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“I should probably tell you about what happened earlier with Beulah.” Hank made a face. “She was sitting with Sage when I walked into Tea Time. We started talking about the twenty-fifth anniversary of the kidnapping and she told Sage about the baby blanket. I think she was feeling sentimental and it slipped out.”
Connor let out a groan. “Granny is way too trusting. She has no idea what someone could do with that type of information. Even after all that’s happened to our family, she still believes people are good at heart.”
“Come on, Connor. I know you believe that too. There’s no need to worry about Sage. She’s not going to say anything to the press or to anyone else for that matter.”
The other man rolled his eyes. “How can you be sure of that?”
“I just am. She has kind eyes.” Hank wanted to pull back the words right after they flew out of his mouth. Yikes. What was wrong with him?
Connor let out a snort of laughter. Hank realized he’d stepped right into that one. He didn’t know why he was jumping to Sage’s defense since he still had a few questions about her sudden appearance in town. Perhaps she really was a journalist writing a piece about the Lily North case. Or maybe he was just being paranoid.
“You like her,” his friend said with a knowing look. “It’s written all over your face.”
“I barely know the woman,” Hank protested. He felt his cheeks getting red. Connor could always see straight through him.
“Kind of reminds me of third grade when you had a major crush on Clara Tomkins. Even though you wouldn’t admit it, Gabe and I saw right through your denials.”
Connor knew him like the back of his hand. The good, the bad and the ugly. Hank could deny it all he wanted, but there was something about Sage that tugged at the tender place inside him he’d been safeguarding. He just needed to stuff those feelings down until she returned to her life in Florida.
Connor sat down in the chair across from Hank. “But you’d like to get to know her better. Am I right?”
Hank let out a sigh. “These days I only have room in my heart for one little lady. And her name is Addie Crawford. What’s the point in pursuing something when I know it wouldn’t go anywhere?” He swung his legs off the desk, sat up straight in his chair and met Connor’s gaze head-on. “If you want the plain, unvarnished truth, I think romance is in my rearview mirror. Does it make me happy to say that? No, of course not. But I’m a realist. Been there, done that. I’ve got the scars to prove it.”
Connor let out a low whistle. “You sound even more jaded than I am. Theresa really did a number on you.”
“Call it what you like, but I don’t have any interest in getting burned again. I’d much rather focus my energies on making sure my daughter is happy and healthy than dodge minefields in relationships.” He shuddered. “I’ve traveled down that road before.”
“It has to get lonely though. God didn’t intend for any of us to walk through this life alone.”
Hank knew there was truth in his best friend’s statement, but he also felt strongly about his own position. A long time ago he’d believed in happily-ever-after and a love that would endure all the bad things life threw in one’s direction. Having his heart shattered had changed all of that. Being played for a fool had hurt his pride. And for the life of him he couldn’t imagine a woman coming into his life who would inspire him to take the plunge again.
Chapter Six
Sage woke up the next morning to a beautiful Alaskan day. Sunshine streamed through her bedroom window, serving as a
reminder that she needed to get up and face the day. She hadn’t traveled all this way to spend her time sleeping!
Sage had no idea what she would discover in Owl Creek today, but the very idea of uncovering new facts about her birth family intrigued her. Meeting her grandmother yesterday had been emotionally satisfying even though it had ended abruptly. She really liked Beulah North. If things were different, Sage could well imagine herself sharing many teatimes in the future with the grand dame of Owl Creek. But Beulah had no idea who she really was, and in all likelihood, never would.
A quick look outside revealed a recent snowfall. Everything was covered in a layer of white. It was simply beautiful with the sun glinting against it, creating the appearance of shimmering diamonds. Although Sage wasn’t too certain about driving in the fluffy white stuff, she knew it was important to make her own way around Owl Creek without relying on Trudy for transportation. The Owl Creek library was on her to-do list. Surely they would have local records on microfiche regarding the kidnapping. Although she’d read a bit of material from the items found in her mother’s belongings and on the internet, Sage wanted to get the Owl Creek perspective. She had goose bumps just thinking about how deeply the kidnapping had affected this small town.
After she had dressed and made herself presentable, she headed downstairs. As she descended the steps, a savory aroma hovered in the air.
“Good morning, Trudy,” Sage said as she walked into the light and airy kitchen. Trudy was living proof that this part of the house was the heart of the home. It radiated warmth and goodness.
“Hey there, Sage,” Trudy said, turning around and greeting her with a welcoming smile. “I sure hope you’re hungry. I’ve made a bunch of blueberry pancakes, rosemary home fries, reindeer sausage and some scrambled eggs. I used Yukon Gold potatoes which you must try while you’re here.”
Sage rubbed her stomach. “You’re spoiling me, Trudy. I always skip breakfast in the morning, but your meals are too scrumptious to resist. This will tide me over till this evening.”
The innkeeper beamed. “I set a place at the dining room table for you, but you’re free to eat right here in the kitchen if you like.”
“Thanks. I’ll sit right here if it’s all right. I like the company.” Trudy nodded, and Sage settled into a chair. A gurgling noise caused Sage to turn her head to the side where Addie was standing up in a playpen. She was holding on to the side and smiling at Sage. On impulse, she stood and walked over toward her. She bent over and peered down into Addie’s irresistible face. Although she really wanted to scoop her up into her arms, Sage resisted the impulse. She had no illusions about the rigors of raising a baby, but Addie seemed like a sweetheart.
She reached down and swept her palm across the little girl’s cheek. Once again, Addie had Sage thinking of things she imagined were years and years in her future. Diapers and Binkies and baby strollers. The smell of baby powder lingered in the air, serving as a reminder of why she’d traveled all this way in the first place. Although Addie was a bit older than she herself had been at the time of the kidnapping, looking into her eyes reminded Sage of all the North family had lost. She imagined they’d loved her as much as Hank adored Addie. Babies were precious gifts.
Although she would never ask Trudy for the details, Sage was incredibly curious about why Hank hadn’t known Addie existed until she was three months old. It was none of her business, but she had the feeling there was an interesting story behind it. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but there was something about Hank Crawford that didn’t quite compute.
She sensed a sadness behind the jovial smiles, as if he was masking a world of pain. Had Addie’s mother broken Hank’s heart?
