Coral Hearts Read online

  She couldn’t remember a time when she had enjoyed a party more than she had the Morgan’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Of course on the rare occasions her parents had hosted a party, she certainly hadn’t enjoyed any of the festivities. Once she’d gotten a little older, Coral would sneak out at the first opportunity. Both her mom and dad had considered her an “asset” at parties, her job had been to distract the “marks” who’d been invited, giving her parents time to fleece the drunks for anything valuable they’d been naïve enough to bring along. Everything Rob and Jen Williams had done was as shallow as Dean and Patsy Morgan were genuine.

  The party was a huge success and Sage had been right, it had been filled with surprises including Charlotte’s impromptu karaoke solo of Shania Twain’s, Any Man of Mine, which had nearly brought the house down around the holiday revelers. Several times during the evening, Sage had pulled small, often very expensive gifts from his pockets…diamond earrings, a slender gold chain bracelet, and an intricate fold filigree barrette for her hair. “You can’t keep giving me gifts you know.”

  “Why not? I missed Christmas with you, and I love seeing you smile. Besides, you heard my mom…you’re my girl. And I can buy gifts for my girl if I want to—I know it’s true because I hear mom remind dad about that very thing all the time.” He’d tried to act indignant, but his grin had given him away. Coral loved this playful side of Sage. When they’d first met she thought he was entirely too somber, but over the past few months it seemed as if something in him had lightened. In her fantasies, his change was because of her, but no one needed to tell her how arrogant and naïve those dreams were.

  Coral looked up at the man who was spoiling her shamelessly. “But how did you do all of this? You were here all day and the only brother I didn’t see was Brandt and he doesn’t even like me.” They’d been dancing and she hadn’t really meant to speak the last part aloud, but he’d obviously heard her whispered words. Sage leaned back, studying her face for long seconds.

  “Come with me.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the other dancers like the place was on fire. Damn, she was having trouble keeping up and kept tripping over her own feet. And THIS is why I don’t wear heels. When they finally came to a halt, she looked up into Brandt’s stern expression and instinctively took a step back. “Brandt, does that reaction tell you anything?” His expression didn’t change much but she saw a muscle in his jaw tense. “Do you know Coral thinks you don’t like her? Where do you suppose she got such an idea?”

  Brandt’s chin dropped to his chest, and she heard his softly muttered “fuck” before he grabbed her hand and off she went again, but this time she was being led her down a hallway. When he finally stopped, Brandt opened the door to a room Coral realized she hadn’t been in before and she froze at the threshold. “Shit. I’m sorry Coral, please come in. This is our mom’s garden room. I’d like to speak with you in private and I promise to behave.” His voice was softer, much more like the one he used when he talked to Charlotte, and Coral noted the hesitance in his tone. Did he think I’d kick up a fuss and embarrass them all by not cooperating?

  The room they’d entered wasn’t huge, but its wall of windows provided a beautiful view of the twinkling lights decorating the elaborate backyard behind the Morgan’s home. Coral could only imagine how beautiful the view would be in the daylight…the majesty of the Rocky Mountains laying out in the background would be spectacular. She made a mental note to ask Patsy to see it sometime before remembering the elder Morgans didn’t live at the ranch any longer. I wonder what Sage uses this room for now?

  Stepping hesitantly into the room, Coral was relieved to see Sage enter behind her. He leaned back against the closed door, his arms crossed over his chest. “Hurry up brother, it’s almost midnight. And you know I want Coral in the living room…” Coral was getting more confused by the minute but Brandt nodded in apparent understanding. I swear sometimes my whole life feels like I’m walking from one movie theatre to the next without figuring out the plotline before I have to shuffle into the next theater.

  The rest of the Morgan’s beautiful mansion had obviously been decorated with men in mind, the rich colors and a strong western influence made it perfect for its position in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. But this room was obviously meant to be a refuge for a feminine soul. The overstuffed sofas were a floral print that reminded Coral of a Monet print she’d seen once in a museum gift shop. Pale yellow and delicate blue made the entire room seem peaceful—as if stress wasn’t allowed passed its lovely French doors. She looked to the side where Sage stood guard, and he smiled at her as if he understood how much she appreciated the setting.

