Her Hometown Hero

by Melody Anne

  Somehow, they managed to get out of the suite—after he joined her in the shower and helped wash her back, and then the rest of her. Sage felt she was on an all-time high, and the day couldn’t possibly get any better, even if it was cold and foggy outside and a serious chill crept through her body. At least it wasn’t snowing or raining.

  “Are you going to tell me yet what we’re doing?” she asked as the two of them climbed in the rental car.

  “We’re meeting up with my good friend Austin and his wife for a day on the water,” Spence replied.

  Sage looked doubtfully at the foggy skies. “Um, won’t that be cold?” she asked.

  “If people in Seattle waited for the clouds and rain to go away they would never make it out on the water,” he said with a laugh. “Just consider it all a part of the atmosphere.”

  “I think I could be happy doing just about anything with you,” Sage said as they pulled up to the marina and parked the car.

  A couple was walking toward them, and Sage recognized Austin Anderson, whom Sage last saw at the party at the Whitmans’. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it,” Austin said. “When you said you were staying at the Olympic, I figured you’d never get out of bed.”

  Sage blushed scarlet as Austin smiled with no remorse.

  “Austin, that is no way to talk, and you know it,” the woman on his arm said. “Why do you Anderson men think you can run roughshod over people’s feelings? You’ve embarrassed this nice woman. I’m sorry about my husband’s behavior. I’m Kinsey, by the way.”

  She stuck out her hand and Sage grasped it, feeling ridiculously shy. “I’m Sage Banks,” she said after a long pause.

  “Are we going fishing, or gonna just stand here?” Spence asked as he clapped Austin on the back.

  “We’d already be on the water if you hadn’t taken your time getting down here,” Austin replied with a grin.

  “Well, I had a late night,” Spence said with a waggle of his brows, making Sage blush even more.

  They boarded Austin’s boat from the private marina on Puget Sound and were soon gliding across the foggy but calm water.

  “It’s been a great fishing season,” Austin told them. “Dad and I have come out a few times. We’ve even managed to pull my cousin Lucas from the office for a trip or two.”

  “That’s a miracle,” Spence said as their boat moved slowly through the no-wake zone, allowing Sage to see everything. This was her first boating expedition. Spence seemed to be treating her to a lot of firsts.

  “I know. He’s a workaholic. Still, he’s slowed down since marrying Amy and having his kids. Our trips nowadays are largely of the park variety,” Austin said with a laugh.

  “Careful, Austin. You don’t want the world to hear that a playboy extraordinaire has been domesticated,” Kinsey said before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. He turned quickly and hauled her into his arms to kiss her properly. When they came up for air, Sage was blushing yet again.

  “Sorry. The kids were sick all last week, and I was lucky to get out of my pajamas. This is a real treat, and some much-needed kid-free time was warranted,” Kinsey said with a grin that said she wasn’t sorry at all.

  “I look forward to those days,” Spence said, shocking them all into silence as they turned and looked at him. “Hey, I’m not as bad as Austin was before you, Kinsey. I want kids.”

  Sage’s heart grew a bit bigger for this man she was sharing the day with.

  Austin pointed. “Over there is where Uncle Joseph lives.”

  Through the fog, Sage could just make out a couple of large towers. “Is that a castle?” she asked when they got closer.

  “Pretty much,” Kinsey said with a laugh. “And while it looks intimidating, I’ve never felt as at home as in that house. Except at home, of course.”

  “Impressive,” was all Sage could say.

  “We’ll stop in and say hi a little later,” Spence told her.

  They pointed out several huge homes, making Sage’s mouth hang open. She wasn’t a novice to wealth, but this area was a whole other world. “Are there any normal-sized places out here?”

  “Nope. I don’t think so,” Kinsey said with a giggle.

  When the boat turned south and they began moving toward the Nisqually Indian Reservation, the fog cleared, and Sage could finally take in all the marine life. The air smelled sweeter, and the birds seemed to sing more melodically. It didn’t take the four humans too long to start heading toward the shore off a private island.

