Christmas Memories, Page 4

  ****

  Wyatt grinned down at her, as they danced around the kitchen. He hadn't been prepared for how Sage would feel in his arms. She felt right, her body fitting with his like they had been made for each other. He blinked, there was another of those selfish thoughts. Wyatt realized he'd been having a lot of those since she'd come into his life.

  Sage had been only been in his life a week and had managed to inject herself almost seamlessly into their lives. She was a good cook, kept the place clean and had even started on a couple of cleaning projects he'd given her to keep busy. Tracy and the kids had fallen head over heels for her. Jake, Tracy's fourteen year old son, now had a new crush. Kasey, his thirteen-year-old niece, loved talking about clothes with her. Even little Travis, the accident as his mother called him, who was only eight months old, drooled over her, literally.

  “Wyatt,” Sage's soft voice drew him out of his reverie. “I found some Christmas decorations in the closet you asked me to clean out. Since Christmas is in a couple weeks, I was wondering if I could decorate the house?”

  He lazily swirled her away from him, then tugged her back into his arm slightly closer than before. Wyatt couldn't remember the last time he'd decorated for any holiday, probably since before his mother died. “Don't see why not.” When she smiled her beautiful smile again, he added, “I'll even take the boys out and get you a tree.”

  She squealed, startling him, and threw her arms around his neck, then planted a kiss on him. He gave her a dazed look.

  “Sorry. I got a little excited.” She slipped away from him embarrassment, staining her cheeks an adorable pink. Walking to the stove, she returned to stirring the sauce and noodles.

  Stepping closer Wyatt, turned her to face him. He tipped her head up to look at him. “No need to apologize.”

  Sage's sensuous lips turned up in a hesitant smile. Unable to help himself Wyatt gave in to the urge to kiss her. Their lips molded together, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Wyatt buried his hand into her silken curls, as Sage shifted closer pressing her soft curves against him. Pulling back he groaned, as she took in a quick breath. Her blue eyes were dark with desire, and she nipped at his bottom lip. In a whisper she said, “the spaghetti's burning.”

 

  Chapter Three

  Sage smiled as she placed the last ornament on the tree, she had no idea why this made her so happy but, it did. She tried not to think about the multitude of reasons why she might have lost her memory, but usually failed unless some one was around. The projects Wyatt kept throwing at her helped keep her busy. Unfortunately the sheriff hadn't been able to help at all. No one with her name was registered as a missing person, plenty of descriptions but nothing definite.

  “It looks beautiful,” Tracy said walked out from the kitchen, a steaming cup of cocoa in each hand. Tracy's appearance was quiet similar to Wyatt's, she was two years younger and had the same color hair, which was cut in a pixie style. She had blue eyes that she'd passed on to all her children.

  “Thanks.” Sage took an offered cup. “Do you think Wyatt will mind that I moved the furniture?”

  “Hon, I don't think Wyatt will even notice…”

  “Until he goes to sit and finds his chair gone,” Jake piped up from the couch.

  “Jake's probably right.” Tracy laughed.

  Sage smiled again but didn't laugh. One thing she was pretty sure she could count on was that Wyatt noticed everything she did. Even when she didn't want him to. She wondered if he'd like what she'd done with the living room. In order to get the tree in the corner next to the fireplace, where she wanted it, she'd moved the TV down about two feet from where it had been. So then she'd had to move the couch, so you could see the TV, then the coffee table. It had been a huge production. She was just thankful that Tracy and Jake had been there to help.

  “So, are you coming with Wyatt to our house for Christmas?” Tracy asked, cutting into Sage's thoughts.

  “I don't know. I wouldn't want to impose.” Sage took a sip of her hot cocoa, then glanced at Tracy. “Beside I don't have any presents for anyone.”

  “Well, we're not going to let you spend it alone,” Tracy slipped her free arm around Sage's shoulders and gave them a squeeze. “Now, as for presents, I'm going to take you Christmas shopping tomorrow. 'Sides, it'll be good for you to get out of this house. We'll have a girl's day out, just you, me, and Kasey.”

  Sage thought about it while listening to Wyatt stomping the snow off his boots in the kitchen. She'd been getting on their cases about tracking snow through the house, now they took their shoes off. He entered the room as she said, “Okay, sounds good.”

  He looked from her to Tracy, clearly suspicious. “What sounds good?”

