by Kaci Rose
“Perfect. Let’s get inside. I need to let my family know I made it, and I need a few hours of sleep.”
“I thought maybe you would share my room again?”
I smile. “I’d love to. I know I wouldn’t want to be alone.”
She gets me set up, and I get ready to sleep for a bit and do a video call to Colt.
“Hey, you make it in okay?” he answers in a groggy voice. He’s still lying in bed and looks sexy as hell with his sleepy face and hair tousled. It sends a jolt south seeing him like this. My panties are soaked instantly.
What I wouldn’t give to be there with him right now and wrap my arms around him and pull him on top of me…
I need to stop this train of thought. It won’t make my time here any easier, and it’s making me miss him even more. It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours yet.
“Yeah. I talked with Abby a little and just got to my bed. I’ll be catching just a few hours of sleep when we get off the phone.”
“I couldn’t sleep without you here. I tried to sleep in my own bed but gave up and came to your room. You don’t mind, do you?”
I groan. “Thinking of you in my bed will make it even harder to sleep. But, Colt, wouldn’t you say that it’s our bed now?”
His smile lights up his whole face. “Damn right it is.” Then I watch his face grow with heat. “What are you wearing, baby?”
I laugh. “Nothing sexy.” I pan the phone down. I’m in one of his shirts and a pair of sleep shorts.
“You look damn good in my shirt.”
I laugh. “I miss you, Colt.”
“I miss you too, Sage. I should have gone with you. I didn’t think it would be this hard.”
“We meet with Abby’s parents’ attorney later today, and the couple that wants to buy the B&B will be in tomorrow. We need to make funeral arrangements, and I will text you soon as I know anything.”
“Okay, call me before bed?”
“Video call, I promise.”
“Love you, Sage. Be safe.”
“Love you to, Colt. I will be.”
Despite how much I miss Colt, sleep pulls me under soon as I close my eyes.
CHAPTER 18
Sage
“Sage, they’re here!” Abby calls down to me.
I finish pulling my hair back and get ready to meet the couple who wants to buy the B&B.
After I got about four hours of sleep yesterday, we met with the lawyer and found out her parents had put Abby’s name on everything, so there is no probate period. The business, checking account, the land deeds, all of it have her name, which means she can sell the B&B right away.
Since there is no one else listed on the will and no family members, we’re free to move forward with everything. After we left the attorney’s office, we went to the funeral home. That’s where it seemed to hit Abby.
Sadly, none of the funeral arrangements had been planned, but there was enough money in her parents’ account to cover everything. She did well picking out coffins, gravesites, and headstones, and setting up the funeral arrangements. The funeral home was amazing in helping with all the details. They are handling pretty much everything.
We came home and planned to have the wake here at the B&B, so we discussed the food and drinks. The caterer the B&B uses for events agreed to come in and do the wake for half price, so we met with her this morning.
Abby wants to do all her Mom and Dad’s favorite foods, and the caterer is on board, having known her parents for so long.
After the caterer, we run out to the store and get boxes and rent a truck so we can put things into storage until she figures out her next steps. She has been sorting through her parents’ room.
Surprisingly, sorting through her parents’ things has been easy for her, almost comforting. Thank goodness for small blessings. I suggest we just pack everything up so she can go through it later when she’s ready, but she wants to do it now.
I’ve been texting with Colt nonstop about all the details. We talk a few times a day and had video chatted last night, but it’s still hard being away. I miss him like crazy. I miss him more than when I left town seven years ago. I can’t wait to get home to him. It’s looking like another week still, and we don’t have a solid date.
I swipe on some lip gloss and head out to meet the couple.
“Sage! This is Adam and Lauren Willis. They want to buy the B&B!”
I go to shake hands, but Lauren wraps me in a tight hug followed by Adam.
“Grace and Abby have gushed about you and told us so much. We’re so glad to meet you!” Lauren says. She’s bubbly and so full of energy. I think she will do great at the B&B here.
“Let’s sit on the front porch. I have some tea and cookies. I’ll go grab them,” Abby says.
“Oh, let me help you!” Lauren insists.
I lead Adam out to the sitting area on the front porch that has a wicker couch and two wicker chairs. I let him take the couch, and I take a chair.
I watch him take in the front porch and yard.
“Abby tells me you two had your honeymoon here?”
He smiles. “Yes, eleven years ago now. We’ve been back once or twice a year ever since. We love it. About three years ago, we talked to Grace and Stan. When and if they were ever interested in selling it, we’d be interested in buying it. Last year, they started talking about retiring and knew Abby didn’t want the place. We did a lot of talking and had some appraisals done all via their lawyer. If the numbers are where they were last year, we have a price ready. If things have changed too much, we’ll need a day to go over everything.”
“I understand. I haven’t seen anything with the business end. I’m here for whatever Abby needs. I know she wants a fast sale. She’s coming home to Texas with me for a bit while she gets started on school.”
“Well, we can pay cash if the price is what we talked to her parents about. We’ve been saving for this place for a while. It’s been our dream.”
