Free More Than Cookies (The Maple Leaf Series) by Christine DePetrillo

your dad’s around anyway.”
    He smiled at her and her legs got wobbly as she followed him into the dining room where Wendie had the table set already, but she quickly added a place setting for Sage. A long, rectangular table made from dark, barnwood planks and surrounded by black ladder-backed chairs filled most of the room. A black iron light fixture hung from the ceiling with lantern style lights dangling from it. Along one wall was a skinny serving table made of a single, wide plank with black, tapered legs. Above that table was a stunning picture of a huge black bear framed in burgundy-stained wood.
    “This is a great room,” Sage said as she took the seat Wendie had indicated was for her.
    Orion settled Ian with a napkin on his lap and poured water into his father’s glass before sitting beside her. “Thanks.”
    “Orion made everything in this room,” Ian said proudly.
    “You did?” Sage surveyed the room again. “Everything?”
    Orion nodded.
    “Even the bear picture?” She pointed to the wall where it hung.
    “Bears are his favorite.” Ian munched on a roll Wendie had given him. “He used to draw them all over the place as a kid.”
    Orion shrugged his left shoulder. “Bears are my spirit animal or some such nonsense.”
    “Not nonsense,” Sage said. “My cousin Rick has a coyote he saved as a pup and he has a way with animals. They like flock to him. Men who have a connection to animals are… special.”
    The flush on Orion’s cheeks was lovely, and Sage didn’t care what was for dinner. She was suddenly hungry for something else entirely.
    “We used to have a dog,” Ian said. “But he’s gone now.”
    “I’m sorry,” Sage said. “Did he pass away?”
    Ian shook his head, but didn’t say more because Wendie filled his plate with food that had caught his total attention.
    “Ranger didn’t die,” Orion said. “He, like Myah, is being held hostage.”
    “Witchy Ex-wife has your dog too?” Sage’s dislike for this chick grew tenfold. “After dinner, let’s call Jack Benson, okay? There’s not a moment to lose.” She rested her hand atop Orion’s on the table, her thumb grazing the shortened pinkie. She felt a little dizzy at having contact with him.
    He stared at her hand but didn’t pull his free. “Are you sure you want to get involved in this, Sage? Adriana is my problem, not yours.”
    She raised her hand and tipped his chin so he had to look at her. The hope she saw in those lovely blue eyes was all she needed to see.
    “I’m sure.”
    “I have no way to pay for this fancy lawyer.”
    “He owes Lily a favor which she is kindly letting me collect. No payment necessary.” Sage held up a finger. “On second thought, I’ll think of a creative way you can pay me. How does that sound?”
    “It sounds like trouble,” Orion said, but his gaze had lowered to her lips.
    “You have no idea, Mr. Chainsaw. No idea.”
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Dinner with Sage at his dining room table had been an experience. She had an appetite Orion hadn’t expected. For such a slender woman, she packed away chicken like someone three times her size. He’d always thought he and his father had a gift when it came to chowing down, but Sage put them both to shame.
    He should have been repulsed.
    He found it fucking adorable instead.
    Add in the fact that her maple peanut butter cookies were a sugary wet dream and Sage Stannard was well on her way to being The Perfect Woman.
    If such a thing existed.
    Right before he’d gotten shot, he would have sworn no woman was perfect. They were all flawed. Some hid it better than others. Some knew when to spring their evil sides on an unsuspecting male.
    Surprise!
    But Sage. Something was different about her. Very different.
    Alone now in his bedroom after having settled Ian in his bed, Orion studied Sage’s handwriting on the paper with the attorney’s number on it. She was left handed and for some reason that turned him on. The words Tomorrow at