Sage stared at Hank’s mama for a few moments, trying to take a mental snapshot of this beautiful, nurturing woman. In the weeks and months to follow Sage would cherish all of her special moments with Trudy.
“The judges are beginning to make their rounds,” Trudy called out to Sage. “Let’s get in position.”
Nodding, she took her place next to Trudy and began to ladle chili from the huge pots on the burner.
After only a few minutes, Sage wiped her hand across her brow. Serving up the chili and standing by a heater was making her work up a sweat. She rolled up her sleeves and began to fan herself with her hand. She’d never imagined the inside of the outdoor tent would be so hot. As the judges stepped up to the table, Trudy and Sage began to line up the bowls side by side. It had been Sage’s idea to offer a piece of savory bread to dunk into the chili.
One by one the judges came through, sampling the dish and writing a score down on a piece of paper. Willa came forward and reached for a bowl of chili. Sage handed it to her with a smile. She hadn’t known Willa was one of the judges. Willa greeted them with a nod and a huge smile. Sage felt a burst of happiness just knowing she was part of something bigger than herself. It was amazing to feel as though she was a member of this tight-knit community.
While the judges convened to make their decisions, Sage stood with Trudy and tried not to get distracted by Hank, who was goofing around with Connor and Gabriel. When an announcement was made to gather around so the judges could declare the winner, everyone made their way toward the stage. Trudy reached out and grabbed ahold of Sage’s hand.
Willa stepped up to the microphone. “It’s my pleasure to announce that the winners of the tenth annual cook-off are... Trudy Miller and Sage Duncan,” she said in a triumphant voice. Trudy began jumping up and down with excitement. Sage was swept up in the celebratory mood of the crowd as everyone cheered and congratulated them. It was sheer pandemonium.
Hank suddenly appeared at her side, his face lit up with a grin. He leaned toward her and pressed a kiss on her cheek. “Congratulations!” he said. “Now that you’ve won the cook-off competition, you can’t possibly leave town.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it. A feeling of warmth spread through her at his touch.
“I didn’t really do anything. Trudy did all the heavy lifting,” Sage replied with a self-conscious laugh, thinking he was teasing her about remaining in town. But when she locked gazes with Hank she saw truth radiating from his eyes. He wasn’t joking in the slightest!
“In my humble opinion, this town could greatly benefit by having someone like you as a resident. I like spending time with you, Sage. And I really do wish you would stay a while longer here in Owl Creek.”
She looked up at him and smiled. His sweet words caused goose bumps to prickle on the back on her neck.
The way Hank made her feel was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. It was crazy, but he was actually causing her to reconsider leaving Owl Creek. He was making her believe that with him by her side, perhaps everything might be all right if she stayed. It was what she’d been looking for her entire life without even knowing it. A soft place to fall.
Was there a way to stay here in town a bit longer? Could she allow herself to further explore her feelings for Hank? Even though she’d been convinced that leaving was her only option, the handsome sheriff was forcing her to rethink her plans.
* * *
Hank looked outside the kitchen window as Sage and Addie frolicked in the snow. Sage had insisted on celebrating the cook-off win by spending quality time with Addie outside. He could feel a gigantic grin overtaking his face. For a girl from Florida, Sage really seemed to be enjoying the frosty Alaskan temperatures here in Owl Creek. She’d acclimated perfectly. Before going outdoors with Addie, she’d assured him that she didn’t plan to stay outside for long. Sage knew Addie was too little to be exposed to cold temperatures for extended periods of time. It was sweet how painstakingly Sage had bundled Addie up in a snowsuit so she wouldn’t suffer from the elements.
Hank had gotten used to Sage’s presence in his life. He’d already decided to try to convince her to stay in Owl Creek for a longer period of time. He couldn’t ignore the powerful way he felt when they were together. His heart was urging him to fight for this beautiful woman.
“Hank, can you give me a hand with these linens? My back is already aching something fierce.” Trudy’s voice intruded on his thoughts.
