Coral Hearts (17 page)

Laughing to himself at the detour his thoughts had taken, Sage brought himself back to the moment. Hell, he had to admit the dress was fucking perfect. Sage owed his mom a huge thank you for picking something so well suited for the lovely young woman standing in front of the suite’s pedestal mirror. The dress was sexy, but also classy—it wasn’t something she’d feel self-conscious wearing—but damned if it didn’t make him hard just looking at the way it hugged her form.

She’d pinned up her long hair, leaving curled tendrils along the sides framing her face perfectly. The back of her slender neck was one of her most sensitive spots. He’d made that particular discovery late last night while exploring every sweet inch of her. She was too slender—something he planned to rectify soon enough, but it didn’t do anything to detract from the sweet curves making the dress look like it had been tailor made for her.

Seeing Coral framed in the ornate mirror he’d inherited from his sweet granny made his heart swell. But the depth of emotion—the connection, was one he hadn’t expected to experience for years. Knowing there was a piece of his heritage playing a part in tonight’s plan made it even more special. When she raised her eyes, her gaze locked with his, the softness in her eyes drew him in like a magnet to steel. The oak mirror was one of the few things he’d claimed after his beloved granny passed, but he’d never dreamed it would become such a treasure until this moment.

He knew he made an imposing figure, framed by the doorway with the hallway behind him, Sage was relieved when he saw her sweet smile. Coral’s eyes went wide before her cheeks flushed a deep rose, and he knew she was embarrassed he’d caught her admiring herself in the mirror. He had plans to help her “unlearn” all those feelings of insecurity and self-consciousness, but that wasn’t what tonight was about. Tonight was about new beginnings and promises for the future.

Giving her what he hoped was an appreciative smile, he spoke softly, “You are stunning, love.” He walked up behind her and looked over shoulder, taking in her entire appearance in the mirror. “It’s perfect. As usual, my mom’s taste is impeccable.” Placing his hands along the sides of her neck, Sage let his palms skim over shoulders before trailing down her arms. Once he reached the tips of her fingers he moved his palms to cup her hips. Giving her a quick squeeze he reversed his path. Sliding his hands up over her hourglass figure made him itch to pull the pretty dress right back off of her so he could spend the next several hours indulging himself in her sweet body. He hadn’t seen what was in the plastic bag Mama Morgan handed her as she’d run up the curved split log stairway, but he would have bet it was something very special designed to take his breath away—and he’d been right.

“I can’t wait to unwrap this package. Unless I’m missing my bet, my mother also picked up something very sexy you’re hiding under this lovely dress. It didn’t escape my attention that she handed you two bags, and she knows exactly how Morgan men think.”
And isn’t that an understatement of mammoth proportions?
The truth was he recognized the logo of the high-end lingerie store in Bozeman. Hell, you might know his mom would find a way to get the merchandise flown in overnight.

“But, your outfit needs just a little something extra, I think.” She didn’t take her eyes off his as he pulled the gold chain from his pocket. “Keep your eyes on mine, pet.” Her gaze never wandered as he pulled the first of his gifts from his jacket pocket. Reaching around her, Sage settled the beautiful piece around her neck before securing the small catch and trailing kisses along the back of her exposed neck.

The three different colors of gold links forming the fine chain gave the piece a rich look and he couldn’t wait to tell her the significance of the gold his jeweler had used. Sage had shown Zach Pell candid shots he’d taken of Coral hoping to inspire a unique creation, and his friend had risen to the challenge in a big way. Zach had gone on and on, raving about how the depth of colors he planned to use would bring out the warm colors of her skin tone and highlights of her hair and truthfully, Zach’s words hadn’t meant much to him. But, now? Oh, yes indeed—his old college pal was an absolute fucking genius. No wonder his store in New York City’s jewelry district attracted clientele from all over the world.

