“Since you were a boy, you wanted to live in the forest,” his father began. “There were times when I thought you and Jack might never come out of those damn woods.” Then he smiled, and it was such a rare occurrence to see, that a lump rose in Sage’s throat. “It’s not surprising that you’d find a woman who has similar interests. And as far as fear goes, son, falling in love is scary as hell. It’s like taking off your gun and walking into a battle unarmed.”
Funny. That’s kind of how Sage felt about confronting his father. He wasn’t giving Sage his blessing about opening the nonprofit, but Sage hadn’t asked for it—or needed it. He’d come to his father and Dex for information, or so he’d thought. He hadn’t come to his father for his approval—at least not on a conscious level—but what his father was giving him was a glimpse of the loving man he’d always believed existed. And that was so much more valuable than his blessing over a business could ever be.
His father continued. “The person you love will know all of your secrets. She’ll see your vulnerabilities, and if you’ve chosen well, she won’t use those against you, but she’ll use them to help you be the best man you can be.”
And there it was. The best man you can be. He’d heard it a million times, so why, in this context, did it make tears press at his eyes?
Chapter Twenty-One
MOONLIGHT STREAMED DOWN upon the benches where Kate had first addressed Sage and the others. She remembered the way her heart had leaped in her chest the first time Sage sauntered through the narrow path like a breath of fresh air—only he seemed to steal the oxygen from her lungs. She’d barely been able to think straight with him looking at her, and now, as they sat beside each other with Luce and Caleb, she felt like that night was two years ago rather than a little less than two weeks ago. Her stomach still fluttered when she saw Sage, but there was a difference between butterflies fluttering when she knew he was going to kiss her and she anticipated how thrilling the kiss would be and the tornado that had whirled in her stomach when she wondered if he’d even notice her. She much preferred the butterflies that were currently nesting in her belly.
“Y’all mind if we join you?” Clayton carried his guitar in one hand and held Cassidy’s hand with the other.
Kate noticed that Clayton’s belligerence had tamed since Sage had a talk with him. He no longer leered at her as if she were a piece of meat. She watched him wiping off the bench for Cassidy to sit down, and part of her hoped that he had just become more interested in Cassidy and that relationship was changing him. She looked away, knowing better than to think a tiger could change its stripes that dramatically. She’d seen celebrities become so close on these trips that anyone would think they were running away together to get married when they left Belize, only to find out that after the trip they weren’t even noted as being a couple. The whole celebrity bed swap thing baffled her—and made her proud of the gentleman Sage was. She could only imagine how enticing it might be for a guy to bed a different beautiful woman every week.
“My PR guy said they’re sending a local photog out for the meeting tomorrow. Cassidy and I will definitely be there.” Clayton patted Cassidy’s thigh. Cassidy smiled up at him. Her dark, spiral curls framed her face, and she wiggled beside him, flirtatiously blinking her eyes.
Even after almost two weeks, Kate didn’t know what to make of Cassidy. She acted like a prima donna most of the time, but at other times Kate saw flashes of a very young girl, surely younger than herself. She knew from the application that Cassidy was the same age she was, but when she wiggled and flashed that innocent smile, she seemed eighteen instead of twenty-six.
Kate smiled at Sage. “You’re coming too, right?”
“I’m all set. I’ll be there.”
Sage set a serious stare on Clayton, and Kate wasn’t sure if she should feel bad for Clayton, since he was clearly making an effort not to be that sleazy guy anymore. At least not in their presence. When Sage took her hand, she decided she didn’t care how she should feel. She liked his protective nature. He growled when predators came too close and stayed quietly nearby keeping them at bay.
Sage shifted his gaze to Caleb. “Caleb, I almost forgot to tell you that Kurt said you could Skype with him this weekend. Let me know what works and we’ll set it up.”
Caleb rose to his feet, pulling at the seam of his pants pocket. “Really? You’re not pulling my leg?”
Sage laughed. “Really. He’s just a regular guy.”
“To you, maybe. But to me he’s one of the most amazing thriller writers I’ve ever read.” Caleb paced. “I can’t believe it. Kurt Remington is going to talk to me. Thank you, Sage.”
“Sure, no problem.”
“That’s really nice of you,” Kate said. She’d been working with Caleb for almost two years and she’d never seen him spend so much time with the group. Sage had not only found out what he was doing for all those hours after he disappeared every afternoon, but he’d also totally hooked him up. His thoughtfulness was immense. It was just one of the things she loved about him.
“What good is knowing people if you can’t exploit them?” He laughed as he pulled her closer.
“Do people do that to you? I mean, you’re a well-known artist, so you must have people wanting to meet you all the time.” Kate wondered about his life in New York, and she was looking forward to seeing him in his element. She wondered if he would act differently there. She couldn’t imagine he’d change just because of his environment. At least she hoped not.
“Not many people want to track down an artist,” Sage explained. “I mean, at galleries, sure, they talk to me, but I’m not the same kind of celebrity as Clayton or Cassidy. They’re known by sight. I’m known for what I create. It’s a whole different ballgame.”
