Page 181 of Sunrise & Serenity

My hands linger on her waist, my eyes dropping to her soft lips. Bad idea, very bad. I make myself let go and step back. As much as I might like to, I can’t just pick things back up where they were before I walked away.

Taryn shoulders her way past me first. No surprise there. She visited Sage in the hospital and stopped by to see her at Mia’s too. But after our conversation this morning, there’s no missing the guilt on her face as she wraps Sage in a hug. Carefully. Like she’s worried she might break.

Sage’s smile is as warm as ever. “Have you been visiting Trouble for me?”

“Every day. He’s started following me around now.”

“He’s already forgotten me.” Sage laughs softly.

Taryn blinks. “Oh no. I’m sure as soon as he sees you, he’ll⁠—”

Sage grasps her arm gently. “I’m just kidding.”

My sister swallows, but the worry leaves her face.

“You know, the doctor said I should be able to get back in the saddle in a couple of weeks,” Sage says casually. “I’m hoping you can take me out again.”

Taryn stares at her for a moment, then breaks into a smile. “I’d like that.”

I hang back and watch as my brothers and my dad surround her. Mia and Ruby come to stand next to me.

“Has she been okay?” I ask quietly.

Mia glances up at me, a smile playing on her lips. “I’ve taken care of wounded cats that make better patients. She doesn’t like sitting still all that much.”

I chuckle. “I can imagine.”

“She missed you.” Mia’s voice is lower now.

“I missed her too.” I watch Sage laughing with Taryn. “I just figured she needed time to recover.”

Mia nods. “She did.” She pauses. “I’m talking about before that.”

Tension ripples across my shoulders. I know what she’s really saying. “I screwed up,” I tell her. “But I’m going to spend however long it takes to prove I won’t run again.”

She studies me a moment longer, and with a satisfied nod, she turns toward where my family is still surrounding Sage. “Good. Because I have a shovel and I know how to use it.”

Ruby tugs at her mom’s hand, her head tipped back. “Can we go see the ponies?”

Mia smiles down at her daughter. “Maybe later. We’ve got to make sure Aunty Sage gets settled in first.”

River materializes at my side as if he’s been summoned. “I can take her. Bring her back in time for lunch.”

Mia’s eyes widen, her lips parting. She shakes her head as if she’s about to dismiss the offer, but Ruby tugs on her again.

“Please, Mommy?” she pleads.

“I’ll take her down there.” My brother points toward one of the corrals where a few of the new guest riding ponies have been turned out. “You can see us from here.”

A softness flickers across Mia’s face, quickly disappearing as she deliberates. “Okay. But not for long, all right?”

Ruby jumps up and down. “Yay.”

River takes her by the hand, and as they wander toward the corral, she bursts into excited chatter.

“Can I ride one?” she asks him, her eyes wide.

River casts a glance over his shoulder, his lips ticked up. “Not sure your mom’s ready for that just yet.”