Hummingbird Lake Part 17

Sarah sat in the front pa.s.senger seat, then twisted, reaching behind her to rub Snowdrop's head and greet her before fastening her seat belt. "After the way I whipped your b.u.t.t at Trivial Pursuit last night, I halfway expected you to move Snowdrop's car safety seat to the front and make me ride in the back on the way home."

"Nah." Sage started the car. "The backseat is safer."

Sarah turned around to speak to the dog. "Now I know how I rate. Snowdrop, your mommy loves ..." She broke off, then frowned at Sage. "Sage, you painted that dog's toenails."

"We were awake in the middle of the night and it seemed like the thing to do. It's a great color, isn't it? Paint My Moji-Toes Red."

"That's just wrong." Sarah pulled two bottles of water from the tote bag at her feet, set them in the cup holders on the console, then settled in for the trip. "I know the whole costume thing is a dig at Colt Rafferty, but you are beginning to worry me. Your dog has more hair bows than my daughter ever did."

"You always said Lori was a tomboy. Snowdrop is a diva."

"And she has the rhinestone tiara to prove it." Sarah shook her head in disgust.

Grinning, Sage shifted the car into reverse as Gabe Callahan exited the bed and breakfast with his arms loaded with baby paraphernalia. Rather than driving west like the rest of their party, Gabe and his family were heading south to Texas for a Callahan family get-together. As she exited the B&B's parking lot, Sage gave her horn a little honk for one more good-bye.

"I still can't believe they're taking Clarence with them," Sarah said, referring to Gabe's dog. "They sure will have their hands full."

"Nic told me Gabe worried himself sick about the dog over Christmas."

"He did. He called every day to check on him, but he didn't need to fret. Clarence gets along fine with Daisy and Duke," Sarah said, speaking of her own golden retrievers. "I'd have kept Clarence this time, too, but Nic said Gabe's father wanted the whole family down in Brazos Bend."

As she waited to pull out onto the street, Sage glanced in her rearview mirror and saw Celeste exit the B&B along with LaNelle Harrison, Emily Hall, the owner of the town newspaper, and the town's librarian, Margaret Rhodes. LaNelle and Margaret were riding back with Emily.

"We have such a good group," Sarah observed as she waved good-bye to the others. "I can't say I'm sorry Marlene cancelled her plans to tag along. She can really be a downer."

"She's better than she used to be. Actually, ever since Marcus Burnes invited her to tag along on his photography shoot up in Rocky Mountain National Park, she's been downright cheerful. That romance is really heating up." Sage's thoughts drifted over the members of their group, and she added, "It's too bad Lori couldn't join us."

A shadow pa.s.sed over Sarah's face. "It's not that she couldn't. She didn't want to join us. Well, join me, anyway. She might have come if it meant riding with you or Nic and not me. These days, it's like we're strangers-seems like all we do is fight."

"I think that's normal, especially for a mother and daughter as close as the two of you. She has to separate some in order to make that frightening leap that is going off to college."

"I know. Knowing it's normal doesn't make living it easier." She blew out a heavy sigh, then said, "Let's not talk about it anymore."

In the way of good friends, Sage and Sarah spent the drive in alternating bouts of conversation and silence. They talked music and baseball and the upcoming planning meeting for the summer arts festival. They had decided to dawdle their way home, so they took the scenic route and made frequent stops including a leisurely lunch. Sage enjoyed the trip tremendously and she was happy and relaxed and ever so glad she'd joined the Patchwork Angels for the road trip.

As they started up Sinner's Prayer Pa.s.s, Sarah said, "Ali showed me that box of Cavanaugh stuff. I think I'm going to take her up on her offer to give those coins to Lori."

Sage glanced over in surprise. Sarah had been adamantly against this since Ali first told her about the find. "I'm glad to hear it. What changed your mind?"

"The reality of paying out-of-state tuition. Ali hasn't budged off her position of giving the box to Lori, and she says I'm just being stubborn."

"Ya think?"

"It makes me feel like a charity case, Sage."

"That is so stupid. Look, Cam Murphy is that girl's father and he has contributed nothing to her but his DNA. Whatever funds these coins bring to you won't be charity, they'll be a down payment on what that a.s.shole owes you."

"Sage, please, let's not go there."

"I'm sorry. It just really chaps my hide whenever I think about it."

"Then let's think of something else. I saw the Marcus Burnes eagle photograph you put in the front window at Vistas a couple of days ago. It's gorgeous."

"He does wonderful work. It's visionary and unique. I'm surprised he's not a bigger name already."

"He's going to provide stiff compet.i.tion for you in this year's arts festival. If you win a third-place ribbon, I think I'll move over to Gunnison for a month."

"Third place? Excuse me?"

Sarah shrugged. "Colt could send another piece."

Sage recognized that her friend was attempting to get a rise out of her, so she tried not to accommodate. Nevertheless, her voice sounded a bit thin as she observed, "Aren't you the funny one?"

