Her Secret Alaskan Family. Belle Calhoune

To complete the picture, a wooden statue of a moose sat knee-deep in snow in the front yard, and a Siberian husky ran toward the van, barking enthusiastically and wagging its tail.

      Sage got out of the vehicle just in time to witness the dog jumping up on Piper and enveloping her in a bear hug. The petite young woman threw back her head and laughed. “Okay, down, Astro. You almost knocked me over.”

      Astro ran over toward Sage and began curiously sniffing her. She held out her hand, obliging the husky. When the dog began to lick her hand, Sage knew she’d gotten a stamp of approval. Rather than follow them the toward the house, Astro ran toward the back of the property as if he was on the hunt for something.

      As soon as they stepped inside the bed-and-breakfast, Sage felt a heartwarming vibe pulsing in the air. The inn felt cozy and warm. A blazing fire roared in the fireplace, colorful throws and pillows graced the living room area and picturesque photos hung on the walls.

      “Hey, Mom. We’re here,” Piper called out, depositing Sage’s luggage by the staircase.

      “I’m in the kitchen,” a voice called out.

      Piper motioned for Sage to follow her as she walked down the hallway toward the sound of her mother’s voice. Sage let out a low groan at the delicious smells wafting in the air. She wasn’t sure what was cooking—perhaps pasta or bread—but it made her stomach lurch with hunger.

      Once they crossed the threshold into the kitchen, Trudy greeted her.

      “Sage! I’m so glad you’ve arrived safe and sound.” The innkeeper was nothing like Sage had imagined. In her mind, Sage had envisioned Trudy as a sweet little old lady with white hair and granny glasses. But with her long wavy red hair, colorful bandanna and eclectic attire, she looked fun and stylish. Her green eyes were bright and engaging. Sage thought she was a stunning woman.

      Before she could say a word, Trudy enveloped her in a tight hug. Without warning, Sage felt tears pooling in her eyes. This hug felt like home. It reminded her of her own mother and hundreds of embraces they had shared through the years. Trudy smelled like lemons and vanilla and kindness. She inhaled a deep breath and tried to compose herself.

      When Trudy released her she stood face-to-face with Sage and looked deeply into her eyes. “You’ve had a long journey to get here. Why don’t you let me show you to your room so you can rest up before dinner?”

      “Thanks, Trudy, but if I lie down I probably won’t come back down till morning,” Sage said, chuckling.

      “I have to head over to the diner to get ready for the dinner crowd, but I’ll bring Sage’s luggage upstairs to her room,” Piper offered, leaning in to give her mother a kiss on the cheek. “Let’s catch up later.” She swung her gaze toward Sage. “It was great meeting you. Come on over to the diner soon. Your first meal is on me.”

      “Thanks for everything, Piper.” Sage liked her a lot already. She appeared to be independent and feisty. And she had treated Sage like an old friend.

      A few minutes later a loud bang rang out as Piper slammed the door behind her. Trudy winced, then muttered under her breath. “How many times have I told her not to slam the door?” She cocked her ear to the side, then let out a sigh that sounded like relief. Seconds later, a loud wailing sound echoed from down the hall.

      “Now she’s done it! She’s woken up my grandbaby,” Trudy said with a scowl.

      Trudy scurried out of the kitchen, only to return a few moments later with a baby in her arms. She was rocking the little girl back and forth while making soft cooing noises to settle her. The baby calmed down and began to nibble on her fingers.

      “Would you mind holding her for a moment?” Trudy asked Sage, holding the baby out to her before she even had a chance to answer. “I have to run upstairs to check on a radiator I just heard rattling.”

      “Sure,” she answered, gently taking the baby in her arms. Although she didn’t know a whole lot about kids, this little girl looked like a doll come to life. With her wide green eyes, bow-shaped lips and wispy curls, she was destined to be a heartbreaker.

      “Hey there,” Sage crooned. “Aren’t you the sweetest little thing?”

      The baby gazed up at her with a look of surprise etched on her cherubic face. Her lips began to tremble, and her eyes began to moisten.

      “Oh no. Please don’t cry,” Sage pleaded. She began to hum and move from side to side in the hopes of soothing the little girl. What did people do to get babies not to fuss? The tyke opened her mouth and let out a wail.

      Sage heard the opening and closing of a door, followed by heavy footsteps.

       Please, Lord. Let it be Trudy coming back to rescue me. I can handle second graders, but crying babies are a little bit out of my league.

      Suddenly, Hank appeared in the doorway with an expression of utter shock on his face.

      His brows knit together in a frown. “Sage! What are you doing here? And why is my daughter crying loud enough to pierce an eardrum?”

       Chapter Two

      Seeing Sage standing in his mother’s house cradling his baby girl in her arms was a disorienting experience for Hank. On one hand it was incredibly heartwarming, but hearing Addie’s earsplitting cries was also an agonizing sensation. He still hadn’t gotten used to those wailing noises. It always made him feel as if he needed to protect his daughter against anything and everything that might harm her. As her sole living parent, Hank was all she had in this world, along with her grandmother and Piper.

      “Hank!” Sage’s eyes went wide. She looked at him then down at Addie then back at him again. “She’s yours?” she asked.

      “Dada!” Addie squealed, squirming in Sage’s arms to get to him.

      Hank moved toward his daughter with outstretched arms. He plucked Addie from Sage’s grasp and began to rub her back and speak soothingly to her. It had taken him a while to get the hang of it, but now he knew how to placate his daughter. It was all in the tone and touch. Addie immediately began to calm down. She stuck her thumb in her mouth and began to vigorously suck it. Sage was still staring at him with her mouth hanging wide-open.

      “She’s mine all right. Every precious inch of her.” He pressed a kiss against Addie’s temple. “I assume you’re staying here at the inn.”

      “Yes,” she said with a nod. Her expression radiated confusion. “Trudy’s your mother?”

      He grinned at her. “So they tell me.”

      Sage didn’t crack a smile. She still looked a bit shell-shocked.

      Trudy came rushing back into the room. “Sorry to leave you hanging, Sage. False alarm.” As soon as she spotted her son, the older woman’s face lit up. “Hank! You’re home. How was your trip?” She leaned up and planted a kiss on his cheek. “We missed you.”

      “It was time well spent,” the sheriff said, putting his free arm around his mother. “But I’m happy to be back in Owl Creek. I missed my best girls something fierce.”

      “So you met Sage?” Trudy asked. “She’s going to be staying here while she’s visiting Owl Creek.”

      “We met,” Hank said. “She was bonding with Addie when I got here.”

      Sage shot him a look of surprise. He wanted to laugh out loud. She probably thought holding a squalling baby was the furthest thing from bonding. It was fun to ruffle her feathers a tad. She seemed as if she had a tight rein on her emotions, and it would be nice to see her unwind a bit and let loose.

      “How about sticking around for dinner?” Trudy asked. “I’m making chicken piccata, one of your favorites.”

      Hank