“Oh, you started business talk without us,” Lauren says as she comes out holding a plate of oatmeal cookies. Abby follows behind her with a pitcher of sweet tea and some glasses.
Lauren sits next to her husband on the couch, and I can’t help but think they make such a cute couple. They’re going to fit into this B&B for sure with their Southern accents and charm.
Lauren has her blond hair pulled to the side and curled with very natural-looking makeup, wearing a beautiful summer dress. Adam has dark hair, wearing nicely worn jeans and a button-down shirt. They gravitate toward each other. He pulls her close, and she goes almost without thinking.
I smile at Abby with her light-brown hair in a braid wearing her maxi dress. She’s the perfect Southern belle she was raised to be. I love it here, and I think the place will flourish with Lauren and Adam.
“So, Adam was telling me if the price is what they talked to your parents about last year, they can pay cash and close pretty soon.”
“I think everything should be close to the same. We’ve stayed well booked and had a few weddings. Mom and Dad did a few upgrades to the kitchen and one of the bathrooms. We have a meeting with the attorney tomorrow morning who handles all the business books. We’ll know where we stand then.”
“Are you sure you’re ready to sell so soon?” Lauren asks.
“Yes, I never wanted to run this place. I want to be a midwife. I love you guys. You’re meant to run this place, I feel it. You have the energy and love it as much as they did. I think this is what they would want.”
Lauren dabs at her eyes, like she’s trying to stop a tear from falling.
“You know you’re welcome anytime. Both of you, right?”
“Thanks.” Abby smiles.
We sit on the porch and talk a bit about some of the events the B&B has hosted and what Grace has done for holidays and such.
When a black van pulls up to the curb, Abby stiffens.
“Who is that?” I ask.
“The church,” she says.
&nbs
p; I smile at Lauren and Adam. “Why don’t you guys walk the house and the grounds. Get a feel for it? We have to talk to this gentleman.”
“Of course! We’ll see you for dinner, right?”
“Yes, we’ll be there.”
Adam and Lauren walk inside as three men walk up the steps, heading towards us.
We stand to greet them.
“Hello, Abby,” the taller one says. He has the air about him as being the leader, but something about his voice sends chills down my spine, and not the good ones.
“Hello, Pastor Luke. May I introduce my good friend Sage. Sage, this is Pastor Luke, Assistant Pastor Mike, and this is Robby, the pastor’s son.”
“Nice to meet you all,” I say and put on a fake smile. “Would you like to sit?”
They make their way to the couch and settle in.
They talk a bit, exchanging condolences. I see the name of the church on the van door and send it to Colt quick. He had asked me about it the night before.
“Everything okay, Sage?” Luke asks.
“Oh yes, sorry. My family has been checking in with me several times a day. There are a lot of us and being so close, someone is always checking in on me. They worry if I don’t answer.” I smile at him sweetly.
“It’s nice to have such a big support system,” he replies.
“It is.” I limit my responses. I want them to talk. A trick Dad taught me. You let people talk themselves into a hole while you smile and listen.
“Well, we have a few matters of business we came to talk about.”
“Figured you did. Let’s get on with it,” I say.
“These are private matters between Abby and the church,” Luke says.
“Sage is staying,” she says.
He eyes me, and I get a very uneasy feeling from him.
“From what I understand, Abby has no interest in your church, so I’m not sure what business you could possibly have with her,” I say.
His eyes narrow. Yeah, they don’t like strong women one bit. This is going to be fun. I send Colt a quick text telling him I’m going to call him so he can hear this but to be quiet. I place the call and set the phone in my lap.
Call it gut instinct, but I have a feeling something isn’t right.
“Well, first, there’s the matter of your parents’ estate. As you may know, when a church member dies, they are required to leave twenty-five percent of their estate to the church. I was informed your parents didn’t do that. So, we need to rectify that as soon as possible.”
Are these people fucking kidding?
“You can’t be serious,” I say.
“We most certainly are,” Luke replies. The other two men have yet to speak a word.
“Well, good luck enforcing that. You’re right. Her parents left you nothing, and that’s what you’ll get. Everything was left to Abby.”
I watch his face go red. “Well, that leads us into the next matter. It isn’t proper for a lady to own such a high-income business per the church regulations. You’ll need to get married, so we’ve set up a marriage for you and Robby here.”
I watch Abby’s face go pale. I take a deep breath before I lose my shit.
“Excuse me?! This is the twenty-first century, and she very well can own anything she likes. It’s also against the law to force a woman to marry someone she chooses not to. And let me repeat my earlier statement, Abby has no interest in your church. So, you have no control over her. Now, we’re going to kindly ask you to leave,” I say and stand, taking my phone in my hand.
Pastor Luke looks more than pissed off, but I’m sure knowing we’re on a public street, he needs to watch what is said.
“This isn’t over,” Luke says to Abby.
“Yes, it is. Anything more you have to say can be done through her lawyer who I will have get in touch with you right away. If you continue to contact and harass Abby, she’ll file harassment charges. The recording of today’s conversation will be attached to the police report.” I hold the phone and watch Robby’s face pale.
