Hank’s heart sank. He had never seen Beulah so upset. She was clearly unraveling, and it was all his fault. He had crossed a line by chiding her. Although his intentions were honorable, his delivery had been terrible.
“Beulah, forgive me,” Hank said, his voice filled with remorse. “I’m so sorry for upsetting you.”
Beulah ignored him and looked directly at Sage. “I’m sorry, my dear, to leave so abruptly, but it seems as if everything is catching up to me all at once. I’m feeling terribly tired at the moment and all I want to do is go home and lie down.”
Sage reached out and enveloped Beulah in a tight embrace. As Hank watched, the two woman clung to each other for dear life. Sage was murmuring something to Beulah that he couldn’t quite hear. When they pulled apart, Beulah had tears glistening in her eyes. “I’ll be in touch about your tour of the chocolate factory,” she told Sage, who nodded enthusiastically.
“Can I walk you to your car?” Hank asked, wincing at the fierce look Beulah shot him in response.
“I managed to get myself here. Surely I can see myself out,” Beulah answered before walking away from the table with her head held high. Her body language radiated a fiery anger.
Hank shook his head. “Open mouth, insert foot,” he muttered. He was disappointed at himself for sending Beulah into a downward spiral. She was his dear friend and his best friend’s grandmother, not to mention the grand dame of Owl Creek. He should have understood how raw her nerves were regarding the topic of her missing granddaughter.
Hank looked over at Sage. “So, do you want to unload on me too? Go ahead, Sage. I can take it. Tell me what a colossal idiot I am.”
Chapter Five
Sage shook her head at Hank. She had only been in Owl Creek for a few days and somehow she’d landed smack-dab in the middle of a squabble between the town sheriff and her paternal grandmother. So much for keeping her head down and staying away from controversy. It felt like she was right in the thick of it.
Although she felt a great deal of sympathy for Beulah, she couldn’t place the blame squarely on Hank. It was fairly obvious to her that Beulah had been sitting on an emotional powder keg. No doubt it had been years in the making. Sadly, it had all blown up due to the tremendous stress she was under and the pressure of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Lily’s abduction.
“I don’t think you’re an idiot at all,” Sage said. “I think Beulah is hurting and what you said rubbed her the wrong way. I can’t imagine how painful it would be to go through an ordeal like the one the North family has endured.”
Hank’s expression was somber. “It’s like a gaping hole that never gets filled. That’s how Connor explained it to me once.”
“Does he remember his sister?” Sage asked. She tried to keep her tone neutral, although she was eager to hear his response. Growing up as an only child, she had longed for siblings. It would have made the feelings of loneliness more bearable. Knowing she had two brothers was an amazing feeling, even though in all likelihood she would never connect with them in any meaningful way. She was still determined to protect her father at all costs and the only way to do so was to retain her anonymity.
Hank nodded. “Connor was five years old when Lily was taken. He has vivid memories of his baby sister. Matter of fact, Connor was the one who came up with her name. He still feels a deep connection to her.”
Suddenly her throat felt as if it was clogged with cotton balls. “That’s really sweet.”
“I wouldn’t describe Connor that way,” Hank said with a throaty laugh. “He’s a good guy, but he isn’t always warm and fuzzy. I couldn’t ask for a more loyal friend though.” His voice softened. “I think the tragedy caused him to grow a hard outer shell. It’s difficult for him to trust folks.”
“That’s understandable. He’s grown up in the shadow of an inexplicable tragedy,” she responded, her mind whirling at the ripple effect the kidnapping had set in motion. So many lives had been altered by her mother’s heinous crime. She’d hurt so many people with her twisted actions. Ultimately, Jane Duncan had gone to the grave without having to make amends for all the harm she’d caused. Although she loved her mother, it still seemed very unfair to Sage.
The kidnapping explained so much about her mother’s lack of faith. How could a person be a believer and justify stealing another woman’s child? Had she repented on her deathbed? Had her mother found Jesus in her final days? Perhaps she had written the letter as a way to make amends and reassure the North family that Lily was still alive.
“Are you heading back to the inn?” Hank asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.
Sage glanced over at the clock on the wall. “Actually I have another hour to kill before Trudy picks me up. I really need to get a rental car so I can explore Owl Creek without bothering your mom. She’s been so gracious, but I don’t want to impose on her.”
“I’m sure she doesn’t mind, but I can quickly swing you over there if you like. It will give me an opportunity to pop in on Addie.”
“That would be great if you can spare the time,” Sage answered.
He dug into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “Sure thing. Let me call my mom and let her know.” Sage waited while Hank made the phone call. It was nice to hear the sweet way he spoke to Trudy on the phone. They clearly shared a close, loving relationship. Although she had known her own mother loved her, their relationship had always been strained. Jane Duncan’s mercurial moods had cast a pall over Sage’s childhood, and she had never known from one moment to the next which way the wind would blow with regard to her mother’s temperament.
Iris walked toward them and said in a hushed tone, “Beulah said to put everything on her tab right before she stormed out of here.”
Hank grimaced. “As usual, Beulah is one step ahead of me. I was planning to pay today. She loves having the last word, doesn’t she?”