  After exchanging a glance with Tracy, Sage smiled. “Shopping.”

  “Oh.” Wyatt looked around the room, then did a double take. “Tracy, what did you…”

  “I did it,” Sage interrupted, slipping out from under Tracy's arm and moving toward him.

  Tracy and Jake both watched him as Wyatt processed this information.

  Sage gave him an anxious look, chewing on her bottom lip.

  “It looks… good.” He forced a smile. Maybe the place had needed a woman's touch but now that it'd been touched, he wanted it untouched. He'd liked it the way it had been before. His couch had an afghan over the back and throw pillows, for Crimmy sake. He didn't have to wonder where they came from either, since Tracy had been hounding him for awhile to spruce up the place. A plastic poinsettia glared at him from atop of the TV. The only thing he did like was the tree.

  Sage cocked her head studying him, then shook her head. “You don't like it.”

  Tracy ducked her head, and suddenly glanced at her watch. “Would ya look at the time, we better get going.” She set her cup on the coffee table. “I'll see you tomorrow.” She bustled Jake up and out the door before they could even say good bye.

  A little stunned by his sister's abrupt departure, he turned his eyes back to Sage. She sighed, walked over to the coffee table, picked up the cup and headed for the kitchen. It took him a moment to gather his wits, then he followed her. “I like parts of it. The tree's really nice, and I'll get used to the arrangement of the furniture.” He stood behind her as she rinsed the cups out in the sink. When she didn't say anything, he continued, “And …”

  Now she turned, and placed wet fingers over his mouth. “Stop, you're just digging a deeper hole for yourself.”

  It was kind of funny because she didn't appear to be mad, exactly, just disappointed. He sighed and pulled her hand away from his mouth, then wiped at the water with his shirtsleeve. “Do you like it?”

  Wiping her hands on her jeans she muttered, “It's not my house.”

  Tenderly he caught her chin, and gently forced her to look at him. “Answer the question.”

  “Yes.”

  “Then it's perfect.” Leaning down he kissed her, tasting chocolate on her lips, as he wrapped his arms around her and felt her melt against him.

 

  ****

  The small strip mall, in town, was packed with holiday shoppers. Sage, Kasey, and Tracy sat in the food court eating lunch. The only table they'd been able to find was right across from the mall Santa. Kids and their parents where lined up to the entrance doors on the other side of the long open space.

  Tracy smiled as she caught Sage watching the over active and screaming children. “Make you want a whole throng of your own?”

  “Not exactly.” Sage shook her head, and Tracy laughed pushing Travis's stroller back and forth. Something nagged at Sage. It felt like she should know something but couldn't get her bruised brain to work right. Did she have kids? No, that didn't seem right. It was something about her as a kid. Sage felt her eyes drawn to the jolly fat man playing Santa. She frowned studying him.

  “What's the matter, Hon?” Kasey asked, looking in the same the direction Sage was staring.

&nb
sp; “Santa.” As she said it, she got a flash of something. She was around nine and sitting in Santa's lap, asking for a puppy for Christmas. Of all the things to remember, Sage laughed, and shook her head. She turned toward the other two women at the table, who were giving her a curious look. “I just remembered something. When I was nine, I asked Santa for a puppy.”

  Tracy smiled at her. “That's good, right?”

  Sage nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”

  They finished eating, and as they got up, Kasey asked, “Did you get it?”

  “What?” Tracy glanced at her daughter, and Sage gave her a questioning look as well.

  “The puppy,” Kasey clarified. “Did you get it?”

  “Oh.” Sage thought about it as they threw out their garbage. “No, I don't think so.” She smiled. “This is going to sound weird but do you mind if we stop by the pet store?”

  “Nope,” Tracy said, as Kasey hooked her arms through theirs.

  Sage hoped that maybe the dogs would bring back another memory or possibly expand what she'd remembered thus far. It didn't work and now she wanted a puppy again. She waved to the tiny Norfolk terrier in the shop window.

 

  Chapter Four

  Sage snuggled up next to Wyatt on the couch watching TV. She enjoyed the comfortable, safe feeling she had when she was with him. The kisses were nice too. But she had to wonder what was going to happen when she got her memories back. What if she had a boyfriend or was married? Although she was pretty sure neither were the case. Wouldn't they be looking for her if she was in a relationship? Sadly, no one seemed to be looking for her. It led her to wonder if she even had a family. If she did, wouldn't they be worried, especially if she just took off.

