that morning. He sat at the kitchen table and sipped his coffee. He sure would miss Mom’s coffee, but he hated having her hover.
“You’re still as rocky on your feet as a newborn calf.” She brushed back his hair. “I wish Jackson could have stayed longer.”
Sage didn’t. Jax had stayed for three days, his presence a constant reminder Sage had screwed up. Not that Jax or Mom ever said anything. It was their looks of concern and disappointment. He’d failed to live up to the Cornell image. Honor before everything. “Jackson had to get back to saving lives.”
Mom crossed her arms, staring down at him. “Your head still aches.”
“I’ll handle it. You’ve been here a week. Go home to the ranch.” He wanted quiet. He hadn’t had true peace since he’d awakened in the hospital.
He liked people, he really did, but he needed space. And he wanted to get back to work. “I’m okay. Besides, the ranch needs you.”
“Uncle Dale is running the ranch.” His mother frowned.
“He’s almost eighty.”
“And sharp as a tack.” She pointed a finger at him. “Managing the ranch makes him feel useful.”
“I’ll be fine.” Another headache brewed, but he couldn’t tell his mom. She’d cancel her flight and stay another week. His River Street warehouse condominium was too small for the two of them.
“Then you’d better answer my calls. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll be back.” His mother softened the order with a kiss on his cheek. “I worry about my baby.”
“I’m twenty-nine.” He grinned. “I don’t need burping.”
“Ha ha.” She sat next to him and squeezed his hand. “I worry about all my boys.”
“Why would you need to worry about Jax and Bart?” They were heroes.
“Because they’re my sons.”
“But every breath they take honors Dad.”
Mom closed her eyes and shook her head. “I know you idolize your brothers and father, but...they’re still mortal.”
Cornell men were supposed to be more. Sage needed to live a life so heroic, his father and brothers would be proud of him. It was all he wanted in life. “You raised two very special men.”
“Three.” She cupped his cheek and stared him in the eyes.
He tried not to blink, not wanting her to examine his soul.
He was the weakest Cornell. Would his father have let a dog keep him from his mission? Would his brothers have ended up wounded, suffering massive headaches and dizzy spells?
No. Because that wasn’t the Cornell way.
“I’ll be fine,” he said.
“If you have problems, you’ll call?” his mother asked.
He made a cross over his heart. “Absolutely.”
She listed the food she’d made and frozen. Then attached the list with the cooking directions to the freezer. “I popped over to the store, so you’re good for milk and other staples.”
“Thank you.”
She checked the time. “Cab should be here in a few minutes.”
He started to stand.
“You stay here.” She rolled her bag to the door.
“I’ll walk you down.” He tried to keep the growl from his voice. “You’re my mother. I want to know that you’re safe.”
“You are your father’s son.” She sighed. “Come on.”
They took the freight elevator to the main floor. He’d never noticed how much it rocked. He leaned into the corner so his mother didn’t see him wobble.
Keeping a hand on the wall for support, he led her to the entry. When had they put a bench outside the building? Excellent. He sat and waited with his mother. “Thank you for coming. For making all that food. For just being—you.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “That’s what a mother does.”
When the cab pulled up, he pushed off the bench and opened the door. Luckily, the driver loaded the luggage. He wasn’t sure he could lift her case. “Safe travels. I love you. Say hello to Jax and Bart.”
“I will. Love you to the moon and back,” she whispered.
Sage chuckled as the cab pulled away. He tipped his head and the sun shot into his eyes.
Mistake. Pain stabbed his brain. His eyes watered but he refused to let the tears drop. He was a Cornell. Stumbling to the bench, he collapsed.
He had to gather his strength before conquering the trip back to his condo. He took in a deep breath. Another mistake. His cracked ribs ached from the damn mastiff. That pain took a back seat to his blooming headache. Apparently hitting the cement foundation of the house and taking a bullet hadn’t knocked sense into him; it had knocked something loose.
He closed his eyes and leaned against the brick wall, listening. The Savannah River lapped the seawall next to the condo. Pedestrians filled River Street. The sounds of conversations and laughter washed over him.
“You all right?”
Damn. Sage jerked and the headache that had eased roared back. He’d actually fallen asleep. He opened his eyes. “Kaden? What are you doing here?”
“Checking on you.” Kaden crossed his arms and his gaze took in too much. “Are you okay?”
“I...just saw my mother off.”
Kaden looked at his phone. “An hour ago.”
“What?” He’d sat here for an hour?
“She texted me.” Kaden flipped his phone so Sage could see the message.
Unfortunately the numbers and letters swam. “What are you doing texting my mother?”
“I agreed to check on you.”
“Not necessary.” Sage took a breath and pushed up off the bench.
“I promised.”
Kaden kept pace as Sage used his keycard and headed inside the building.
“Are you escorting me to my door?” Sage snarled.
“Keeping a promise.” Kaden looked sideways at Sage. “How are the headaches?”
Sage grunted. Talking and walking wasn’t easy.
He punched the elevator button and leaned on the wall. “What’s the latest on the third man from the raid?”
