Page 41 of The Wayward Son

She got dressed, putting a wool sweater over her long-sleeved shirt. The temperature was in the thirties today and she wanted to be prepared for it. She pulled her hair into a ponytail, then braided it.

“Okay. I’m ready to face the day.” She was anxious to see Sawyer. It was really weird, but she missed him last night. She’d found it comforting the last week to know he was asleep in the next room.

When Jade left the bedroom, she found Sage in the kitchen making a pot of coffee. She smiled when she saw Jade.

“Good morning. I hope you weren’t too cold in the room last night.”

“No. It was great. Lots of blankets.”

“Do you want some coffee?”

Jade sat at the table. “Yes, please.”

Sage poured her a cup, then sat across from her with a cup of her own. “I thought we could run into town and get a few things before it snows some more. We’re supposed to get several more inches tonight.”

“Sounds great.”

“I want to get a few things for Sawyer and save him the trip. And we can pick up some pastries and bring them to the loft. J.T. stayed with Sawyer last night.”

“He did?”

“Yes. Sawyer texted me around eleven. I guess they talked and had a few drinks. J.T. didn’t want to drive home. He’s really good about that. Even more so since he became a father.”

“Let’s bring them breakfast then.”

They finished their coffee, then drove into Castle Springs. It hadn’t changed much. A little upgrade here and there. Castle Springs was built in a time when brick was the preferred building material. All the buildings on Main Street were red brick, with green shutters over the windows and doors. Most of them were two or three stories, with office space or small apartments above the retail space below.

Jade noticed the names on the storefronts all seemed to be the same. Change was slow to come to Castle Springs. Their firststop was the bakery, one of the few single story buildings. Sage parked in front of it, then turned and looked at Jade.

“You remember Betty, right?”

“Of course.”

“She retired and sold the place to her nephew.”

“Oh, interesting. I always liked Betty. She was nice to me. And Sawyer and I went there quite often after school.”

“Yeah. Wait until you meet Xander. He’s… I’ll let you see for yourself.”

“Okay. Even more interesting.”

They left the truck and went into the bakery. Betty’s nephew came from the kitchen, and Jade saw just how interesting things were.

He smiled at Sage. “Good morning. You ventured out in the snow.”

“I wanted to get to town while I still could.”

“Are you here for survival muffins again?”

“Something like that. Sawyer is back, and I want to bring him some bear claws.”

“I’ve got a fresh batch.”

Sage glanced at Jade. “This is Jade Emmerson. She grew up here, but has been gone for a few years. Jade, this is Xander Hutchins, baker extraordinaire.”

Jade smiled and said, “Nice to meet you. I remember your aunt very well.” She suddenly realized she’d seen him before, and she pointed at him. “You’re the horse thief.”

Xander took a moment, then laughed. “You?”

---