Hank glanced in her direction. She had a look of pain etched on her face. He could tell with just one glance that her rheumatoid arthritis was flaring up again. Guilt trickled through him. He’d been so busy gazing at Sage that he’d missed the opportunity to step in earlier to help her out.
He swiftly made his way to her side. “Of course, Mama. You should have just asked me in the first place.” Hank reached over and lifted up the laundry bin. “What have I told you about overextending yourself? You don’t want to put your back out again. You were laid up for weeks last time.”
Trudy let out a groan. “I most certainly don’t, but these linens need to be cleaned. After all, I am running a bed-and-breakfast.” She winked at her son. “Thankfully the washing machine will take care of the hard part.”
He chuckled. His mother was incredibly hardworking and she never surrendered, despite some health issues she’d endured.
Hank began walking toward the laundry room when his feet got tripped up in a piece of laundry on the floor. He bent down and picked it up, his entire body stiffening. Suddenly, his stomach lurched. It was a blanket adorned with owls. He felt the fabric between his fingers. It looked fairly old and a sickening knowledge washed over him. He’d seen this blanket before, courtesy of Nate and Willa who had provided photos of it. It was part of the evidence in the Lily North file.
He held up the blanket. “Where did this come from?” He couldn’t hide the anguish in his tone.
His mother’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong, Hank? You don’t look so good.”
“Tell me, Mama. Please. It’s important.” He found himself holding his breath awaiting her response. It felt as if his entire future was hanging in the balance.
Trudy shrugged. “These came from Sage’s room and my own. I haven’t stripped the beds in the other rooms yet. Why do you ask?”
Hank didn’t know what to tell his mother. She would be floored by the idea that Sage was nothing more than a con artist. Anger rose up inside him at the thought of his mother being so betrayed by someone she’d treated with infinite kindness. This time they’d all been burned.
The back door flew open, bringing with it a strong gust of wind. Sage was laughing as she jiggled Addie in her arms. Hank watched with his heart in his throat as she leaned toward his daughter and nuzzled noses with her. How many times had he prayed for a woman to come into his life who would share a bond with his baby girl? How many nights had he gotten on his knees and asked the Lord to allow him to move past Theresa’s betrayal? And just when he thought he’d turned a corner, he’d made a life-altering discovery that had nearly brought him to his knees.
“Mama. Take Addie, please, and go upstairs.” His words sounded commanding, brooking no argument. Trudy looked back and forth between him and Sage, then walked over and plucked his baby girl from Sage’s arms. She quickly left the kitchen, her features pinched and strained.
Sage’s brows were knitted together. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked. It was shocking to see the look of bewilderment etched on her face. Did she not have a conscience?
Hank slowly walked toward her, holding out the blanket as he got within a few feet of her. “This turned up in the laundry Mama collected from your room. Can you tell me why you have it among your things?”
Sage’s eyes went wide. Her lips began to tremble. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she tried to process that she’d been found out.
“Hank, I can
explain,” she said in a halting voice.
“Can you? I highly doubt it. There are only two plausible reasons you would have this in your possession. One is that you’re Lily North and the other is that you were using the blanket so you could pretend to be her. Either way, you’ve been lying ever since you came to town.”
A wounded look passed over her face. “I’m not Theresa, Hank. I didn’t come to Alaska to scam the North family.”
He sucked in a steadying breath. “So, you’re telling me you’re actually Lily?”
She slowly nodded her head. Sadly, Hank didn’t know what to think. He’d been scammed before by his ex, a woman who had ruthlessly tried to deceive the entire town. He was well aware of how conniving people could be when they wanted to work their own agendas. At the moment he couldn’t believe a single thing Sage was telling him, even though he wanted to trust her at her word.
“Maybe you’re confused about what the right thing to do is, but I’m not.” Hank reached for his coat hanging on the back of a kitchen chair. He shot Sage a pointed look as he put it on. “We’re heading over to the Norths’ home. If you’re really Lily, I think they’ve waited long enough to hear that you’re alive and well.
