Secretly In Love: A Madison Creek Novella

by Jackie Castle

“True that. So do you think Sage out of my, uh, league?”

  “Of course. However, I’ve always believed our Sweet Sage was smitten with you. It’s why I insisted on making that pact in the first place. I saw where you two were going.” She flipped her black hair back with a loud sigh. “Maybe now it’s time to let nature take its course. I fear it’s inevitable.” Her head tilted to the side. “Are you going to tell, or will I need to step in and put my BFF out of her misery?”

  “So, you’re all right with… this? With me risking making things awkward if she doesn’t feel the same way?”

  “Life’s just awkward either way. You know?” She checked the time on her cell. “We should get going. You’ll be late for your job.”

  “What about Sage?” Nick collected his tools and put them into his case.

  “You didn’t get her text? She told me her sister Lana was picking her up soon as she finished her test. They left a while ago. Think they were going to do some wedding shopping, before she had to be at work.”

  Why hadn’t she texted him? Maybe she already realized he was the one writing the notes and was too embarrassed, or angry, to be around him? What kind of mess had he created with this fool plan of his?

  What he needed was the right moment to talk to her. When they weren’t surrounded by people. But Moi was right. He needed to make it soon. Tonight. After work when he drove her home, he’d… well, he’d try his best to tell her. Hopefully, she’d not laugh too much when he admitted that he was the one behind the strange sappy love notes.

  Chapter Nine

  Sage stared her reflection in the dressing room mirror with a contemptuous sneer.

  “Stop,” Lana said, replacing the discarded dresses back on their hangers. “I know that look, and you’re being dumb.” Her sister stood behind her, placing her hands on Sage’s arms as her chin rested on her shoulder. “You’re beautiful. Ma says that God doesn’t make mistakes. There’s beauty in everyone if we’ll only look with the right attitude.”

  “Got a pencil?” Sage asked with a tilt of her head. “We can play connect the dots on my face.”

  “Freckles are in, babe. Don’t you see the models in the fashion magazines?” Lana squeezed her shoulders. “Remember how Daddy called them sun kisses? He’d say the sun must really love us. We’ve been kissed a lot, right?”

  The memory of their father brought a smile to Sage’s pink lips. Thin tendrils of red curls hung around her narrow face. Sage pulled her hair back into a twist.

  “You look so elegant with your hair up.” Lana found a white beaded clip on the jewelry rack and secured her hair with it. She stepped back to examine the ensemble. “I love this dress! Olive green is striking on you. And it’s going for half-price. Score!”

  “You’re my sister. You have to say these things.”

  “Are you kidding me? I’ve always been so jealous of you, Sage. You got the pretty long lashes and wide eyes. A trim figure and long, graceful limbs. You need to appreciate yourself more.”

  “I would if people didn’t make me the target of their jokes.”

  Lana folded her arms across her bosom as she moved to stand between her and the mirror. “What if, just maybe, those letters are the real thing? Deep down, you have to know who’s writing them to you. Right?”

  Leon remained a possible writer of those notes. But a very remote possibility. He would probably laugh at her when she showed him the envelope.

  Honestly, she didn’t think for a moment he was involved, but the alternative was too hurtful to consider. She simply couldn’t believe Nikolai would stoop to such an all-time low. But he’d been kind of off lately. Who knew what was going through his mind?

  “Well, maybe.” She removed the tag from the dress, intending to wear it since they’d wasted the whole afternoon shopping. “One way or another, I’m going find out tonight who’s behind this mean-spirited joke and make them stop. Even if I do end up making a bigger fool of myself.”

  Lana grinned. That sisterly grin she often had when she knew a secret but refused to tell.

  Sage hated that grin.

  * * * *

  “Wowzers,” Miss Haley exclaimed when Sage raced into the kitchen, fearing she was late. “That dress is amazing on you, sugar.” She pulled Sage into the garden room where the men were setting the tables with condiments. “Look at our darlin’ Sage, fellas. Isn’t she stunning?”