"Hey, just sayin' ..." Sarah laughed, dug a roll of breath mints out of her purse, and offered them to Sage before popping one in her mouth. "So, what were you and Ali huddled up about in the kitchen last night? You looked serious."

Sage hesitated, not wanting to dwell on a touchy subject when she was feeling so mellow. Although Ali had been thrilled with the news. Maybe Sage could finally forgive herself for being such a dweeb where the children's camp was concerned.

"I've exchanged emails and cards with Ali since the contretemps in February, but yesterday was the first time I'd seen her in person. I needed to talk to her about the art lessons for her charity program."

Sarah's eyes widened with surprise. "Is Ali still upset with you about that?"

"No. Not at all. In fact, when I tried to bring up the subject, I could hardly get her to listen. Once I got her attention, she was thrilled."

"You've decided to teach?"

Sage's stomach pitched at the thought. "No. I found someone better qualified to fill in for me. Last week, I spoke with Connor Keene. He said he'd be happy to lead the art lessons for her pilot program. I think the kids will love him. He's a storyboard artist for Runa-muka Ding."

"The Sat.u.r.day morning cartoon?"

"And soon to be a feature film. Yes."

"Oh, wow. You're right, the kids will love that. How did you pull it off?"

"He's a friend of a friend. Connor has the time and a special interest in childhood cancers. He lost a young nephew to bone cancer. He also couldn't resist the lure of Rocky Mountain trout fishing in June. I've arranged his travel and accommodations-he'll be staying at the Landrys' place-so you don't need to worry about any of that. He wants Ali to contact him at her convenience to discuss the nuts and bolts of what she'd like him to teach."

"That's really cool, Sage." Sarah thought about it a moment, then added, "I'm impressed. You figured out a way to make it work for everyone. So, are you ever going to tell us what the deal is with all that?"

Sage filled her lungs, then blew out a heavy sigh and braced for an argument. "No, not anytime soon."

"Okay."

When she realized Sarah really was going to drop the subject, Sage relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the drive. As they pa.s.sed the Eternity Springs city limits sign, Sarah said, "It's back to the real world now, I guess. The summer season, sullen daughter, and ..." Her voice broke a little. "Graduation."

"It'll be okay, Sarah. Your friends will be there to help you through it, both you and Lori."

"I know, and I'm grateful for it. There is part of me that wants to get it over with. Another part wants to stop time from moving at all. But, enough of that. I wonder if anything interesting happened in Eternity while we were gone? Maybe an elk wandered into the barbershop again or Bob Carson accidentally locked himself in the bank vault."

Sage turned onto Cottonwood Street and said, "We're home, so that means we'll find out in, what, five minutes?"

"Ten at the most."

At the corner of Second Street and Cottonwood, Sage responded to Mayor Hank Townsend's gesture to stop and roll down her window. "Glad I caught you," he said as she turned onto Second Street on her way to Sarah's house, which was across the street from her grocery store, the Trading Post. "Somebody was trying to track you down yesterday. A tourist. Wants to buy that eagle photo you have in the window at Vistas. He put his card through your mail slot, and asked half the people in town to be sure and let you know so that n.o.body bought it before he did. Seemed real important to him. I'd have sent him straight to Marcus, but he's up at Rocky Mountain National Park." In case she hadn't heard the latest gossip, he added, "With Marlene."

"Thanks, Hank. I'll look for it."

"So, did you ladies have fun on your trip? My wife sure hated to have to miss it."

"We had a lovely time," Sarah replied. "Tell Linda not to fret. We've decided the Patchwork Angels will do a road trip each spring and fall, so she can join us in October."

"Will do."

Hank stepped away from the car, and Sage completed her turn and drove the two short blocks to Sarah's house. As she slowed to make the turn into Sarah's driveway, across the street the Trading Post's door opened. Two people carrying grocery sacks and laughing with each other stepped outside.

Sage slammed on the brakes. Sarah jerked forward against her seat belt and glared at her. "What in the world?"

Sage couldn't speak. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't move a muscle. She sat in her car in the middle of the street frozen in shock.

The woman carrying a sack and a gallon of milk was her sister, Rose. The man with the six-pack ... "Colt is here."

"Oh, yeah?" Now, Sarah perked up and she twisted her head to look. "Who is that woman he is with? She looks familiar."

Sage's mouth had gone dry as day-old toast. "She's my sister. I haven't seen her in years."

"Oh." After a moment of surprised silence, Sarah grinned impishly. "This is even better than an elk in the barbershop."

Colt saw Sage's car and cursed his timing. He'd had a nice romantic surprise planned as a way of sharing his news. Okay, then. Change in plans. Not a problem.

"Enjoy your stay at Angel's Rest," he told the woman with whom he'd shared an entertaining conversation about the s.p.a.ce aliens on the cover of the tabloid while waiting to check out.

