by Amelia Judd
Her own dedication paled in comparison. Sure, she worked hard. But she did so from fear of losing her job, not because she held any real passion for it. If she won the lottery tomorrow, she would quit the second the check cleared. If Pax came into unexpected millions, he would never walk away from La Vida—he would pour even more into it.
At the end of the winding trail, they stepped through an opening in the trees onto a small stretch of sand. A few large boulders jutted into the water, making a natural division with the main beach the guests used.
Pax led her to the shade of a palm tree and sank down to recline in the sand, bracing his elbows behind him. Sitting down next to him, Sage reached into the pastry bag, pulled a warm croissant out, and offered it to him. “I made these for you. They took a long time, so I would appreciate if you pretend to like them no matter how they taste.”
His eyes lit up. “Chocolate croissants.” He took a big bite. “You’re a godsend,” he said, groaning in appreciation.
“Glad you like them. Susanna said I could make them again tomorrow. Actually, I’m pretty sure she ordered me to make them tomorrow.” Sage grinned and sucked a chocolate covered finger into her mouth.
Pax groaned again.
She looked up to find his gaze locked on the finger in her mouth. She froze.
“Could you please stop doing that?” he asked in a strained voice.
“Sorry, but my fingers are a mess, and I don’t want to get chocolate all over my clothes. Look the other away if it bothers you.”
“I have a better idea.” Pax snatched her wrist, pulled her hand to his mouth, and wrapped his warm, wet lips around one of her fingers. Slowly, seductively he licked off every ounce of chocolate.
She heard a soft moan from somewhere close by. When Pax’s eyes snapped to her parted lips, she realized the sound must have come from her. She should probably be embarrassed, but as long as no drool actually came out of her mouth, she was proud to be holding it relatively together in the face of such temptation.
Pax dropped her wrist and fell back to lie in the sand. “Sorry. I don’t have much control around you.”
“I know the feeling,” she muttered to herself and fisted her hands in her lap.
“So you’re meeting with Will?” she asked, hoping to change the subject and clear the R-rated thoughts from her mind.
“Yep. He said we needed to discuss the issues with my loan in private.”
“Ouch.”
“That didn’t sound good to me either.” Pax exhaled a long breath. “Nothing is definite, though, so there’s still a chance the bank will give me the money.” Pax stood up and offered her his hand. “I’ve got to head back to meet with him.”
Sage shook her head gently and rose without taking his hand. “Nothing personal, but it’s best if we don’t touch.”
“Afraid you won’t be able to resist me?” Pax asked, his gaze holding hers.
“No,” she lied.
He cocked an eyebrow and stared her down.
“Fine! Yes. I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist you,” she snapped. “Satisfied?”
Pax gave a mirthless chuckle. “Honey, I’m not even close to satisfied.”
•••
Less than a half hour later, Pax watched Will pace his office and wondered what the hell Sage saw in this tool. She needed someone who challenged her, not a kiss-ass, yes-man that Pax had determined Will to be after meeting him at one of Ann Bennett’s famous charity events years ago.
“You need to understand,” Will said. “You’ve put my bank in a very uncomfortable position by requesting this loan. Usually we wouldn’t consider a loan going to an international location, but your father’s business is very important to us. We don’t want to jeopardize our relationship with him by denying your loan.”
“Okay. Then approve it,” Pax said dryly.
Will snorted. “You’re not even close to having the down payment we normally require for a loan of this magnitude.”
“Can’t you lower that number based on La Vida’s history of financial growth and stability?” Pax gestured to the papers on the desk in front of him. “If you look at her financial records, you’ll see how successful she is.”
Will waved away his offer. “That won’t be necessary. I studied all of those documents before I traveled here. Though the resort’s numbers are impressive, the fact remains that you will have very little of your own money invested in the venture. If you get tired of running La Vida and decide to walk away, my bank will end up owning a resort in a foreign market where we have no area of knowledge.”
“I won’t walk away from her.”
“Your history suggests otherwise. You quit college, deserted Bennett Industries, and have cut off nearly all ties with your family and your hometown. When it comes to the future, you’re not a good bet.”
“Get to your point, Pembrock,” Pax growled.
“My point is that when I return to Milwaukee, I will discuss your loan with my father. But you should know, unless there is a significant change in the circumstances, your loan will likely not be approved.”
Chapter 14
Sage patted down the dirt around the small green bush she’d just planted at the playground, sat back on her heels, and swiped the sweat from her forehead.
“You make a great landscaper. Remind me to double your pay.”
She looked up to see Pax examining the work she’d completed so far. “I thought my pay was the satisfaction of a job well done?” She squinted to protect her eyes from the glare of the afternoon sun.
“Yep. Consider it doubled.” A faint smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “Do you need help finishing your area?”
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “I’m covered with bug repellent, sunblock, sweat, and dirt. Trust me, no one wants to get close to me right now. Besides, everyone looks pretty busy.”
She scanned the yard of the local school. She’d been working there alongside a group of thirty or so volunteers for the past three hours. They’d accomplished a lot so far, removing debris and brush, pulling weeds, and clearing away overgrown bushes. The teams of workers were now planting tons of flowers and small bushes in order to create a landscaped perimeter around the small playground and soccer field next to the school building.
