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
