One Hundred Reasons

by Kelly Collins

  “Not for long.”

  The rain fell around them. “Are you going somewhere? Because I’m not, and I don’t know where you got some foolish idea that I was.”

  “I found the letter.”

  “Okay. So you found a letter from a company that wanted to buy the property. They leave stuff all over town. I saw one of their cards tucked into the door of the bar one day. Are you selling?”

  “No.” She pushed against his chest until he fell against the truck, pinned between the cold wet metal and her body.

  “Exactly.” She reached to the side of him and pulled his jacket from the seat. At least he’d brought it in from where she’d left it on the hood. “It’s freezing.” She pulled the damp coat over her shoulders and shivered.

  “Climb into the truck before you freeze to death.”

  She debated. She wasn’t stupid. She was cold. She hopped into the truck and slid to the passenger’s side while Cannon took his seat behind the wheel and closed the door. The windows fogged immediately. “I wouldn’t be near freezing if you hadn’t ignored my calls and message. This could have been talked out. ”

  “I was angry.”

  Sage shook with fury. “You haven’t seen angry.”

  Cannon scooted closer and reached for her. She pressed her back to the door. “Oh no, you don’t. You don’t get to break up with me and then think you can make it better because you offer me shelter from the storm.”

  “I was hurt.”

  “I am hurt, Cannon. I’m hurt you thought I’d keep something that big from you. I called that guy the day I arrived. Remember that day? The day I thought you were an asshole. Maybe my first impression was right.”

  “Come on, Sage. I was confused. Hell, I’m still confused.” He pointed to her and back to him. “This thing between us. It’s been more of a storm than the one outside. You struck me like lightning. You washed over me like rain. You shook me to the core like thunder. I’m afraid of losing everything.”

  “You could have said something. You could have asked. And to think I was going to tell you I loved you.” She shook her head. “My grandmother always said, ‘No risk, no reward.’ She was right. If you can’t risk your heart, Cannon, I can’t reward you with my love.”

  She opened the passenger-side door and walked back into the storm, leaving Cannon to contemplate her words.

  Sage marched across the street to the bakery. She plopped herself in the nearest chair, and laid her head on the table. When Katie came to the front of the display case, Sage was fully committed to an ugly cry.

  “Oh, sweetie.” Katie knelt beside her and wrapped her arms around her shoulder. “You need a cookie?”

  Laughter bubbled inside Sage. She was certain her laughter mixed with tears made her look like a crazed woman. “I need more than a cookie. This might be one of the worst days I’ve had in years.”

  “Hold that thought.” Katie dashed into the back room. The echo of footsteps on the stairs meant she’d gone to her apartment. A few minutes later, she came back winded. In her hand was a light pink envelope. Give to Sage on her darkest day was written across the front in Bea’s distinctive handwriting. She took the seat across from Sage and gave her the envelope. “I figure if this is the worst day you’ve had in years, it qualifies as a dark day.” She stood and looked down at Sage. “While you open your letter, I’ll get some cookies.”

  The last time Sage received a pink envelope, it changed her life. What would this contain? She ran her finger under the flap to reveal a single handwritten page.

  Dearest Sage,

  If you’re reading this, you’ve come to a turning point in your life. I have no idea what that might be, but I’ll offer you my solution. Many call it a list of pros and cons. I simply call it one hundred reasons. Whatever you’re debating, write it down. Come up with one hundred reasons to move forward. If you can’t come up with a solid list, then feel free to quit or move in another direction.

  If you’re still confused, look around you. The people of Aspen Cove are never too busy to lend a hand, an ear, or an opinion.

  With love and affection,

  Bea

  The smell of the baked goods arrived before Katie, who delivered a plate of heart-shaped sugar cookies.

  “If the letter didn’t help, these will.”

  Sage set the letter down and picked up a cookie. “It’s Bea’s way of reminding me to consider the positives and not make decisions without thought.” She took a bite and hummed. “These are a positive.”

