wager.”
    My lips spread into a wide grin. “I think I could be okay with that.”
    Thomas’s smile reached his eyes and he nodded his head. “Good meeting.”
    A laugh rumbled in my