Clayton strummed his guitar, and within minutes he was belting out one of his country songs. Cassidy and Luce swayed to the music, and Sage’s foot tapped to the beat. Kate moved her leg to the beat, enjoying the camaraderie of the group. He began another song, and between the country music, the friendliness of the group—which surprised her, given how things had been when everyone arrived—and the beer they were drinking, she wished the night could go on forever.
“What’s your life like in New York?” she asked.
Sage furrowed his brows. “Not like this.” He took a sip of beer, then set the bottle by his feet. He put his arm around her and pulled her close again. “Do you want to know the truth?”
“Preferably.” She steeled herself for whatever he might reveal, though she couldn’t imagine why he’d ask if she wanted to know the truth. What was so bad that he felt he had to ask that?
Sage rested his cheek against Kate’s, facing away from the others. “I spend a lot of time in New York wondering what I can do to get the hell away from it.”
The raspiness of Sage’s voice in her ear sent a shudder through her.
“Is that true?” she asked.
“One hundred percent. I always thought it was because I wanted to get outside, closer to nature. Now I realize that my heart must have known you were waiting for me.”
He kissed her neck, and Kate swooned. “That’s a great line.” Why is my voice shaking?
Sage drew back and looked her in the eye. “It’s not a line. It’s fate.”
Fate?
Clayton broke into “Who Loves Who More” by Thompson Square.
Luce pulled Kate to her feet. “Come on. I only have two more nights. Dance with me.”
Oh God. Sage only has two more nights. Kate felt her cheeks flush, but two seconds later Cassidy was dancing with them, and Sage had a lusty look in his eyes that made her want to dance even sexier. She didn’t try to fight the urge; she let her hips sway and her chest shimmy.
Cassidy dragged Caleb to his feet. He moved like a robot with stage fright, but the smile in his eyes reflected the fun he was having.
In the next breath, Sage was at Kate’s side, dancing with practiced ease, and boy could he move his sexy body. Kat
e wanted to dance like one of those women who could run their hands up and down a man’s body while shimmying down to the floor, leaving the man drooling for more, but she knew she’d fall right on her ass.
“Now, that’s what I’m talking about,” Cassidy said, dragging her hand seductively down Sage’s arm.
Kate fought a scowl as jealousy wrapped its prickly tentacles around her heart and squeezed.
Sage leaned closer to Kate, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
“I think Caleb’s got some pretty fine moves.” Sage tossed Caleb a nod of approval and turned his back to Cassidy.
Caleb’s cheeks flushed, but Kate was glad to see that he didn’t stop dancing.
Sage put his hands on Kate’s hips and pressed himself against her; then he slowed to a romantic sway that went completely against the beat of the music, and she couldn’t have cared less. In Sage’s arms, beneath the beautiful night sky, she was the happiest that she could ever remember. For the next few hours, she allowed herself to set aside the worries of AIA and the community, the stress of public relations, and the appropriateness—or lack thereof—of the volunteers, and enjoy everything Sage had to give.
Chapter Twenty-Two
THE NEXT MORNING, Sage got up before Kate and left quietly. He showered and dressed at his cabin and then went for a walk, cell phone in hand. The sun had yet to creep to the tops of the trees, but the air was already sticky with humidity. Dirt billowed around his feet as he walked. The dryness reminded him of how little it had rained in the past ten days and made him think of the villagers’ need for wells again. Damn government. He clutched his cell phone in his fist as he rounded the bend in the road, out of sight from the cabins. He preferred Skype so he could see the people he was speaking with, but getting anyone to Skype before the sun came up was not realistic. Besides, he’d paid for international cell phone coverage. Why not use it? The first call he made was to his brother Jack.
“Dude, really? It’s five thirty in the morning,” Jack’s gravelly whisper complained.
“Yeah, I know. Sorry. I need a favor.”
“Aren’t you in Belize?” Jack sounded more alert now.
Sage heard Jack push himself from the bed and waited until he heard the bedroom door close before speaking again. “I hope I didn’t wake Savannah.”
“I’m in a different room now. She’ll sleep. What’s up? You okay?”
Jack was nine years older than Sage, and although he’d been away at college and then married and in the military for all of Sage’s teen years, he’d come home to visit as often as he could and had made a point of keeping in touch with Sage and their other siblings. He’d always been protective and interested, asking about Sage’s grades, his girlfriends, his hobbies—that was, until Jack’s wife, Linda, died in an accident that Jack blamed himself for. The two years that followed were painful for the entire family, as Jack disappeared from their lives and found salvage in the Colorado Mountains. Until he met his fiancée, Savannah, and found love—and his way back to his family—once again. Since then, Jack had gone back to being the brother Sage knew and loved, and now Sage had no hesitation calling him at the ass crack of dawn for a favor. His only reservation was not talking to Kate about it first, but the idea had fallen into place in bits and pieces throughout the afternoon after talking to his father and Dex. And by the time Kate had fallen asleep last night, it had formed into a full-blown concept. He wanted information and he wanted it now.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Do you still keep in touch with your engineering buddy from school? What’s his name?”
“Craig. Yeah, why?” Jack yawned.
“He’s part of AMC Utilities, right?”
“I think so. Where’s this going, Sage? Cut to the chase. I went to bed about two hours ago.”