“Don’t take her mood personally, Hank. She’s going through a tough time. The two of you have such a wonderful friendship. This is just a little bump in the road.” She patted him on the arm. “She needs you more than ever now.”
Hank’s jaw tightened. “She can lean on me. I’ll always have her back.” Sage shivered at the intensity in the sheriff’s voice. She pitied the person who tried to mess with Beulah.
“It was so nice to meet you, Sage,” Iris said, clasping Sage’s hand in her own.
“Likewise,” she answered, feeling a bit more relaxed due to Iris’s down-home hospitality. She and Beulah had made Sage feel as if she belonged in Owl Creek even though she was virtually a stranger to them. Most places didn’t welcome folks like this, Sage realized. Perhaps there really was something special about this Alaskan town. She felt a sudden pang. What would it have been like to grow up in Owl Creek as a member of the North family? She imagined life would have led her down a completely different path.
Once Iris walked away, Hank turned toward her. “Ready to go?”
Sage nodded and followed behind him as he walked toward the exit. The place had filled up considerably while she was enjoying teatime. Hank was cordial to all of the guests as he passed by their tables, nodding and holding his hand up in greeting. Everyone clearly loved the sheriff. It was written all over their faces. Sage couldn’t help but notice the curious stares in her direction. Like Piper had told her earlier, the townsfolk in Owl Creek had known one another all of their lives. She stuck out like a sore thumb in this small Alaskan hamlet.
Once they were outside, Hank walked ahead and opened the passenger door of his squad car for her. She slid into the seat and rubbed her hands together, praying the car would heat up quickly. After he settled himself behind the wheel, Hank began driving down snow-packed roads and riding past all of the brightly colored retail shops. Along the way he pointed out a pottery shop, a small thrift store and various landmarks. A marble statue of an owl sat in the town square.
“So, I
have to admit I’m curious,” Hank said, turning toward her. “Why did you run off earlier? It was the fastest disappearing act I’ve ever seen in my life, and I keep law and order for a living.”
Sage squirmed in her seat. She should have known it would only be a matter of time before he brought the subject up again. There was no way she could tell Hank the truth, but she didn’t want to lie either. “Honestly, it was all a bit overwhelming to me,” she admitted. “There was such a crush of people there. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.” There. She had managed to tell Hank the truth, even though she’d left out a few vital details.
He turned his gaze back toward the road. “It makes sense, especially since you’re in a new town where you don’t really know a whole lot of people.”
“I shouldn’t have just taken off,” she said, her tone apologetic. “I’m sorry about that. It wasn’t very considerate of me.”
“It’s okay.” Hank shot her an easy grin. “Things are a bit unusual here in Owl Creek these days. Normally it’s much quieter, but there’s nothing ordinary about all of this media attention and hoopla. Our small town has turned into a hot spot for news outlets. For a lot of folks, it’s stirring up a lot of painful memories.”
“I hope the Norths realize that by giving the press conference they’re inviting even more media scrutiny into their lives. It might get worse before it gets better.” Sage bit her lip. She felt guilty about withholding the truth from the North family. With a few words she could put them out of their misery. But, given the high stakes, it was out of the question.
“They were advised against staging the press conference, but they’re desperate,” Hank explained, shaking his head. “Twenty-five years is a long time to hold on to hope. I think this is their last-ditch effort to bring Lily home.”
Sage had a funny, gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. Hank’s words about bringing Lily home weighed heavily on her conscience.
She felt so conflicted. A part of her didn’t want her birth family to give up on the idea of finding her, while another part of her wanted to make sure her father was safe from any legal fallout if the truth was discovered. For her entire life, Sage’s father had been her protector and now she was returning the favor by keeping quiet about being Lily North. She couldn’t live with herself if she betrayed her dad. Sage owed him her loyalty.
For a few moments she decided to focus on the snowy landscape outside the car window.
It felt very calming and provided a nice distraction from her chaotic thoughts. This land was so very different from Florida. Majestic trees covered with fluffy snow dotted the terrain. A yellow-and-black caribou-crossing sign drew her attention to the side of the road.
Caribou? Wasn’t it a type of reindeer? She let out a low chuckle. She really was in a whole new world here in Owl Creek.
By the time they pulled up to the inn, Sage’s head felt a bit clearer. She needed to keep reminding herself where her loyalties lay. She had been a Duncan for twenty-five years. Even if she wanted to tell the Norths about her mother’s confession and put an end to their suffering, Sage had no idea where things would go from there. It wasn’t as if she would suddenly become a member of this illustrious Alaskan family. In many ways it was too late to forge a connection. She would never truly fit in, no matter how they tried to embrace her as one of their own. And there would be so many questions about her mother and why she’d committed such a terrible act. How could Sage ever explain it when she was still grappling for answers herself?
“Thanks for the ride,” Sage said as soon as the car stopped, taking off her seat belt and then reaching for the door handle. Hank didn’t make a move to get out of the driver’s seat. “Are you coming in?” she asked.
He ran a hand over his jaw. “You know what? I think I’ll just head back to the sheriff’s office. I don’t want to upset Addie by popping in and then leaving again.”
