Springs resident waiting for Margaret Rhodes to get back from the Bristlecone and reopen the library, which was across the street and two doors down from Vistas. Once Sage shared the news of Ralph Hawkins’ big win, the library patron decided to head over to the celebration himself.
As she unlocked the door to Vistas, Sage turned to Colt and attempted to dismiss him. “Enjoy the rest of your afternoon, Rafferty.”
“You too.” He stepped forward and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Good luck with Rose. If you need me, I’m just a phone call away.”
He walked away whistling, his hands stuck in his pockets. Sage couldn’t help but sneak a look at his butt. The man did fill out a pair of jeans in a spectacular way.
Thoughts of Colt drifted through her mind off and on the rest of the afternoon. She had enjoyed having his company at lunch. Their interlude out at the lake last winter had been lovely, but more like make-believe than reality. Being with him at the Bristlecone today had been … ordinary.
Ordinary was so darned nice.
Against her better judgment, she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to have a real relationship with Colt, to have an ordinary life with this man. It would be extraordinary.
It would be impossible.
He didn’t want to stop with a dog. He wanted a family. That meant children.
Impossible.
Late in the afternoon, a still jubilant Glenda Hawkins floated in and purchased Marcus Burnes’ photograph of a doe and her fawn drinking from Angel Creek. “I’ve had my eye on this one ever since I saw it hanging in your window, but I haven’t been able to justify spending the money on it. It’s the one treat I’m going to allow myself from this windfall.”
“I think that’s great. Where will you hang it?”
Glenda glanced around the gallery, making sure they were alone, then leaned forward. “Please don’t tell anyone, but I’m about to burst with the news. Once things settled down at the restaurant, I had a long talk with Ralph. Guess what—we’re going to move to Florida! It’s been a dream of ours ever since we visited Nic Callahan’s mom and aunt on our winter trip a few years ago. Billy is over the moon. He wants to be a pro golfer someday, you know. Florida weather is better for golf than what we have here.”
“That’s wonderful, Glenda. For you and Ralph and Billy, anyway. I can’t say the same for Eternity. What will we do without the Bristlecone?”
“Hopefully you won’t be without the restaurant. I plan to sell it.”
“Well, your magic in the kitchen is what makes the Bristlecone so wonderful. I can’t imagine anyone else being able to fill your shoes.”
“That’s sweet. Silly, but sweet. Thank you, dear. Now, you will keep the news to yourself, won’t you?”
“Absolutely.” Sage didn’t expect to have to keep the secret long. Glenda Hawkins was the biggest gossip in town. Sage didn’t see her keeping quiet about her own big scoop. In fact, she’d probably already told every person she’d spoken with since hanging up the telephone. Her suspicions proved true when, after closing Vistas for the day, she walked toward Angel’s Rest for a Patchwork Angels meeting and three separate people stopped her and asked if she’d heard the news. “Ah, small-town life,” she murmured. “Wonder how Colt will like this aspect of the community.”
After that Sage’s thoughts turned to the latest project of the Patchwork Angels, the small quilt they were making for the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative. Lori Reese had suggested the project, and Sage had worked with her on the design. It was a labor of love for both Sarah and her daughter, and lately one of the few activities they shared without bickering these days. The graduating-from-high-school-and-going-off-to-college experience was proving difficult for them both.
She met up with said mother-daughter team at the pedestrian bridge to Angel’s Rest over Angel Creek, and Sarah quizzed her about Colt all the way to the Patchwork Angels workroom in the converted attic of the old Cavanaugh mansion. Sage was so busy fending off Sarah’s nosiness that she had already set her tote bag on the table and pulled out her scissors when she spied the visitor. “Rose.”
Celeste Blessing swept into the room. “Hello, dears.”
Colt trailed in after her. Sage dropped her chin to her chest and sighed. If she was a conspiracy theorist, she’d believe that the world was conspiring against her.
Sarah said, “I’m surprised to see you