The women had told the sheriff they were simply looking for a thrill.
When the pool owner had found out who had been up to the mischief, all charges had been dropped. The three women had enjoyed themselves immensely and were trying to figure out what their next big antic would be. Sage really hoped they took so long to find a new way to get their kicks that they would eventually forget about doing it.
“I didn’t think you ladies were ever going to show!”
Sage jumped at the boisterous voice of Judge Whitman as he joined them at the car.
“I would never miss one of your parties, Martin,” Eileen said. “I’m ready for your special punch.” The way Eileen fluttered her eyelashes was enough to make Sage grin.
“Well now, Eileen, you’d best only take one cup this time,” Martin replied with a laugh. “You remember your impromptu table dance last time you had a couple of glasses.”
“That would have been just fine had little Stevie Walker not had a camera,” Eileen replied. “The brat posted it on that dangfangled contraption of his where all the world could see me acting like a fool. You remember when we were young—those blankety-blank computers were only for the space people.”
Sage struggled not to laugh. “You mean NASA, Aunt Eileen?”
“Now don’t you mock me, girlie. I may be old, but I have real good hearing, thanks to Doc Lamper’s hearing aids.” Eileen tapped her ear pointedly.
“I would never think of mocking you,” Sage said, wrapping an arm around the woman. “I love you far too much.”
Martin put his arm around Bethel as the four of them made their way inside the barn.
“It’s chilly out here tonight,” Bethel said with a shiver.
“It’s plenty warm in the barn.” The wink Martin sent Eileen’s way had the woman blushing again. Sage really wanted to figure out when this flirtation had begun. She would be more than pleased for both of them if they became an item. There was no age limit on falling in love, and both Martin and Eileen deserved a second chance at forever happiness.
Sage found it amusing that Martin always chose to have his parties in the barn. His home was five times the size of a normal ranch house, with so many wings she’d gotten lost in it a few times as a child, but his man cave was in the barn, and he loved to have shindigs there.
Lights and music greeted them as Sage skimmed the room with her emerald eyes. She spotted Camden dancing with Grace, and her eyes immediately narrowed.
Grace had been in love with Camden for about as long as Sage had been in love with Spence. The problem was that something had happened after Camden had left for college that had changed Grace forever. She’d always been confident, but she was different. And though Sage strongly suspected that Grace still loved Camden, her best friend wouldn’t even say his name anymore.
However, Sage wouldn’t be surprised at all if Grace confessed that her affair with the Italian guy had ended because she’d wanted to come home to Camden. Sage really hoped that wasn’t the case, because she didn’t think Camden was capable of a real relationship. Heck, all of the Whitman brothers seemed biologically defective when it came to staying with a woman longer than it took for the bedsheets to cool down.
Not that she knew from personal experience, of course; but the Sterling rumor mill never tired of the Whitmans. She tried to deny that she kept one ear out for the slightest news on Spence, insisting to herself that she was just curious—nothing more.
Sure, you’re over Spence. Sheesh, her mind was mocking her again.
“I am,” Sage muttered aloud, causing Bethel to glance at her with concern. “I’m gonna get a drink, Grandma. You’re in good hands.” She dashed off, intent on hiding in the corner for a while until Grace was free.
If she could just avoid spotting Spence, her night would be perfect. It was a very large barn, and if she stuck to the shadows, she had a chance of getting her wish.
“Sage Banks is looking good tonight, wouldn’t you say, Spence?”
Spence turned to see his patient from earlier moving off into a corner, a drink in her hand. The name had been bugging him all week, but he couldn’t place it. Now, as his friend Hawk Winchester made the comment, his memory came rushing back—the pretty redheaded sophomore who’d told him one summer how much she