around what had quickly become known as the Morgan Mansion more times than he could count, but Coral’s reaction had been unlike most. Thinking back on Mackenzie’s reaction to his home, Sage couldn’t help but smile at how different the two women had reacted. Mackenzie had seen nothing but dollar signs as they’d followed much the same path he’d been taking with Coral. The woman he’d thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with had pointed out all the changes she’d be making to the house and asked more than once about the authenticity of various works of art his parents had purchased over the years—he’d known she was keeping a running tally in her head.
Jack Sorenson was one of his dad’s favorite artists and there were several of his original works in what was now Sage’s office. Mackenzie had wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Those are valuable? Really? Why?” When he’d tried to explain, she cut him off. “We’ll sell them and find something that will work with the more modern theme we’re going to incorporate throughout the house. Why anyone would want to look at pictures of sweaty cowboys is a mystery to me.” Oddly enough, of all the things Mackenzie had done that should have tipped him off to their lack of compatibility—it had been that moment when Sage had finally recognized how different they really were.
Coral on the other hand hadn’t once mentioned the monetary value of anything he’d shown her. But she hadn’t missed the fact there were several paintings by the same artist either. The large painting over the fireplace downstairs caught her eye. “This looks like it was done by the same artist as the pictures in your office.” He hadn’t answered her, but simply waited while she studied the large landscape. “I didn’t look at the signature…I don’t really know much about art. But the feeling is the same and the use of color. It’s perfect for this house. I’m not surprised you like this you know.” He didn’t miss the fact her words had been a statement rather than a question. Good to know she can hold her own.
“Explain.” He hadn’t meant for his response to sound gruff, but she’d surprised him and that didn’t happen often.
If she’d noticed his less than polite response, she didn’t comment. “It’s about strength of character. All three of the pictures I think were done by the same artist have that recurring theme.” Sage had been leaning against the mantle studying Coral while she’d studied the painting. When she’d looked over, meeting his gaze, he watched her eyes dilate when she realized he’d been watching her. He was convinced she hadn’t intended the remarks as an attempt to gain his favor—she’d simply made an honest observation. The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on him. Coral had seen right to the heart of why his dad loved Sorenson’s art—something that had been completely lost on Mackenzie.
The pink tinging her cheeks made him realize he hadn’t responded, and she was misinterpreting his silence. “You’re exactly right, pet. And I can’t tell you how thrilled Pop is going to be with your observation. You’ve seen right to the heart of what he loves about Sorenson’s work. Not everyone sees the underlying message—they see the landscape and admire it or not. Most people don’t understand the strength of character it takes to survive in such a rugged environment.”
“The pictures are lovely and they fit the décor perfectly. Did your mom decorate it herself or was it done professionally?” Coral let her gaze roam around the room and Sage wanted to rejoice as he saw nothing but admiration in her expression. There was no hint of the monetary calculation he often saw when showing people around what was simply home to their family.
“Mom will be the first to tell you she had help redecorating a couple of years ago. But I assure you, everything you see was personally overseen by Mama Morgan. My lovely
Jack Sorenson was one of his dad’s favorite artists and there were several of his original works in what was now Sage’s office. Mackenzie had wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Those are valuable? Really? Why?” When he’d tried to explain, she cut him off. “We’ll sell them and find something that will work with the more modern theme we’re going to incorporate throughout the house. Why anyone would want to look at pictures of sweaty cowboys is a mystery to me.” Oddly enough, of all the things Mackenzie had done that should have tipped him off to their lack of compatibility—it had been that moment when Sage had finally recognized how different they really were.
Coral on the other hand hadn’t once mentioned the monetary value of anything he’d shown her. But she hadn’t missed the fact there were several paintings by the same artist either. The large painting over the fireplace downstairs caught her eye. “This looks like it was done by the same artist as the pictures in your office.” He hadn’t answered her, but simply waited while she studied the large landscape. “I didn’t look at the signature…I don’t really know much about art. But the feeling is the same and the use of color. It’s perfect for this house. I’m not surprised you like this you know.” He didn’t miss the fact her words had been a statement rather than a question. Good to know she can hold her own.
“Explain.” He hadn’t meant for his response to sound gruff, but she’d surprised him and that didn’t happen often.
If she’d noticed his less than polite response, she didn’t comment. “It’s about strength of character. All three of the pictures I think were done by the same artist have that recurring theme.” Sage had been leaning against the mantle studying Coral while she’d studied the painting. When she’d looked over, meeting his gaze, he watched her eyes dilate when she realized he’d been watching her. He was convinced she hadn’t intended the remarks as an attempt to gain his favor—she’d simply made an honest observation. The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on him. Coral had seen right to the heart of why his dad loved Sorenson’s art—something that had been completely lost on Mackenzie.
The pink tinging her cheeks made him realize he hadn’t responded, and she was misinterpreting his silence. “You’re exactly right, pet. And I can’t tell you how thrilled Pop is going to be with your observation. You’ve seen right to the heart of what he loves about Sorenson’s work. Not everyone sees the underlying message—they see the landscape and admire it or not. Most people don’t understand the strength of character it takes to survive in such a rugged environment.”
“The pictures are lovely and they fit the décor perfectly. Did your mom decorate it herself or was it done professionally?” Coral let her gaze roam around the room and Sage wanted to rejoice as he saw nothing but admiration in her expression. There was no hint of the monetary calculation he often saw when showing people around what was simply home to their family.
“Mom will be the first to tell you she had help redecorating a couple of years ago. But I assure you, everything you see was personally overseen by Mama Morgan. My lovely
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