  “Tell me what’s happening.”

  Once she’d swallowed the cookie, Sage explained everything.

  When Sage was finished, Katie lifted her eyes skyward. “Is that all?”

  “All? Are you kidding? How do we build a relationship when we can’t communicate? Cannon is so afraid of a broken heart, he refuses to use his.”

  “I’ve seen Cannon look at you. He gave you his heart already. What will you do with it?”

  “He’s not in love with me. He’s never said the words.”

  “Have you said them to him?” Katie reached over the table and tugged Sage’s damp curls. “You just figured it out. He’s a man. They’re slower.”

  “You really think he loves me?”

  Katie handed her another cookie. “Eat up. You must be weak, because your brain isn’t working. He wouldn’t have been so upset at the thought of losing you if he didn’t care. You make a difference in his life.”

  Sage chewed the edge off the cookie. She nibbled around and around until she reached the center. Maybe she’d reached Cannon’s heart the same way. She chipped away at the edges until she’d made her way inside. The way he kissed her and held her spoke volumes. In the back of her mind, she could hear her mom telling her that actions spoke louder than words. Maybe the words weren’t important.

  “He really loves me.” Sage said it with awe in her voice. “I make a difference, and in the end that’s enough for me.”

  Katie looked down at the pink paper. “You need a pen?” She didn’t wait for an answer. She pulled one from her pocket and handed it over.

  Sage didn’t need a hundred reasons. She needed one. The best reason was Cannon, because she loved him one hundred times over.

  On the page she wrote his name, hugged Katie, and left. She needed to talk to Cannon about a property. Not the kind that sat on the lake, but the real estate in his heart.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Cannon sat on the deck of his house with his head in his hands. A pink piece of paper lay in his lap. It was a letter from Bea, and all it said was:

  Cannon,

  It’s time to live your life.

  Love you,

  Bea

  Bea always knew what to say. Even in death, she had uncanny timing. He’d stopped by the bar to pick up the letter that said Open on a dark day. No day could be darker than the day he lost the woman he loved. He’d been an ass when he thought he’d lost Sage, and by being an ass, he fulfilled that prophecy.

  He picked up the bottle of wine and brought it to his lips. Staring out at the water, his thoughts were consumed by a little redhead who had made him love again.

  “I know you’re not good at sharing words, but what about wine?” Her voice startled him.

  The bottle fell from his hand and landed at his boots, spilling through the gaps of the wooden deck. Scrambling, he saved what he could, then handed the bottle to Sage. “I don’t know what to say to you.” Where did he start? “I’ll start with I’m sorry, but after that I’m lost. There are so many words you should hear, and I don’t know where to begin.”

  Sage leaned against the rail in front of him and took a drink.

  No longer dressed in wet scrubs, she was bundled up in a sweater and jeans. Cannon was happy she was dry and warm. The storm had passed. The sky was clear. Warmth rushed through him. It could have been the wine, but he wanted to believe it was their connection. He hoped they still had one.

  “You’ll have to figure it ou
t. This is your chance to tell me how you feel.”

  “Do I have a limit on words?”

  “This isn’t a game show, Cannon. This is life, where people who care about each other communicate.”

  He rose from the chair and reached for her. He turned her around and gave her his seat. Once he had her seated in his place, he dropped to his knees in front of her. The pink page from Bea broke free on the slight breeze and took flight toward the lake.

  Sage lifted herself up. “Should we get that?”

  He pressed her back into the seat. “It’s not nearly as important as you. You want to know how I feel?” He lowered his hands to her thighs. Touching her gave him strength. “I love you, Sage. I sat at the edge of your bed last night, watching you, wanting you. I know I’m not worthy of you. I have nothing to offer you, but I’ll give you anything I have just to spend another minute in your presence.”