  She sighed, and shifted against Wyatt. He placed his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer. “What's wrong?”

  “Nothing, just thinking.”

  “You know what Doc said…”

  “I know but I can't help it,” she interrupted, pulling away from him. Sitting forward, she placed her head in her hands. “There are just so many what ifs.”

  Wyatt leaned forward and laid a hand on her back. “I know, honey. But you're starting to remember things, and that's good.”

  Raising her head, she stared at the TV and nodded. The national news was on the screen, a picture of a man flashed in the upper right hand corner. Frowning Sage studied the man, she knew him, she was sure of it. She turned her attention to the reporter.

  “Crime boss, Tony Marcello, died last week in his New York City home. He was shot twice at point-blank range, and was pronounced dead on arrival at The Sisters of Mercy hospital. The New York City Police and FBI are asking if you have any information on this, to call…” A one eight hundred number ran along the bottom of the screen. “They are also looking for this woman.” Sage stared at the face that flashed in the upper right hand corner. It was her face under a mane of dark brown hair.

  Sage struggled to find her voice, forcing out a whisper, “Wyatt, do you see that?”

  “Yeah.”

  The reporter continued, “Sally Laurel, Tony's ex-girlfriend, has been missing for close to a month now. The Police and FBI are not saying if they think foul play was an issue in her disappearance. Again, if you have any information or have seen Sally Laurel, please call the number at the bottom of the screen.”

  With a shaky hand, Sage grabbed a pad and pen from the coffee table and jotted down the number on the screen. “I'm going to call.”

  Wyatt blinked at her as if trying to process all this new information. “Wait.” He caught her hand as she started to get up. “What are you going to say? I think I'm Sally Laurel because I saw a picture on TV that looked somewhat like me.”

  “Somewhat? It looked just like me.” Sage jumped to her feet and glared down at him. Why was he being so stubborn about this, didn't he want her to know who she was? The expression on his face explained everything. There was fear and love in his eyes. He was afraid he was going to lose her. She sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder, “Wyatt.” Without thinking, she pushed him against the back of the couch and straddled his lap.

  He gave her a startled look, and tensed under her. “Sage, what do you think you're doing?”

  “Apologizing. I've turned your entire life upside down. This has to be hard for you, and probably as confusing as what I'm going through.”

  When Sage paused, Wyatt took advantage of it. “Honey, I get you're going through a bad spot, and yeah, it's a little strange around here now. But couldn't you apologize sitting next to me?” She'd mentioned it being hard for him, well something was getting hard and in about two seconds, she was going to know exactly how he felt about her.

  One of her eyebrows arched, and she leaned down so their lips were almost touching. “No.”

  That was it. A man could only take so much. He kissed her. His arms hooked around her waist, while his tongue probed in between her lips. Sage returned the kiss with enthusiasm, rocking slightly against him.

  Behind them in the kitchen the phone began ringing, Sage pulled back.

  Wyatt grinned, and tightened his hold on her, “You're not getting away that easy. Let the answering machine get it.”

  She smiled and bent to kiss him again, only to stop as the sheriff's voice came through the answering machine. “Phoenix, this is Sheriff Hannigan. I don't know if you saw the news tonight, but I need to speak with you and Sage. Call me when you get this.”

  Sage stared at Wyatt for a moment then pressed her head to his shoulder with a groan. Wyatt rubbed her back. Talk about a mood killer. “Don't worry about it tonight. We'll call him back in the morning.”

  “But what if he calls the number tonight? Isn't his job to do stuff like that?”

  He made out only about half that question since she was muffled by his shoulder.

  “We'll cross that bridge when we get there.”

 

  ****

  Wyatt found Sage scrubbing holes in the floor the next morning after chores. While he found the view lovely, he decided they needed to get into town before the Sheriff got antsy. Clearing his throat, he made his presence known. “Do you want to get ready to go to town, hon?”

  Sage sat up on her knees, and threw her rag in a bucket, then turned toward him. “No, I'm not. According to the sheriff, I'm supposed to stay put. The feds want to talk to me.” Her voice broke and she started to cry.

  Wyatt knelt down beside her. “Why?”