  Returning her attention to Brandt, Coral was surprised to see the regret in eyes that usually held such varying measures of suspicion. “I am sincerely sorry I have given you the impression I don’t like you, Coral, although I’ll admit I was more than a little frustrated to learn you were in enough trouble to have a go bag, yet you hadn’t mentioned anything to me.” Oh shit. Judging by Sage’s growl, Coral had a feeling he knew exactly what Brandt had been talking about. “But to say I don’t like you is actually a hundred and eighty degrees out. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with your courage and honesty. I know I didn’t appear to believe you the other evening, but in fact I was already convinced you were telling the truth. The questions I asked were the ones I know you’ll both be facing in the future. You’ll likely have to answer them all again when you give your deposition—something I’ll delay as long as possible by the way. We’ve been chasing leads on those two idiots who broke into your apartment, but so far they’re still in the wind.”

  When she started to speak, Brandt help up his hand halting her words. “It’s my job to read your body language, Coral. Everything about you speaks of your honesty and sincerity. And I’d already done my homework, sweetheart. I already knew about your background.” She wasn’t sure if she should be impressed or pissed. Why on earth had he checked on her? “I can almost hear your mind spinning with questions. Just remember, we take care of each other here in Pine Creek—and Morgans damned sure take care of each other. I knew my brother was interested in you and I was trying to make sure he didn’t get hurt again.”

  Coral was surprised to see a break in his usual calm presence as he rubbed his hand through his short hair in frustration. “I swear those two patsies who broke into your apartment are living proof no one should ever trade luck for talent. If we can ever catch up with them, I’m betting they sing like canaries to cop a plea on the burglary charge. Florida has issued a warrant for Sanders based on my report, but I don’t hold much hope they’ve located him yet. From what I heard your ex has risen up the ranks of the local drug trade quickly and that means he probably has more than one law enforcement official watching his back. I’m damned frustrated we haven’t been able to do more, and I’m embarrassed it came across as being something personal against you. Hell, we can all see how great you’ve been for Sage, he’s actually been growing more tolerable over the past few months. He almost smiled at a couple of the hands earlier today.” He took a deep breath before smiling, and even though she knew he was waiting for her to respond, his smile surprised her so much she almost forgot everything he’d just said.

  “You should smile more often, Brandt.” She almost laughed out loud at his stunned expression. She surprised him even more by wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tight. “Thank you for everything you’re doing, but most of all, thank you for believing me. I may make mistakes, but I don’t lie about them. And I was embarrassed to my toes the other night when I had to tell you all that story.” Even now she could feel her face burning with embarrassment.

  Sage’s voice sounded from right beside her, “Okay, that’s enough touching…get your own woman, little brother.” He wrapped his hand around her wrist and pulled her back into his arms. “Come on, love it’s almost midnight and we don’t want to miss the fun.”

  Chapter Fifteen


  Sage knew he was practically dragging Coral back to the living room but he’d heard the one-minute call several seconds ago and he wasn’t missing this opportunity. Quickly making his way to stand in front of the living room’s large rock fireplace, he spun her into his arms sealing his lips over hers in a fierce kiss as his brothers closed ranks around them. Phoenix took his position directly behind her, unclasping the beautiful gold chain she was wearing with such dexterity Sage was sure she didn’t even realize it was gone. Of course he was doing a pretty good job of distracting her, even if he did say so himself.

  Keeping his hands along the sides of her face he kept her focus on him as he pulled back just enough to look in her eyes. Phoenix had been waiting to catch the ring and Sage felt it being slipped into his pocket. Damn it’s great to have brothers…most of the time. As the final countdown started he retrieved the ring from his pocket. Holding her left hand in his hands he knelt down on one knee.

