Stroke of Love

by Melissa Foster

  Kate talked with his mother about how long she’d been in Belize and how excited she was for Sage to work with the children, and then she left them alone to chat while she sat at the counter, nursing her smoothie and thinking about Sage.

  After Sage ended the Skype call, he and Kate sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the sounds of the birds outside the window.

  “You know, I know just where you’re coming from about the mural.” Sage ran his finger through the condensation of his glass. “The money is important for all of the necessities in life. But for the children who are living with so few material things and seem to really feel the joy of giving and receiving…” His eyes lit up. “Think of the picture you found in the office yesterday. You were so happy to find it, and I’m sure Javier was thrilled to draw it for you.”

  Do you have to sound so damn sincere?

  “You know these kids better than I ever will, but I can only imagine that taking part in a community art project will allow them to give back to you and their teachers, to do something they can be really proud of. It’s something they’ll see every morning and every afternoon and think, We made that beautiful mural.”

  Well, hell. Who could deny that logic? She looked at Sage, his eyes filled with such hope that it rendered her mute.

  “Everyone needs something to be proud of. Not that I’m trying to pressure you or anything,” Sage said, lifting the right side of his mouth into a crooked smile. “And I’ll donate the same amount of funds for medical or other purposes. Would that be so bad?”

  She sighed, though it was all for show. Her anger had given way to reluctant acceptance. No way could she deny the children what he’d just described. “Fine. Okay. You’ve convinced me.”

  Sage wrapped her in his arms and kissed her cheek with his soft lips.

  “Thank you,” he whispered.

  The rough scratch of his whiskers sent a full-body shudder through her. When he drew back, his gratitude-filled gaze pinned her heart to the barbed-wire fence, and she swore it sprouted legs and tried to climb over.

  Chapter Five

  “DO YOU THINK it was a setup?” Kate said to Luce. They were eating lunch on a bench in the community rec area, and she’d just finished explaining to her what had transpired at the Internet café.

  “Calling his family?” Luce asked.

  “It’s stupid. I know. But you know how the more you see someone with their family, the warmer you feel inside. Maybe it made me a softie.”

  “A conspiracy. Now I get it.” Luce shook her head. “You’re losing your mind, and by the way, I want details on last night.”

  “Ugh.” She’d been groaning a lot lately.

  “No way. That bad?”

  “I’m a little fuzzy, but I’m pretty sure I tried to kiss him.”

  Luce threw her hands up in the air and said, “Hallelujah.”

  “And he didn’t kiss me. He left.”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear and spoke with a serious tone. “Oh, Kate. Are you sure you don’t just think you tried to kiss him?”

  “Trust me. I’ve been over this a hundred times. All night long, in fact. I closed my eyes like a schoolgirl, puckered my lips, and…waited.”

  Luce laughed. “Sorry.” She cleared her throat. “What did he do?”

  “I don’t know. He said something about me not knowing him, or it not being who he was. I don’t know.” She sighed. “Maybe I would have regretted it in the morning anyway. I don’t know, and I can’t remember exactly what happened. I was too busy being mortified. Then he showed up this morning and fixed the damn roof like it’s what he does every day. Mr. Millionaire Artist and roofer.” She buried her face in her hands.

  “I guess he’s not just like the others,” Luce pointed out.

  “Shut up. It’s a farce. I know it is. Oh, and his brother Rush…He definitely said stuff that made it seem like Sage isn’t as good as he seems.”

  “You can’t trust anything a brother says. Mine would have all sorts of shit to say about me that isn’t true.”

  “I guess. Whatever.” Kate looked around. “Where are the others? Have you checked on them to be sure they’re not dead?”

  “They went into Belize City. Don’t worry. I spoke to Caleb already and let him know they wouldn’t be there today. It sounded like this happens all the time.”

  Kate rolled her eyes. “It does. Poor Caleb. He’s always left without any volunteers, and he never complains. He does his job and then disappears until the next morning.”

  “He doesn’t disappear. He reads and he writes.”

