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didn t need Quinn O Shea s money anyway. But he was the one man who got away and
that rubbed her raw.
Later that afternoon, Cheyenne and Sage cooked a special dinner to celebrate
Quinn s latest purchase. Parker manned grilling the steaks while the women saw to the
other fixings. When they finally sat down to eat there was a huge platter of biscuits, two
of mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, green beans and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.
The twins were excited and impatient to report their news of the day. All but
three of the eggs had hatched so they had a dozen new chicks to care for. They didn t
appear to have minded being left home at all.
We watched them being borne, Cody said around a piece of steak.
They were yucky at first, but then they dried out real good, Kate continued.
Can we have one for a pet?
I don t think chickens make good pets, Quinn laughed.
Why not? Kate demanded.
Cause you can t teach them tricks or walk them on a leash, Cody informed his
sister.
They don t have to do anything. I could love it anyway, Kate replied wisely.
Quinn looked at her in surprise. For some reason her remark struck a strange cord
in him. He frowned not understanding why her words made him uneasy. But he was
quickly distracted by the laughter around the table.
Later that evening, after everyone had retired for the night, Quinn quietly walked
down the hall to Sage s room. She greeted him at her door wearing a silken robe with
nothing underneath. That night, her mattress did move!
Sage was late down to breakfast the next morning so she missed Quinn.
They left about fifteen minutes ago, Cheyenne informed her. Quinn wanted to
round up some strays. He says the weather doesn t look too good and he wanted to locate
them before a storm breaks.
Where are the twins?
Where do you think? They gulped down breakfast so they could get back to
watching the new chicks. Cheyenne fixed her daughter a plate, then sat down with a cup
of tea. Is there anything you d like to tell me? she asked directly.
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Sage quickly took a bite of the lightly scrambled eggs. You always said he was
a good man, she said evading the real question.
Yes, I did. I have the feeling you ve discovered that for yourself?
Sage laid her fork down. I never could hide anything from you, could I?
Oh, I think you managed to surprise me a time or two over the years, Cheyenne
chuckled. Is it so hard to say the words?
Okay, I love him!
And he loves you! Cheyenne countered happily. I knew it! I knew if you two
got together, sparks would fly. If I were forty years younger that man could put his boots
under my bed any day.
Mother! I don t believe you just said that? Sage choked. It was so close to the
talk about chain mail that she was astounded. It made her wonder if one of the twins had
said something.
Why not? I m seventy, not dead. Does he make your toes curl?
Sage just stared at her mother for several seconds before she began laughing. As
a matter of fact, he does. What we feel is new and we haven t really talked about the
future yet. So don t say anything to him, mother.
Cheyenne reached across the table to cover Sage s hand. Don t worry. I won t
say a word. I ll let him come to me. But I will tell you that I couldn t be happier. He ll
make a wonderful son-in-law.
Don t jump too far ahead. We haven t talked about marriage. But Sage knew
this was where her heart belonged. Quinn was the man she had been waiting for all this
time. That s why the other men in her life had left her feeling empty. That certain
quality that was Quinn had been missing in them.
I can just think about the wedding then. Until Quinn formerly asks for your
hand. With this parting shot, Cheyenne went to work tidying up the kitchen while Sage
finished her breakfast wondering at the workings of her mother s mind.
Quinn and the men had not come in for lunch so it was just Sage and the twins in
the kitchen. As soon as they d eaten, Kate and Cody took a basket to go out to gather
eggs for Cheyenne. While her mother took a rest to read for a while, Sage went into the
den to write to Dallas. She d just picked up a pen when someone knocked on the front
door. She hurried out into the hall to open the door before it disturbed her mother. Lydia
stood there poised for another knock on the door.
May I come in? Lydia asked then barged past Sage before she could utter a
reply.
Sage closed the door behind her. Sure why not? Although I m afraid that Quinn
is not here at the moment.
I didn t come here to see Quinn. I came to talk to you& woman to woman. Shall
we? she asked indicating the den.
Sage frowned but followed Lydia into the den leaving the door ajar. She hoped
this woman wouldn t be here that long. I can t imagine why you would want to see
me.
Sage didn t hear the tread of two pairs of small boots or the rustle of bushes as
someone crouched just outside beneath the open window. Kate and Cody had seen Lydia
arrive and wondered why she was there.
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Lydia glared at Sage. Her plans had gone up in a puff of smoke all because of one
little interloper. She had always wanted Quinn and now after all these years it could have
been a reality. Nothing was going to stop her from getting what she wanted or so she d
thought. Well, Lydia might not have Quinn, but she could leave him a pack of trouble
before she left town. You know dear, it s really pathetic the way you moon after Quinn
like this. The poor man is embarrassed, but doesn t know how to let you down easily.
Take my advice, Sage, from one woman to another, go back to Chicago and leave him
alone.
Sage studied the other woman. Apparently Lydia didn t know Quinn as well as
she thought she did. Quinn is not shy about speaking his mind. If he wants me to leave,
he wouldn t hesitate to tell me. I m beginning to think you live in a different world than
the rest of us mere mortals.
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