Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
His dad’s confidence in him didn’t boost his own.
“I’ll let you go, Dad. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Call me if you need me, son. I’ll always be here for you.”
Tossing the phone aside, he sat hunched over, his hands hanging loosely in front of him. Picturing how beautiful Sage had looked this morning, lying sleeping in his bed, made his composure break without anyone there to witness.
He was thinking of getting up to get flowers when he heard piano music playing. Frowning, he reached for his phone, thinking that was where the music was coming from. Had he not disconnected from the call with his dad? Confused when he saw the music wasn’t coming from his phone, as the ethereal notes filled the air, he dropped the phone back down and rose from the couch.
Striding past the kitchen, Creed followed the haunting notes. He approached the music room but was almost afraid to look inside. Unable to resist the pull of the music, however, he took the final step to cross the threshold.
Feeling the burning sting of tears behind his eyes, he walked further into the room, mesmerized by the woman playing the piano. Sage hadn’t touched it since it had come through the door. At first, he’d thought he’d been mistaken about her wanting the piano when she had looked at it longingly at the Hollingsworths, but it hadn’t taken him long to figure why.
She hadn’t played the piano because she was still hurt by his betrayal, nor was she sure she would stay, or if she loved him enough to do so.
He moved around the piano so he could get a better view of the alluring picture she made as Sage played the exquisite music, and their eyes met over the piano.
“Who composed the song you’re playing?” he asked softly, not wanting to break the spell of the music.
“Yiruma,” she told him just as softly.
“What’s the name?”
“‘Kiss the Rain.’”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Yes, it is.” Her hair to fell forward as she lowered her face to look back down at the keys. “I heard you talking to Twister.”
“I didn’t think you were home.”
“Why did you think I was going to leave you?”
“The Ashwoods are gone; you don’t need me anymore. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me you’re leaving since their deaths hit the news. I saw the girls’ suitcases packed in their rooms last night when I went in to make sure they were all right before I went to bed. I saw you had one packed in your closet. I checked while you were sleeping. When you texted me this morning, I thought that was what you wanted to tell me tonight.”
“I packed the suitcases because I wanted to be prepared if Glory gets a match. She had a doctor’s appointment this morning. He sent her to the hospital. She’ll have to stay there until she receives a match … if she does.”
Sage lifted her eyes, and when they met his again, tears were sliding down her cheeks. “I wanted to talk to you tonight to tell you’d I’d be staying at the hospital during the evenings and ask if it was okay for you to watch the girls while I’m there.”
“Of course,” he answered. “I’ll do anything I can to help. Where are they now?”
“April moved back to Kansas City. She got homesick. The girls are staying with her tonight. I wanted to enjoy a romantic evening with you, since I don’t know how long Glory will be in the hospital.”
Creed nodded at the unopened bottle of champagne and flute glass sitting on the piano.
“Only one glass?”
“I thought we could share.” She gave him a misty smile as he came around the piano to smooth her tears away with his fingers.
“I love you.”
Sage rubbed her cheek against his hand. “I love you, too. And I’ll always need your protection, Creed. I could never leave you. I need my heart to survive.” Her hands dropped from the keys to her lap.
Bending down, Creed swept Sage up with one arm, her arms coming up to circle his neck tightly. He moved around the bench then stopped. Using his free hand, he picked up the flute and the bottle of champagne before carrying her out of the room, through the downstairs, and up the winding staircase to their bedroom.
He set her on the bed, then the champagne and glass on the nightstand, and cupped her face, letting all the love he felt for her show in his expression. “Is this romantic enough for you?” he asked, teasing her lips with his.
Showing all the love she felt for him in her expression like he did her, she gave him a misty smile. “I’ve always thought of tears as a weakness. My parents taught us crying never solved anything. That’s why I wouldn’t let myself cry. I couldn’t be weak. Glory, Colby, and Tinsley needed me to be strong for them.