Only You (Love In Montana Book 6)

It was 11 o'clock in the morning when they reached Antonio's sprawling farm. Sawyer could see plots segregated to grow tomatoes, corn, beans, squash and cucumbers. There was a livestock section too with farm hands working relentlessly in the scorching sun.

"Welcome to Veracruz Farms, Sawyer," said Antonio, looking excitedly at the hacienda which had been his home for generations. Sawyer looked around him with disbelief. The whole estate as well as the house tucked away in a corner needed repair but still their was a tranquil and peaceful quality to the place.

The rural backdrop, the hardworking people, everything made him realize that he was now far away from his home in Fordsville. Everyone should be up by now and might have realized that he had left. Renée would be crying seeing his note. He sighed at the thought of his Renée.

"It's very good, Antonio. Have you been able to pay off your debt and get your property released?" He asked curiously. Antonio shook his head with a sad smile.

"It's not so easy Sawyer, my boy. Whatever I earn, I spend on paying the laborers who work for me and on Lara's medical costs. There isn't enough to pay off the debt," he told him.

They walked slowly up the winding road that led to the house. It was a two storied, sprawling colonial type of house, a little old-fashioned with huge pillars, arched doorways, clay tiled roofs and a huge courtyard. Antonio led him inside and a man who Sawyer understood to be Carlos came forward to meet them.

"Carlos, this is Sawyer Wilson, Lara's son, " said Antonio. "Sawyer, this is Carlos, my right hand man."

"Hola, Señor Wilson," greeted Carlos, who was a tall and muscular man much taller than Antonio and Sawyer, almost like a giant. He didn't look much older than him, maybe in his late twenties.

"Hello," said Sawyer.

They started talking in their own language and Carlos seemed to update Antonio about the farm as well as his mom. Then they walked down the courtyard to the other side towards a room.

"Come Sawyer, let's go and meet your mom, " said Antonio. He opened the door and walked inside with Sawyer following him closely. He was very eager to see his mom and to tell her that he loved her and that he was glad that she had saved his life when she left him on the banks of Bearhead Creek. He wanted to be able to spend sometime with her.

As he entered the room, he saw a frail woman lying on the bed with her eyes closed. She seemed to be somewhere in her mid-forties but she looked extremely beautiful even in her sickness. It was obvious that she might have looked too beautiful for her own good in her younger days. She looked extremely sick and was breathing heavily, as if it was taking a lot of effort on her part. As if sensing their presence, she slowly opened her eyes to look at Antonio and then smiled expectantly.

"You've come home, Antonio? Where's my baby?" She asked with an effort, frantically looking at his empty arms. Sawyer felt a pull at his heartstrings seeing his mom's heartbroken expression seeing Antonio's empty arms. She hadn't recognized him yet, she was still looking for the new born baby Sawyer whom she had left behind twenty-three years back. For her time stood still at that moment when she had to part with her baby and despite everything, she hadn't moved on.

Antonio pulled a chair and sat down beside her, holding her hands in his. "You didn't find my baby, Antonio?" She said with tears in her eyes.

"I did find your son, Lara. He's now a big boy of twenty-three and he's come with me to look after you. You'll get well soon," said Antonio as his mom stared at Antonio with disbelief.

"No no, he can't be so big. You've got the wrong boy. I just left him yesterday and he must be hungry by now," said his mom. Sawyer came forward and knelt beside her bed.

"Mom, can't you recognize me? I'm your son, Sawyer. You didn't leave me yesterday, you left me twenty-three years ago and the Wilson's have brought me up like their own. Look at the pendant that you had given me," said Sawyer, showing her the pendant that still hung around his neck. She froze with terror seeing it.

"Sawyer? My son?" She said, staring at him, her eyes full of love as the tears fell down her cheeks. Sawyer nodded.

"Yes, mom, I'm your son," he said. She left Antonio's hand and caught his. Sawyer supported her trembling hands in his own.

"Throw away that pendant, my boy.  They'll take you away," she said looking around with fear.

"They're dead, mom. No one will take me away. But nevertheless, I'll destroy this pendant. Okay?" Said Sawyer. His mom nodded and a smile of pure joy spread on her face, lighting up her eyes. She turned towards Antonio who was watching them silently.

"Thank you, Antonio. I'm glad that you found my boy," she said to him. Antonio smiled, looking contented at last.

"Now promise to get well soon, Lara," he told her. She nodded.

"Yes, I will get well now," she told him. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Sawyer, you can talk to your mom. I'll just take an update on the farm and come back. You'll be staying in the room next to your mom's. Carlos is outside. If you need something, just ask him. Okay?" Said Antonio. Sawyer stood up and nodded.

"Sure," he told him.

Antonio leaned towards Lara. "Lara, I'm going to work, I'll come back soon, okay?" He said gently as if talking to a small child. Lara nodded slowly and smiled, touching his cheek. Sawyer was touched by the love between them. They seemed to really love each other just like Renée and him. Seeing them, he remembered his Renée. She might be crying for him. He needed to call her and talk to her.

Antonio left and he sat with his mom. "I'm so happy to see you, Sawyer," she told him.

"Me too mom," he told her. "I love you so much. I wanted to see you so badly. " He told her.

She smiled and touched his face with trembling hands. "I love you too," she said softly. She looked very tired and her hand fell to her sides, as her eyes drooped, almost closing.

"Are you feeling weak?" Asked Sawyer, stroking her hair. She nodded. "I think you should rest a bit. We'll talk later, mom. Sleep a little, now," he told her.

She nodded as her eyes grew drowsy. All the efforts made her exhausted and she slowly closed her eyes. Carlos came inside to check up on her.

"Mamá, go to sleep. Your son's in the next room, okay?" Said Carlos. His mom nodded slowly as sleep overcame her senses. Carlos turned towards Sawyer.

"Come Señor Wilson, I'll show you to your room," he said to Sawyer, leading the way.

"Call me Sawyer, " he answered. Carlos smiled in response. He led Sawyer to the room next door which was as big as his mom's. It was very basic but it was enough for Sawyer. He was a man of few needs.

"Do you need anything, Sawyer?" He asked. Sawyer smiled and shook his head.

"No, Carlos. Thank you so much. I'll take a shower," he told him. Carlos nodded and left. Sawyer saw his bag lying on the floor. He took a quick shower and  hanged into a fresh set of clothes. Then he decided to call his home and inform them but surprisingly, he couldn't find his mobile phone anywhere. Didn't he bring it with him? He just couldn't recall where he had placed it. He might have left it at home. He didn't remember anyone's phone number except Renée and his dad's.  He would call them later from Antonio's number when he returned.

Carlos came back after sometime with his lunch. "Antonio will have his lunch with us at the farm. Mamá is still sleeping. So I brought you your lunch, " said Carlos.

"Thank you Carlos, " he said, accepting the plate of delicious Mexican food. After Carlos left, he ravenously tucked into the delicious food. He wanted to talk to his mom, he wanted to know her, comfort her but with her asleep, he felt a little bored and lonely. He missed Renée too much. He had promised her that he would never ever leave her but having to go away on the most special day of her life made him feel guilty. He wished he could talk to Renée and console her but he needed to buy a mobile first. Since he had no money, he would have to find some work for himself. Would Antonio let him work in his farm? He would ask him when he returned.

Afterwards he got bored and he lay down on the bed to rest his tired body but soon fell asleep due to exhaustion.