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“So what do you think?” Natasha prompted.
“You look beautiful,” Sage murmured. “I think this is the one for you.”
“Ms. LeBlanc, you look exquisite,” Anne complimented. “From everything you’ve told me, I agree with Ms. Alexander. This is the wedding dress for you.”
Natasha continued to gaze at her reflection.
“I’m loving it,” Sage said. “I can’t wait for my brother to see you in this gown.”
“I love it, too,” Natasha responded. “This is the dress for me. My search is over for the perfect wedding gown.” She glanced over at Anna and said, “Would you bring out the dress I selected for the bridesmaids, please? I want Sage’s opinion on the choice.”
Anna walked into a back room and returned a few minutes later, carrying a stunning knee-length satin sheath in a purple/platinum duet.
Sage fell in love with the draped strapless sweetheart neckline with natural waist and draped skirt. “Natasha, it’s gorgeous. I love it.”
“I thought that you would,” she responded. “It’s going to look great on you, Zaire and my sister.”
Sage held the dress up to her and eyed her reflection in the mirror. “This is a beautiful dress. I especially like that it’s one I can wear again. I have a closet full of bridesmaid gowns that were only for that one day.”
“I’ll set up a dressing room for you,” Anna stated. “While you change, I’ll have the seamstress come out to perform the fitting for Ms. LeBlanc.”
Sage hummed softly as she strolled into a nearby dressing room to try it on. She couldn’t wait to see how the dress looked on her body.
“You look beautiful,” Natasha said when Sage walked out. “You need very few alterations. It nearly fits you perfectly.”
Sage agreed. “Natasha, I really love this dress. This dress is so me.”
“How do you think Zaire will feel about it?”
“Natasha, she’s going to love it, as well,” Sage assured her. “My sister and I have similar taste when it comes to clothes. We’re also the same size, so you don’t have to worry about having her dress altered. Besides, she’s planning to come out here in a couple of weeks. Zaire says that school has been hectic for her and she needs a little break. I know that grad school is intense, but I think my little sister is missing the family. She can’t just leave Atlanta and be home in an hour anymore.”
“My sister and I are the same way.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting your family, especially Natalie,” Sage stated. “It sounds like she and I have a lot in common.”
“You do,” Natasha responded.
Sage waited patiently while the seamstress worked with Natasha to make sure the gown fit her body perfectly for her big day. Every now and then, her eyes would travel around the shop, gazing at row after row of wedding gowns. My time will come, she silently assured herself.
* * *
When Sage returned to the hotel, she glanced around before walking through the entrance.
I wonder what happened to that homeless man, she thought. Maybe he was somewhere having a hot meal; at least she hoped he had spent some of the money she had given him on a good meal. He didn’t resemble a drug addict or alcoholic.
She shook her head in confusion.
It was strange, but Sage felt as if their souls were connected. The feeling was so strong that she knew deep down that she had not seen the last of this man who had left such a strong impression on her.
Sage made her way up to her penthouse, humming softly. She was looking forward to relaxing in a hot bath.
An image of the homeless man flittered through her mind, and Sage suddenly felt guilty. She felt blessed beyond measure, but she also knew about the thousands of people who lived on the streets all over the country. Many of them had given up on hope for a better future.
Sage knew that she could not save the world, but she wanted to find a way to help the people she could. One person at a time.
Chapter 3
“How long have you been living on the streets?” Ryan asked before biting into his hamburger. He chewed slowly, savoring the combination of lettuce, tomato and grilled onions. After living on the streets of New York, he had a renewed appreciation for something as simple as a hamburger.
“Just a few days off and on since my boyfriend left,” Paige answered before wiping her mouth on the edge of the paper napkin. “I was able to stay at the shelter for four nights, but last night they didn’t have any more beds. I’ve been trying to find a job, but I don’t have a babysitter, so I have to take Cassie with me.”
“Have you considered moving back home?” Ryan questioned.
Paige nodded. “I could do that, but it’s not what I want. My mama has enough to take care of, and she don’t need me and Cassie adding to her burden. She raised six kids all by herself, and now she is raising three of my nieces. All I need is a job, and I can take it from there. I’m not afraid of hard work.”
