Page 36 of Her Secret Alaskan Family (Home to Owl Creek 1)

Sage put her arm around the other woman. “Things will most likely get better after winter when tourism picks up. Can you ask Trudy or Hank for any financial help? I’d help you myself if I could afford to.”

“That’s sweet of you, Sage, but I could never accept it. Mom and Hank have already done so much to support my dream. I can’t really ask them to do much more.”

Sage sighed. “I wish there was something I could do to help. I don’t like this look of dread on your face.”

“Just listening helps. The diner means so much to me. It was my dad’s pride and joy. I don’t want to disappoint him.”

“I know carrying on his legacy is important to you. And from where I’m standing, you’re doing a wonderful job.”

“Now you’re going to make me cry, Sage,” Piper said, reaching out and embracing her.

It seemed that everywhere she turned, God was highlighting the importance of relationships between fathers and their daughters. Piper and Jack. Hank and Addie. And her own loving relationship with her own father.

As she walked back toward her table, Sage couldn’t help but feel a bit forlorn about not being able to stick around to help Piper. She was honored that her friend had confided in her about her money woes. If only she could find a way to solve her problem with the diner.

As she walked past Hank’s table he waved her over. She couldn’t help but smile at the T-shirts. It must be nice to have a kinship like the one Hank, Gabriel and Connor shared. Although she had friends back in Coral Gables, she’d never had close connections like these men shared. Once again she wondered if her life would have been vastly different growing up here in Owl Creek. Maybe she and Piper would have been best friends.

“Everything okay with Piper? She seems a little quiet. But maybe she’s just afraid she’s about to lose to the three amigos.” Hank jokingly puffed out his chest, earning himself a smile from Sage.

“She’s got a lot on her mind,” she said, knowing it wouldn’t be right to violate Piper’s trust. It wasn’t her place to tell Hank about his sister’s troubles. Trudy, Hank and Piper were a tight-knit family who clearly adored one another. She prayed Piper would reach out to her family and ask for their assistance. Carrying such a weight on her shoulders would surely drag her down if things didn’t get better at the diner.

She made a face at Hank. “And I seriously don’t think she’s scared of your famous corn bread.” She held up her fingers and did the sign for air quotes when she uttered the word famous. “Whatever she has under that aluminum foil smelled pretty delectable. I imagine she’s going to have you shaking in those boots of yours.”

Hank grinned. “So you’ve got jokes about my corn bread, huh.” He leaned in so his face was close to her own. “I’m going to do something that might be against the rules, but I’m going to make an exception since you’re an out-of-towner.” He reached into one of his covered pans and pulled out a piece of corn bread. “Go on and try it.”

Sage let out a sigh. “I’m not a really big fan of the stuff, to be honest.”

“You’re going to love mine. It’s Alaskan sourdough corn bread.”

Knowing Hank wasn’t going to stop asking her, Sage tentatively took a bite. When the flavor hit her tongue, she closed her eyes and let out a sigh of satisfaction. When she opened her eyes, he was looking at her with an expectant expression stamped on his face.

“This is...incredible!” She took another bite, then ended up pushing all of it in

her mouth.

“See,” Hank crowed, rocking back on his heels and smiling like a Cheshire cat. “I don’t want to say I told you so, but I did tell you my corn bread was legendary.”

Sage covered her mouth with her hand until she finished swallowing. “I won’t argue with you on that one. Well done, Sheriff!”

“Hey there!” Connor walked over and stuck out his hand. “I’m Connor North. I’ve heard a lot about you, Sage Duncan.” Sage shook hands with him, swallowing past her nervousness.

Hank tried to discreetly jab him in the side, then rolled his eyes in his direction.

“Have you?” she asked, darting a glance at Hank, who looked extremely sheepish.

“Yes,” Connor answered, shooting his friend an annoyed look. “From my grandmother. She’s a card-carrying member of your fan club.”

“Well, the feeling is completely mutual. I love Beulah and her generous heart,” Sage said, feeling slightly unnerved by being so near to her brother. Up close, Connor was even more handsome than she’d previously realized. With his dark hair and striking blue eyes, he exuded a familiar air. Sage realized there was something about him that reminded her of herself. It made her nervous, wondering if anyone else might pick up on it.

Connor looked around the immediate area. “She’s coming today, but I haven’t seen her yet. I have a feeling she’ll be stopping by your table.”

“I’ll look for her,” she said, grinning at the thought of getting to spend more time with Beulah. “It was nice to meet you, Connor. I better head back to Trudy.” With a wave, she said her goodbyes and walked away. Meeting Connor completed the circle. With the exception of Braden North, who wasn’t currently residing in Owl Creek, she’d met her entire family.

Connor was a larger-than-life human being in her eyes. From everything Hank had told her about him, he was a good person. Strangely enough, she felt a burst of pride knowing he was her sibling.

“Did I see you over there sampling the competition?” Trudy asked, frowning.

Within seconds she was laughing, unable to keep up the pretense of being upset with Sage.

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