"Thanks. I am hoping I will," she responded, and in the process gave a little shrug that had him doing a double take because it reminded him so much of Sage.

The same Sage who hadn't moved since she'd slammed on the brakes.

He stepped out into the street, waving to Sarah as he walked in front of Sage's car and approached the already lowered driver's-side window. Her gaze was shifting between him and the tourist. Did she think he was with the other woman? He'd better make sure she knew otherwise.

"h.e.l.lo, beautiful," he said to Sage, meaning it. "Hey, Sarah. I hear you two have been off gallivanting in Denver. Did you have fun?"

Sage simply stared at him. Sarah's grin grew bigger. "Had a blast. Didn't we, Sage?"

From her safety seat in back, Snowdrop yipped excitedly.

Sage finally found her voice. "What are you doing here?"

"How about we talk about it over dinner? Your place? Sevenish? Steaks? I'll bring everything."

"No." Her gaze returned to the Trading Post, and Colt realized he had totally lost her concentration. He gave the woman another look and deduced that she had to be a relative. The short crop of hair was the same shade of auburn as Sage's. The eyes. Sage's reaction. Sister, maybe? One she wasn't overjoyed to see?

Well now, this was interesting. Another piece to fit into her puzzle. He couldn't wait to find out what this story was.

When Rose Anderson identified her sister as the driver of the car stopped in front of her, a truckload of emotion hit her head-on. Excitement. Grief. Fear. Anger. Nervousness. Sage looked as beautiful as always.

She wished she had something stronger than Snapple in her grocery bag.

The hot guy stepped away from the car as Sage opened the driver's-side door and climbed out. "Rose?"

"Hi, Sage."

"Rose, what in the world are you doing here?"

The accusation in her sister's tone prodded old wounds, and she reacted instinctively with an old childish taunt the sisters often had exchanged. "Hey, it's a free country."

The moment the childish words left her mouth she regretted them, so she quickly followed them with, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

Sage's silence agreed with her.

Rose took a step toward the car. "Sage, can we go somewhere and talk?"

She held her breath as her little sister looked down and then away. A long moment later, Sage finally looked up and met her gaze. "Gee, Captain Anderson, why don't you call the office tomorrow and make an appointment?"

Rose sucked in a breath as the arrow struck home. She heard the pa.s.senger in her sister's car say, "Whoa, Sage. That's cold."

"It's complicated," her sister said before Sage got back into the car and slammed the door. The man she'd been talking to in the grocery store hopped back as the tires spun and the car lurched off.

Rose stood staring after it until the car rounded a corner and disappeared. Weariness washed over her and made her feel old. Old, washed out, dried up, and useless. It would be so easy to plop herself down right here and cry, but she was trying to wean herself away from that habit.

She never noticed the guy approach until he stuck his hand out and said, "I'm Colt Rafferty. You're Sage's sister?"

"Yes. Rose Anderson." She shook his hand.

"What just happened here, Rose?"

She let out a shaky breath and said, "Look, I'm sorry. I just can't." She turned away from him and walked around to the side of the building where she'd left her bicycle. She deposited her grocery sack in the woven basket attached to the handlebars, then tugged the bike out of the rack and climbed on.

As she rode back to the place where she'd rented a room, she told herself that the tears trickling from her eyes resulted from the sting of the wind, even though the breeze was almost nonexistent. She also reminded herself that she'd known that healing the wounds in her relationship with Sage wouldn't be easy. But then, she should be accustomed to that. For the past eight months, nothing in life had been easy.

"So stop the pity party," she told herself. "That doesn't help a thing."

It was a lovely afternoon, in fact, and Eternity Springs was a picture-perfect town with flowers blooming everywhere she looked. Window boxes, flowerpots, hanging baskets, and flower beds adorned houses and businesses and churchyards. The air smelled of sunshine and forest and the aroma of baking cookies as she pedaled by a coffee shop called the Mocha Moose.

Tempted by the scent, she stopped and treated herself to a raspberry pinwheel cookie fresh from the oven along with a gla.s.s of cold milk. Comfort food. Sometimes a girl simply needed a cookie.

Her snack finished, she resumed her ride and a few minutes later walked the bike across the footbridge over Angel Creek and up to Angel's Rest. She parked the bike, then entered the converted Victorian mansion.

The older woman standing behind the reception desk looked up when Rose walked in, and she beamed. "h.e.l.lo, dear. You must be our newest guest, Dr. Rose Anderson. Your resemblance to your sister is striking. I'm Celeste Blessing, the proprietor here. Welcome to Angel's Rest."

"Thank you, Ms. Blessing." Rose's smile went shaky at the warmth of the woman's welcome.

"Call me Celeste, please. I've spent hours on the road and I'm stiff as a lodgepole pine. I think I'll indulge in the soothing waters of our natural springs. I would love it if you would join me."