  “This is a good place to throw in,” Austin said as he maneuvered the boat and dropped anchor.

  “As much fish as you have all been bringing home, we’re going to be eating it all year round,” Kinsey said with a chuckle.

  “Do you always do your own fishing?” Sage found it odd that a bunch of billionaires wouldn’t just buy it from the store.

  “No. But it’s fun to take the boat out and do it ourselves on occasion,” Kinsey replied. “Usually, it’s just the guys who go, and personally, I think it’s because they want a safe haven to drink and grumble about their wives.”

  “We would never grumble about you,” Austin said gallantly.

  “Sure, darling, sure,” she said, giving him a quick kiss before getting out of the way so he could haul up his catch when his line tugged.

  It wasn’t long before they were pulling in the lines. Some of the catches were good, and some had to be thrown back. When they had several large fish in the cooler, Spence turned with a satisfied look as he patted Austin on the back.

  “Dad will love this,” Austin said, picking up his cell phone. Amazingly enough, it had reception and was answered quickly.

  Sage sat back as he talked to his father, and from what she heard, they were going to have an early dinner before she and Spence flew back to Montana.

  “It’s all set. We’re going to Joseph’s dock to have a get-together,” Austin announced, and he turned the controls over to Spence. “Let’s open this up for a nice ride before we end our trip.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Sage said. She found herself laughing as Spence picked up speed and the wind whipped through her hair. Yes, it was cold, but she didn’t care. Spence, always the Boy Scout, had made sure a warm outfit was waiting for her at the hotel, so the only part of her that wouldn’t be able to feel anything after their boat ride was her cheeks.

  Spence slowed as he pulled up to the dock at the Anderson mansion, and now that the fog had dissipated, she could see the place well.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Sage said.

  They stepped onto a beautiful dock that was big enough to hold three or four large yachts.

  “And you never will,” Kinsey said. “It’s a thing of beauty. Now come meet the family.” She took Sage’s arm and pulled her ahead of the men, who were busy securing the boat.

  “Shouldn’t we wait for the guys?” Sage didn’t want to admit how nervous she was.

  “They know the way.” Kinsey wasn’t going to let her go, so Sage had no choice but to follow along toward the mansion.

  The men joined them before they stepped inside the marble entryway. The wide staircases to the left and right made her feel like a child—she wanted to run up them just so she could slide down the gleaming banisters.

  “It’s about time you came to visit, Spence,” Joseph boomed as soon as he entered the room with his lovely wife, Katherine. He slapped Spence hard enough on the back to knock him over. She was surprised he was still on his feet.

  “I was just here a couple months ago! And you were in Montana not long ago,” Spence said with a laugh.

  “Well, it sure feels like forever since you’ve brought a beautiful lady to grace these halls. I’ll forgive you for being away so long.”

  “Katherine, I’d like you to meet Sage. She’s a first-year resident at our hospital and already outshining all the staff, including me,” Spence said as he wrapped an arm around Sage, making her instantly blush. “Katherine Ande
rson, Sage Banks.”

  For Sage, it felt like school all over again, when she was the one person in the class who knew all the answers on the first day. She hated when all eyes were directed at her.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Sage,” Katherine said as she reached for her hand.

  “It’s wonderful to meet you, too. You have a beautiful home,” Sage said.

  “What am I? A sack of potatoes? I’d like to be introduced to your girl, too,” Joseph said with a glare at Spence.

  Austin laughed. “How could anyone forget your presence, Uncle?”

  “Underappreciated, that’s what I am,” Joseph grumbled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, young lady. We’ll have a wonderful dinner with the family.”

  Sage found his hand surprisingly gentle for a man his size with such a loud voice. “Thank you for having me,” she said, hoping that with the awkward introduction over with, the focus would now turn to someone else.

  “Let’s leave the men to boast about their catches while we have a more civilized discussion in the sitting room,” Katherine said, and Sage nearly sighed in relief.

