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“Hey there, Willa. I was hoping to see you here tonight,” Sage said, excitement roaring through her at being able to spend a little time with her mother.
“Hi, Sage. I hope you’re enjoying yourself.” She leaned over and gave Sage a hug. “This is one of my favorite town events. There’s such a feeling of goodwill in the air. It’s palpable.”
“I really am having a good time. Your owls are magnificent.” Sage studied Willa’s face.
Despite her cheerful words, her eyes were blank and lifeless. It was as if Sage was looking at a completely different person than the one she’d spent time with the other day. Something seemed very off.
“I don’t mean to pry, but is everything all right? I know this is a stressful time for you, so it’s understandable if you’re not feeling your best.”
Willa’s lips trembled. “Oh, Sage. I’m feeling completely out of sorts. I don’t know if I’m coming or going if I’m being honest.” She let out a ragged sigh. “My family has made a decision to rescind the reward offer, and it’s breaking my heart.”
Sage felt a roiling sensation in her stomach. Although she’d known it was a possibility, it felt a bit shocking to hear it from Willa’s lips. “The one you and Mr. North offered for information about your daughter’s whereabouts?”
“Yes,” Willa said, blinking away moisture in her eyes. “Nate and I have had such a single-minded focus on tracking down Lily that we neglected to consider the heavy toll it’s taken on Connor and Braden, not to mention Nate’s parents.
“Neither of my boys has had an easy time of it,” she continued. “I think we need to focus on their wants and needs. My son Braden is always making excuses for not being here in Owl Creek with the family. Connor thinks he’s running from something. Growing up in the shadow of Lily’s abduction has been difficult to say the least.”
Nausea rose up in Sage’s throat. She felt sick. Her birth family was suffering due to her.
Although it hurt to know they were giving up on finding her, she understood their need to let go. They had been in limbo for twenty-five years. It was time.
She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Well, you clearly love your family very much. Protecting the ones we love is so important.” It was what she was doing with the man who’d raised her. Come what may she would go on protecting him, even if it meant she might never be known as Lily North.
“It is, isn’t it? I’ll never stop loving my Lily and praying for her health and happiness, but I’ve got to let go of this idea she’ll come back to us.”
Sage locked gazes with Willa. The emotional side of her wanted to cry out and tell her mother the truth. But the rational side of her knew it would be an earth-shattering declaration. It would open up a wo
rld of trouble leading directly back toward Eric Duncan. She’d vowed to never allow it to happen. It was all so very sad, Sage realized. So many people had been affected by the selfish actions of one woman whose desire for a baby had led her to do the unthinkable.
With a sinking sensation, Sage realized there was no reason to stay in Alaska much longer. She’d already met her biological family and found proof in the form of the photo in Piper’s diner that showed her mother had been in Owl Creek twenty-five years ago. If she hung around for a few more weeks it would only serve to complicate matters.
Sage released a belabored sigh. She was already becoming enmeshed in the fabric of daily life in this close-knit town and she cared deeply about so many people here. She had come to Alaska seeking answers and along the way she’d discovered so much about her roots, the North family and the Alaskan way of life. God had been with her every step of the way, giving her the strength and purpose to dig into her past. There would forever be a hole that couldn’t be filled up by anything but her birth family, but she felt grateful for all the experiences and the knowledge she’d gained.
All she could hope for in this situation was the grace to walk away knowing she’d done her best in an impossible predicament.
Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to go on this journey. And for bringing so many wonderful people into my life.
Hank’s handsome face flashed before her eyes. She couldn’t stop thinking about him or the kiss they’d shared. It had taken her a long time to admit it to herself, but she had powerful feelings for Hank, ones she’d never felt before in her life. Saying goodbye to him would be extremely difficult.
Blinking back tears, Sage couldn’t imagine how she’d ever thought this journey could ever bring her closure.
She would be full of regret for the rest of her life about the road not traveled. Life wasn’t fair! She had come all this way only to have her heart wrapped up in a man she could never have. In truth, she didn’t want to head back to Florida with the knowledge that she’d never be able to fully explore her tender feelings for Hank.
There were many dangling questions. What might have developed with Hank if she’d told the Norths the truth and stayed here in Owl Creek? What ties might she have been able to forge with her family members if given the time? She really didn’t have a choice in the matter. The circumstances were completely out of her control. Jane Duncan had set this terrible situation in motion all those years ago and now she had been left holding the bag. Keeping silent was the only way to ensure that the man who’d raised her and always loved her remained safe.
Although her heart felt heavy at the moment, Sage didn’t regret coming all this way to Alaska because this trip had forever changed her. Her heart was now permanently engraved with all the people in Owl Creek who’d touched her life in one way or another.
Chapter Eleven
When she woke up the next morning, Sage knew she had to tell Trudy she was leaving Owl Creek earlier than expected. The innkeeper had been so gracious and kind to her during her stay and it made her ache a little inside to even think about saying goodbye to her. But it was something she knew she had to do.
Sage had tossed and turned throughout the night as her conscience poked and prodded her. Kissing Hank had shown her that she’d become overly invested in him and the entire town. It was time to go back to her life in Florida, even though she knew she’d be leaving a piece of her heart right here in Alaska.
At the moment, Owl Creek was in the middle of a major snowstorm. Trudy seemed very nonchalant about the whirling snow and heavy winds, having seen this type of weather system many times before in the past. Sage had never seen anything like it in her life and she worried about Hank keeping safe in the storm since Trudy had made a point to tell her he’d gone into the sheriff’s office as usual this morning.
“Let’s sit down for a cup of tea, shall we?” Trudy suggested. “Addie is napping, so my hands are free for a bit. It won’t be as good as the tea Iris serves over at Tea Time, but it will still hit the spot.”
“Of course it will. Let me get the teacups and saucers from the cupboard.”