Trailing the tips of his fingers along the gentle slope of her shoulder, Sage thought back over the long weeks he’d spent each summer as a teenager working in the mines found on several of his parents’ ranches. God he’d hated being stuck underground when his friends and brothers had been enjoying the beautiful Montana summers. But his dad had insisted he learn about the mines from the ground—or underground—up, and damned if the old man hadn’t been right. Sage had been able to successfully navigate delicate contract negotiations and resolve conflicts with the rank and file on more than one occasion because he actually understood the workers’ concerns.

Before leaving home that first summer his mom pulled him aside and suggested he stash a few nuggets of gold from the various mines each year. She’d promised the two of them would design something together sometime in the future. He’d done exactly as she’d suggested, but he hadn’t used a single piece of his stash until he’d decided to make Coral Williams his.

A few months after meeting her, Sage had flown to New York City to meet with his friend from college. The man he’d known for years jumped at the chance to use the box of raw gold Sage had collected. Zachary Pell was the only man Sage would have ever have trusted with, what at today’s prices, was an exorbitant amount of pure gold. Over the next couple of months his friend had sent him design options and updates, but the finished products was even more stunning than Sage could have ever imagined.

The chain was supposed to hold a pendant molded in a perfect replica of the Morgan Ranch brand. Their brand was a fusion of a Rocky Mountain skyline and the letter M, and Zach had done a spectacular job of recreating the symbol in gold. But that beautiful bauble was still sitting in the velvet box tucked safely in the vault hidden in his downstairs office. Instead of the pendant—tonight the slender woven chain held a ring. The engagement ring Sage planned to slip on her finger as the old year faded to new was another one-of-a-kind creation showcasing an enormous princess cut diamond.

Sage knew his parents were planning to host a huge engagement party in a couple of weeks, but he wanted to begin the New Year secure in the knowledge she’d agreed to be his. When she saw what he’d placed around her neck, he heard her gasp in surprise. Sage turned her in his arms and pressed his finger against her lips. “Shhhh. Don’t say anything yet. Just be patient. This evening is going to be full of surprises.”

Coral’s head was
still swimming as she and Sage made their way down the winding stairs into the Morgan’s cavernous front hall. The gift he’d given her upstairs had stolen her breath but her attention was quickly diverted as they were surrounded by family and friends. The festivities were already in full swing and before long she’d forgotten about the beautiful promise dangling from an exquisite gold chain around her neck.

She couldn’t remember a time when she had enjoyed a party more than she had the Morgan’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Of course on the rare occasions her parents had hosted a party, she certainly hadn’t enjoyed any of the festivities. Once she’d gotten a little older, Coral would sneak out at the first opportunity. Both her mom and dad had considered her an “asset” at parties, her job had been to distract the “marks” who’d been invited, giving her parents time to fleece the drunks for anything valuable they’d been naïve enough to bring along. Everything Rob and Jen Williams had done was as shallow as Dean and Patsy Morgan were genuine.

The party was a huge success and Sage had been right, it had been filled with surprises including Charlotte’s impromptu karaoke solo of Shania Twain’s,
Any Man of Mine
, which had nearly brought the house down around the holiday revelers. Several times during the evening, Sage had pulled small, often very expensive gifts from his pockets…diamond earrings, a slender gold chain bracelet, and an intricate fold filigree barrette for her hair. “You can’t keep giving me gifts you know.”

“Why not? I missed Christmas with you, and I love seeing you smile. Besides, you heard my mom…you’re my girl. And I can buy gifts for my girl if I want to—I know it’s true because I hear mom remind dad about that very thing all the time.” He’d tried to act indignant, but his grin had given him away. Coral loved this playful side of Sage. When they’d first met she thought he was entirely too somber, but over the past few months it seemed as if something in him had lightened. In her fantasies, his change was because of her, but no one needed to tell her how arrogant and naïve those dreams were.