  “Whatever. He’s like a ghost. I tried to get to know him when he first showed up, but he made it very clear that he wasn’t here to socialize.”

  “Do you still go down to our beach?” Luce whispered.

  Luce and Kate had happened upon a remote, and seemingly undiscovered, white sandy beach at the end of a red clay path one afternoon when they were hiking in the jungle. It had been so hot that they’d taken their clothes off and jumped right into the water, and that had become their thing. Skinny-dipping at the beach they now called Undiscovered.

  “Yes.”

  Luce scooted closer to her on the bench, as if there was anyone else around to hear her. “Wanna go?”

  Goose bumps chased excitement up Kate’s limbs. Did she want to go? Hell yes. “It’s Sage’s first day with the kids, but we can go after we’re done.” Sage. I’d like to see him skinny-dipping.

  “Of course. But what’s that hesitation I’m hearing?” Luce ran her eyes over Kate’s face.

  “Nothing.”

  “Right, and I’m a virgin.”

  “You are?” Kate feigned surprise. “Sage has just thrown me a little off-kilter.”

  SAGE AND OSCAR set up tables outside the school for the art class. He snuck glimpses of Kate as she placed pencils by each of the seats, and his mind drifted to the morning. He hadn’t expected to introduce Kate to his mother, much less Rush.

  After Rush’s comment, he’d expected Kate to stalk off. Her body had gone completely rigid, and she’d clenched her teeth so tightly that he could hear them grinding together. He was pleasantly surprised when she’d stuck around—even if forced to do so by his arm around her shoulder. But then, when he’d kissed her cheek…Oh, when he’d kissed that soft skin and smelled the sweet fragrance that could only be described as tenderness personified, he hadn’t wanted to stop.

  “I think we’re all set.” Kate’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “The kids are excited.”

  “Awesome. Hey, Kate, listen. I’m sorry about my family. Rush isn’t really a jerk. He’s a good guy, but he’s my older brother, so you got to hear how brothers treat each other. If you felt pressured, we don’t have to move forward with the mural.”

  “No. We’ll do it. You can contact your mother later and have her arrange for the supplies. I think you are right. What you said finally got through to me.” She locked her eyes on his. “So did Rush. Loud and clear.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing I care to discuss.”

  She turned away, and he caught her by the arm. He’d been doing that a lot lately, and it never failed to surprise him how simply touching her set his nerves ablaze.

  “You don’t really believe that shit, do you?” His voice was a heated whisper.

  She yanked her arm away. “Why do you care what I think?”

  Christ. Goddamn it, Rush. “How did we go from being friends to this?”

  She looked away, but not before Sage saw a flash of hurt in her eyes.

  “Kate, maybe I misread the signals between us. God knows I’m not the best with women. But even if I did, you gotta know that I’m not anything like what Rush said.”

  She didn’t respond. He was beginning to see why Rush always said that women were a big pain in the ass and he needed a woman in his life like he needed a hole in his fucking head. He was so damn confused. Why did she look hu
rt? It was him who should be hurt by her implication. And how the hell had he completely misread her? It was the beer. It had to be the beer. Without it, she had no interest in him, obviously. Why was he so damn attracted to a woman who was so frustrating and judgmental? If he wanted that type of person in his life, he could date any number of women back home.

  He didn’t want any of the women back home.

  “Forget it.” He nodded toward the kids gathering around the tables. “Let’s just get through this. Then I’ll go to town and arrange for the art supplies for the mural. The next two weeks will feel like they’re over before they even have a chance to get started.”

  Before we even have a chance to get started.

  Chapter Six

  THE CHILDREN PORED over their drawings, their faces intent, pencils clutched tightly in their eager fingers as the afternoon sun pulled sweat from their limbs. Kate watched Sage crouching between two middle school boys. He showed one of them how to grip his pencil properly, then laughed when the boy put it in his left hand and mimicked the grasp perfectly. He came up on his feet and reached around the other boy, holding his hand as he guided it along his drawing. The boy turned thankful and excited eyes up toward him. Sage was so easy with them, as if he’d been teaching children all his life, which made Kate wonder about his past. He had five siblings. Did he have nieces or nephews? Had he spent time with children somewhere, or was he just naturally kind?

