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“Likewise,” she answered, feeling a bit more relaxed due to Iris’s down-home hospitality. She and Beulah had made Sage feel as if she belonged in Owl Creek even though she was virtually a stranger to them. Most places didn’t welcome folks like this, Sage realized. Perhaps there really was something special about this Alaskan town. She felt a sudden pang. What would it have been like to grow up in Owl Creek as a member of the North family? She imagined life would have led her down a completely different path.
Once Iris walked away, Hank turned toward her. “Ready to go?”
Sage nodded and followed behind him as he walked toward the exit. The place had filled up considerably while she was enjoying teatime. Hank was cordial to all of the guests as he passed by their tables, nodding and holding his hand up in greeting. Everyone clearly loved the sheriff. It was written all over their faces. Sage couldn’t help but notice the curious stares in her direction. Like Piper had told her earlier, the townsfolk in Owl Creek had known one another all of their lives. She stuck out like a sore thumb in this small Alaskan hamlet.
Once they were outside, Hank walked ahead and opened the passenger door of his squad car for her. She slid into the seat and rubbed her hands together, praying the car would heat up quickly. After he settled himself behind the wheel, Hank began driving down snow-packed roads and riding past all of the brightly colored retail shops. Along the way he pointed out a pottery shop, a small thrift store and various landmarks. A marble statue of an owl sat in the town square.
“So, I
have to admit I’m curious,” Hank said, turning toward her. “Why did you run off earlier? It was the fastest disappearing act I’ve ever seen in my life, and I keep law and order for a living.”
Sage squirmed in her seat. She should have known it would only be a matter of time before he brought the subject up again. There was no way she could tell Hank the truth, but she didn’t want to lie either. “Honestly, it was all a bit overwhelming to me,” she admitted. “There was such a crush of people there. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.” There. She had managed to tell Hank the truth, even though she’d left out a few vital details.
He turned his gaze back toward the road. “It makes sense, especially since you’re in a new town where you don’t really know a whole lot of people.”
“I shouldn’t have just taken off,” she said, her tone apologetic. “I’m sorry about that. It wasn’t very considerate of me.”
“It’s okay.” Hank shot her an easy grin. “Things are a bit unusual here in Owl Creek these days. Normally it’s much quieter, but there’s nothing ordinary about all of this media attention and hoopla. Our small town has turned into a hot spot for news outlets. For a lot of folks, it’s stirring up a lot of painful memories.”
“I hope the Norths realize that by giving the press conference they’re inviting even more media scrutiny into their lives. It might get worse before it gets better.” Sage bit her lip. She felt guilty about withholding the truth from the North family. With a few words she could put them out of their misery. But, given the high stakes, it was out of the question.
“They were advised against staging the press conference, but they’re desperate,” Hank explained, shaking his head. “Twenty-five years is a long time to hold on to hope. I think this is their last-ditch effort to bring Lily home.”
Sage had a funny, gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. Hank’s words about bringing Lily home weighed heavily on her conscience.
She felt so conflicted. A part of her didn’t want her birth family to give up on the idea of finding her, while another part of her wanted to make sure her father was safe from any legal fallout if the truth was discovered. For her entire life, Sage’s father had been her protector and now she was returning the favor by keeping quiet about being Lily North. She couldn’t live with herself if she betrayed her dad. Sage owed him her loyalty.
For a few moments she decided to focus on the snowy landscape outside the car window.
It felt very calming and provided a nice distraction from her chaotic thoughts. This land was so very different from Florida. Majestic trees covered with fluffy snow dotted the terrain. A yellow-and-black caribou-crossing sign drew her attention to the side of the road.
Caribou? Wasn’t it a type of reindeer? She let out a low chuckle. She really was in a whole new world here in Owl Creek.
By the time they pulled up to the inn, Sage’s head felt a bit clearer. She needed to keep reminding herself where her loyalties lay. She had been a Duncan for twenty-five years. Even if she wanted to tell the Norths about her mother’s confession and put an end to their suffering, Sage had no idea where things would go from there. It wasn’t as if she would suddenly become a member of this illustrious Alaskan family. In many ways it was too late to forge a connection. She would never truly fit in, no matter how they tried to embrace her as one of their own. And there would be so many questions about her mother and why she’d committed such a terrible act. How could Sage ever explain it when she was still grappling for answers herself?
“Thanks for the ride,” Sage said as soon as the car stopped, taking off her seat belt and then reaching for the door handle. Hank didn’t make a move to get out of the driver’s seat. “Are you coming in?” she asked.
He ran a hand over his jaw. “You know what? I think I’ll just head back to the sheriff’s office. I don’t want to upset Addie by popping in and then leaving again.”
“But she’ll be so happy to see you.” Earlier Hank had seemed so excited about dropping in to get a glimpse of his daughter, but now it appeared as if he’d talked himself out of it. She couldn’t help but wonder why.
He shook his head. “I don’t want to derail her routine. I’ve been reading some books about child-rearing and I’m trying my best to put her needs before mine. Going inside for a few minutes might be confusing to her.”
Although she didn’t know Hank all that well, Sage could see he was struggling not to jump out of the car and beat a fast path to Trudy’s door. His love for Addie was evident every time he mentioned her name. It was plain to see she was wrapped around his heartstrings.
“It must be hard making those kinds of choices,” Sage said. “As a single father, a lot rests on your shoulders, doesn’t it?”
He let out a ragged sigh. “It’s tricky sometimes, having to make all of the decisions myself. Honestly, I never imagined myself doing this all alone. And I know I’m so fortunate to have such a supportive mother and sister, but parenting is a tough job. Way more difficult than being town sheriff.”
Sage impulsively reached out and grasped his right hand, which was tightly clenching the wheel. “First of all, I think you should just take a deep breath and make the most of the moment. I’m around little kids all the time. They value every second they spend with their parents. Think about it. In a blink of an eye she’ll be in elementary school. You’ll never get these precious minutes back. Cherish them.”
Hank locked gazes with her and she watched as a smile eased its way onto his handsome face. “My dad used to say that to me all the time. Cherish the moments.” He grinned. “I think about him each and every day, but somehow I’d almost forgotten that saying of his. Thanks, Sage, for reminding me.”
“You’re very welcome,” she murmured. Trudy had told Sage about losing her husband when Hank was a small boy and then finding love a second time around with Piper’s father. There had been such tenderness in Hank’s voice just now when he’d mentioned his dad. A loss that monumental had undoubtedly changed his young life and would stay with him for the remainder of his days. Her heart went out to him.
A thick tension crackled in the air as their eyes locked and held. It hummed and pulsed between them like an electrical wire. Suddenly it felt very warm in the squad car. “I should go inside,” she said, quickly removing her hand from Hank’s and opening the passenger-side door. The crisp air washed over her, and she began to breathe deeply through her nose. The sound of footsteps crunching in the snow alerted Sage to the fact that Hank was following her toward the inn. It made her very happy on Addie’s behalf. Girls always needed their daddies!
The smell of baked apples and cinnamon greeted them as soon as Sage pushed open the front door. Following the delicious scent led her right to the kitchen where Trudy was standing with Addie on her hip as she swayed to music blaring from the radio.
