Sage Hogan.

Mrs. Hogan.

Mrs. Lochlan Hogan.

Sage was on cloud nine. Imagining all the ways she and Loch were intertwined, the goofy grin she’d been sporting since breakfast wouldn’t leave.

They decided to head back home, wanting to get the mess with her family figured out and put behind them before they went on a real honeymoon.

“Thank you for getting Porter and Tru to come, for helping them break free.” She couldn’t take her eyes off of her husband. The way he had played her body throughout the night, always considerate of her feelings and pleasure. She didn’t think it were possible, but she loved him more.

Kissing the hand he was holding, he smiled sadly. “I’m sorry Jossilyn couldn’t be there.”

Thinking of her sister made her heart clench tightly in her chest. Joss was so fragile that Sage had often wondered why her father hadn’t homed in on her instead of Sage with his hatred. She would have been much easier to bend to his will. Or maybe that’s what had finally happened.

“Do you think she’s okay?” Just voicing the question caused shivers to wrack her spine with fright.

“I don’t know, Sage.” His honesty was appreciated. “If she is, Braxton will find her.” They settled into a comfortable silence as they crossed the state line into Colorado, the sun setting behind them as they drove. The darkness enhanced the stars’ shine through a clear night, and she was mesmerized by its beauty.

“A shooting star!” she gasped.

“Make a wish.”

Closing her eyes, she wished for Jossilyn’s safety and healing. Knowing full-well her sister couldn’t be in a calm frame of mind.

“Do you think they ever come true?” She pondered aloud.

“Anything’s possible.” He spoke softly. “I have you.”

Watching Lochlan as he drove gave her peace. Witness to the control he exuded in maneuvering such a beautiful piece of machinery and still making her feel cherished heightened her feelings for him. If that were even possible.

Imagining the life they would create together as the city lights came into view, had her smiling softly. Her eyes closed, and she could picture the children they would have. The home they would build with each other held her breathless with anticipation.

Gone was any fear from her past. Apprehension of the untold future of her family faded like the stars behind them. With Lochlan by her side, she could and would do anything she set her heart to.

* * *

Sage was quiet for most of the twelve-hour drive home, asking only questions she couldn’t contain. Concern for her sister never fled her gaze as she looked around at the surrounding beauty with wonder, but she trusted in Loch to find out what happened to her. He only hoped he didn’t disappoint.

She’d struggled to keep her eyes open as Loveland came into view, so when they pulled into the drive at his mother’s house—he’d promised Sage they would spend the night there—he was going to have to carry her in. She wanted to thank Lorraine for everything. The importance of her request wasn’t missed by him. Sage was nervous about going home. About them being intimate again.

When she woke up in the morning before him, she’d been terribly shy. No matter that he found her demureness sexy as hell, she had been nervous. He’d fought back his lust to claim her one more time before they went home in favor of her modesty.

She likely thought his mother’s place would afford her solace to gather her thoughts and courage. Being intimate with Sage superseded anything he’d guessed lovemaking to be. She was fire and wind. Earth and water. Grace and sensuality. Everything he could have asked for in a soulmate and so much more.

Shutting the engine of his car off, he quietly exited, going around to her side. After opening the door and unbuckling her belt, she glided effortlessly into his arms. Pushing the door shut with his hip, he turned to see his mother standing in the doorway with a young woman behind her. He recognized her but couldn’t place her in the dimmed lighting.

“My honeymooners.” His mother grinned.

“Hi, Ma.”

“Your room’s all ready.”

“Thanks. I’ll put her to bed and be right down.” Taking his time going up the stairs and into his old room, he lay Sage down on the bed. Slipping her shoes and socks off, he left her pants and t-shirt on. Not wanting her to be embarrassed or upset if she woke and he wasn’t there.

Kissing her lightly on the forehead, he murmured, “I love you, Sage.” Her contended sigh followed him from the room.

Hearing hushed voices from the kitchen, he followed the smell of percolating caffeine to find his mother holding the young lady’s hand. “What’s going on, Ma?” Their visitor wore a look of worry and fear on her face.

“Lochlan do you remember Allegra? From Hayes’ graduation party.”

At her explanation, it clicked. Hayes’ friend Brett couldn’t take his eyes off her the entire time Loch had been there. “I do. How are you, Allegra?” He didn’t watch her as he spoke, instead pouring a cup of coffee, sensing she didn’t like the attention.

“Well, thank you.” Her words were as quiet as Sophia’s had been at first.

“Allegra will be staying here for a couple of days.” He looked at his mother then. “Her parents are out of town.” The lie was right there in her gaze, but he didn’t call her on it. Something was clearly wrong at home for the young woman.

“Alright. Hayes aware of this?” he asked her pointedly, knowing she knew he knew she was lying.

“No. She’s busy with school and helping Levi with the gym. I know she would have offered their home, and I figured I have no one here to entertain anymore, so why not.”

“Makes sense,” he responded, still watching the scared girl. When she shifted in her seat, alarm rang through every protective instinct in his body. Bruises were being covered up along her collarbone, hiding discernable abuse.

His gaze met his mothers, and she shook her head slightly, her eyes begging him to remain silent on the matter. He would. For now.

Allegra excused herself to go to bed shortly thereafter, unmistakably uncomfortable with him around. Loch waited until he was sure she was gone before asking, “What’s really going on, Ma?”

His mother, the matriarch of their family for years, looked more haggard in that moment than he’d ever seen her. “She was here when I arrived home this morning. She wouldn’t tell me when she got here, but I suspect it was overnight.”

On the verge of tears, Loch gripped her hand in support. “Has she said anything? What happened?”

“Nothing. She asked if she could spend the night. I told her she could stay as long as she needed. I recognized something was wrong, Lochlan. Who knows how long she’s been suffering? Or how, or why? That young lady is only fifteen!” Her words were as fierce as Loch had ever heard.

“Go to bed, Ma. We’ll figure this out in the morning. Get everyone over here.”

“That wouldn’t be wise. She’s skittish, and men terrify her.”

“What about Hayes’ friend Brett? He seems to care for her.”

“Hayes says Alyssa has been keeping Brett away from her because of the age difference. Besides he’s at college now. We’ll figure this one out. Find some options for her.”

Given that Allegra had spent the entire graduation party attached to his mother, he figured she knew the girl best. “If you say so.”

She smiled, nodding her head as she stood. Grasping his left hand in both of hers, a teary-eyed smile crossed her face. “My baby is married. Your father would be so proud of you, of the man you’ve become, Lochlan.”

Touched, he stood, kissing her cheek. “Thanks, Ma.”

As he placed his empty mug in the sink, he heard, “You’re missing so much Lucas,” as she left the room in search of her own.