With that, I walk over to Abby and place my arm around her waist and lead her inside, leaving the three men on the porch.
“Hold it together. Let’s get to your room,” I tell her.
When we get there, she sits on the bed and cries.
I put the phone to my ear.
“Colt, you hear all that?”
“Yes,” he bites out.
“I’m going to call the lawyer and let him know what’s going on.”
“I’m going to call a local private investigator up there. I’ll have him do some digging. If they’re forcing arranged marriages, I’m guessing the church isn’t all squeaky clean.”
“Okay, have them dig fast.”
“I will. Stay safe and keep your gun on you.”
“I promise. I love you.”
“Love you too, Sage.”
We hang up, and I wrap my arms around Abby. We lie in bed, and she finally lets it all out.
CHAPTER 19
Sage
I look around the funeral home, and tensions are high. It’s been a few days since the church members showed up at the B&B and today, we burry Abby’s parents. Many members of the church come, and all sit on one side while friends and people supporting Abby sit on the other.
Lauren and Adam have been right by our side with everything and have taken so much pressure off Abby. I’m so grateful. The service is about to start when a man in a suit sits next to me.
When I look up, I see Colt, and my jaw drops. He rests his forehead on mine.
“I know this isn’t a happy event, but you still look sexy as hell,” he whispers.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I say with tears in my eyes.
“We were all talking at dinner the other night. We all wanted to come but knew we couldn’t, so I said I would. I must head back tomorrow night. We’re short on ranch hands, but I couldn’t let you do this alone.”
I wrap my hand around his neck. “You’re the most amazing man, Colton Evans Buchanan, and I love you with everything I am.”
I watch his eyes mist over and fill with love. “I’m head over heels in love with you, Sage Ella-Rose Buchanan, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
He places a soft kiss on my lips, and I feel a hand on my arm.
“Sage, who is this?” Abby whispers, and I laugh.
I look at Colt one more time then take his hand in mine and turn to Abby.
“This is Colt. Colt, this is Abby, Lauren, and Adam,” I introduce him, and they say a quick hello before the funeral director starts.
On the way to the gravesite, Adam and Lauren drive us all there. Colt doesn’t let go of my hand once. After the service is over, I point out the members of the church to Colt, and he nods.
“I have some paperwork you need to see when we get to the B&B,” he whispers in my ear. I nod and take Abby’s hand in mine and walk over to Pastor Luke and his family.
“Anything you have to say to Abby, Lauren, or Adam should be done here, as I think it’s best you don’t attend the wake. It’s at the B&B, and you aren’t welcome,” I say in a firm, cold voice.
Luke stands a bit straighter. “So be it. I’d like to have a meeting with Abby sooner rather than later.”
Colt speaks up. “Fine. Tomorrow morning at nine a.m. at the bakery up the road from the B&B. We’ll be there.”
He then puts one arm around Abby’s waist and takes my hand and leads us to the car.
Lauren and Adam follow us in. Once we’re pulling out of the graveyard, Colt speaks.
“I was going to wait, but I need you guys to be informed. This can’t leave this car, understand?” We all agree.
“I put a private investigator not only on the church but on that Luke guy. Something about leaving twenty-five percent when church members die and the forced marriage rubbed me the wrong way, and my instinct was correct.”
Adam looks at Colt in the review mirror, and Lauren turns from the
front passenger seat to face him. Abby’s spine goes straight.
“There were four church deaths last year. One of them was confirmed to have left the money to the church, which would have been over a half million dollars, yet the church only claimed half that all year long. So, where did the money go?”
“Always follow the money,” I say.
Colt gives a halfhearted smile. “Always follow the money. Luke bought a new house in cash that’s worth, take a wild guess.”
“Half a million dollars?” Lauren says.
“Exactly. There are also two cases where he forced his older two sons into marriages to take over assets of the woman for the church. He takes the money but leaves everything in the woman’s name, so it all falls back on her when something goes wrong. Those women shockingly haven’t been seen in public for a while. My private investigator thought the amount of security around Luke’s home was unnecessary for a pastor. Via some not very legal methods, he did some digging and found those women and several others being held in his basement. I’ll spare you the details, but let’s say it was enough to make my stomach turn.”
“I can’t meet with them tomorrow,” Abby whispers.
“You aren’t going alone. Sage and I will be there. We need him to confirm his plans with you, your business, etc. while I’m wearing a wire. I’ve already been in contact with the authorities, and it was pushed up to the FBI. I guess they’ve been watching him, and this is the break they need to go after him. They plan to raid everything at once, so there’s no time to hide anything. The church, his house, along with homes of several of the church leaders. So, we must go in like nothing is wrong. If you don’t talk, so be it.”
“Will it be safe?” Adam asks.
“Yes, there are several undercover agents around today and will be at the wake and in the coffee shop tomorrow. For added protection, one of the guests at the B&B tonight will also be an undercover cop, but I don’t know which one. Again, not a word can be spoken of this once we open the car doors. There are ears everywhere, and we can’t trust anyone.”