“And if you’re not really her, they have a right to know that, as well.”
* * *
Sage sat next to Hank in the passenger seat nervously fidgeting with her fingers as they headed to the Norths’ home.
She’d lost him. Not that Hank had ever been hers in the first place, but it hurt to see the look of disgust stamped on his face. It was strange how certain things became crystal clear in moments of crisis. Sage now knew she was in love with Hank. It had been happening gradually over the last few weeks, but now he was firmly cemented in her heart. She’d never imagined falling for someone in such a short time, but there was no question in her mind that she had fallen head over heels for the good-hearted sheriff.
But it was all ruined now because of her withholding the truth from him. Hank was a man who lived by a code of honor. Truth. There were no shades of gray with him.
The ride passed in silence as tension simmered in the air between them. Hank didn’t spare her a single glance. When they reached the Norths’ residence, Hank pulled the passenger-side door open for her, his face grim as they made eye contact. She wanted so badly to apologize to him again, but she had the feeling he didn’t want to hear a single word she had to say. Sage couldn’t blame him. For all intents and purposes, she seemed like a colossal liar. A fraud.
A carbon copy of his deceitful ex-girlfriend.
Once they were standing at the front door, Sage began to shiver uncontrollably. The idea of facing her birth family felt overwhelming to her. Even though she knew the situation had been of her own making, she felt blindsided. Never in a million years had she imagined being found out by Hank this way. It had all blown up in her face.
She turned toward him. “I—I don’t think I can do this.”
Hank’s lip curled. “You don’t really have a choice.” Sage took a step away from him.
She barely recognized him at the moment. He was radiating pure anger.
After Hank buzzed the door a few times, Willa opened it for them. There was a look of surprise on her face when she saw Sage at his side. “Hank! We’ve been anxiously awaiting your arrival since your call. I didn’t know Sage would be here.”
She had overheard Hank’s phone call to Willa and Nate before they’d left the house. In a very abrupt tone he’d told them that he needed to talk to the family regarding a matter of utmost importance.
“Come on in! Don’t be shy,” Nate urged, appearing behind his wife in the doorway.
Hank made a motion with his hand, waving Sage inside before he stepped over the threshold behind her. His features were set in grim lines.
“Beulah, Jennings and Connor are joining us,” Willa said, as she led them down the hall toward the living room.
Once they entered the room, Connor jumped to his feet. “What’s going on, Hank? Are you here as town sheriff?”
“I suppose you could say this is official business,” Hank said, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
“Sage, why don’t you take a seat?” Beulah suggested, patting the seat next to her.
“No, thank you. I’d rather stand,” Sage answered, feeling too nervous to move a muscle.
She looked down at the floor, unwilling to make eye contact with anyone in the room.
Hank cleared his throat. “There’s something I need to show you.” He reached into the canvas bag he was holding and pulled out the owl blanket.
Willa let out a gasp that echoed in the room. “Wh-where did you get that? That’s Lily’s blanket. I’d know it anywhere!” She moved toward Hank and grabbed the blanket from his hand, then pressed it close to her face to examine it. Then she let out a keening sound.
“It’s Sage’s blanket. She brought it with her to town. Only she can tell you why she has it among her belongings,” Hank said, his voice sounding matter of fact. He was all business now and she barely recognized him as the kind, bighearted man she’d fallen for.
Nate moved to his wife’s side, worry etched on his rugged features. “What is it, Willa?”
“Mom! What’s going on?” Connor asked, alarm ringing out in his voice.
Willa pointed at the hem of the blanket, then swung her gaze in Sage’s direction. “She’s Lily, Nate. She’s our little girl.”
Nate’s expression was pained. “We’ve been down this road before, sweetheart. It’s just another scam from someone looking to exploit our family’s tragedy.” He shook his head as if in disbelief at the turn of events.
