AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sage began taking out the tea set while Trudy busied herself at the stove. Within minutes they were seated at the kitchen table, sipping peach tea and nibbling on shortbread cookies. It felt nice to be having a leisurely afternoon tea while the storm raged on outside.
After taking a sip of the fragrant brew, Sage placed the cup down on the saucer and cleared her throat. “Trudy, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
Trudy looked at her and smiled. Her eyes twinkled. “Let me guess. Is this about Hank? I saw the two of you getting along beautifully last night.” She winked at her. “In case you’re wondering, I fully approve.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s not about Hank. We’re just friends, by the way.” The moment she uttered the words, her heart rejected them as false. Did friends kiss in the moonlight? she wondered. Not that she would disclose that tidbit to Trudy under any circumstances. If she did, his mother might just start planning their wedding. Why did the thought of spending forever with Hank seem so appealing?
“Well, you could have fooled me,” Trudy said, making a face. For the first time since Sage had known her, the innkeeper looked slightly grumpy.
Sage broke eye contact with Trudy. She couldn’t bear to look in her eyes and see disappointment. “I’ve decided to cut my visit to Owl Creek short. I’m going to be making plans to head home early next week.”
Trudy let out a shocked sound, causing Sage to look over at her.
“Oh no, Sage! Did something happen? I thought you were enjoying your time here.”
“Oh, I am, Trudy,” she said, reaching out to hold her hand. “It’s been a wonderful sojourn. I just think I should be with my father right now. He’s dealing with a mountain of grief and he shouldn’t have to ride this out alone.”
“I understand, Sage. Truly I do. I can’t say I’m not bitterly disappointed though. I’m going to miss you something fierce, and I daresay many others will feel the same way.” She stared pointedly at Sage. It was obvious she was making a reference to Hank, but Sage wasn’t going to go down that road with Trudy. She’d made her peace the other night with the fact that she and Hank wouldn’t lead to anything but a dead end. She needed to be realistic.
“You’ve become an honorary daughter to me. I couldn’t ask for a better lodger.” Trudy wiped away a tear from her cheek. “Look at me getting all sentimental.”
“Trudy, you’ve been a godsend to me during this really difficult period in my life. I’ll always be grateful for your friendship and hospitality.” Sage found herself getting choked up too. Goodbyes were never easy for her.
“I hope you won’t be a stranger to us here in Owl Creek. I’d love for you to come back for another visit, and I promise to write to you and send pictures of Addie. These little ones change so much in the blink of an eye.”
Sage knew in all likelihood she wouldn’t be returning to this quaint Alaskan town. It would be like reopening a wound. Leaving once without telling the Norths the truth would be painful enough, but she couldn’t bear to come back for a visit, only to leave again. And although it would be sweet to receive pictures of Addie it would only serve to remind her of everything she could never have with Hank.
Why lead Trudy on and make her think it might happen? Sage simply smiled and nodded.
Trudy continued talking. “Will you promise to stay for the cook-off competition? It’s coming up on the weekend. I could really use another set of hands on my team.” Trudy crossed her hands in prayer-like fashion. “Please please please stay for it,” she begged.
The Owl Creek cook-off competition had been something Sage had been eagerly anticipating. She wouldn’t miss it for the world. It would be her last event in town before she said her final goodbyes in a few days.
“Of course I will,” Sag
e agreed. “Are you still planning to make chili? That’s a personal favorite of mine.”
Trudy clapped her hands together. “That’s the plan. And I’m calling it Trudy’s knock-your-socks-off chili. Only a few people know my secret ingredients.” She leaned in toward Sage and said, “I add honey and a few pieces of North Star chocolate.” She placed a finger at her lips. “Don’t tell anyone. People have been asking me for years.”
Sage threw back her head and chuckled. “Your secret is safe with me,” she assured her.
Never in her life had she heard of anyone adding chocolate to chili. All roads really did lead to chocolate in Owl Creek.
Trudy winked at her. “Laugh all you want. I’m fixing to win that cook-off with my chili and earn some major bragging rights.”
Sage smirked. “You might have some serious competition. From what I hear, Hank is making something special himself.”
“Do me a favor, will you?” Trudy asked. “Make sure you let Hank know you’ll be leaving town soon.”
Sage frowned. “Of course. Why is it so important to you?”
The older woman fiddled with her fingers, twisting them around and around. “I know you said you’re just friends, but Hank has suffered a lot of losses in his life. I don’t want him to feel blindsided by the news. I’ll let you tell him in your own time. Just don’t wait too long.”
“I won’t,” Sage promised, taking a long sip of her tea. The thought of saying goodbye to the people she’d gotten close to caused a groundswell of panic to hit her. Perhaps she’d wait until the day of the cook-off to tell everyone else the news. They would probably be so engaged by the event that they wouldn’t even process her news. Which would be best because, all things considered, she preferred to depart Owl Creek as quietly as she’d arrived in the Alaskan hamlet.
The back kitchen door suddenly burst open, causing Sage to let out a little scream. Trudy stood up from her chair in a defensive posture. Relief flooded through Sage at the realization that it was Hank standing there. He was leaning against the doorjamb covered in a liberal coating of freshly fallen snow, looking for all intents and purposes like the abominable snowman.
* * *
