|
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Kate latched onto this idea as her eyes opened wide. Can we really? We can see the barns and the chickens and everything. Cody and me have a horse and we could all go for a ride. Mine is Star and Cody s is Thunder. I ve never been on a horse, Kate, Sage admitted with a sigh. Seeing the glimmer of excitement in her eyes begin to dim, she made a quick decision. Of course, if one of the men would be able to give me a few lessons, that would be great. I m a quick learner too. Oh, that would be nice. I m sure Parker or Willy will do it. Let s go see them right now, Kate said leaping off the bed heading for the door. Whoa, kiddo. We have to get dressed and have breakfast first. I ll go change while you dress. If you would like, I can come back and fix your hair for you, Sage offered. She would dearly love to comb out those braids and redo Kate s hair for her. Okay. Can I wear it like yours? It s so pretty and long. Sage gave her a hug. I ll be back in a few minutes and we ll see what we can do. As she closed the door behind, her she heard dresser draws opening and closing none too quietly. She smiled. Sage had just finished slipping into a pair of pale blue jeans with matching top. She d quickly pulled her hair into a long French braid and was reaching for a pair of black high-heeled boots when someone knocked on her door. Come in. Kate bounded into the room closely followed by a curious Cody. I m all dressed, she announced plopping down on the bed. Cody doesn t believe you re going to fix my hair or that you re not afraid of worms. Sage blinked not quite understanding how those two things could be related, but then to an eight-year old it probably made all the sense in the world. Kate said you touched the night crawler and you can bait a hook? Cody stated with obvious awe. He looked so cute in jeans, a red-checkered shirt and boots. His hair had been brushed but spikes still stood out here and there. He was an inch or so taller than his sister, but they shared the same color eyes and hair. They didn t look a whole lot alike, but anyone could tell they were brother and sister. Maybe we can go fishing while I m here, Sage suggested. She berated herself for becoming more and more involved with these two adorable kids. That would be great! His eyes glowed with anticipation. Come here, Kate. The first thing we need to do is brush out your hair. Sage removed the fasteners at the end of each braid then combed her finger through the long dark blond strands. Her hair needed washing but there wasn t time for it now. She took her brush and brushed it out as best she could. Kate s hair was much longer than it appeared in the tight braids. Kate twisted around. Can you fix mine like yours? I wish I had black hair. It shines. 34 Hold still and we ll see what I can do, Sage replied grinning. Your hair is pretty, kiddo. Tonight we ll give it a good washing and brushing. Then you ll see how really pretty it is. Cody had been watching wide-eyed as Sage worked on his sister s hair. He reached up to feel his spiky hair. Sage was humming softly as she worked. He liked that. Cheyenne did that too when she was making cookies. Can you comb my hair too? he asked quietly. Since his mother died he wasn t used to feminine attention. Mrs. Ina didn t count because she was so old& like Cheyenne. But Sage was younger and so pretty. I sure can, big guy. She turned Kate around to look in the mirror. How do you like it, Kiddo? Sage s heart swelled with tenderness at the look of pleasure on the little girl s face. Her smile was a little lopsided because her upper two front teeth were loose. It wouldn t be long before they came out. Suddenly she wished she were going to be here to see that. Cody had already lost one front tooth. He looked so cute with that gap in the front. Oh, Sage& I love it, Kate said throwing her arms around her neck. I m next, Cody said trying to pry his way next to Sage. Come on, lets get Cody gussied up or we ll miss breakfast, Sage laughed. Suddenly the morning felt brighter than it had earlier. When they entered the kitchen ten minutes later, everyone but Quinn was seated around the table as Cheyenne put the heaping plate of hot cakes and scrambled eggs in the middle of the large table. Slim s eyes narrowed as he watched the twins enter the room, one on each side of Sage. Now that was something. Those two kids normally didn t take to strangers. They had immediately adopted Cheyenne as theirs, but then so had the entire ranch. Sage Mendoza was different. He d seen the way his boss had looked at the young woman. Maybe, just maybe, this was the woman who could bring him back to life again. Those two kids certainly needed their daddy in a big way. Sage might just be the person to wake him up to that fact. He grinned at Kate. Your hair sure looks mighty pretty this morning. And you re a handsome young man, Cody. Sage fixed our hair, Kate said scooting up onto her chair. Tonight she s going to wash it and do it again. And she likes to fish, Cody announced. Apparently that was the more important issue in his mind. At that moment Quinn entered the kitchen with his usual frown distorting his handsome features. The frown deepened when he glanced down and saw the boots Sage was wearing. If that darned woman didn t get a broken ankle before she went home, it would be a miracle. As he took his seat, he watched as Sage sat beside Slim. She was looking at him as if trying to tell him something. Well, he wasn t a mind reader. If she had something to say, she should just spit it out. Sage could tell that Quinn hadn t noticed how nice the twins looked this morning. Was the man blind? Pursing her lips she decided to bring it to his attention. Quinn, don t Kate and Cody look especially nice this morning? 35 Kate jumped up from her chair to run and stand in front of her daddy, turning her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
Podobne
|