“What type of work are you looking for?” Ryan inquired.
“Anything,” Paige responded. “I have general office skills and only two years of college, but I’ll clean houses or hotels, babysit—anything outside of breaking the law.”
Ryan smiled. “I’m glad to hear that. I don’t think I have enough money to bail you out of jail.”
She laughed. “Ryan, I really appreciate all you’ve done for me.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
Paige bit into her burger. “This is so delicious. I don’t remember the last time I had a hamburger.” She shook her head sadly. “I just wish that I could find a job. I’d work two jobs if it would help me get a place to live and take care of my baby.”
Ryan wiped his mouth. “Paige, I’m going to pay for you and Cassie to stay in a hotel for a month. Hopefully, this will give you some time to find work and a babysitter.”
She gasped in surprise and leaned forward, saying, “That lady must have given you a lot of money. Ryan, I can’t have you doing this for me. You should be spending this money on yourself.”
He shook his head no. “I don’t have a new baby, Paige.”
She teared up once more. “Ryan, you don’t even know me. Why are you being so kind?”
“This woman I ran into earlier knows nothing about me, yet she was kind enough to care and try to make my life a little more comfortable. I’m just paying it forward.”
“We can share the hotel room as friends,” Paige suggested. “You can get one with two beds.”
Ryan was touched by her sensitivity. “I’ll be just fine, Paige. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“You really don’t have to do this, Ryan. I’ll manage somehow.”
He shook his head. “It’s all settled, Paige. You and Cassie will stay at the hotel. I feel confident that you are going to find a job soon. I’ll watch the baby for you when you have interviews if you need me to.”
“How do I reach you?” she asked. “Don’t tell me that this woman gave you a cell phone, too.”
Ryan chuckled. “I’ll come by and check with you every day.”
“Why won’t you just stay at the hotel with me? Wouldn’t that be easier? Actually, I think I’d feel safer if you were there,” Paige confessed. “Cassie’s a pretty good baby, too. She only wakes up once a night usually.”
“Maybe just a couple of nights,” he responded after a moment.
They left the restaurant and walked to the bus stop. Ryan removed Paige’s contents from the shopping cart and carried the meager possessions.
Although he secretly preferred to set them up in a much nicer hotel, Ryan had to settle for a motel. He was undercover and had to remain so until all of his research was complete. Ryan would not risk placing his work in jeopardy by sharing his real identity with Paige. He had probably done too much for her already, but he couldn’t just leave a young mother and her child out on the streets.
While the baby slept, Paige went into the bathroom to take a shower. Ryan used this time to quickly jot down notes of his time with Paige and how she ended up on the streets. She was defenseless with a newborn, and he feared that if he didn’t do everything in his power to help her, Paige would become a prostitute—willingly or unwillingly. Worse, she could become hooked on drugs, and there’s no telling how the baby would fare in either situation.
* * *
After her bath, Sage slipped on a pair of denim shorts and a T-shirt. She sat down on the plush sofa in her living room and removed her sandals. She stretched out her full length on the piece of furniture and closed her eyes. She thought again about the homeless man who had been standing outside the hotel.
Sage hoped that the money would enable him to enjoy a good meal and maybe even a clean shirt or two. She prayed that he would not use the money for drugs, although he did not seem like a drug abuser.
She drifted off to sleep.
It was almost six when she awakened forty-five minutes later.
Sage had to get ready for a fundraising event. She and her mother were attending the auction benefiting breast cancer. Thankfully, it was being held here at the hotel, so Sage didn’t have to worry about traffic or arriving late. She still hadn’t gotten used to traveling along the congested Los Angeles freeways.
She rose to her feet and walked barefoot across the hardwood floors to her bedroom.
Sage dressed in a one-shoulder Grecian-style gown in a teal-blue color with shimmering gold highlights. She ran her fingers through soft waves, fluffing her hair to give it a fuller look.
Sage checked the clock on her nightstand. She had to meet her mother downstairs in less than fifteen minutes.
While waiting for Barbara to arrive, Sage spent a few minutes in one of the boutiques, surveying a newly arrived collection of jewelry.
