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Ember looked at him. “How’d you get home?”
“Walked.”
“Oh, my gosh. You should’ve called someone.”
He shook his head. “No phone. When we left, I figured I was only going to the road.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Sawyer shrugged. “It’s fine. We made it. Jade may never go out in the snow again, but we made it.”
Jake nodded. “Are you all good here, then?”
“Yeah. Headed home.”
“We’ll see you there.” He looked at J.T. “Bring Joey by this afternoon.”
“We’ll give you a couple of hours to settle in. Though it might be hard to keep Joey home. She’s pretty damned excited to meet Esty.”
“Come anytime.”
With a wave, Jake continued down the road.
Sawyer smiled at J.T. “We have a damn cute little sister.”
“Man. Too bad Little Sis is already taken.”
“Hmm. We’ll think of something.”
Sawyer waited until J.T. made his U-turn and drove away before heading for home. He parked the old truck under the carport, then went into the house through the mudroom. The generator was off, which meant the power was back on. He washed his hands, then poured himself a cup of coffee. He could hear Sage and Jade fawning over the baby in the living room. She was pretty fawn-worthy.
He went in to join the family.
By late afternoon, the rest of the O’Connells had made it to the house, and Jacob made dinner for everyone. Right after dinner, Ember retired to the bedroom with the baby. Then Genny, J.T., Joey, and Finn left soon after.
Jake put a log on the fire, then smiled. “It’s been a day. I think I’ll go join my wife and daughter. Or newest daughter.”
Sage hugged him. “It’s okay, Dad. I don’t feel left out.”
When he left, she looked at Sawyer. “So, where are you sleeping tonight since Granddad is back?”
“The power’s back on. I’ll sleep in the loft. It should be toasty in there now. I cranked the heat up a while ago.”
She looked at Jade. “And you need to sleep in the bedroom tonight. I’ll take the couch.”
Jade yawned. “I’m not even going to argue the point. I’m really tired.”
Sawyer smiled at her. “Do you want to take a quick walk in the snow before you go to bed?”
She picked up a pillow from the couch and threw it at him. “Never again.”
“So, you’re not going to walk me to the loft?”
“No. But I’ll walk you to the back door.”
She stood and took his arm before they headed to the kitchen. They went into the mudroom and Sawyer leaned against the washing machine.
“Hell of a night and day we had.”