  Face burning like she’d shoved it into Haley’s smoker, Sage was sure her cheeks must match the color of her hair. Leon approached her and took her hand in his. “I’ve admired her earthy beauty all along, Miss Haley. Green is your color, that’s for sure. And you took my suggestion about how to wear your hair. Bet she makes the most tips tonight.” He gave her hand a pat, then headed for the kitchen.

  Sage bit her upper lip so hard she feared it might bleed. Had he really paid her an honest compliment? Surely she was right to believe he had nothing to do with those notes. This wasn’t the time to ask. People were already lining up on the front porch.

  Haley headed for the door saying she’d begin checking people in while Ethan led them to their seats. Sage looked around for Nikolai and found him behind the condiment and drinks bar, filling glasses with ice. He motioned her over and set an apron on the counter. “Nice dress. You have tables one through ten. I have the other half.” He slapped down a pad for notes. “They’ll serve themselves, but you still need to write out a check and keep track of drinks.”

  Why was he being so short with her? She tied the beige apron around her waist. “Anything wrong?”

  “Is there?” He shot back, then shook his head. “Never mind. We need to focus.”

  She nodded, trying to temper her own irritation with his evasive answers. When she turned to greet the first customers taking their seats, he said, “You are stunning tonight, Sage.”

  “Thanks.” She rushed off, hating how confused she was. If he was behind the letters, why was he acting like that? They had to be a joke. They just had to be. When she found out for sure…. There’d be heck to pay.

  Soon as orders were taken, and the tables filled, whatever thoughts troubling her vanished in the rushed activity and endless chatter. People from all over Madison Creek came out to try Miss Haley’s barbecue buffet.

  At one point, she stopped at a table to find Lana and Drake sitting there with huge grins on their faces. He was a handsome guy with black hair the color of a crow’s wing. They were both dressed nice for the evening and Sage couldn’t help but smile the way Drake cradled his sister’s hand in his.

  “Really?” Sage gasped, glancing over her shoulder to see where Miss Haley was. “You had to visit on my first night? Please don’t torment me.” She waved her notepad at the crowded tables. “This is crazy, but at least, I haven’t dropped or broken anything. Yet.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Lana said glancing toward the buffet table. “I’m here for some smoked meat. I’ve not had real barbecue in I don’t even know when.” She looked at her soon-to-be husband. “Maybe when we made that trip down to Branson?” She dug in her purse and pulled out an envelope. “Another one came in the mail today. Whoever it is, sure is persistent.”

  Sage took the letter, quickly folded it and shoved it down into her apron pocket. “You could have just left it at home. I’m not opening it. We’re too busy. Will that be two buffets?” She held her trembling pen over the pad.

  “Yes.” Drake laughed as he looked at the table menu that explained how the buffet worked. “You’re doing great. Very professional, sissy. We’ll take two cokes. Is there anything I shouldn’t try?”

  “It’s all smoked meat tonight. Watch the stuff labeled Pico de Gallo. No idea what it is, but it’ll burn a layer off your tongue.” She hurried off to get their drinks.

  The whole evening went in a blur. Leon popped out of the kitchen to replace empty pans. He gave her a wink a couple of times and told her she was doing great. Nikolai remained quiet except to call her attention when a table needed refills.
<
br />   By nine o’clock, the crowd thinned to the point they could begin cleaning up. The sound of rushing water and clanging pans overrode the rumbling of people’s voices.

  When the last table left, Haley closed the front door with a loud squeal. “We did it. They loved our food! All night people were stopping to tell me how much they enjoyed their meal.” She hopped excitedly then ran into Mr. Ethan’s arms.

  He swept her up, spinning her around in a circle. “Knew they would. You did it, beautiful. This is what you were dreaming about all along, isn’t it?”

  She kissed him as he lowered her back to the floor. “Sure was. Even better. Thanks to you.”

  Sage’s throat tightened over their unashamed show of affection. They really did love each other. What a great team they were. Her heart ached as her thoughts went back to the sweet words of the letters she’d been getting this week. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to stand it if her suspicions turned out to be true.

  Nikolai came out with a bus pan to start clearing off the remaining tables. “Sooner we clean up, the sooner we can leave.” His voice sounded tight.

