Page 36 of His Perfect Bride
From the disdain in the butler’s expression, he’d made it obvious she’d overstepped the boundaries of propriety. Perhaps she’d begun to think too highly of herself after the kindness Augusta had shown to her.
Sage had tucked the jewelry away in her chamber until she could enlist Augusta’s assistance in returning the pieces. Augusta would be able to speak directly to the Firths and relay everything Sage had witnessed in the backyard. The sooner the better so that the thief wouldn’t be able to take anything more.
Jackson tugged at the canoe, swinging it around so that the side landed in the sandy stretch of the beach. Then he reached a hand out to her.
Her heartbeat gave a quick thump against her ribs. Did this mean what she thought it did?
His eyes met hers, and the gray-blue was light and clear as if reflecting the sunshine on the water.
“She’s here?” Sage whispered as she placed her hand in Jackson’s.
“I believe so.” His fingers folded around hers, his touch firm, solid, and steady.
With a gentleness and carefulness that made her feel like she was a fine crystal vase, he assisted her out of the canoe and helped her to plant her feet firmly on the beach. Even after she was grounded, he held on to her hand. He was staring at where their hands connected as if he was searching for the answer to a riddle, likely getting lost in his thoughts.
The excitement inside her was swelling. What if Willow really did live here? “Jackson?” The informal address slipped out before she could stop it.
It clearly surprised him as much as it did her, and his gaze darted back to hers. Thankfully, he didn’t seem irritated by her crossing the class boundary with him.
“Will you take me to her?”
He nodded and started to tuck her hand into the crook of his arm as if he intended to walk by her side and assist her as if she were a proper lady. She couldn’t let him do that, could she?
Before she could offer an objection, the shout of her name sounded from somewhere up the trail. “Sage?”
It was Willow’s voice.
“That’s her.” Hot tears sprang to the backs of Sage’s eyes.
Jackson squeezed her hand, as if sensing the emotion of the moment.
In the next instant, Willow broke through the woodland at a run. Her face was flushed, her blue eyes bright, and her face wreathed with a smile. She was hatless, with strands of red-blond hair having come loose from her braid. Her garments were faded and worn. And her skin was brown from the sun. But never had a face been more beautiful than the one across the beach.
At the sight of Sage, Willow shrieked even as tears coursed down her cheeks. Picking up her pace, Willow crossed the last of the distance. Before Sage could break away from Jackson and take a step, Willow flung herself forward.
With tears now sliding down her cheeks, Sage embraced her sister tightly, clinging to her as they both cried.
Finally, Willow pulled back, sniffling and laughing. She held Sage at arm’s length, sweeping her gaze over her. “Look at you. You’re a real fine lady.” In Augusta’s cast-off garments, Sage supposed she did look like a fine lady, and she didn’t mind that she did.
Sage examined Willow in the same measure, and this time confirmed what she thought she’d felt during the hug—a gently rounded abdomen. “And look at you. You’re expecting.” At the same moment, she caught sight of Caleb, who’d obviously followed Willow down to the beach. He stood near the trail, holding himself back, obviously not wanting to interrupt their reunion.
He was as brawny and muscular as he’d always been and just as stoic. He nodded at her, his eyes holding welcome. He wore the same flat-brimmed hat that he had in Manchester, and the clothing was the same too, just more frayed. His skin was sun-bronzed, especially his hands and arms where his sleeves were rolled up.
“Hi, Caleb,” Sage said, still not sure what to think about Willow and Caleb being together after so many years of the two of them insisting they were only friends.
Caleb crossed toward her. “It’s good to see you, Sage.”
“It’s not only good”—Willow gave a small hop of happiness before throwing her arms around Sage again—“it’s absolutely wonderful!”
They hugged again for another long moment before Willow pulled back abruptly and looked directly at Jackson, who had released Sage’s hand for all the hugs, but who was still standing next to her.
Jackson was watching the interchange with his usual intensity and brooding eyes. He snagged Sage’s gaze, his eyes seeming to ask her if she was okay.
She offered him a happy smile in return.
“And who is this?” Willow’s gaze was bouncing back and forth between Sage and Jackson.
Before Sage could think of a way to graciously introduce Jackson and explain who he was, he made his own introduction. “I’m Jackson, a friend of Sage’s. I’m pleased to meet you.” He reached for Willow’s hand, bowed, and placed a polite kiss on her hand.