  “We’ll join you soon,” Joseph called after them when Kinsey took Sage’s arm and they followed Katherine.

  “Take your time,” Katherine called back.

  Sage walked quietly behind the regal woman as they went down a wide hallway with beautiful paintings and family portraits decorating the walls. This home was certainly a castle, but it was also a lived-in home, and not a museum. She was even more impressed now.

  Stepping into the sitting room, she soon found her nerves calming and laughter coming easily. This family was a lot like the close-knit group in Sterling. Yes, they were wealthy, but they were pleasant and inclusive.

  She knew that Spence bringing her here, sharing this part of his life with her, was a big step for him. Was she ready to move so quickly in this relationship, to become an actual couple? It seemed it didn’t matter, because, ready or not, she was in a relationship now. She had zero doubt about it.

  And the amazing thing was, she didn’t want to change it.

  “Have you proposed yet?”

  Spence laughed as he took the glass of scotch Austin had just poured. “Wow, Joseph, you must not have wasted any time at all back in your day.”

  “Are you calling me an old man, son? I may have a few gray hairs now, but that only makes me more wise and mature.” Actually all of his hair was white, but no one called him on that.

  Spence held up his hand in surrender. “I would never call you old. You look as spry as a twenty-one-year-old.”

  “So answer my question,” Joseph demanded.

  “Oh, you’re serious?” Spence said, then laughed again. “No. I haven’t proposed. I will admit that I may just have to do that.”

  “Are you serious, Spence?” Austin asked in surprise.

  “I know, I know. It’s strange for me, too. I barely remember Sage from when I was a teen. I mean, she is eight years younger than I am, but since I met up with her again, I can’t get her out of my mind.” He moved to an easy chair and sat down. “When you know, you know.”

  “Yeah, that’s how it happened with me. I knew almost from the moment I met Kinsey that she’d be my wife. There hasn’t been a single day I’ve regretted chasing her so hard.”

  “Before you gloat, Joseph, I’ve already figured you and my dad out,” Spence said with a mock glare Joseph’s way.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Joseph said, taking a long sip of his drink and looking down at the floor.

  “I’ll bet you don’t. However, just because you threw us together and it worked out, that doesn’t make it right. It could have gone in an entirely different direction and your messing with our lives could have brought disaster,” Spence said.

  “Well, it didn’t go wrong at all, did it?” Joseph growled. “So I should be hearing a thank-you, not getting a lecture from a young buck.”

  “Thank you, Joseph,” Spence said, surprising both Joseph and Austin.

  “Well . . . um . . . you’re welcome,” Joseph said, an unexpected catch to his voice. He turned around and walked to the huge window in his den, and both Austin and Spence gave him a moment to compose himself.

  “I think I just heard the door,” Austin said, and sure enough the den door flew open a moment later and in piled several members of the Anderson and Storm families.

  “Ah, I see my nephew Tanner is here,” Joseph said as he strode over to slap him on the back.

  “How are you, Uncle Joseph?” Tanner asked.

  “I’m good, boy. You remember Spence?”

  “Yes, of course. It’s good to see you again, Spence.” Tanner’s dark hair lay straight against his head, and his trademark blue Anderson eyes sparkled with humor. Though he was technically Tanner Storm because his father had been stolen at birth, depriving him of growing up with his brothers, Joseph and George, his genes were all Anderson.

  “What are you doing in Seattle?” Spence asked as he walked with Tanner over to the liquor cabinet.

  “I’m working on remodeling a building in town. I don’t see an end in sight, but my father says he has complete faith in me.” Spence could see the man’s tension—clearly he was under some stress—so despite his curiosity, he decided not to press him.

  “And make the building shine you shall,” Joseph boomed.

  The young men both looked up and laughed, and the tension evaporated. Spence knew the story of the Storms, knew that Joseph and his twin, George, had lost a third brother at birth. It turned out their mother hadn’t known she was carrying triplets, and the delivery had been a difficult one. When she came to, she’d been relieved to see that her twin boys were alive and healthy, never learning that she’d had a third son. Dr. Storm, her doctor, and his wife had decided to keep that boy for themselves.