  She lifted her hands to his head and ran her fingers through his hair. “You have plenty to offer. I’m not interested in money or things. All I want is your love. I want to make my home in your heart.”

  “My heart is yours.” He leaned forward, stopping before their lips touched. “Can I kiss you?”

  She lunged forward, knocking him over and falling on top of his body. The wine bottle rolled from her hand and disappeared off the edge of the deck. “I wish you would.”

  It was a kiss to beat all kisses. Everything they never said was put into that kiss. He felt her love and gave her his, but she broke away too soon.

  “Something wrong?” His heart raced.

  “Yes, I need something else.”

  “What’s that?” He would give her anything she asked for as long as it wasn’t space.

  “You—in bed—in me.”

  Thank God. Cannon scooped her up and took her home.

  With every touch, every kiss, every stroke, he told her he loved her.

  The next morning, he put her coffee and a note on the nightstand, then sat waiting for her to wake. The note had the nine most wonderful words in the universe written neatly across the paper. You are mine. I am yours. We are love.

  When she opened her eyes and read the note, Sage pulled it to her chest. “Yes, we are,” she said.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Sage and Otis walked down Main Street. What once looked like an abandoned town had become home. Who would have thought a speck of land in the middle of nowhere could offer her everything a girl needed? Who would have thought the call she made to HR this morning telling them she wouldn’t be returning would be so easy?

  Aspen Cove didn’t have a Target, a Starbucks, or a movie theater. There was no Dunkin’ Donuts, Taco Bell, or shopping mall. There was Cannon, and he made up for the shortcomings.

  As she walked down the street, she caught the smell of chocolate floating on the air. Her pace picked up because who didn’t like chocolate? Even Otis seemed eager to close the gap between him and the bakery, but that was because Katie had a bucket of treats she kept inside for him. There was one thing Otis liked more than belly rubs, and that was Milk-Bones.

  “Wait up,” came a familiar sexy voice from behind. Cannon jogged to catch up to her.

  Sage tilted her head in confusion. “I thought you were meeting up with Bowie?”

  His shoulders sagged forward. “He canceled again.”

  Sage stopped and pulled him in for a hug. She knew how important it was to both Cannon and Ben that Bowie come home, but this was his third cancellation, and she was sure Cannon was losing hope.

  “He’ll come home when he’s ready. He needs time to figure things out,” Cannon said.

  Sage couldn’t imagine coming back to the place where he’d lost it all. “I know, but I’m sure you miss your brother.”

  He set his head on top of hers and hugged her back.

  Sage thought about how quickly a life could change. It had changed in a matter of seconds for Cannon, Ben, and Bowie. For her it took a little longer, but the outcome was better. She’d found love. Things had been easy between them since that day on the deck. Everything had fallen into place like someone had planned it with precision. She looked to the sky and said a silent prayer to Bea because without her gift of hope and love and faith, Sage would still be walking the lonely halls of some hospital in her squeaky white loafers.

  “I can’t get your brother to come home, but I can offer an alternative.” She gave him what she hoped was a sex-kitten smile. “How about we grab a muffin and go back to our home—back to our bed? We’ve got the house to ourselves. No guests arriving until later.”

  Cannon had all but moved in with her. Little by little, she found his clothes hanging in the closet. His toothbrush on the counter in the bathroom. His socks shared space with hers. She liked the way he decorated her life with happiness and love.

  “Sweetheart, you make it sound like spending time with you comes in second place.”

  “Not at all. Get me a muffin, and I’ll show you how first rate I can be.”

  Sage laughed when Cannon rushed into the bakery ahead of her.

  Katie was boxing up a four-pack of muffins when Sage and Otis made it inside. “Treat?” Katie called out. Though Otis couldn’t rise up on one leg, it didn’t stop him from trying. His back end whipped around like a wrecking ball, overturning everything in its path. By the time Katie laid down a handful of Milk-Bones, three chairs were down.