  Or naturally a womanizer?

  She watched him cross the yard toward her, and her stomach tightened. He flashed a smile as he came to her side.

  “Wow, they’re incredible. What a rush this is.” He ran his hand through his hair. His face and arms had already begun to tan.

  “I know. This is what makes me the happiest, watching them enjoy something this much.” And watching you, but I blew that one big-time.

  His voice grew serious, as if he’d just remembered that he was supposed to be mad at her. “Yeah, well I can see why.” He made another sweep of the tables, helping a teenage girl and two more elementary-school-age boys.

  “Miss Kate?” Javier looked up at Kate with wide eyes.

  She crouched down to speak to him. At seven, Javier looked just like his father, with thick wavy hair and eyes as black as night. But it was his sweet demeanor that stole Kate’s heart. He handed her a picture he’d drawn.

  “Javier, this is beautiful.” She looked at the drawing of his family.

  “Mr. Sage showed me how to draw the eyes better. Bigger. He said they show more feelings that way.” He used his pencil-thin index finger to point to the eyes of the woman. “That’s my mother. See her happy eyes? That’s how I remember her.” It had been almost a year since his mother died, and from what Kate could glean from the psychologist she’d spoken with about Javier, the fact that he remembered what she looked like at all was a blessing. His mother’s sisters, Sylvia and Louisa, now shared caring for Javier and his siblings, as their father spent many hours working in the fields. From what Kate had seen, Javier had adjusted well to the difficult situation.

  “I think your mother would be very proud of you, Javier.” She patted his shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around her neck.

  “I will draw you next time.”

  “I would love that. And I think your aunts would like to be in a picture, too.”

  “Mr. Sage says we’re gonna paint the school pretty colors. He said we can help.”

  Sealing the deal through the children. Very sneaky. “Yes, we’re very excited to begin the project.”

  Javier flashed a bright smile and then ran to Sage. He held up the picture, and although Kate couldn’t hear what they were saying, when Javier wrapped his arms around Sage’s legs and stared up at him, her knees weakened.

  LATER THAT AFTERNOON, Sage Skyped his mother and arranged for the art supplies to be flown in. As an artist, his mother would know exactly what he needed, and as a mother, she’d ensure that he didn’t miss anything that the children would need as well, like smaller brushes. He asked her to pick up a few other items, avoided her questions about Kate, and he shut her down when she’d apologized for Rush’s behavior. It wasn’t her job to clear the air for Rush, and he knew that Rush hadn’t meant any harm. He was just doing what they’d always done to each other. No harm, no foul. Only, the call had harmed Kate. What’s done is done. Fame had taught Sage a valuable lesson. He wasn’t in control of what others believed. He could only be the best man he knew how to be and hope it was enough. And that’s exactly what he intended to do.

  While in town, Sage replenished Kate’s secret stash of beer as well as picked up a few for himself. He was carrying them to the kitchen when Caleb came from around the side of the cabins and caught up to him.

  “Sage Remington, right?” Caleb was soft-spoken, his stringy bangs hung in front of his eyes, and he fidgeted nervously with the edge of his T-shirt.

  “Yes. Caleb, right?” Sage held the beer toward him. “Want a cold one?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “Do you mind talking while we walk? These will boil if I don’t get them in the fridge soon.”

  “Sure.” They walked into the mess hall. “Heard you’re going to paint the school.”

  “Wow, word travels fast. That’s what we hope to do, anyway. So you run the elderly and community outreach programs?” Sage asked.

  “Yeah. We distribute medication and food and visit community members to see what other needs we can meet.” He helped Sage load the beer into the refrigerator. “Your brother is Kurt Remington, the novelist, right?”

  Sage wiped the condensation from his hands and smiled. “Yeah, that’s right. You familiar with his books?”

