Free Canyon Road by Thea Thomas Page A

car doors slamming and, at some distance it seemed, yelling.
    But it just didn't seem to matter, any more, to pay any attention to it. She saw Aunt Vicky far away in a glorious light-filled meadow of sunflowers. That seemed like the perfect place to be.

     
     
     
     
    Chapter 9
    Sage regained consciousness slowly, drowsy and confused. She opened her eyes. She wondered where she was... she didn't recognize the room at first and then her eyes found the little oval antique picture of the Cupid she was fond of. She finally realized she was in her own room, with the breeze blowing through the pale green ruffled glass curtains at the window.
    Very strange how unfamiliar it appeared at first. She tried to understand why she felt so foggy.
    "Oh, wonderful! You've come to," a woman said behind her.
    Sage turned to see who was talking to her. A blinding flash of pain shot through her shoulder. "Ohhh!" She winced as she made out Millie.
    Millie scooted the little boudoir chair near Sage. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. What hurts?"
    "My shoulder. In fact, both of my shoulders. Ohh!" It came back to her... Rattnor dragging her backwards by her pinned arms across the floor and up the stairs. "Oh!" She started to shiver involuntarily.
    "There, there, now, everything is going to be all right." Millie leapt up from the chair. "Let me get Anthony. He's talking to the police. They... they took that crazy scumbag away."
    "No, stay, Millie. If Anthony's... let him finish that business. You, please, stay with me."
    "Okay," Millie came back to the little chair, then reached out and patted Sage's hand. "Poor Sage. What a monster he is. I shudder to think... that is... I'm so glad we came early. Anthony wanted to come right away after you called. He was really... it's almost as if he knew. He practically shoved us into the car. I wanted to change but he said, 'no, bring your stuff and change at Sage's.'
    "And he was right, wasn't he?"
    "He was," Sage agreed, starting to nod, then thinking better of it. She signed deeply, "Oh, that hurts too."
    "The doctor said you were pretty bruised, but no bones broken."
    "Oh! My doctor was here? How long have I been out?"
    "I believe it's Anthony's private physician. He came right away. He was here before the police even. Then the police came and Michael carried you up here while Anthony talked to them. The doctor had me stay here to watch you."
    "Thank you," Sage said simply. "You're very sweet."
    "Oh, well, no, I'm not. Anyway, it's enough to know that that horrible person will be put away." There were tears in Millie's eyes. "He'll be put away where he can't hurt anyone anymore!"
    There was a knock at the door.
    "Come in," Sage called.
    Anthony opened the door. He Michael stood at the door step.
    "Well, come on in you two." She started to wave them in, and stopped, wincing at the pain. "I can't seem to get it through my head that my shoulders hurt." Despite it all, however, Sage smiled, a feeling of gratitude welling up inside her that was larger than she could express in words.
    These three people had saved her life. She felt tears escape.
    "Are you all right?" Anthony came to the other side of the bed.
    Sage patted the bed for him to sit. "I'm fine, Anthony... it's just, I'm so grateful. I'm so fortunate."
    "Fortunate? Dear heart, you've just been beaten and have fallen down a flight of stairs within an inch of your life."
    "But you all saved my life. I am so grateful . Thank you." She looked at each of them in turn, and even Michael, who still stood in the doorway, had tears in his eyes. "Come in Michael. Don't stand out there in the cold," Sage continued, "come in to the warmth of the family." She gestured to the love seat by the window.
    Michael nodded and crossed the room. Everyone was silent, watching him. He looked around at them all. "For my next act...."
    Sage and Millie giggled.
    "I think we could all use some tea," Millie said.
    "Oh, yes, please," Sage agreed. Sorry about all the paperwork