  She spun to face him. Enough was enough. She needed to solve this mystery right now. She took the tub from him and stomped into the kitchen. Leon stacked the dishes into the washer rack. She set the tub on the large sink beside him and yanked the envelope from her pocket. Ripping it open, she glanced at the letter. Her hands trembled too much for her to make out the contents.

  “Hey,” Leon said. “Is that mine?”

  “This?” She waved the paper. When he nodded she smacked it down on the island. “You tell me.” She simply couldn’t believe he might really be the author of those letters, even if he was a smooth talker.

  He took the paper and flipped it open. “I made a … wait, this isn’t my shopping list.” His brows nearly shot up into his dreadlocks as he read over the note. “But, I’d have to say it’s dead on true. What is this?”

  “Letters I’ve been getting. They’re not signed, but I recognize that paper.” Tears burned her eyes. Already she knew the answer to her question. “I… uh,” she cleared her clogging throat. “Was just trying to figure out who was writing them.”

  “Not me, love.” He handed the paper back, then continued wiping the counter. “However, if you find a similar piece of paper, with a list of grocery items, that would be mine.” He glanced up at the kitchen doors. “Perhaps you should ask Prater?”

  Sage turned to find Nikolai watching them, a scowl on his face and his arms filled with linens.

  “Well?” She held up the envelope. “Do you know about this?”

  “Um, we’re done. Haley said she and Ethan will finish up. Why don’t you get your stuff and meet me at the car?” He dumped the linens into a tall basket placed beside the door.

  “No! Tell me. Are these from you?” Anger surged though she’d not meant to yell. She’d had enough games. She wanted answers.

  “Yes.” He shrugged with that dumb crooked grin of his.

  Sage crossed the room until she stood right in front of him. “You? Seriously?”

  He nodded.

  How could he? They were supposed to be friends. She’d trusted him. The tears exploded, blurring her vision. But not to the point she wasn’t able to land a slap right to the side of his face. “I’ll walk home.” With that, she stormed outside.

  Chapter Ten

  That was not how Nick pictured her reacting. Sure, he’d anticipated laughter. He’d hoped for acceptance. Maybe she’d throw her arms around his neck the way Miss Haley threw her arms around Ethan’s.

  He rubbed his stinging cheek. A slap? Not in his calculations. At. All.

  “Wait, Sage.” Nick tore outside after her. The evening chill hit him like a bucket of ice. She had to be freezing in her thin sweater, but the fiery look in her eyes made him think otherwise. “Don’t leave.”

  She’d made it out to the driveway. Above, the clear night sky was bursting with billions of stars. A crescent moon hung high in the sky, grinning down at him. Mocking his predicament. Jokes on you, chump, it was probably saying.

  Sage turned on him, her fist clenched. Beneath her glaring eyes a stream of tears coursed down the side of her cheek.

  He stopped a few feet away. Her slap held enough of a wallop for him to proceed with caution. What had he done to cause such a reaction? Had she so hoped it was Leon writing the notes that to find out it was him instead was this much of a bitter disappointment? His heart took a nose dive into despair. What had he done? If this ended up ruining their friendship, he’d never forgive himself. When he opened his to try to explain, she cut him off.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Her voice broke, and it tore at his heart. “Did I make you mad? What are you playing at?” She didn’t actually sound just mad but more hurt. Why?

  In the momentary pause for a breath, Nick opened his mouth again to explain, but again she cut him off.

  “Know what?” She threw up her arms and started walking again. “I don’t care. I’m not staying here while you laugh and tell me you were just having fun. I can’t do that—”

  “Shut up.” It was the only thing he could think of to say to stop her ranting. Was that it? She thought he’d been playing a joke on her?

  Sage froze, then slowly turned to face him again. Her mouth gaped open, then slammed closed. Before she could start yelling again, he blurted, “I love you. Sage, it wasn’t a joke.”

  Her fallen tendrils of curls swung around her face as she shook her head in disbelief.

  “I’m serious. I’ve fallen in love with you.” He moved a little closer but kept an arm’s length of distance between them. Just in case. “Truth is, I’ve probably always loved you. But I made this pact.”