“My girlfriend, Kate, works for AIA, the nonprofit, and she’s been working to get wells brought in, but with a community of only a few hundred, the government is withholding funding.” Sage ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
“I heard you were in love.”
Sage smiled, despite wanting to get answers. “Mom or Dex?” he asked with a laugh. The Remington grapevine moved fast.
“Siena, actually. She texted me last night. It’s true?”
Sage stopped pacing and stretched his muscles. Siena? “Yeah, it’s true. Struck by the cupid. Hit in the heart and all that shit. Knocked the wind right out of me.” And I love it.
“Yeah, that’s how it happens.” Jack laughed. “Wanna tell me about her?”
“She’s smart and strong willed. Reminds me of Mom a little, the way she is with helping people, like you know she’d do anything to help someone, but don’t do something disrespectful because she’ll just as soon tell you what you did wrong.”
“Hot?”
“Jack...”
“Total dog but a sweet girl? That’s cool.”
“No, you ass. She’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. Really. I look at her and I swear I’m like a high school kid with a hard-on.” The sun rose to the tips of the trees. Sage wiped a bead of sweat from the back of his neck. It was going to be a scorcher.
“Good because I’d hate to have to tell you that my fiancée is hotter than your girlfriend. I’m sure she is, but I’d hate to rub it in your face.”
“Ha-ha.” Sage missed seeing Jack, and just hearing his voice made him feel closer. “Listen, I need you to call Craig, if you don’t mind, and give him the info on where I am and ask him what it might cost to put in wells, or a community well.”
“Sure. No problem. What should I do with the info? Call you back? Email?”
“Actually, can you text? Internet is spotty, but this line seems to be working great.”
“I hate texting, but sure. When are you coming home?”
“Sunday. Thanks, Jack. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Siena was bummed that she didn’t get to Skype with you.”
“Tell her to text me. I haven’t been carrying my phone, but I will.”
“You don’t want me to do that. Spend time with Kate while you can. Just call Siena when you can so she doesn’t feel left out.” Jack yawned loudly.
“On that note, I’ll let you get back to sleep. Love you, Jack. Thanks a lot.”
Sage ended the call and left a message for his attorney asking what it would take to set up a nonprofit whose focus would be selling high-end art to fund the installation of wells in developing nations. He followed that call up with a call to his accountant, asking the same thing and requesting that she research the financial viability of such an organization. Maybe…just maybe, with his connections and Kate’s experience, and the experience of a few hired experts, they could bring this thing to fruition. Kate would never have to worry about her work being for naught again, Sage could fulfill his desire to do something more meaningful while continuing to sculpt and paint. Surely the company would need capital at first, and he’d be able to put the insane amount of money he made to good use. Such an endeavor would also give him and Kate a chance at a future together, where they could nurture the values and dreams they both held close to their hearts.
No matter how much he wanted to stay until Kate had to leave, he had a show coming up the weekend after he returned and he needed to be there. He hadn’t been kidding when he’d told Kate that he spent much of his time trying to figure out how to get the hell out of New York, and as he thought of how hamstrung he was by the upcoming show, it pissed him off. He wouldn’t cancel. Canceling shows was the kiss of death for an artist, and this show was featuring artistic families. He and his mother would be featured together. He had to be there.
But after the show.
Maybe then he and Kate would have more time together.
Goddamn show. He didn’t want to leave Kate. Not for an hour. Not for a day. Not for…ever.
The thought pushed him closer to the edge of solidifying the decision that would be both wonderfully freeing and dangerously risky. Kate was worth it.
KATE WAS ON her way to the mess hall when she finally spotted Sage walking down the main road. Waking up to an empty bed was a sore reminder that Sage would be leaving in a few days. Sometimes he got up early to draw or paint, so she wasn’t alarmed when he wasn’t there, but when she hadn’t seen him at the school or in his cabin, she’d begun to wonder where he’d gone.
“There you are.” He looked handsome and sporty in his loose white T-shirt and shorts. His arms and legs were golden brown, his muscles even more defined than they’d been when he’d arrived. The heat tended to lessen everyone’s appetite. He could have walked right out of Men’s Journal.
He kissed her good morning. “Sorry I left so early, but I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Everything okay?” She eyed the phone in his hand.
He shoved his phone in his pocket. “Yeah, I called Jack, and I had to return a few calls.”
“I hate that you’re leaving so soon.”
“Me too, but you leave the week after me and you’re coming to New York to see me after that, right? You didn’t change your mind?” He held both her hands in his, his eyes full of hope.
“Yeah.”
“Uh-oh. That wasn’t a, Yeah! What’s wrong?”
“Leaving is hard, and without knowing about the wells, I feel like I’m leaving things undone.” She fanned her face. “Wow, it’s hot today.”
“Yeah, that it is.” He gathered her hair and held it up off her neck. “Better?”
“Yes.” She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”
“I’m really proud of you, Kate. No matter what happens, I’m sure the people here know how hard you’ve worked on their behalf.”
“Thanks. I know they do, but if we don’t get the wells, then it doesn’t really matter how hard I worked.”
Stroke of Love Page 17