“You have never been one much for jewelry,” a voice said behind her.
Sage turned around to face Drayden. “They have some beautiful pieces in this collection, but as you said, I’m not much for jewelry.” She glanced down at her ringless fingers. “The only ring I’ll ever wear is a wedding ring.” She took note of his tuxedo and asked, “Where are you going?”
“Mom rangled me and Blaze into attending this fundraiser, too,” Drayden replied. “Ari and Natasha are also attending. If Dad wasn’t flying out to San Francisco tonight, I’m sure he’d be here with us.”
Sage gave him a knowing smile. “Fundraisers are a family event, according to Mama.”
Shortly after the rest of her family arrived, they headed toward the ballroom. Sage pretended to be attentive, but her mind was preoccupied. She was still thinking about the homeless man. She was curious about him.
She had seen enough homeless people on the streets and in the shelters to recognize that there was something different about him. He did not wear that same look of hopelessness, that yearning-to-be-whole-again vibe that hung on their bodies like a blanket. His downward spiral was something that he had suffered recently.
“What are you thinking about?” Blaze leaned over and whispered in her ear. “You look a million miles away.”
“I was thinking about this person I saw earlier today. He was homeless.”
Blaze met her gaze. “You gave him money, didn’t you?”
She nodded. “I know how you feel about that, but I have good instincts about people, and this guy is no drug addict or alcoholic.”
“But he could be gambling,” Blaze suggested. “There is a reason he is on the streets, sis.”
“Or he could have lost his job and his home,” Sage countered. “Blaze, not everyone who is homeless is on the streets because of vices. Sometimes it is just plain bad luck.”
“I agree,” Blaze stated, “but they are the minority.”
“You should come to the shelter with me next weekend.” Sage took a sip of her ice water. “Once you meet some of these people, I think your opinion will change greatly.”
“I’ll think about it,” he responded. Blaze rose to his feet and held out his hand. “C’mon, let’s go show these people how we used to get down in Georgia.”
Sage chuckled. “I’ll sit this one out. You go ahead. I’m sure you won’t have a problem finding a dance partner.”
* * *
Shortly after eleven, Barbara confessed she was tired and ready to leave.
Both of her brothers couldn’t have been more relieved by their mother’s decision. Sage picked up her purse, and they left as they had arrived—as a family.
Blaze joined Sage in her residence when they left the fundraiser.
“So, how do you like living in Beverly Hills?” she asked her brother after they settled down in the living room. “Do you ever regret moving out here?” Sage removed her designer high heels; they were cute but uncomfortable.
“Why do you ask?”
“Sometimes you look really sad, Blaze.” Sage shrugged. “Ever since you came back from Las Vegas last year, you haven’t really seemed yourself.” She paused a moment before asking, “Blaze, did something happen while you were there?”
His expression was instantly guarded. “Like what?”
“Did you meet someone?” Sage inquired.
Blaze waited a moment before responding, as if searching for the right words. “I met someone, but it didn’t last long. I guess it was over before it really started.”
“It seems like you really cared for her, especially if you are still haunted by her. Do you want to talk about it?”
He shook his head no. “There’s really nothing to talk about, sis.”
Sage didn’t press her brother. She knew Blaze well enough to know that he would open up whenever he was ready. Until then, it was best to drop the subject.
“How about you?” Blaze asked. “How’s your love life going?”
She broke into laughter. “What love life? I don’t know what that is.”
“Have you found it harder to meet someone since our lives have changed?”
Sage nodded. “I don’t trust as easily as I did in the past. I guess it’s because I have to wonder if it’s me or our father’s money that guys want.” Sighing softly, she leaned back against the cushions. “I’m happy for Daddy and I love my job and even living here in Beverly Hills, but I hate being the focus of the media, dealing with cousin Harold and his drama and wondering if people like us for ourselves.”
Blaze nodded in agreement. “Some of the women I’ve gone out with once or twice expect me to take them shopping or pay their bills. It’s crazy. It’s just dinner and a movie. I’m not trying to marry them.”
“I want a man who wants me for me and not for what our parents have. He inherited Robert DePaul’s money—not us.”
