Dahlia smiled and hugged her. “Well, you’re our family now, too. And you’re welcome.”
***
Sage sat on the edge of the tub. She’d excused herself to go to the bathroom to check Mina’s phone for messages. There was nothing from her mother, and nothing from Mina, but Mina’s work had called, and Mina had a text from Ellis. Sage didn’t answer the phone or read the text. She thought about texting Mina to tell her it was Dahlia who saved Paisley, not Crew, but decided it wasn’t worth trying to remember the cipher. She considered taking notes to help her remember everything she’d learned but decided against it, not wanting to look like a spy.
She considered if she should call Paisley or not and finally decided she should, but a video call went unanswered. Sage sent a message to her mom:If Paisley can’t get ahold of me later, please tell her I said, ‘Goodnight and I love her.’
Sage stuck the phone back in her back pocket and went out into the living area where no one was left but Canyon. He stood near the hallway, watching for her, his arms folded, looking strong and handsome.
He opened his arms and she went right into them. “The spicy baby’s outside,” he said.
She lay her head on his chest and took a moment to hug him, listening to his heartbeat, amazed at how quickly he’d become a stable, comforting presence for her.
“It’s going good,” he said.
“Mm,” Sage said, waiting for a kiss. He kissed her softly on the lips, then more urgently, pulling her into him.
The front door opened and Reed called her name.
“Sage!”
“Coming,” Sage called. She smiled at Canyon and walked backwards, pulling him toward the open door. He grinned at her and followed, one hand in his belt, his grin sparking heat inside her.
They reached the door and saw a knot of people she looked out and saw everyone gathered loosely around a tall blonde with—Heather—andthe fire baby.
The fire baby was cute, with a button face, dressed in soft yellow pants and jacket with tiny booties—but her HAIR! It stood straight up, looking like burning flame on top of her head.
She slung one arm around her mama’s neck, turned her head and appraised Sage like an adult.
Sage took Canyon’s hand, whispering. “How old is she?”
“Maybe two and a half months.”
“She’s advanced.”
“Very. She speaks perfectly, like an adult, but only inruhi,and only to certain people.”
“Nuh uh,” Sage said, smiling, but Canyon wasn’t.
“Swear,” he said. “She’s even got a nemesis already: Conri, and a favorite: Mac.”
Sage laughed out loud. “Now I know you’re making that up.”
Canyon grinned. “You’ll see.”
Sage took a deep breath and stepped outside. Heather swung around with the baby on her hip and smiled widely at Sage, saying, “Hi!”
Reed introduced them. “Heather, Sage, Sage, Heather.”
“Hi!” Heather called, excitedly, making Sage smile, but the heat coming off mom and baby kept her from getting close.Heather grasped the baby gently on her arm and said, “Can you lower your temperature please, just for a moment?”
The baby sniffed and turned her face away, but the heat receded. Sage rushed in and hugged Heather swiftly, the two women laughing.
Sage stepped back.
“Okay, that’s enough, thank you,” Heather said, kissing the baby on the cheek. A short-lived heat-shimmer exploded outward, hitting Sage in the face like a blast from the oven, distorting the air around it, so they could see it pass and dissipate like a soap bubble.
“She’s beautiful,” Sage said.