“Exactly!” Connor said, glaring in her direction. “She’s just another con artist.”
Willa shook her head, appearing dazed. “No, she’s not. I stitched her initials on the hem of the blanket, right under the owl’s wing. It’s right here,” she said, running her fingers over the stitchwork.
“No, Willa. It can’t be true,” Nate said, pain ringing out in his tone.
Willa tugged on his arm. “Don’t you see it? She’s our girl. They share the same hair color. Her eyes are brown. The jut of her chin is like mine. I can’t believe we didn’t see it before now.” She turned back to look at Sage, her eyes begging for mercy. “Please. Tell us the truth. Are you Lily? Are you our daughter?”
Hank let out a shocked sound. Clearly, he hadn’t seen this coming. He must have believed she was nothing more than an opportunist, and from the look on his face he appeared as stunned as she felt. And honestly? Being exposed in this manner was shocking. She hadn’t prepared herself for it, not in the slightest. Sage felt her legs threatening to give out on her. Her first instinct was to run, but that wouldn’t solve anything. This was a moment of reckoning twenty-five years in the making.
There was simply no way out of this but to tell the truth.
Although she wasn’t sure she could ever adequately explain why she hadn’t divulged everything weeks ago, Sage slowly nodded her head, locking eyes with the woman who’d given birth to her.
“Yes. It’s true. I’ve had this blanket ever since I was born. I didn’t come to Owl Creek to trick you or exploit you for personal gain. I’m your daughter. I’m Lily.”
* * *
Sage’s words nearly caused his heart to stop beating. Surely he’d misheard her? The reaction from everyone in his midst proved him wrong. There were tears and a torrent of emotion. Sage was Lily North? He’d convinced himself she was just another con artist, but with Willa authenticating the owl blanket, reality was staring him straight in the face.
He looked over at Sage. As soon as their eyes locked he saw the truth shimmering in her eyes. It was all true!
Willa began crying and she reached out her arms to Sage, pulling her into an embrace.
She held on tightly and began to rock back and forth as
if Sage was a small baby. Nate let out a cry of joy and wrapped his arms around both of them. A mystified-looking Connor had his arm around Beulah, who looked completely floored by the news. Shock hung in the air as well as a feeling of jubilation.
“This is the best news in the world!” Jennings said, placing a kiss on Sage’s cheek. “I never thought we’d lay eyes on you again. I don’t care why you didn’t tell us before today. I’m just ecstatic that you’re home.”
“We need her to take a DNA test,” Connor said, his expression full of skepticism.
“Hush, Connor,” Beulah chided her grandson. “The blanket is proof.”
“I don’t mind taking one,” Sage said. “It’s a good way to make certain I’m who I believe I am.”
As he watched the drama unfold, all Hank felt was pure, molten anger. How had he let himself get bamboozled by another dishonest woman? She’d been lying to everyone ever since she stepped foot into town. And now she was acting as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. Why were the Norths accepting everything she said at face value? She’d lied to them all!
God... Not again. Why are You putting me through this pain all over again? Am I destined to be blind to deception and betrayal?
Hank felt like a prize fool. Once more the wool had been pulled over his eyes by someone he deeply cared for. Sage Duncan wasn’t who she’d claimed to be. This whole time she had been playing him for an idiot. She was Lily North, the missing Owl Creek baby. He’d spent time with this woman and opened himself up to her, yet she’d been sitting on this explosive secret for weeks. Clearly, nothing between them had been genuine. He’d worn his heart on his sleeve and asked her to stay in town when in reality she’d had her own agenda this whole time.
“I think you need to deal with this as a family,” Hank said, nodding in Connor’s direction before he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, determined to get as far away from Sage as possible. Only she wasn’t Sage, he reminded himself with a groan. Everything about her had been a lie from the moment she’d arrived here in town. Once he’d stepped outside, he heard her calling after him.
Her Secret Alaskan Family Page 15