  Between sobs she hiccuped, “I don't know. He said, they wouldn't tell him and they'd explain every thing when they got here.”

  “Okay.” He pulled her against his, chest. “We'll deal with this.” What had he gotten himself into by taking her in? He looked down at the pale curls pulled back in a pony tail, and her blue eyes looking up at him with trust. It didn't matter. He wasn't going to let go without a fight. Somehow he'd fallen head over tails in love with this woman.

  She buried her face in his chest. “Wyatt, I'm scared.”

  “I know, Darlin'.”

  A loud knock on the door startled both of them. Wyatt glanced at Sage who looked like a scared doe ready to run. “I'll get it. Why don't you splash some cold water on your face.” He sighed, standing and helping Sage to her feet. “And steel yourself.”

  She nodded, turning to go the bathroom, as he prepared himself to answer the door.

  The knocking became more incessant. Wyatt yanked open the door, he found two men standing on the porch. One was tall and looked like at some point in his life he'd been a line backer. He wore a faded brown bomber jacket, that had seen better days, over a navy business suit. The second guy was short, squat and balding. He wore a long wool coat over the same type suit. “Can I help you?”

  The tall guy reached into his pocket. “Are you Mr. Phoenix?”

  Wyatt nodded, watching him carefully.

  “I'm Agent Kimbal, this…” he gestured to the man next t
o him who nodded, “is Agent Gentry. We're here to speak with Miss Lewin.”

  “Could I see some identification, please?” Wyatt wasn't an expert, but if this had something to do with the news last night, then he couldn't be too careful.

  “Of course.” Agent Kimbal pulled a wallet from his pocket and Agent Gentry followed suit. They flipped them open to reveal ID that identified them as Federal Marshals.

  Wyatt stepped aside, he lead them into the living room. “Have a seat, I'll get Sage.”

  Sage stared at her reflection in the mirror. Was she this Sally Laurel that was on the news? Could she have been a mob boss's girlfriend? Damn it, she didn't know, and her brain didn't want to give up its secrets.

  There was a light tap on the door to the bathroom. “Sage, there are two men here to talk to you.”

  “Be right there.”

  Grabbing a towel, she wiped the water off her face. Time to find out.

  Wyatt stood outside the door, waiting for her. “Remember I'm going to be right here no matter what, okay.”

  She nodded, as he gave her a quick kiss. They walked out to where the two agents sat. They stood as she walked out, and didn't sit down until she had, in the recliner. Wyatt perched on the arm of the chair while they sat on the couch. “Sage, this is Agent Kimbal and Agent Gentry.” Each man nodded in turn.

  Agent Gentry pulled a small notepad from his pocket. “Miss. Lewin, Sheriff Hannigan told us you had an accident recently.”

  Sage nodded. “From what I understand, Wyatt and his farm hand, Diego, saved my life. They pulled me from a burning car.”

  Agent Kimbal, glanced at Wyatt. “Is that true, Mr. Pheonix?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  The two agents exchanged a look. “And she's been staying here ever since?”

  “Yes.”

  Agent Gentry spoke up again, “Why didn't you take her to a hospital?”

  Wyatt looked down at Sage, then back to the agent. “Well see, the roads around here are treacherous this time of year. It was safer to bring her here. I called the local doctor, he came out and looked her over, said she was fine and just needed some rest. So…” Wyatt shrugged. “I didn't see the point of driving all the way up to Wolf Point.”

  “I see.” Again the agents exchanged a glance.

  Agent Gentry looked at his notepad again. “What about when Miss Lewin woke and couldn't remember who she was?”

  Sage spoke up now. “That was my choice. I decided not to go to the hospital. I talked it over with Doctor Holland and decided there was nothing to do but wait it out. Wyatt was kind enough to allow me to stay here until I regained my memories.” She slipped her hand around Wyatt's.

  Agent Kimbal leaned toward her. “So you have no idea who you are?”

  “No.” She felt a surge of anger. “Do you?”

  The Agent leaned back on the couch. “Actually, Miss Lewin, yes we do.”

 

 

  Chapter Five

  Sage stared into her tea. It had been hours since the agents had left. Wyatt sat next to her at the kitchen table. Who'd have guessed Sage was in the witness protection program. He looked over at her. She had one hand rubbing her forehead, the other playing with the handle of her tea cup.

  Wyatt reached over and took her hand. “You know you're still welcome to stay here?”

