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late.” He stood. “C’mon, Mrs. Callahan. I’ll walk you home.”

“Okay.” Nic sighed audibly as she stood. Then she gave Ali a genuine smile and added, “I had fun this afternoon, Ali. Working with those children was a joy.”

“It was a joy for them, too,” Ali replied. “You can always count on kids loving animals.”

“We got lucky to have two litters of kittens for the show-and-tell part of the program.”

“Speaking of litters,” Sarah said, “you have five minutes to walk home before you’re officially late.”

Colt kissed first Sarah’s cheek, then Ali’s, and said, “Thanks for the meal. Y’all have a good night.”

As they exited the restaurant, Colt gave the Angel’s Rest footbridge one last look, and he was disheartened to see that Rose and Mr. Hollywood were still chatting up a storm. I hope she knows what she’s doing. To distract himself, he asked Nic, “So, you don’t seem worried about how your girls and Sage are getting along?”

“I’m not. This is the third time Sage has babysat for me. She did fine the other times.”

Colt wondered if Nic knew that Sage got so nervous ahead of time that she couldn’t keep a thing in her stomach. He decided it was probably best he didn’t share that little fact.

The walk to the Callahans’ took less than five minutes. They entered the house through the front door to find Sage sitting on the family room floor stacking wooden blocks for the romper-clad beauties to knock over. At eight months old and crawling, the blue-eyed twins sported short blond curls and various bruises that had Colt glancing from the babies to Sage to Nic in concern. Neither of the women appeared to be concerned, so he deduced that he need not be, either.

“Hey, you two,” Sage said, looking up from the stack of blocks. “How did it go?”

“Great,” Nic said as Gabe wandered out from the kitchen, a dish towel slung over his shoulder. “I had a wonderful time. The kittens were a total hit with the children. How did things go here?”

“We did just fine,” Gabe told his wife. Hearing their mother’s voice, the twins made a U-turn and crawled toward their mama. “Sage even juggled feeding them by herself when they woke up early from their naps and I wasn’t back yet from helping you.”

“Oh no.” Nic winced.

Sage stood, brushed cracker crumbs off her jeans, and smiled. “I enjoyed it. I’m glad I was able to help. I don’t think Meg and Cari are too traumatized by my inexpert care.” Meeting Colt’s gaze, she asked, “How was the mad scientist’s presentation?”

“Dry ice is always a hit with the kids.” Then, because he saw the tightness around her eyes, he said, “You ready to go?”

“Sure.” Sage kissed Nic’s babies good-bye, hugged both Nic and Gabe, then strolled casually out the door. She maintained her slow, carefree step until she was out of the Callahans’ line of sight. At that point she sagged against the neighbor’s front gate, bent over double, and drew in deep, shuddering breaths. Colt patiently waited her out, giving her his silent support, and when she’d once again gathered her strength, he clasped her hand in his and continued their walk, saying, “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” she replied, giving a shaky laugh. They traveled half a block before she replied. “Why do you do it, Rafferty?”

“Do what?”

“Put up with my … weirdness. Why haven’t you run as hard and fast as you can the other way?”

They strolled down Pinyon Street past Community Presbyterian Church, and when he spied the park bench surrounded by roses in the church’s garden area, he steered her toward it. “Why am I not running?” he repeated. “That’s easy, Cinnamon. It’s because I love you.”

She sucked in a breath and sank down onto the bench. “No, you think you might be falling in love with me.”

“No. I’ve landed, and I’m sure. I love you, Sage. I want to make a life with you.”

“Tell me this isn’t a marriage proposal!”

The horror in her tone made him wince. “I don’t have to worry about becoming egotistical when I’m hanging around you, do I?”

Sage leaned back against the bench and closed her eyes. “I don’t mean to be insulting.”

“I know.”

“I just … I’m a terrible bet, Rafferty. I am such a basket case and I’m so afraid I’m going to hurt you. I like you too much for that.”

“See, I’m making progress.”

She sighed. “You don’t give up, do you? You’re like Angel Creek, always pounding away