Coral looked up at the man who was spoiling her shamelessly. “But how did you do all of this? You were here all day and the only brother I didn’t see was Brandt and he doesn’t even like me.” They’d been dancing and she hadn’t really meant to speak the last part aloud, but he’d obviously heard her whispered words. Sage leaned back, studying her face for long seconds.

“Come with me.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the other dancers like the place was on fire. Damn, she was having trouble keeping up and kept tripping over her own feet.
And THIS is why I don’t wear heels.
When they finally came to a halt, she looked up into Brandt’s stern expression and instinctively took a step back. “Brandt, does that reaction tell you anything?” His expression didn’t change much but she saw a muscle in his jaw tense. “Do you know Coral thinks you don’t like her? Where do you suppose she got such an idea?”

Brandt’s chin dropped to his chest, and she heard his softly muttered “fuck” before he grabbed her hand and off she went again, but this time she was being led her down a hallway. When he finally stopped, Brandt opened the door to a room Coral realized she hadn’t been in before and she froze at the threshold. “Shit. I’m sorry Coral, please come in. This is our mom’s garden room. I’d like to speak with you in private and I promise to behave.” His voice was softer, much more like the one he used when he talked to Charlotte, and Coral noted the hesitance in his tone.
Did he think I’d kick up a fuss and embarrass them all by not cooperating?

The room they’d entered wasn’t huge, but its wall of windows provided a beautiful view of the twinkling lights decorating the elaborate backyard behind the Morgan’s home. Coral could only imagine how beautiful the view would be in the daylight…the majesty of the Rocky Mountains laying out in the background would be spectacular. She made a mental note to ask Patsy to see it sometime before remembering the elder Morgans didn’t live at the ranch any longer.
I wonder what Sage uses this room for now?

Stepping hesitantly into the room, Coral was relieved to see Sage enter behind her. He leaned back against the closed door, his arms crossed over his chest. “Hurry up brother, it’s almost midnight. And you know I want Coral in the living room…” Coral was getting more confused by the minute but Brandt nodded in apparent understanding.
I swear sometimes my whole life feels like I’m walking from one movie theatre to the next without figuring out the plotline before I have to shuffle into the next theater.

The rest of the Morgan’s beautiful mansion had obviously been decorated with men in mind, the rich colors and a strong western influence made it perfect for its position in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. But this room was obviously meant to be a refuge for a feminine soul. The overstuffed sofas were a floral print that reminded Coral of a Monet print she’d seen once in a museum gift shop. Pale yellow and delicate blue made the entire room seem peaceful—as if stress wasn’t allowed passed its lovely French doors. She looked to the side where Sage stood guard, and he smiled at her as if he understood how much she appreciated the setting.

Returning her attention to Brandt, Coral was surprised to see the regret in eyes that usually held such varying measures of suspicion. “I am sincerely sorry I have given you the impression I don’t like you, Coral, although I’ll admit I was more than a little frustrated to learn you were in enough trouble to have a
go bag
, yet you hadn’t mentioned anything to me.”
Oh shit.
Judging by Sage’s growl, Coral had a feeling he knew exactly what Brandt had been talking about. “But to say I don’t like you is actually a hundred and eighty degrees out. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with your courage and honesty. I know I didn’t appear to believe you the other evening, but in fact I was already convinced you were telling the truth. The questions I asked were the ones I know you’ll both be facing in the future. You’ll likely have to answer them all again when you give your deposition—something I’ll delay as long as possible by the way. We’ve been chasing leads on those two idiots who broke into your apartment, but so far they’re still in the wind.”

When she started to speak, Brandt help up his hand halting her words. “It’s my job to read your body language, Coral. Everything about you speaks of your honesty and sincerity. And I’d already done my homework, sweetheart. I already knew about your background.” She wasn’t sure if she should be impressed or pissed. Why on earth had he checked on her? “I can almost hear your mind spinning with questions. Just remember, we take care of each other here in Pine Creek—and Morgans damned sure take care of each other. I knew my brother was interested in you and I was trying to make sure he didn’t get hurt again.”