  Joseph and George had learned about their brother Richard in a Seattle newspaper article. They’d found him immediately, and now you couldn’t tell that the brothers had ever been apart. Richard Storm’s five children had been estranged and casting about for a while, but now they were getting back to the way they’d once been, and it seemed the Storms were falling as fast into matrimony as their cousins had.

  Maybe Joseph really was a matchmaker. Things certainly happened when he teamed up with others, like his brothers or his best friend, Martin, Spence’s father. People continued getting married after the men began their meddling.

  After more members of the big family arrived, they enjoyed a wonderfully prepared meal that included the best and freshest fish. Then they all bundled up and headed down to the beach for a bonfire, the heat a welcome relief in the winter cold.

  For the first time since arriving at the mansion, Spence found himself able to speak alone with Sage, and he didn’t miss the opportunity to lure her away from the crowd. Taking her hand, he walked her to the water’s edge, where they enjoyed the lights from the city as the fog rolled in, thick and heavy, obscuring their sight. Suddenly, an eerie sound filled the air, making Sage jump, then cling tightly to Spence and bury her head against him.

  “What was that?” she asked in obvious alarm.

  “It’s all the souls of the past crying in the night,” he said, and though he didn’t think it possible, she burrowed even more tightly against him.

  “Come on, Spence . . .”

  “I’m just kidding, Sage. I’ve lived in Seattle a long time, and for those who don’t know the sound, it does sound a bit like spirits wailing for something. But it’s actually just a foghorn.

  “There are legends of empty vessels floating in the ocean and still sending off the cry of a foghorn to drift across the waters, as if a lonely sailor were calling to anyone who would listen.”

  “Spence, you are horrible! Look, you’re terrifying the poor girl.” Sage turned to find Kinsey next to them.

  “I was just filling her in on a bit of Seattle history.”

  “You were not,” Kinsey said. “You were scaring he
r so she would hold you close. If you were a decent guy, she’d be clinging to you because she wanted you, not because she was frightened half to death.”

  Spence laughed and let Sage go, but gripped her fingers. She laughed when Kinsey began to lecture Spence as they turned and made their way back to the rest of the group.

  It wasn’t long until they had to say their good-byes, and Sage found it surprising that she was pulled into so many people’s arms as they gave her a hug and told her she must come back for a visit soon.

  Would she get to come back again sometime? Would she still be with Spence? He was infatuated, that was obvious, but would he grow bored now that he’d gotten what he’d been chasing after? She just didn’t know.

  By the time they boarded the jet, Sage was mesmerized as Spence began telling her the story of how he came to live with Martin, the rescue of his brother Michael, and the bond that had followed.

  She’d fallen just a little more in love with him by the time the plane landed.

  Sage stretched her arms, her eyes still gritty from lack of sleep over the last couple of days. As she recalled what Spence had told her the night before, her heart was still a little broken for him. So many years he’d lived in foster care, wondering if he’d ever have a permanent home. At least he’d had a happy ending. What a difference one person could make in the life of another.

  She wondered where Spence, Camden, and Jackson would be today if it weren’t for Martin—a man who had wanted no praise, a man who didn’t need to talk about how he’d saved these young boys, but who simply accepted three new sons with no fanfare.

  What fine men they’d turned out to be. Even losing his first child hadn’t diminished Jackson, though he was obviously heartbroken. And though she didn’t know Camden very well, she knew he did a lot for their community and all around the world. Martin had made sure to give his sons everything they needed, and their lives were living proof that he had succeeded as a father.

  Then, of course, there was Spence. Without Martin, would he have become a doctor? She had a feeling it was rooted deep inside him, and no matter what, he was destined to be a healer. But medical school wasn’t cheap, and without the direction from one who cared about him and his future, would he have known how to fulfill his destiny?