“But she’ll be so happy to see you.” Earlier Hank had seemed so excited about dropping in to get a glimpse of his daughter, but now it appeared as if he’d talked himself out of it. She couldn’t help but wonder why.
He shook his head. “I don’t want to derail her routine. I’ve been reading some books about child-rearing and I’m trying my best to put her needs before mine. Going inside for a few minutes might be confusing to her.”
Although she didn’t know Hank all that well, Sage could see he was struggling not to jump out of the car and beat a fast path to Trudy’s door. His love for Addie was evident every time he mentioned her name. It was plain to see she was wrapped around his heartstrings.
“It must be hard making those kinds of choices,” Sage said. “As a single father, a lot rests on your shoulders, doesn’t it?”
He let out a ragged sigh. “It’s tricky sometimes, having to make all of the decisions myself. Honestly, I never imagined myself doing this all alone. And I know I’m so fortunate to have such a supportive mother and sister, but parenting is a tough job. Way more difficult than being town sheriff.”
Sage impulsively reached out and grasped his right hand, which was tightly clenching the wheel. “First of all, I think you should just take a deep breath and make the most of the moment. I’m around little kids all the time. They value every second they spend with their parents. Think about it. In a blink of an eye she’ll be in elementary school. You’ll never get these precious minutes back. Cherish them.”
Hank locked gazes with her and she watched as a smile eased its way onto his handsome face. “My dad used to say that to me all the time. Cherish the moments.” He grinned. “I think about him each and every day, but somehow I’d almost forgotten that saying of his. Thanks, Sage, for reminding me.”
“You’re very welcome,” she murmured. Trudy had told Sage about losing her husband when Hank was a small boy and then finding love a second time around with Piper’s father. There had been such tenderness in Hank’s voice just now when he’d mentioned his dad. A loss that monumental had undoubtedly changed his young life and would stay with him for the remainder of his days. Her heart went out to him.
A thick tension crackled in the air as their eyes locked and held. It hummed and pulsed between them like an electrical wire. Suddenly it felt very warm in the squad car. “I should go inside,” she said, quickly removing her hand from Hank’s and opening the passenger-side door. The crisp air washed over her, and she began to breathe deeply through her nose. The sound of footsteps crunching in the snow alerted Sage to the fact that Hank was following her toward the inn. It made her very happy on Addie’s behalf. Girls always needed their daddies!
The smell of baked apples and cinnamon greeted them as soon as Sage pushed open the front door. Following the delicious scent led her right to the kitchen where Trudy was standing with Addie on her hip as she swayed to music blaring from the radio.
Addie’s squeals of delight upon spotting Hank were heartwarming. Her little face was lit up like Christmas morning. For the first time Sage noticed dimples on either side of her mouth and two bottom teeth poking through her gums. She was simply precious and Sage thought she might melt right there on the spot.
Trudy held her granddaughter out so Hank could scoop her up into his arms. After pressing a kiss to her cheek, he raised her in the air and playfully jiggled her, causing Addie to let out a series of giggles. The baby reached out a chubby little hand, and Sage wasn’t certain who was happier—Hank or Addie. Sage quietly stepped away from the doorway, giving Hank, Addie and Trudy their privacy.
Sage made her way upstairs to her room and firmly closed the door behind her.
After walking over to the closet, she pulled out her largest piece of luggage. She had already taken out most of the contents and placed them in the dresser drawers. After unzipping the suitcase, she dug around in the side compartment and pulled out the item she was looking for. She pressed the blanket to her nostrils, inhaling the familiar scent. Sage had known from
the moment Beulah mentioned the owl-themed baby blanket back at the teahouse that she was indeed the missing Lily North.
She no longer had to wonder. The proof was right here in her hands, and it highlighted the fact that her life would never be the same again.
* * *
Hank drove back to the sheriff’s office after spending some quality time with his daughter. Thankfully his mother managed to distract Addie with a toy lamb when he’d said his goodbyes. It was such a relief to know she wasn’t going to fall apart at the seams over his comings and goings. It gave him a boost of confidence. Maybe he really did have a good grasp on this fatherhood role after all!
He felt as if there was a little pep in his step as he walked into the building. Spending precious moments with his daughter left him feeling as if all was right in his world. His entire life was wrapped up in his green-eyed, sandy-haired baby girl. Sometimes it scared him to realize how deeply he loved Addie. If she ever faced any hardships, Hank knew he would do anything to make things better for her. And she better not even think about dating until she was at least thirty years old.
His mind drifted toward Sage. Her encouragement back at the inn meant the world to him. None of his close friends had children, and raising a baby as a single father was brand-new territory for him. Although Sage was still an enigma to him, she seemed to be softening up a little bit. He wished he didn’t still have this niggling suspicion regarding her. Had she truly come all the way to Alaska for a getaway?
The door of his office burst open. Connor stormed in, his expression fierce as he said in a raised voice, “You’ve got to talk some sense into my parents!”
“Whoa. Hold on there!” Hank said, holding up his hands. “What do you have against knocking?”
Her Secret Alaskan Family Page 6
