Page 52 of Her Christmas Wish
“I’m not going to lie to you.” His voice, his words, started out so ominous, she sucked in her bottom lip. But stayed on board. She had to hear him.
Not just listen, but hear what he didn’t say. Something she’d thought she’d done so well in the past, but clearly had not.
“I don’t want to lose contact with you a second time...”
Thank God. She had to blink to keep from tearing up.
“But...”
No! Sage’s brain went blank for a second. Not wanting thebut. In the next second, she realized that thebutwas exactly what she needed if there was going to be any world for her and Gray after closure, and she prompted, “But?”
“If you keep touching me, I can’t promise to be like a brother to you...”
Oh.
Well, then.
There was that.
“Then I won’t touch you.” Sage said the words with complete conviction. And was certain she saw a cloud of disappointment pass over Gray’s expression.
Unless...she’d just imagined it because she’d wanted it to be there.
Scott had a date Sunday night. A woman he’d been seeing casually, on and off, for over a year. An FBI agent he’d met on a case who was part of a team that traveled all over the country. She was a little older than him. Widowed. With no interest in anything but companionship with occasional benefits.
The woman fit Scott to a T, Gray had told his friend the first time he’d heard about the agent. Gray had been a little jealous, had asked if Sheila had any friends, but had only been querying in jest. He preferred to find his own dates.
Had been thinking about doing so as he walked the beach at ten o’clock that night. Scott was staying at Sheila’s, and Morgan needed her nightly “go” time. While Scott generally let the dog out the back door, and Morgan was trained to make and get right back inside, Gray had opted to go for some fresh air. To commune with the ocean. The air. The waves.
With the moon bright enough to show him the way—and any harm that could potentially come to Morgan—he’d walked from Scott’s away from Sage’s place to the end of the beach. On the return trip, still thinking about dates and such, he’d passed Scott’s and continued the other way, passing Sage’s and Iris’s without pause, and made it clear to the other end of the two-mile-long stretch.
Thinking about Iris and Scott. The way they were able to make friendship work. Now that he’d met the woman, he didn’t get it at all. Iris was gorgeous. A little tall for Gray, but perfect for Scott. And yet, seeing them together...it was obvious they were just friends.
The corgi never faltered in her trot beside him. Asked no questions. Or passed any judgment, either. She was just there. Keeping him company.
Her companionship was nice. As was the quiet solitude of the beach. Right there. For him to enjoy at a moment’s notice.
And he got to thinking. Then to looking.
The cottage at the far end of the beach, several past Sage’s and Iris’s, stood dark. Dilapidated. What had once been luxurious, admired, sought after, revered, was standing alone in the dark. Deserted.
Much like Gray. Like his business. His life.
The cottage, along with several others, was available. For a price. And subject to the owner being willing to abide by a pretty stiff set of covenants, conditions and restrictions that bound the entire Ocean Breeze neighborhood.
He could renovate the thing himself. Hiring contractors where necessary, but he knew how to do a lot of the work. Had put himself through college by working construction. Him and the cottage—lives renovating together.
With his house sold, and if Sage really was able to free up his income account, he’d be able to afford the cottage. Didn’t give a whit about needing to follow restrictions. Would welcome the protection and privacy they provided, actually, as he told Morgan aloud.
The dog, standing next to him, circled around, staring up at him.
As though looking for answers.
Most likely to “Can we go home?” Followed by “I want a treat.”
But it could also be, “What are we doing next?” Followed by, “This is fun.”
That was the thing with dogs and cats. While they relied on humans to make sure they had food and water, they could be left alone for hours and be fine to fend for themselves.