  “Coral, I wanted this to be the first thing you heard in the new year…” And as jubilation erupted around them he slipped the ring on her finger—it was there and there it would stay. He might be planning to ask, but there wasn’t a chance in hell he was taking no for an answer. “Will you share your life with me? Will you be my wife, the mother of my children, and my partner in all things?” Sage wasn’t sure if all the celebration was because the clock was chiming midnight or because of his proposal, but he was straining to hear her answer.

  Coral stared at him for several gut wrenchingly long seconds before her eyes filled with unshed tears, and she struggled to pull him to his feet before launching herself into his arms. Peppering his face with kisses, she nodded quickly. “Yes!” The applause around them was so loud he worried his mother’s prized crystal bells would start rattling off nearby shelves. Coral had buried her face in his neck, her arms wrapped around him so tight he wasn’t even able to take a deep breath, but he didn’t care. Tiny, but mighty strong—inside and out. “I know it seems fast, love. But, I knew you were the one that first day in the hardware store.”

  She grinned at him through her tears, casting knowing looks all around them. “Everybody knew didn’t they? I kept wondering why no one asked about the necklace, but they all knew already.”

  “Yep. I’m fairly certain you were the only person within fifty miles that didn’t know. Hell, mom has been in a flurry since she met you last spring. And by the way, she is in seventh heaven hoping to fill both the mother of the bride and mother of the groom roles so be forewarned.” He’d barely gotten his words out before they were surrounded by well-wishers, but he kept her tucked safely under his arm so she didn’t get swept away in the chaos.

  Shaking hands and accepting congratulations, Sage was basking in the glow of a newly engaged man when he locked gazes with the one woman he’d hoped to never see again. Mackenzie Leigh’s eyes were filled with malevolence and he could practically feel the frost forming between them. For a second Sage could have sworn he’d been looking into the eyes of a human being who had no soul at all. He knew she cared nothing about anyone but herself, but what he’d seen then was something much more sinister than a woman who thought the entire world revolved around her.

  The dark look he’d gotten a brief glimpse of was masked quickly before Mackenzie stormed from the room. Sage hadn’t missed the fact she already dialing her phone as she stepped out into the kitchen. Great, just what he needed—her alerting the Bitch Brigade. Hell, her choice of friends should have been sufficient to scare him off. When his parents surrounded Coral, Sage slipped away. Heading down the short hallway leading to his office, he hoped to find his brothers. Giving them a heads up to Mackenzie’s presence might help minimize any damage the vicious bitch might cause.

  Before he’d found his brothers, Sage felt cool fingers wrap around his wrist, tugging him until he turned to face her. “Dance with me, lover.” When he glared at the place where her hand now lay over his arm, Sage felt a wave of revulsion. No wonder Brandt had been so baffled at Sage’s interest in her. He could still remember the arguments they’d had late one night out by the barn—it had been the first time they’d physically fought since they’d been kids. Brandt’s years as a Navy SEAL meant he was far better prepared for the altercation than Sage had been. He’d known the only reason he hadn’t had his ass handed to him was because Brandt hadn’t actually wanted to hurt him. Yeah, and wasn’t that a fucking humbling moment?

  “One last dance can’t hurt. Surely you don’t want to embarrass your family by causing a scene. I just want to say goodbye.” The voice he’d once imagined hearing for the rest of his life now made the hair stand up on the back of his neck. By the time they’d returned to the open area where other couples were dancing, the music changed and Sage knew immediately this was just another in Mackenzie’s long list of manipulations. The sultry strains of Elvis Presley’s You Were Always on My Mind filled the room, and Sage tried desperately to tune out the woman pressing her fake breasts against his chest. She recited all the reasons they would be perfect together. So…a bitch AND delusional. Just fucking perfect.

