Page 100 of To Catch a Thief


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“My orchids are safe,” Bess said. “Thank you.”

No wonder Sage got tired of hearing her say thank you.

She couldn’t keep her eyes open.

Sage tugged her head over to his shoulder. So strange. Why was he touching her again? She should resist. But her eyes closed and the conversation was just a hum.

“Come on, sleepyhead,” Sage whispered into her hair. “I’ll get your mother.”

Sage propped her into a sitting position and headed out the door.

She blinked. The dishes were cleared. Dolley and Liam sat in the sitting area. Bess and Daniel were gone. Kaden and Courtney helped Abby and Gray load the dishwasher.

“I’m sorry.” Standing, her head spun. “I…”

“You’re exhausted.” Abby shook her head. “Get some rest. We’ll see what the storm brings tomorrow.”

Sage came in, holding Mamá’s elbow.

“How was your dinner, Mamá?”

“Delicious!” She fluttered her hands.

Kaden came over, holding his phone. “FBI office is closed.”

Sage nodded. “I just saw the text.”

“Do you need a place to stay?” Kaden asked Sage. “I hear River Street has flooded.”

Carolina helped her mother put on her coat, wondering what Sage’s answer would be.

Sage stared at Carolina. “I’m covered.”

What did that mean?

Both she and Sage took Mamá’s arms as they fought their way through the downpour and wind. He half carried her mother into the apartment. “Wow. The wind gusts are stronger than a few hours ago.”

They stripped off wet coats, hanging them on the coat tree. She found a towel and wiped the wood floor. Then left it under the dripping coats.

Mamá’s face looked gray. Carolina’s voice shook when she asked, “Do you want to sit?”

“I’m worn-out.” Mamá shook her head. “Such a wonderful night, but the storm. I’ll head to bed.”

Carolina got Mamá’s pills and a glass of milk. Then helped her mother prepare for bed. By the time she shut off the light and closed Mamá’s door, she wanted to collapse.

Sage paced the living room. “Is she settled?”

Carolina wanted to sleep but she sank onto the sofa instead. “Yes. Thank you for everything.”

“I told you to stop with the thanks.” He sat next to her. “You were incredible today.”

“Incredible? Hardly.”

“You kept going and going.” He stroked under her eyes. “You need sleep.”

He was the reason she wasn’t in bed. “There were things that needed to be done.”

“I’ve thought about everything that’s happened. Thought about you and your…situation.” Sage took a deep breath. “I forgive you.”

What was Sage talking about? “What?”

“I forgive you.” Like it was a great benediction.

“Forgive. Me?” Her spine straightened. “For what?”

He waved his hand. “For not telling me who you were. Who your father was.”

Her brain clicked online as if she’d jiggled the mouse on her computer. “You forgive me for not telling you who my father was?”

He frowned at her tone. “And for stealing.”

She jabbed a finger at him. “You’re forgiving me for something that doesn’t have anything to do with you?”

“I… I…”

“I don’t need your forgiveness.” Her breath puffed out.

“But…” He frowned.

“You still don’t understand why I had to do this.”

He clasped her hands. “I want us to get past this. I want us to be together.”

Not like this. She pulled her hands out of his. “Do you think what I did was wrong?”

His gaze skidded down to his fingers as they tapped Morse code on his leg.

“Do you respect me?” She couldn’t sit so close to him. She stood.

“I… I admire you.” He exhaled. “But I can’t respect what you did.”

His words sliced through her. “Well, I don’t forgive you. Get off your high horse and get real.”

His mouth hung open.

“Stay or go. Sleep on the sofa. I don’t care. I’m going to bed.”

Sage would never understand her. And she didn’t have the energy or time to put up with his holier-than-thou attitude. She had to survive.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

SAGE JERKED AWAKE. Gunfire?

Darkness blanketed the room. He rolled, dropped to the floor and slapped for his weapon.

Where the hell was his gun? Where was he?

Schooling his rapid breaths, he waited for his heart to stop hammering in his ears.

It wasn’t gunfire. The storm lashed the roof and walls, hard enough to make the windows shake.

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