Page 158
Cal laughed softly. “Sorry, Mama… I’m leaving now.”
“Hurry up, honey. Your date is going to wear a hole in my floor with all her pacing.”
“Yes, Mama. Be there in twenty minutes.”
“Cal, baby?”
“Yeah, Mama?”
“I’m proud of you.”
The line went quiet. Cal stared at the phone for a moment, a small smile tugging at his lips, before tucking it away.
He eased the Jeep out of the garage into the circular driveway. Snow clung to the heavy timber beams and stone accents of the sprawling timber and stone mansion. Every window and eave glowed with amber light and festive garlands. Wreaths the size of wagon wheels hung on the massive front doors, their red bows fluttering.
The towering evergreens flanking the drive stood heavy with fresh powder and twinkling lights, their branches sparkling like something out of a storybook. In the distance the bright-red barn glowed with its own string lights, and faint steam still curled from the hot spring beyond the trees, where lanterns flickered softly along the path.
Cal drove carefully down the long drive, taking it all in — the glowing pavilions, the music and laughter drifting on the wind, the entire estate wrapped in love for the woman he was about to bring home. His heart, steady through years of danger, now beat wildly at the simple, terrifying thought of picking up Sage Thompson.
SAGE
“Where is he? Did he say everything was okay? Is this dress too tight? I feel like my tits are spilling out and—”
Annie smiled, clearly amused as she absolutely folded napkins on the diner counter. “Sage, seriously. Relax. You look amazing. God, I wish I had boobs like yours instead of these.” She motioned to her own chest with a self-deprecating laugh.
Sage sighed, biting her black-lipsticked lip. Her makeup was flawless, her dress hugged every curve just right, and even the black high-heeled boots somehow looked elegant instead of over-the-top. Still, doubt gnawed at her.
“Annie, you’re beautiful. Your boobs are perfect. I just…” Sage trailed off.
“Just breathe, hun. He’ll be here soon.”
Sage nodded and slid into the booth beside Annie. Across the way, Annie’s kids and Tommy sat with Brittany — the sweet, shy high school senior babysitter who had stared at Sage earlier and whispered “Wow…” before shyly asking for a photo. Sage had agreed, even though it still felt a little silly.
The diner was closed for Christmas Eve, the familiar space quiet and softly lit. Outside, the night sky was impossibly clear — a huge full moon and a blanket of stars so bright Sage still couldn’t believe she’d never seen skies like this before coming to Blackthorn Ridge.
“Baby girl, your man will be here soon,” Mary Sue said warmly. “I’m gonna stay and help Annie and Brittany with the kids tonight. I want you and Cal to have a wonderful time, you hear?”
Sage looked up at her. “Okay, Mama. Mama, do I—”
“Yes, sweetheart. You do,” Mary Sue said gently, cutting her off with a knowing smile. “Now sit still and just breathe.”
Sage nodded, but her mind kept racing. What would Cal think? Would he like the dress? The hair? Was she too… her? Her usual blend of goth, western, and grunge felt suddenly ridiculous.
The door opened.
Sage’s breath caught.
Cal stepped inside slowly, ducking slightly under the frame. No man had any right to look that good in a suit.
His broad shoulders filled the black jacket like it had been sculpted onto him. Powerful arms strained against the fabric, making him look both lethally strong and impossibly gentle. The crisp white linen shirt stretched across his massive barrel chest, and when her gaze dropped lower, the tailored pants hugged his thick, muscular thighs in a way that made heat bloom low in her belly.
No one should be allowed to look like that in a suit.
She had to swallow.
He was walking toward her. Shit shit shit.
Sage stood up slowly, suddenly shy and vulnerable, eyes dropping to the floor.