  Caleb’s thin lips curved into a smile. “He’s the best. I’ve read all of his books.”

  “Yeah? I’ll have to connect you with him. He’d love to hear that.” They headed back out of the building.

  “Really? You’d do that?” He brushed his bangs from his forehead. “That’s really cool of you. Thank you. I’m a big fan. I’m actually writing while I’m here. That’s why you don’t see me around much. I’m sure it’s not very good, but…”

  “Hey, don’t say that. If you don’t believe in yourself, who will?” Sage heard a car rumbling down the road.

  “That would be the celebs,” Caleb said.

  “The celebs. That’s what you call the volunteers?” Sage slid him a look. Part of him hoped to see Kate as they headed back to the cabins, and another part of him was still annoyed that she’d given credence to Rush’s comments.

  “Well…yeah. I mean, in a day or two the photographers will show up and take their pictures with some of the residents. They’ll get all the media they want, and then they’ll go back to the States and never think of the people here again.”

  Sage’s muscles tensed. “Okay, fair enough. I can see that. But don’t lump me in as a celeb, please. I’m an artist, not a celebrity, and I’m here because I want to be here. I don’t have a PR person with me, and I don’t have press that’ll cover the trip. This is just me being me.”

  “Cool. You can be the non. As in non-celeb.”

  Clayton, Penelope, and Cassidy stumbled out of the car in fits of laughter. Caleb nodded toward them. “See? They haven’t done one thing for the elderly or the community, but when those cameras are rolling? Whole different story.”

  “Hey, Sage!” Penelope yelled.

  Sage narrowed his eyes. “They’ve gotta be plastered. She hasn’t said two words to me since we arrived.” He raised a hand in greeting, then turned his attention back to Caleb. “Hey, you wanna grab some dinner in town?”

  Caleb shrugged. “Sure.”

  As they turned back toward the road, thundering feet stopped them in their tracks. Penelope and Cassidy chased after them in their skimpy skirts and barely there tops. They wore flat designer sandals. Behind them, Clayton jogged to catch up in his cowboy boots and jeans. Clayton was a hair taller than Sage, and while he was a stocky, muscular guy, pro
bably two thirty or so, Sage’s chest was broader and his muscles more pronounced.

  “Wait!” Penelope yelled.

  “Aw, shit,” Sage mumbled.

  “Dude, you should have gone into town. This place is dead, but the city? Man, it’s a wild place,” Clayton said. “It was kick-ass.”

  Sage noticed how none of the three of them had even acknowledged Caleb, and he wasn’t going to allow them to ignore him. “You guys remember Caleb.”

  “Hey, bud. How’s it hanging?” Clayton slapped Caleb on the back.

  “Hi, Caleb,” Penelope and Cassidy said in unison. Penelope linked arms with Sage.

  He tried to pull away, but she wrapped her other hand around his arm as well, and short of yanking her arm off and causing a scene, Sage was trapped. She stood just a few inches shorter than him, which made him think of how petite Kate was—and how much better he felt beside her.

  “We’re going to get dinner. You guys eat already?” Stupid question. There was no way Penelope or Cassidy had eaten. Sage was sure they existed on air.

  “Nope. We’ll come along.” Clayton slung an arm around Cassidy’s shoulder. “There’s a café in town that has dancing, too. We were there last night.”

  “Doubt I’ll be dancing,” Sage said under his breath.

  They walked down the middle of the road, Clayton and Cassidy talking loudly. Caleb shoved his hands in his pockets, and Sage could see in his darting eyes that he was thinking of escaping.

  He leaned in close and whispered, “I’m glad you’re coming along. Thanks.”

  Caleb nodded, his eyes finally focusing on the road ahead.

  Sage tried to keep a modicum of distance between himself and Penelope and took a step to the side. She tightened her grip on his arm. Damn. Shuffling in the bushes drew his attention away from Penelope and to the sound of laughter and fast footsteps. If he hadn’t heard the laughter he would have wondered if the sound of the foliage shuffling was from a peccary or some other animal.