  She nodded, giving his hand a small squeeze. “I know and I appreciate it.”

  Suddenly she pulled her hand away and stood. Picking up her cup, she carried it over to the sink. “I'm going for a walk.”

  “But it's freezing out there.”

  “I really need some time alone, Wyatt.” She shook her head. “Damn it, this isn't even my own hair color, and I didn't even know it.”

  Wyatt stood and walked over to stand in front over her. “Hey, I don't care if your hair's blue, green, or purple. I know how sweet, caring, and beautiful you are.”

  Leaning down he kissed her on the forehead. “And so does Tracy and her family. So we don't care who you are Sage or Sally or Bobby Sue.”

  “You're sweet, but it matters to me. And if I am some mob boss's girlfriend who turned state evidence, then I might be putting you all in danger by being here. I mean how do we know some one didn't run me off the road?”

  Wyatt swallowed. He'd thought of that, but hadn't wanted to say anything. He really didn't want Sage to leave.

  Stepping away from her, he said, “Just be careful.”

  He watched as she walked over and pulled on her coat, then headed out the door. Wyatt continued to watch her as she walked down the shoveled path to the barn. Shaking his head he walked over, picked up the phone, and called Tracy.

 

  ****

  Sage closed her eyes and took a deep breath when she entered the barn. The smell of hay, animals, and leather filled her nose. One of the cows mooed at her and a horse nickered softly, while stomping restlessly. What was she going to do? She had no idea whether what the agents had told her was true or not. How could she be involved with the mob? And how could she have been stupid enough to turn evidence against them.

  Sighing, she walked down the middle aisle, between the stalls, to where

  Wyatt kept the horses. There were five of them at the moment, an Appaloosa, two buckskins, a palomino, and a paint. Maybe she should just take the agents', and Wyatt's advice, to just stay here until everything blew over. The Marshals had only found her because she'd used her credit cards. The cards they'd given her. But what had spooked her enough to lose her handler and run.

  Stroking the nose of Blackfoot, one of the buckskins, she chewed on her lip.

  The thing was she didn't want to put Wyatt, Tracy and her family in danger. Yet she didn't want to leave. She liked it here with Wyatt and every one else. What if every one thought she was dead, like the agents had suggested. If whoever had tried to run her off the road thought she was dead, then they'd forget about her.

  What if no body ran her off the road, what if she just skidded out of control? Sage shrugged. Then it still couldn't hurt to let them think she was dead.

  Feeling a little better she headed back toward the house, intent on calling one of the agents. As she entered the house, Wyatt called to her from the living room, “Sage, you've got to see this.”

  After kicking off her shoes and slipping out of her coat, she walked into the living room. On the TV was her face again, the anchor woman was saying, “Sally Laurel has been pronounced dead. The local law enforcement of Pine Valley Montana located Miss Laurel's vehicle several days ago. There was an accident and Miss Laurel was killed on impact. The authorities are not saying if there is a link between the two deaths or not. Miss Laurel was a key witness in the slaying of Mob boss Tony Marcello…”

  Sage turned, heading for the kitchen. “Turn it off.”

  Wyatt walked to the TV and shut it off. “Hey, I just thought you'd like to know…” As he came out to the kitchen, he found Sage standing at the sink.

  “I don't want to remember, Wyatt.” She shook her head. “If I saw something I shouldn't have, I don't want to remember.” She ran her hands through her hair.

  “I want to start over. According to the government I'm dead, that Tony guy is dead. So why do I have to remember?”

  Wyatt walked over and slipped his arms around her. “Sure, Sweetie. If you don't want to remember, that's fine. You can just stay here with me. You can keep making me those delicious meals, so I look like Santa, and keep cleaning my house, so I can't find anything.”

  Sage let out a sobbing laugh. “You make it sound so grandiose.”

  Smiling, he kissed her temple. “I want you to stay here with me.”

  Sage turned in his arms to face him. “You're serious?”

  Wyatt nodded, wiping at her cheeks with his thumb. “Of course, I'm serious. Why wouldn't I be?”

  “Why are you so good to me?”

  He shrugged. �
�I got a soft spot. Tracy says it's in my head.” He grinned. “And I love you, hasn't that been apparent?”

  Leaning down, he kissed her. Sage slipped her arms around his neck and responded, by kissing him back.