Page 89 of Hidden Ties

Sage turned her gaze back to her nieces, who were staring at her expectantly.

“I guess that means you can have your special kisses.”

Juggling Tinsley to her side, she reached into her purse to take out a baggie, then pulled out two chocolate kisses and opened them one at a time, giving each girl a piece.

With the chocolate dissolving in her mouth, Tinsley sidled off her lap.

“I love you, Aunt Sage.” Colby’s arms reached around her for another hug.

Sage looked down at her niece. She couldn’t love the child more if she were her own. Both girls, and her sister, were worth every sacrifice she made.

“I love you, too, sweetie.”

Tinsley showed her love by giving her a chocolate kiss on her cheek before toddling off to follow her sister, who was shoving a pink Teddy bear into a play stroller.

After contently watching the girls play for a few moments, Sage turned back to her sister, catching the pain-filled expression on her face before Glory could mask it.

“Having a bad day?” Sage asked her quietly.

Her sister shook her head. “Not at all.”

Reaching out, she touched her sister’s pale hand. “Don’t lie to me,” she said softly so the girls couldn’t hear. “Do you need me to get your pain medicine?”

“No, they make me sleepy. I’ll take it after dinner.”

Knowing it was useless to argue, Sage dropped the subject.

“I had lunch out today. I brought the sandwich and fries home. I’ll heat it up for you while I make the girls dinner.”

“You have it. I’ll eat what the girls are having.”

“I’m going to fix them fish sticks and tater tots. You hate fish sticks. I love them.” Releasing her sister’s hand, she rose from the couch. “I’ll get dinner on.”

She walked to the small kitchenette and took out the small box of fish sticks crusted with vegetables and tater tots. Placing them in the oven, she took the half steak sandwich and fries and placed them in the air fryer. She then set the table while keeping watch over her nieces and her sister, who was beginning to doze off. She started talking to keep her awake.

“I finally met the new lawyer Hollingsworth hired.”

Glory’s pain-filled eyes opened. “What did you think of him?”

“He seemed nice.” She shrugged, setting three forks on the table on a pretty napkin, which she had bought at a Dollar Store.

“Was he good-looking?”

She turned back toward the kitchen to check on the fish sticks. “He was passable.”

Curiosity brought life to Glory’s gaze. “What kind of answer is that?”

Closing the oven door, Sage leaned against the kitchen island to face her sister. “He had thick brown hair, blue eyes, tall. He was just average.”

Her sister stared at her. “Has his picture been added to Hollingsworth’s site yet?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t checked.”

Giving her a disbelieving sound, Glory reached for her laptop on the small table next to her. Her sister had been curious about what Kent Bryant looked like since she had started working at Hollingsworth.

Grinning, Sage pulled out the leftovers from the air fryer and placed them onto a plate. Then she took out the fish and tots. She placed the food on the table, as well as homemade applesauce she had made during the weekend.

Satisfied that her sister had perked up, she went to the couch. “Ready for dinner?”