While Kat, Richard, and Ann worked with a large group clearing away a brushy area near the back of the property, Sage had been assigned the job of landscaping a semicircular flowerbed along the side of the school. An assortment of bushes, greenery, and colorful flowers in pots sat next to the area, waiting for her to place and plant them all.
She loved the gratifying results of seeing the flowerbed she designed in her mind take physical shape before her. It reminded her of the sense of fulfillment she felt creating in the kitchen. Too bad analyzing loan requests didn’t provide her the same satisfaction.
Maybe she should have followed Pax’s example. He’d chosen a riskier but also more rewarding path in life. She’d chosen the safe path, the smart path. An unmistakable twinge of regret squeezed her heart. What if she’d chosen wrong?
“You’re doing a good thing here.” Sage looked again at Pax. “La Vida, the school, the community, Costa Rica, all of it. You should be proud.”
“Thanks,” he said, not meeting her gaze. “But it’s not just me.” He gestured around the schoolyard. “We could never complete these projects without La Vida’s staff, guests, and local families volunteering as well.”
“I saw you greet everyone by name with a handshake and a smile. How do you know them all?” she asked.
“La Vida has funded projects for the school before. Last year, I worked with many of them when we painted it.”
“They like you. Which is no surprise. Watching you work is like watching a documentary on exceptional leadership.”
He raised a skeptical eyebrow.
“I mean it. You’re a great leader. You’re not bossy. You give clear directions on what needs to be done, but you’re not a
demanding control freak on how to get to the end results.” Sage reached for her water bottle and took a long gulp.
Pax rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. “You’re giving me too much credit.”
“Not at all. You’re patient with questions, you work hard, and you’re willing to help out wherever you’re needed.” She stood up and gestured to the group of people working around them. “Most importantly, you’re nice to everyone, even when things aren’t going well. I know some people see it as a weakness, but it takes a lot more strength to show kindness in difficult situations than it does to be a jerk.”
“Kindness is one of the few things I can afford,” Pax muttered.
“I’m glad your dad came along today,” she said carefully.
“Yeah, I thought he was going to golf with Will,” he said with a shrug, “but he texted this morning. Said he decided to help at the school instead.”
She laid her hand on his arm. “He likes it here.”
He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. A moment later, his expression hardened, and he stepped out of her reach. “Unlikely.”
He turned to watch Brick and Logan lug a heavy-looking bench toward the playground. They grunted with exertion as they passed.
“We’re fine. No need to lend a hand, ay,” Logan called to them. “Thanks anyway for your numerous offers of help.”
“Your accent makes it hard for me to tell if you’re being sarcastic or not,” Sage responded, widening her eyes in mock innocence. “Plus, think how big your muscles will be after today’s work.”
A devilish smile lit Logan’s eyes. “You like my muscles, darl? Once I set this bench down, I’ll come over and flex for you.”
A low growl rumbled from Pax’s throat.
Sage chuckled. “He’s harmless.”
“So you keep telling me.”
“Damn, big brother, you sound like a pouty chick,” Kat said as she and Ann walked up to them.
Pax didn’t answer her, but he did give her the same exasperated look that Kat’s bluntness triggered in many people.
“Don’t tell me you’re jealous of that meathead.” A few pieces of loose dirt flew off of Kat’s gloved hand as she gestured toward Logan. “You’re built like an Olympic swimmer. Thor over there is too bulky. Women don’t dig that.”
Sage fought back a grin and glanced at Ann. The older woman had an intrigued, almost shrewd look in her eye as she observed the conversation between two of her children.
“Great. I’m Flipper and he’s the God of Thunder,” Pax grumbled.
Kat snorted. “He’s goddamn annoying, that’s what he is.”
Ann cleared her throat. “Katherine, I know you like to use vulgarities to express yourself, but please remember that Logan is Paxton’s friend.” Ann patted Pax’s arm. “I think your friend is very nice, and for what it’s worth, dear, I think you two are both very handsome young men.”
Pax groaned and dropped his head. “Did you two need something?”
“Nope,” Kat slugged his shoulder. “Mom and I were just taking a little break and thought we’d see what you two were chit-chatting about. Looked like the convo was getting hot and—”
“It’s time Katherine and I get back to work,” Ann said, cutting off Kat’s words. “That brush isn’t going to clear itself.” Ann looped her arm in Kat’s and gracefully led her away.
Pax blew out a breath. “I still can’t believe you invited them here.”
Sage grinned. “At least today you sound more resigned than angry by the fact. That’s progress,” she added in an overly cheery voice.
He cocked an eyebrow, but before he could respond, a dark-haired little girl ran up, grabbed one of his hands with both of hers, and leaned all her weight backward in a futile attempt to budge his large frame. The girl’s pants had a few grass stains from working outside, and her pretty face was smudged with dirt.
After digging for hours, Sage’s designer adventure clothes were covered in similar stains, and her face likely sported a few matching smudges of yuck.
“Mr. Paxton, Mamá said to get you. She needs you to help.”
