The Ties That Bind Read Online Free PDF Page A

wicked little smile.
    "Uh..." I was glad my hair and the brim of my baseball cap hid the flush on the back of my neck though it was probably obvious on my cheeks . I cleared my throat and wished that Sage would walk through the door. No such luck. However, the phone rang. Shoshana cocked her head at me, playful expression on her face. She headed to the back of the gallery, where the reception desk stood, and answered it. She perched herself on the desk's edge, running her hand over the fabric of her skirt as she talked.
    I avoided her eyes and instead checked my watch. Almost 2.30. The opening was scheduled for 4.00 that afternoon. Jackson's liked to do receptions and openings on Saturdays, so nobody had to fight rush hour either from Santa Fe to the north or Albuquerque to the south. I returned to my can of Diet Coke and picked it up. I could go stand outside. And walk to the north edge of town. And keep walking toward Santa Fe. Sage was bound to come along eventually. Or some nice Harley dude might pick me up and give me a ride.
    Like a message from the gods, the front door opened and Sage entered, taking her sunglasses off as she did so. "Hi, honey. I'm home," she announced, smiling. She placed her sunglasses on the top of her head as she approached, her Chaco rafting sandals scuffing on the concrete floor. I relaxed. My magical nature girl was here to save me.
    "Hiya," I said, grinning while my heart skipped a beat. I pulled her into a hug. "How was the meeting?"
    She grinned back and kissed me and my lips heated against hers. She pulled away much too soon. "Excellent. Looks like the funding's coming through for my Pacific Northwest proposal."
    "That is awesome news." I brushed a strand of her hair away from her exquisite cheekbones and looked down into her eyes. "So, what do you think?" I asked, stepping away and indicating the room.
    She affected a critical assessment air though her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Excellent work," she said. "You're hired."
    I looked at her, skeptical. "Hmm. What's the salary?"
    She took the Diet Coke from me and took a sip. She handed it back and arched an eyebrow. "I think we can work something out," she said in a low throaty voice that always sent little tingles up my thighs. "With benefits, of course."
    I was about to say something else when Shoshana interrupted.
    "Hi--" she started before Sage interrupted her.
    "Shoshana, right? You were at my Medicine Man Gallery opening. I didn't realize you were at Jackson's." She offered a smile that could charm the quills off a porcupine and extended her right hand, which Shoshana took, impressed that Sage remembered her.
    "That's right. About a year now," Shoshana said by way of explanation. She released Sage's hand much faster than she had mine. "I was telling K.C. how excited we are to have you and your work here." She smiled. "And if you need anything, just let me know."
    "I will. Thanks. Is everything ready or can I make a supply run?"
    "Oh, no. Maureen's finishing up and should be back any minute. It only takes a couple minutes to get the tables set up and Dan already has the drinks ready. We'll have some outside in the courtyard, but most of them, and the food, will be in here, along the back wall." She gestured toward the tables covered with linen cloths near the curtained entrance into the back. "And you're welcome to change in the back."
    "That's nice of you. Thanks." Sage regarded her warmly but I thought I saw something else in her expression though I wasn't quite sure what it was. I smiled at Shoshana as well but slid my arm around Sage's waist. She didn't miss the gesture and a momentary awkward silence ensued.
    "If you'll excuse me," Shoshana said, breaking the moment first. "I need to do some last-minute things. I just wanted to make sure I had a chance to introduce myself."
    "Of course," Sage responded. "Thanks again. See you in a few."
    Shoshana inclined her head and returned to the desk, partially visible around one of the