Page 57 of To Catch a Thief

Carolina walked to the bookshelf and was reaching for it. There was a clatter in the hallway. She snatched her hand away and sat at the piano.

A maid pushed a cleaning cart into the room. “Oh, I thought you were done.”

“I am.” Carolina closed the keyboard and hurried out of the room. Now what should she do?

* * *

“CAN I DRIVE?” Sage asked.

Dr. Shaw just snorted.

“Come on.” Sage clenched his fists. “I ran almost six blocks.”

“When you can pass the eye chart test, you’ll be able to drive again.”

“Tell me what I can do? I… I hate having to take a cab or have my girlfriend drive everywhere.” He wasn’t a kid. This grounding sucked.

“When you pass the vision chart.”

Sage pulled on his shirt with quick, sharp moves. Maybe he’d memorize the damn thing.

But that wouldn’t be truthful or honorable. And his honor meant everything to him. In his family, lying was worse than a felony offense. He couldn’t do it.

“Tell me the truth, no sugarcoating,” Sage said. “Will I ever get back to my job?”

“Yes.” Dr. Shaw nodded. “It may not feel like it, but you’re making amazing progress.”

Sage slipped off the table. “It doesn’t feel like it.”

“See.” The doctor pointed. “Two weeks ago, you were grabbing the table for balance.”

Sage blinked. The doc was right.

His spirits were lighter as he headed to Fitzgerald House. Even the blazing sun didn’t drill into his eyes like it had right after his injury. But he wouldn’t take off his sunglasses. That would be asking for a headache.

He tested his balance by climbing the stairs to Carolina’s apartment. And only caught himself once. But he’d stubbed the toe of his sneaker, so it might not be related to his injury. Grinning, he knocked on the door.

A pretty blonde answered.

“Is… Carolina here?”

“Are you Sage?”

He nodded. And didn’t have to stop because of pain. “Ella?”

“That’s me.” She picked up a purse. “Carolina is filling in for an hour or two for the other bartender. She wants us to come to the bar.”

Okay. He could do this. He could take the stairs back down without falling and cracking his head.

“How can Carolina live here with the scents from the restaurant?” Ella moaned as they headed to the restaurant door. “I’d be eating constantly.”

“If you think that’s hard, wait until you taste the food.” Sage held the door and led her to the bar.

“Hi, you two,” Carolina smiled at them.

And seeing her smile, his world settled. He grinned back, afraid his face would crack wide-open.

“Oh, oh.” Ella pressed a hand to her chest. “You guys are…” She trailed off and shook her finger in his face. “If you hurt her, I will come after you.”

“What?” He slipped onto an empty barstool.

“She’s in love with you,” Ella said. “Even I can see that.”

It was that obvious? “I would never hurt her. I’m crazy about her.”

He wasn’t going to tell Carolina’s best friend that they were in love. That was between him and Carolina. But maybe the way they looked at each other would keep the barflies from asking his girl out.

Carolina brought over his beer and some fancy drink for Ella.

“You remembered.” Ella took a sip and grinned.

“Hey,” Carolina whispered, her blue gaze locked on his.

“Hey.” He leaned over and met her lips. A brief brush.

“Enough.” Ella rapped the counter with her knuckles.

“How was your doctor’s appointment?” Carolina asked.

“I’m still grounded. Another two weeks.”

Carolina gave a small smile. “I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not.” He laughed, but even he could hear the bitterness. He wanted to get back to being productive.

Ella stared at them like they were crazy.

“I’ll explain later.” Carolina wiped the counter. “We’re eating at Fitzgerald House again.”

“Fantastic,” he said.

“Abby and I found the perfect piano.” Ella looked around. “Where’s it going?”

Carolina pointed to a corner. “Don’t dawdle over the drinks. Naomi should be here in about fifteen minutes.”

She moved down the bar.

Ella stood. “I’m going to check out the layout.”

He waved her away and went back to his favorite pastime, watching Carolina work. Her movements were smooth and delicate. He couldn’t wait to see her sing on the small stage being constructed next week.

“Hey, Sage.” Naomi slipped under the pass-through. “I’m wondering if we should give you a permanent seat here.”

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