“Está bien, Celia. No te preoccupies,” Pax said. “Celia, this is Sage. Can you stay and help her plant the rest of the bushes if I go help your mamá?
Celia eyed Sage with ocean-sized waves of skepticism pouring from her big brown eyes. After a long moment of consideration, she gave Pax a cautious nod of agreement.
“Great.” He knelt down to the little girl’s eye level. “Sage is a very nice lady, but she isn’t used to working outside. She needs a helper with strong muscles to get everything planted by the end of the day.”
Celia nodded her understanding and turned back to Sage with a look resembling pity on her solemn little face as Pax strode away.
“Hi, Celia,” Sage said with a smile. “I’m glad you’re here to help me. We have all of those bushes and flowers left to plant.” She gestured to her right where the plants waited to find a home. “Can you help me decide where everything should go?”
Celia’s eyes widened and a tentative smile pulled at her lips. She hurried over to study the remaining plants and carefully selected one with a few large leaves branching off from a thick green stalk.
“Nice choice,” Sage said. “Where should we put it?”
The little girl studied the flowerbed, walking through it multiple times before pointing to a position of importance near the front of the design. Sage went to work digging a hole and transferring the plant to its new home while Celia picked what they should plant next.
They continued the teamwork for the next hour. Celia designing and Sage planting. The language barrier meant they didn’t talk much, but they shared a lot of smiles and a few giggles. Celia chose a spot for their final plant in the far back corner of the flowerbed where two large rocks were stacked together.
The rocks didn’t look too heavy, so Sage gripped the top rock and braced her feet.
Celia pointed toward the space between the two rocks. “Serpient,” she calmly announced.
Sage’s breath caught in her throat as her heart dropped to her feet. Oh. Holy. Buckets. Her hands were inches from a snake!
Fighting the instinct to run like hell, she slowly pulled her hands away from the rock. She stepped in front of Celia and locked her eyes on the rounded, speckled head of a black snake.
“Go find Pax. Senor Bennett.” Her voice shook. Understandable, considering the terror racing through her system.
As Celia ran off, Sage kept her eyes locked on the evil reptile. She had to make sure he didn’t slither off and attack any of the many groups working nearby in the schoolyard. Thankfully, the snake seemed more interested in resting between the rocks than launching into a murderous assault. To be honest, aside from poking his head from the crack in the rocks to look around a little, he didn’t move much, obviously unthreatened by her.
She wished she felt the same.
Jeez-o-Pete! Sir Hiss had probably been watching her work all day. That disturbing little realization sent a shudder of earthquake proportions down her spine. Her fingers turned numb and vision started to haze at the edges. Deep breaths. She needed to get her heart rate out of the red zone. If she passed out now, the evil serpent would probably slither back and forth across her prostrate body.
She sucked in breaths through her nose and blew out through her mouth, praying snakes with black bodies and iridescent green and yellow spots weren’t poisonous. Her nemesis swayed his head from side to side and tested the air with his tongue, but he never broke eye contact. She couldn’t win this staring contest—she was sure to blink first. Did snakes even have eyelids? Sweat trickled down her neck. Where the hell was Pax?
She lifted her right foot and slowly lowered it one step behind her. Unfortunately, her foot landed on top of the spade she’d set down when she’d first made the brilliant decision to move the rocks by herself. She stumbled backward, thudding to a noisy stop against the pot of the unplanted bush.
; Chest tight, she checked on Sir Hiss. Holy Buckets! He slithered from the rocks and was heading straight at her. Her instincts screamed run! But hadn’t she heard snakes would chase you if you ran from them? Or was that bears? A flood of panic and adrenaline coursed through her, washing away coherent thought.
“Don’t move,” Pax ordered from behind her.
Not a problem. The snake was only a few feet away, and fear and indecision made movement virtually impossible.
In a blur of motion, Pax charged past her and snagged the three-foot snake with his gloved hand. He held Hiss a few inches below his head, grasping him about halfway down his body with the other hand.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern edging his voice.
“Uh-huh.” She nodded, her eyes remaining on Hiss.
“You look pale.”
“Uh-huh.”
“It’s okay. It’s just a racer. He’s harmless.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Sage, honey, can you please say something else?” Pax’s soothing voice broke through the fog settling around her.
She shook her head and broke eye contact with Hiss. She raised her gaze to find Pax’s searching brown eyes locked on hers. “What are you”—she cleared her dry throat—“going to do with him?”
“I’ll carry this guy to Logan to relocate somewhere far from the school. Hang tight. I’ll be right back.”
Sage clenched her jaw. She was so damn sick of being afraid. Afraid of snakes. Afraid of taking risks. Afraid of jeopardizing her boring, stable existence.
How did she get here? How did fear take over her life and she not even notice?
She huffed out a breath and squared her shoulders. “I’ll do it.”
“What?” Pax’s brows arched upward.
“I’ll carry the snake to Logan.” She tipped her chin up. “I’m so done being afraid. It’s not poisonous. It can’t do any real harm, yet I’m shaking like a squirrel at a dog park.” She held up an unsteady hand to prove the point. “Maybe if I carry the stupid thing, I won’t get so freaked out the next time I see one.”