  Looking across the crowded room, Sage met Coral’s gaze. Her crestfallen expression felt like a kick to his gut. Her eyes were devoid of anything resembling happiness—there was nothing but bleak recognition. In that moment he was just another in a long list of people who’d let her down. He’d managed to ruin what should have been the most romantic night of her entire life—Christ, could he have screwed this up any worse?

  There wasn’t a doubt in his mind this was exactly what Mackenzie had in mind when she’d pulled him out on to the dance floor. Everything with Mackenzie was about winning—it didn’t matter if she actually wanted to prize, as long as she won. Everyone had always assumed Sage had been the prize, but he knew better—ultimately it had been the Morgan name, social connections, and money. Sage had been little more than a means to the end.

  He watched as Coral turned to speak briefly to Colt, who was staring daggers at him from her side, before she quietly walked away. She kept her head held high but it was easy to see the change in her posture. It was going to be a fucking miracle if one of his brothers didn’t shoot him before the night was through. He broke away from the viperous bitch who was still chattering in a voice Phoenix had likened to fingernails on a chalkboard. He didn’t offer her any explanation, he simply walked away. Making his way to Colt, he asked, “What did she say to you?”

  Colt didn’t even look at him. “That she recognized the song from some movie about witches—and how appropriate it seemed.” Colt shook his head before leveling a look at him meant to convey exactly how disgusted he was with his older brother. “You’re a dick. Coral didn’t deserve that, Sage. What the fuck were you thinking, man?” Shaking his head, his brother turned and walked away in frustration. I’ve got news for you brother—no one is more disgusted with me than I am with myself.

  Coral grabbed one of the men’s jackets hanging on one of many hooks beside the door before exiting the Morgan’s large laundry area and stepping outside. Muttering to herself about the bitch dancing with Sage, she’d tacked on a blistering curse about the snow. “Fucking fat frog-legged bitch. No wonder she’s been so hateful to me when she was in the store. Why didn’t Charlotte tell me who she was for heaven’s sake? Damn these shoes are even worse in the snow than my sneakers. I don’t know why I thought this would work. I don’t belong here—that’s easy to see. Well, it was fun while it lasted…but it’s time to move on. I’m going someplace warm…with a beach…and drinks with little umbrellas in them. Fuckidy fuck it’s cold out here.

  Making her way over to the wooden bridge spanning one of the backyard’s water features, Coral felt her shoes begin to slip and slide on the snow-covered surface. Great, with my luck and lack of grace I’ll probably fall off this kiddy bridge and break my damned neck. Wishing she’d taken the time to find a warmer coat, Coral pulled the light jacket’s hood up in an attempt to block the frigid wind slicing like a knife against her expos
ed skin.

  The woman Sage had plastered against him had been a mystery to her until the moment she’d seen them together on the dance floor. At least now I know the score. She’d often wondered why a woman she didn’t even know had developed such an intense hatred for her—as it turned it, her anger hadn’t been about Coral at all.

  Looking around she realized she’d walked further from the house than she’d planned and now stood well outside the area illuminated behind the main house. Coral had always cursed her complete lack of any sense of direction, she’d learned at an early age to memorize landmarks whenever she traveled. She even jotted down the row and exit numbers when she shopped to avoid wandering aimlessly in the lot looking for her car. She was quickly losing her sense of direction, it was snowing harder now than it had been just a few minutes earlier, and the wind was whipping up what had already fallen. She was struggling to put one foot in front of the other and she was starting to panic as the lights of the house disappeared from view.

  There was a brief lull in the wind allowing her to see a faint glimmer of light she assumed was the house and she started to move in that direction. She was getting tired and the frigid temperatures were quickly taking a toll. The light seemed to be getting brighter faster than she felt like she was moving, but she heard the locals talk about how quickly mental confusion set in when the body was exposed to extreme cold. Yeah, like I needed another excuse for mental confusion. Just think about the beach…nice warm sand, margaritas served by a hot cabana boy. Cursing her damned imagination for putting Sage’s face on the man setting a drink down beside her, Coral tried to focus on making him look like anyone else, but it wasn’t working.