Free A Woman Called Sage by DiAnn Mills Page A

wasnt with me.
    Do you remember anything at all that could help us?
    He could have been connected with Aiden or another gang. I dont know why we were shot, except for the money the men claimed he had.
    Parker raised a brow. Whoa. Back up. You were shot too? I hadnt heard that before. My source said you shot two of them before they rode away.
    She felt her spunk rising to the occasion. You could consider asking folks for themselves about matters instead of relying on gossip and newspapers.
    Youre right, and I apologize. So he died, and you survived.
    Right. She blinked to keep the tears away. We were left for dead. My father found us.
    He slowly stood from her bed. The man had to be in horrible pain. Im truly sorry for your loss, Mrs. Morrow. Guess you and I have had our share of sorrow, but life is a mixture of bad times and good. I think that is what forms us into the people we are today.
    She liked the way he formed his words. Is that another lesson about life from your grandfather?
    He grinned. No, its one of my own.
    Ill remember itjust the way you spoke it.
    An awkward silence hung between them, and she didnt recall feeling this uneasy for many a year.
    Is there anything else I should know? Parker said.
    I cant think of anything right now. But Id sure like to know what you and I have that makes Aiden willing to risk his neck, kill more people, and abduct two boys. It has to be money and revenge, but for what? Im alive, but Im not supposed to be, which may or may not be related to his game. He allowed me to catch him and set up an escape to lure both of us into the mountains after them. All carefully thought out. Outlaws are smart. Most of them are smarter than those who take out after them without a plan. Thats you and me, Parker. Were doing a stupid thing going after Aiden and playing into his hand. But we dont have a choice with your nephews lives at stake. She pressed her lips together. With Parker, she had a tendency to speak before thinking through her words. What connects you to me or Charles?
    I was hoping you might provide a clue to that answer.
    She refused to feel defeatedor foolish. If I had an idea, Id have already been gone.
    He reached for the doorknob, his face pale and rigid. Youve taught me a valuable lesson tonight. Dont rely on hearsay. Search for the truth. Good evenin, maam. Thanks for taking the time to answer personal questions. Ill be ready at dawn.
    Sage respected Parkers determination and admired his tenacity. Hed demonstrated his integrity and strength in the midst ofcrisis. Yet hed still find her gone when he struggled to crawl out of bed in the morning.
    A n hour before intense shades of yellow and purple would swirl across the eastern sky, Sage strapped on her gun belt, made sure her weapons were loaded, and carried her boots and Winchester down the creaky hotel steps. She didnt worry about Hawk; he always found her. The only noises from residents were the deep snores that had the potential to arouse the dead.
    In the blackness, she opened the door and sat on the boardwalk to tug on her boots. A near hole was working its way through the top of the right boot, and the heel on the left had been replaced twice. She planned to purchase a new pair after she brought in Aiden. Of course, she promised herself the same the last time she brought in an outlaw. But shed given most of the bounty to the wife and children of the murdered man. The money she did use took care of basic needs in her ongoing search for Charless killers.
    Sage pulled her trouser leg down over her left boot, then sat for a moment, hunched on the steps of the boardwalk like an old beggar woman. For seven years the hunt had taken precedence, but now a new craving threatened to overtake her need for revenge: her desperate need for the truth about her husband.
    She heard footsteps behind her and swung around with her hand on her Colt.
    Slow down, Sage.
    She recognized the gravelly voice of the woman who had registered her for a room