  “It doesn’t take much to make him happy,” Cannon said, handing Katie a twenty to pay for the muffins while Sage righted the chairs.

  Katie looked down at the dog lying at Sage’s feet. “He’s male. You guys are easy to please,” she said.

  Sage and Cannon walked out hand in hand. She had muffins, a loyal pet, and a sexy boyfriend. Life didn’t get better than that. Their hands swung back and forth between them as they headed for home.

  Sage looked up to the man she loved. “When I moved to Aspen Cove, there were three things I knew for certain, but I was more wrong than I was right.”

  Cannon pulled a warm muffin from the box and offered her the first bite. “You? Wrong?” He laughed. “No way.”

  She nearly choked on her muffin. “I know. Unbelievable, right? But it’s true.” She gave him an exaggerated roll of her eyes. “Seriously, I have ‘Sage’ observations.” She air-quoted her name for effect.

  “First, death can’t be escaped, but neither can life. It should be lived with love and passion, and you.”

  “I agree.” He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

  “Second, hell isn’t a cold day in Denver, but heaven is living in Aspen Cove wrapped in your arms.”

  “You trying to make me blush?” Cannon asked.

  They neared the end of Main Street and made a slight left toward the bed and breakfast.

  “Last.” She stood at the doorstep. “Mr. Right is definitely Mr. Right Now, who happens to be Mr. Tomorrow, and the next day after that until forever.”

  Cannon turned the handle and held the door open. Otis walked in first and made his way to his chair.

  “As happy as I am to be your Mr. Right Now, I’m even happier to be your forever. I love you, Sage Nichols, with every cell in my body.”

  Although the sheriff’s friends were arriving in a few hours, Sage knew there was enough time to reaffirm that love, because today there was one thing she knew for certain. The rest of her life started now.

  A sneak peek at One Hundred Heartbeats

  Chapter One

  There were three things Katie Middleton knew with absolute certainty:

  Hope appeared in a pink envelope.

  Prince charming rode a Harley.

  Some secrets were better left unspoken.

  She relaxed at her favorite table in the bakery—the one directly under the Wishing Wall—and checked items off her bucket list. Not the list most people had with dreams like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, running a marathon, or writing a book. Katie’s list had the simple things she had never done, like flying a k
ite, rowing a boat, and baking a muffin.

  Her life had been full of wishes for as long as she could remember, most of which had never materialized, so when she got a pink envelope with a deed to a bakery inside, she packed up her stuff and moved from Dallas, Texas, to Aspen Cove, Colorado.

  It came as a shock to her family and friends when she disappeared without a word to a location she hadn’t shared. She refused to allow anyone else control over her life. Illness had been her jailer—her parents her parole officers. She scribbled the word independence at the bottom of her list. Katie knew her happiness would come from within herself. Family was great. Friends were fabulous. But to feel truly independent, she needed to be the helper, not the helped. Wasn’t it ironic that the most generous help she had received came from a stranger? It was a gift that allowed her to bury her past and become her future.

  “Why me, Bea?” Her voice echoed off the walls of the empty bakery. It was a question she’d asked herself countless times over the last seven weeks. Why would a woman whom she’d never met give her a bakery in a town she’d never been to?

  She flipped to the back of her journal, where a piece of worn pink stationery sat tucked close to the binding. The tri-folded paper had been opened and closed hundreds of times. She’d read every line, looking for clues. There was a list of one hundred reasons Bea gave the bakery to Katie, but not one made sense.

  You have a good heart, it began, but how did she know? That might have been the biggest clue because it sat at the number one position, but it didn’t lead Katie to anything conclusive. You’re a good person was the second entry. Although Katie tried to give more than she took, she didn’t consider herself any more deserving than the next. She’d logged hundreds of volunteer hours in the pediatric cardiac unit in Dallas, but it never felt like work, and she didn’t do it for any reason other than to bring a smile to those around her. Was that what Bea meant when she wrote reason number one?