Hummingbird Lake Page 0,30
the year. While Sage treasured the isolation of the point, she didn’t mind having somebody within shouting distance in case of an emergency.
Once inside her cottage, she changed out of her slacks and a sweater and into jeans and a sweatshirt, but when she went to her closet for her slippers, her gaze lingered on her boots instead. Rather than curl up on the sofa, maybe she’d be better off taking advantage of the sunshine and the early end to her workday by strapping on her snowshoes and heading out for a hike. Strenuous exercise wouldn’t hurt her goal of achieving dreamless sleep tonight.
Happy with her plan, Sage donned her boots, then headed for her coat closet and reached for her parka. She startled at the sound of a knock on her door, then remembered the tracks in the snow. The new neighbor.
She shrugged into her coat as she approached the door and opened it with a smile, which immediately died. Colt Rafferty stood on her front porch wearing a devilish smile and holding a measuring cup in his hand.
Sage’s heart couldn’t help but flutter. The man looked like he belonged out at the Double R Ranch atop a horse instead of riding a bureaucrat’s desk in Washington, D.C. “Howdy, neighbor,” he drawled. “Can I borrow a cup of sugar?”
Sage reacted instinctively and with an uncharacteristic rudeness. “I don’t use refined sugar,” she lied before slamming the door in his face.
She heard the scoundrel laugh, then he returned her rudeness with some of his own by opening the door and stepping inside. “I had expected something more neighborly from a citizen of Eternity Springs.”
“Feel free to report me to the Chamber of Commerce.” She returned to her coat closet in search of a hat, gloves, and scarf.
“Ah, c’mon, Cinnamon. Why the attitude?”
Sage wrinkled her nose.
“I don’t think I deserve the cold shoulder,” he continued. “Look, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings earlier. I was teasing you.”
She whirled on him. “You didn’t hurt my feelings.”
“All right. If you say so. In that case, let’s talk about Fort Worth. I’d like to understand what happened. It’s bothered me ever since. Did I completely misread you? I thought you wanted that kiss.”
Sage sighed. “I owe you an apology, Rafferty. I’m sorry. What happened had nothing to do with you.”
“See, actually, it did. I was the one kissing you at the time.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Please, don’t take it personally.”
“Well, I have to take it personally. It was my mouth.”
He wasn’t going to let this go, was he? “You’re a terrier, aren’t you?”
“I’m safety engineer, an investigator. I spend my days searching for answers. If someone doesn’t give me answers, I have to figure them out on my own.”
“So you’re trying to get into my mind? I didn’t realize you have a psych degree in addition to all your numerous accolades, Dr. Rafferty.” Sage pulled on a glove. “I’ve apologized. I figure that’s all I really owe you.”
His slow smile flashed his dimples. “In my estimation, you owe me another kiss. Sans the scream. Unless, of course, things get really crazy. Usually things get far more intimate before my attentions cause a woman to scream. But I am open to exploring that option if you’re game.”
“You’re outrageous.”
“And you like to throw around the attitude, don’t you?”
“I’m an artist. Attitude is part of the package with artistic types. Look, today I had a bad day creatively, and when that happens, I’m better off not being around people—or safety engineers—until I’ve rid myself of the mood. So, if you’ll excuse me, I need to take a walk.”
“Exercise is a great stress reliever. Want some company?”
Outrageous and persistent. Sage wondered if he was really a used car salesman instead of a safety engineer. Fumbling with her other glove, she said, “No, thank you. I really need to be alone.”
“Okay, then. Here’s an idea.” He paused and scooped up the glove she’d dropped. Handing it to her, he continued, “You’ll feel better after your walk. Why don’t you have dinner with me? I put on a pot of chili a little while ago, and believe me, my chili is a treat you don’t want to miss.”
“Thank you, but no.” She yanked her stocking cap over her head, opened the door, and smiled. “Good-bye.”
His blue-lake eyes gleamed, and as his lips twitched with a grin, she had the sense that he’d been playing with her all along. When he strolled past her, he leaned down and brushed a