Page 77 of To Catch a Thief

“It’s too heavy. I’d rather take up one of the ugly armchairs than deal with the desk.”

“I can do that.” Sage pointed at a black leather chair. “Grab the cushion.”

The chair was awkward, but by taking a couple of breathers, he finally got it up to the landing. “Where do you want it?”

“My mother’s room.” Carolina came around the corner with the cushion balanced on her head.

He set the chair on the far side of the bedroom. Now furniture packed this room. Rosa’s house was so different from the ranch house. Thinking about home made him think about his mother and dad. Pain coiled in his chest. Not going to think about that.

Carolina set the cushion on the chair and collapsed on the bed. She didn’t move.

Something was off with Carolina. At least her problems would take his mind off his dad’s adultery.

He crouched next to her, looking into her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Why do you think something’s wrong?” She stared at her twisting hands.

“Because you won’t look at me.” He stilled her hands. “You won’t talk to me. Are you upset?”

“Why didn’t you stay with me last night?” Her slim shoulders went up and down. “Or ask me to stay with you?”

He couldn’t tell her about his father. “I needed time alone.”

She stared into his eyes like she could see into his soul. Her voice was thready. “I miss you.”

He brushed her hair back and cupped her cheek. “I’m right here.”

“Are you?” She swallowed. “We haven’t made love since before I started singing at the restaurant.”

“I… I…” He sank next to her on the bed. They hadn’t? “You came to my place.”

“We didn’t make love.”

Oh. “We’ve had a lot going on.”

And yesterday’s call with his mom had knocked him off his feet. How could Dad have screwed around on Mom? He kept putting himself in his mom’s place. What if there had been a child from his affair? What if the child decided to work on the ranch? Resentment struck him like a rattlesnake, swift and deadly.

But this was Carolina. The woman he loved. “I’m sorry.”

Her blue eyes swam with tears. “Do you want to talk about whatever is bothering you? Is it me? Us?”

“No.” He pulled her close. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I needed some thinking time.”

“Okay.” She sighed. “My mother comes home in three days. We’re running out time.”

“I know.” He cradled her head into his chest. “After you sing tonight, do you want to come to my place?”

“Yes.” Her whole body answered by melting into his.

He rocked her. Had he pulled away because she hadn’t been honest with him? Hadn’t trusted him? Unfortunately now, he empathized with what the Fitzgeralds must be going through.

He wished his father was alive so he could ask what he would do. But that ship had sailed. Now he wondered, What would Mom think?

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“CAN I GET you anything?” Carolina set the flowers Mamá’s boss had sent to the hospital on the console table she and Sage had brought into Poppy’s study.

“I don’t want to sit in bed.” Mamá slid off the hospital bed hospice had delivered. “I want to go on the porch and feel the breeze on my face.” Her mother winked. “And watch that hot young stud of yours work.”

Please don’t say things like that around Sage. “Then let’s get you settled.”

She cupped her mother’s elbow.

“I’m not an invalid.” Mamá shook her off. “I’m just dying.”

Carolina froze, her heart brittle enough to shatter. “I know.”

She’d hoped coming home would help her mother get back to normal. But apparently that wouldn’t happen.

In the living room, Mamá trailed her hand along the sofa. “Can’t you move that ugly desk? It ruins the sleek look.”

“But it was Poppy’s.” And she had happy memories of playing in Poppy’s office while Mamá was gone. Had her mother been working? On dates? She didn’t remember. She just knew that Poppy always made her smile. But he’d died when she was eight and Yaya when she was nine.

“It’s ugly.” Mamá stepped out onto the porch.

On Sunday, Sage had finished painting the floor and it sparkled.

“Let me get you something to drink.” Carolina pushed open the porch’s screen door. “Sage, do you want anything?”

“Water please,” he called as he painted the railings.

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