Page 51 of To Catch a Thief

“How are Mom and the family?” Sage took a gulp of coffee, burning his throat.

Carolina snuggled into his chest, a perfect fit.

“Good,” Jackson said. “But how are you doing? How’s the head wound?”

“Healing.” He blew on his coffee before taking another sip. “I was cleared to start working out.”

Carolina stiffened in his arms. Shit. He hadn’t told her. He’d sat on the news, worrying about her reaction.

“That’s good,” Jackson said. Alarms clanged in the background. “Gotta go.”

“Stay alert,” Sage said.

“You, too.”

Sage shut off his phone and set his coffee on the counter. He hugged Carolina but she put her hands on his chest, keeping him at a distance.

“You’ve been cleared to exercise?” Her blue eyes were wary. “That’s a big step, right?”

“Yeah.” He slid his hands to her hips and tried to pull her closer. No go.

Her neck muscles worked up and down as she swallowed. “When were you going to tell me?”

“I… I was going to tell you. But with your mother in the hospital, you have enough on your plate. I don’t want you to worry.”

“Worry?” She wiggled out of his embrace and crossed her arms, leaning against the stove. “My mother’s been holding steady.”

“But she…” He stopped. He hadn’t told her because she’d been upset. “It was the day you were upset you were going to lose your mother and I was going to get better and you’d be alone.”

“So you couldn’t tell your fragile girlfriend.” Flames burned in her eyes.

“No that’s not it.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Carolina, I love you.”

“Don’t haul out love and think it can smooth over you not telling me something this big.”

His spine straightened. “I’ve never told anyone I loved them. Now you’re making it sound—flip. I care when you’re sad. Shoot me. I care that your mother is suffering and it makes you hurt. I don’t want to hurt you, too.”

“Well you just did.” She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Come on. I thought what I was doing was right. I know you’re strong. I just don’t want you to worry you’ll lose me.” He cupped her face. “You won’t.”

She stared into his eyes. “Do you think I’m weak?”

“No.” Did he? “But, honey, you’re dealing with your mother.”

She snorted. At least that was better than tears. “I’m not sure I like being called honey.”

He was stepping on land mines left and right. “It’s what my father called my mother. They really loved each other.”

Her shoulders sagged. “Oh.”

“I’ll try not to call you that.” He reached out to touch her cheek but let his hand drop to his side.

“I’m a mess.” She stepped into his space.

He hugged her. “You’re dealing with your mother, a new job and an idiot boyfriend.” He hoped she’d laugh.

She rolled her forehead on his chest. “Thanks for putting up with my craziness. But please don’t keep things from me. It makes me feel—weak.”

“You’ve got it.” He kissed her. “I promise to always tell you the truth.”

She stiffened. “Thank you.”

He cupped her face. “I hope you’ll do the same.”

Panic flared in her eyes. “Of…of course.”

She kissed him, a desperate kiss. He had to reassure her. His ripped his mouth away. “I love you. You won’t lose me.”

“I love you, too.”

He’d dodged a bullet. He hoped. Sage couldn’t take another hit to the head—or his heart.

* * *

CAROLINA KICKED A stone from the sidewalk, sending it into the shrubbery. She couldn’t stop her sigh. She should be dancing with happiness. Sage loved her. She should be ecstatic.

But he expected her to tell the truth. She couldn’t. Not about her father. Not about the things her mother wanted her to do.

She almost didn’t want to go see her mother. She was in a bad mood. Her mother was volatile enough without Carolina adding to her worries. But Mamá was expecting her. Exhaling, she pushed away her negative thoughts.

She called each staff member by name as she headed to her mother’s room. Would Mamá ever come home?

“Hey, Mamá.” Her mother sat in bed, staring at the TV. “Don’t you look pretty? Did a nurse wash your hair?”

“Well, you weren’t here.” Mamá tucked her robe around her legs. “I couldn’t stand the itching.”

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