Jacquelin Thomas - Five Star Temptation

It was a beautiful and sunny June day, perfect for a stroll. Sage loved the outdoors and often walked to many of the nearby shops and eateries.

“I love seeing Ari with Joshua,” Sage commented as they walked. “I’m so glad that he has you both in his life.”

Natasha smiled. “He’s not my son’s biological father, but I couldn’t ask for anyone more wonderful than Ari.”

Her oldest brother had married his childhood sweetheart right out of college, but lost her to cancer a couple years ago. She had worried that Ari would never stop grieving for April. Then Natasha and her son, Joshua, entered his life a year ago, giving Ari a reason for living again.

“But after tomorrow, it will be official,” Natasha stated. “I’m relieved that the adoption has gone through without a hitch. Although I have to confess that there is this tiny part of me that resents the fact that my ex-husband wants nothing to do with his son.” She released a short sigh. “No need to worry about the past, though. I have Ari.”

“If you say he completes you, I’m going to barf,” Sage interjected with a small chuckle.

Natasha laughed.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sage noticed a lone homeless man standing near the entrance.

Her steps slowed as their eyes met and held.

The trance was broken when two hotel security members walked outside, gesturing for him to leave the property grounds.

Sage quickly intervened. “He’s not doing anything.”

One of the men told her, “Some of the guests have complained, Miss Alexander—”

“I understand that you’re doing your job, Tom,” she responded. “But everything is fine. You can go back inside now.”

Sage told Natasha, “Wait here a moment, please.” She walked over to the stranger in clothes that had seen better days and said, “I’m sorry for the actions of my security personnel.” She pulled a hundred-dollar bill out of her wallet and offered it to the homeless man. “I hope this will help you in some way.”

He was clearly surprised by her generosity. “Thank you. I appreciate your kindness.”

Sage noted the rich timbre of his baritone voice.

“If you’re hungry, I can arrange a meal for you,” Sage said.

He held up the money and responded, “This is more than enough.”

He thanked her again before walking away.

Sage watched him for a moment as he headed in the other direction. “I feel so bad for him,” she said in a low voice.

“That was really nice of you,” Natasha murmured.

“He definitely needs it more than I do,” Sage responded as they continued on to the bridal shop.

Although she considered him a fleeting thought, Sage found she could not force him out of her mind. It was as if some invisible thread drew her to him. It was not something she could fully explain because she did not understand it herself.

This unknown stranger who had fallen on hard times had left an indelible impression on her.

* * *

Ryan stared down at the hundred-dollar bill in his hand in disbelief.

The daughter of Malcolm Alexander had given him the money without any hesitation. It was almost as if she had been expecting him.

He had seen enough pictures of her to recognize Sage Alexander. However, none of the photos truly did her justice.

She was gorgeous.

He had the pleasure of meeting Robert DePaul a few years ago at a political fundraiser. Ryan found that she possessed those same steel-gray eyes as her father and Robert, her grandfather. She was tall and slender, with curves in all the right places. She wore her long dark brown hair in its natural curly state.

Ryan’s eyes stayed on Sage as she and her friend strolled down the sidewalk and across the street to a bridal shop. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was always this generous or if this had just been some random act of kindness.

He heard the whine of a baby and glanced over his shoulder.

A young woman who looked to be in her early twenties was trying to soothe a tiny infant swaddled tightly in a blanket. She held the baby close to her heart and appeared to be whispering to the child.

She reached into the shopping cart, fumbled through a few bags and then frowned. Whatever she was looking for was long gone. She kissed the top of her baby’s head and continued to try and comfort the infant. Her blue eyes were dull and pained and her blond hair looked as if it could use a good washing.

Without a second thought, Ryan strode over to her.

“Miss, can I help you with anything?”

She silently surveyed him from head to toe before shaking her head. “I’m fine.”

“The baby—”

“She needs to be changed,” the young woman murmured.

Ryan glanced down into the shopping cart. She didn’t possess much, but there was no sign of diapers—cloth or otherwise.

“This woman just walked out of the hotel and gave me this money, but I want you to have it. Looks like you may need to purchase diapers.”

Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the hundred-dollar bill in his hand.

“I can’t take this from you,” she whispered, tears in her eyes. Her gaze traveled slowly over his attire. “You need it as much as I do.”

“I’ll be okay,” Ryan assured her. “I want you to have it. Use it for the baby.” He could tell that the infant was only a few weeks old. “She’s beautiful.”

After a short deliberation, she accepted the money and smiled. “God bless you for your kindness. Thank you so much.”

“When was the last time you had a hot meal?” Ryan asked.

“A few days now,” she responded. “My milk is drying up, so I think I’m going to have to get formula.”

“Hey, I’m about to get something to eat. Why don’t you and your beautiful little daughter join me? We can stop somewhere and get the diapers so you can change her first.”

He saw the hesitation in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. My name is Ryan, and I have nothing but honorable intentions.”

“I’m Paige, and this is Cassie. Ryan, you’ve done so much already. We really don’t want to take advantage of your kindness.”

“You wouldn’t be,” he said. “Paige, it looks like you need a friend. I assure you that I am not looking for anything in return.”

They walked until they found a corner store and bought diapers, a set of bottles, formula and some onesies for the baby.

Ryan pointed to the restaurant across the street. “We can eat there.”

Together, they crossed the street.

“I’ll wait out here,” Paige said, looking uncomfortable. “I need to change Cassie anyway. Besides, I’m pretty sure they don’t want us to come inside.”

Just as he was about to enter the restaurant, a young man dressed like one of the waitstaff met him at the door.

“I can take your order,” he said, “if you have money to pay.”

Ryan had forgotten he was dressed like a homeless person. It was clear that the waiter feared they would offend the other patrons. He stepped away from the door. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have money,” he retorted. “I want to order two burgers, fries and drinks to go.”

“You sure you have enough money to pay for all this?” the young man asked.

“Like I said, I wouldn’t have ordered it if I didn’t,” Ryan responded, angered by the look of disdain on the waiter’s face. He pulled out two twenty-dollar bills. “Keep the change.”

Embarrassed, the waiter muttered, “I’ll place your order right now. It’ll be about ten minutes.”

Ryan strolled over to one of the outdoor tables where Paige sat playing with her baby girl.

“Why are you out here on the streets, Ryan?” Paige asked. “You obviously have money.”

“The only reason I have this money is because some rich woman gave it to me when I was standing outside the Alexander-DePaul Hotel,” he responded honestly. “Then I saw you, and I wanted to help. A young mother and her baby should not be on the streets.”