  “With Moi?” She sniffed, wiping her cheeks.

  He nodded. “She didn’t want our friendship to be ruined. Please, Sage, neither do I. If I have no chance with you, if you don’t have any feelings for me, tell me now.”

  She said nothing. Raking her fingers through her bun, she pulled more curls loose. They hung in her wild eyes and scared him just a little. He’d never seen her look so furious and something else he wasn’t too sure how to read.

  “Talk to me, hon.”

  Her hands flew up, palms out as she shook her head. At that moment, she must have realized she was still holding his letter. “What does this one say?”

  “Uh, I’m not completely sure. I have several waiting to be mailed. In my camper. Once I started admitting how I felt, the words just … poured out.”

  She yanked loose the clip holding her hair and let it fall loose around her shoulders. “I want to see them.”

  “Okay, I’ll br—”

  “Now. Right now.”

  Not daring to argue, he headed for his car. “Fine. Let’s go.”

  Neither of them spoke while he drove her over to the barn and let her into the camper. She looked around with her nose wrinkled. “This place is awful. And it smells funny.”

  “It’s better than my car. Or Jerod’s floor. He smokes. Talk about an awful smell. I’m not so sure what he’s smoking is legal, either.” He grabbed the stack of envelopes and held them out to her. “Here.”

  Wrapping her arms around her shoulders instead of taking them, she jerked her chin. “Read them.”

  “Read… all of them?” He gasped.

  She nodded and pointed for him to sit on the couch. With a shiver, she moved toward the table where she sat on one side of the booth.

  He squeezed past her and pulled a blanket off the bed which he offered her to wrap in. Then he took a seat and opened the one she’d received that day.

  Beads of sweat covered his forehead and neck, despite the cool evening. Clearing his throat, he held the letter open and found his hand trembling, so he rested it on his lap.

  “Dear Sage,” His gaze moved from the letter to her downcast face, then back to the words that blurred before his eyes. He read on anyway, remembering now what this one said. “Every brea
th of your perfume sends my head spinning. But then, just being in your presence knocks everything I’ve tried to do off course. The promises I’ve made. The vows to keep my distance. The attempts to not let my true feelings show. I’m crumbling, Sage. Every day, every moment, every smile from you breaks me a little more and a little more.”

  Nick swiped his hand across his sweaty brow. “That’s all I wrote in that one.”

  She handed him another from the stack.

  He ripped off the edge and shook out the green paper. Maybe he should have used some from his notebook. Of course she recognized Haley’s stationery. Yet, she was listening to him. Not running. Certainly not laughing. Just sitting at the table, cocooned in his fleece blanket with her chin resting on her hands. If only she’d look his way, then he might be able to read what she was feeling.

  Then again, maybe it was better if he didn’t.

  He flipped open the next note and read, “I’m out of my mind with worry over how you’ll react when you finally realize who’s behind these letters. I hope you’ll not brush me off, but I won’t blame you if you do. I’ve nothing to offer though I’m trying to change that. I wish I could sit beside you and pour out my heart, share my plans. I do have plans. Dare I hope you might be willing to let me include you as part of them?”

  He looked up at her for any reaction. She handed him the next one and the next. By the time he’d read through the first five, she’d scooted from her seat and curled up on the end of the couch.

  His voice started to grow scratchy as he reached the seventh. She stood and went to the small fridge where she found two bottles of water. Returning to the couch, she handed him one and sat close enough that she could rest her head close to his shoulder.

  As he continued to read, letter after letter, he silently cursed himself for writing so many. His hand rested on her knee. At least, she didn’t push it away.

  The more he’d written the more personal they became. “I remember the first day you ran into me in the hall. We had the same computer books and laughed because we couldn’t tell them apart. I loved how we’d tag team our homework. You’ve always been the best partner in crime when it came to doing as little work as possible in class.” She actually gave a snorting laugh. Her cheek pressed against his bicep. He simply couldn’t read anymore. Setting the letter down, he turned toward her, lifted her chin with his finger and made her look directly at him.