Chapter Thirty

Cannon tiptoed down the hallway to Sage’s room and sat on the edge of her bed. Tucked under the covers, she looked so small and vulnerable. A bare shoulder peeked out of the blankets. Soft pale skin picked up the light of the moon shining on her through the gap in the blinds. Wild red hair fanned across the pillow. Pink lips puckered, as if waiting for a kiss.

There was nothing he’d rather do than strip down and slide between the sheets with her, but he couldn’t. Tomorrow was the anniversary of his mother’s death. Although his father was doing well, he didn’t want to leave him alone, in case he had a setback. And yet, he couldn’t go to sleep without one last look at Sage.

Weeks ago, Doc said there would be change in Aspen Cove, but Cannon didn’t dare hope that a woman could change everything about his life. Make it different. Better. She’d arrived and disrupted his status quo, making him realize it had been status woe.

He’d moved along day to day. His pattern had been to hang on and make it to the next breath. He didn’t plan for the future. He lived minute by minute. He couldn’t afford to risk the disappointment of thinking about tomorrow, but Sage changed everything.

The woman lying in front of him made him look forward to the next day and next week and next year. He could see a future beyond his exhale.

Caring for Sage put him at risk. That was the scariest revelation of all, because like it or hate it, he was exactly like his father, minus the alcoholism.

When it came to love, his dad was all in. He had loved Cannon’s mom without reservation. Ben Bishop’s entire life had been consumed by that love. When she died, so did he. He had become the walking dead.

Since then, Cannon held back. He didn’t want to risk everything by allowing someone to become the center of his universe, and yet, here was Sage. She’d wheedled her way into his life, and then his heart.

He warred with himself. Wake her and make love to her, or let her sleep? With her working a shift at Doc’s in the morning, Cannon wouldn’t be selfish and wake her up, but he wanted her to know how important she’d become to him. So instead of leaning over and kissing those beautiful lips, burying his face in her hair, or sliding his body next to hers, he rose from the edge of the bed with the words “I love you” a breath away from being said.

After tomorrow, he’d tell her the truth. He’d let her know the depth of his feelings. How hard it was for him to trust that she wasn’t going to leave him when everyone he’d loved did. For now, he’d find a piece of paper and let her know he’d been there and he missed her.

Cannon stepped over Otis, who lay on his back with his feet pointed to the ceiling. In the kitchen, he flipped the light switch and opened what Sage called her catchall drawer. It was the place she hid the stuff she wasn’t ready to deal with. It was also the place she kept pens and paper.

On top of everything was a page with the logo of the development company he loathed. His throat tightened and his heart skipped a beat, then raced to catch up. He knew it was none of his business, but it didn’t stop him from reading the note.

Dear Ms. Nichols,

Thank you for reaching out to us about your interest in selling the property at 1 Lake Circle, Aspen Cove, Colorado. We are interested in making a deal.

We have no use for the actual structure, but we can offer a fair price for the land. Please contact us at your earliest convenience so that we may proceed.

Sincerely,

Stephen Tobler

Property Development Manager

Sterling Group

Cannon ground his teeth until he was sure the enamel would crack. All the progress he’d made tearing his barriers down was for naught. The fortress he had erected before Sage arrived slid back into place. Steel beam reinforcements resurrected around his heart.

He shoved the letter into the drawer and walked out of her house. On his way home, he screamed internally at himself. He should have known better. The heart couldn’t be trusted, and neither could Sage. Then again, she never told him she’d stay. She only made him feel it was permanent by the way she invested herself in those around her. Hers was the worst kind of betrayal, because there was no warning. Kind of like when his mom drove off the cliff. There was no way to prepare for the mess she would leave behind.

There would be so many people hurt when she left. She’d taken an interest in his father. He looked to her for support and encouragement and a kick in the pants when needed. Doc counted on her during clinic days. Hell, she helped deliver Louise’s baby that morning. Katie was her friend and confidant. Then there was him. He’d let her in. He’d fallen in love with her. He’d considered a future with her, but now there was nothing. She’d robbed him of everything. It was one thing to live in ignorance; it was another to have had a taste of heaven and then be shoved into hell.

Cannon walked into his house. He looked in on his father, who was asleep in bed. He walked to his bedroom and opened the safe to pull out a bottle of wine. Tonight, he would drink. Tomorrow, he would mourn the loss of his mother and Sage.