Page 151 of Hidden Ties

Sage leaned down to put a dab of perfume on each of Colby’s wrists.

Not content, Colby went on her toes to look at the bathroom counter. “I need a necklace, too.”

“Of course, you do. I didn’t forget.” Opening a small box on the vanity, she took out a neon-colored, silicone turtle necklace. “You look gorgeous.”

Content, Colby flounced out of the bathroom to show her mother and arouse jealousy in her baby sister.

Hurriedly, Sage brushed her hair then grabbed a tri-colored, beaded pacy holder before going to stop the wailing coming from Tinsley.

Picking her up, she hooked the pacy holder onto Tinsley’s pink shirt then attached it to the pacy in her mouth.

“There you go, sweet pea.” Gray, misty eyes stared at her while Tinsley continued to suck on her pacy.

Colby noticed the pink pacy holder and made a face. “That was mine. I want it back.”

“Colby, you gave it to Tinsley when you stopped using your pacy. It’s nice not to take something back that you gave as a gift. Besides, you have your necklace. Tinsley wants to look pretty, too.”

“Okay,” Colby conceded reluctantly, placing a protective hand over her necklace. “But I’m not giving her my necklace.”

“You might feel that way now, but you might not when you get older.” Sage sat down on the edge of the bed, making a face at Glory. “Feel free to jump in at any time.”

Glory laughed. “Why should I when you’re doing an excellent job? I had to deal with them arguing who had more fish sticks for lunch. Are you sure you want to take them on your date with you?”

“I warned him they were a handful.”

“And he still wanted to go? Brave guy.”

“Do you want me to help you into the living room so you can meet him?”

“Another time. I think being introduced to two women in our family is more than enough for the night.”

Sage knew that overwhelming Kent wasn’t why she didn’t want to meet him. Glory was self-conscious about her looks.

“Perhaps next time. I’m not going to let you put it off much longer. I want you to meet him. I need your opinion.”

“Take pictures of him. I want to see what the guy sweeping my sister off her feet looks like before I meet him in person.” Glory reached out to untangle Tinsley’s fingers from the necklace Sage was wearing.

“I can’t just take a picture of him,” Sage protested.

“I don’t see why not. Take some pictures of the girls and sneak a couple of him in.”

“I’ll try.” Sage glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “Do you need anything before we leave?”

“Nope. I think two bottles of water, a glass of juice, and a package of crackers is enough.”

“All righty, then. Girls, say bye to your mom.”

Both girls carefully kissed their mother before leaving the bedroom.

Shutting the door, she placed Tinsley on the floor while she double-checked she had everything the girls would need while they were out.

She was tucking her cell phone in the back pocket of her jeans when the doorbell rang. Hearing the sound, the girls started squealing and jumping up and down.

“Girls!” she shushed them. “Ladies don’t jump up and down when someone comes for a visit.”

“Why not?” Colby stared at her with stormy gray, curious eyes.

“Because it’s not ladylike.” As she walked to the door, she gave them a once-over to make sure everything was in place. Each of them had their shoes still on, Tinsley still had her pacy, and Colby had her necklace. They were good to go.