“Grace is doing something with Camden and she won’t tell me about it. It’s driving me crazy. Do you happen to know?”
“I will do some investigating and see if I can find out.”
“I guess that’s a start. This is the first time she hasn’t shared with me.”
“Now you have my curiosity piqued.”
“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it right now, so continue. I believe we are up to Jackson,” she said, and sipped at her wine.
“Ah, Jackson. He’s had some rough patches over the years. He was married and then lost his child. To this day, it’s hard for him to talk about, but since he got married to Alyssa, he’s a new man, and I’m enjoying time with my brother more than I can express. He’s a good man.”
“I can’t imagine losing a child. How did he make it through all of that?” she asked.
“I really don’t know,” he said with a sigh. “It took a lot of time. He’ll open up eventually and share it all with his brothers, but for now, I’m just glad to see him happy again.”
“It doesn’t always help to open up. I know everyone says that we need to talk about our feelings, but sometimes it’s just too painful to share them with anyone—like reopening a wound. It’s hard when you think the rest of the world can’t possibly understand.” Sage was remembering how alone she’d felt after losing her parents and grandfather.
“It sounds like you might know something about this subject.”
“Well, you know . . . girl problems,” she said flippantly, hoping he wouldn’t push this subject. She didn’t want to be mousy and pathetic tonight. Besides, she found it far more interesting to talk about him. “Do you know anything about your birth parents?”
Spence paused for a moment before answering her. “My dad and my brothers don’t know about this, but I did find my biological mother about ten years ago.”
“Do you still talk to her?” Sage asked with surprise.
“No. I thanked her for giving me up for adoption, for allowing me to have a better life. She was so high, I don’t think she even knew her own name, let alone had any clue who the man was standing before her. I was just a baby when I was found at the doorway of a fire department.”
“Oh my gosh, Spence. I can’t imagine what you must have gone through to stand before the woman who willingly gave you up,” Sage said as she took his hand and squeezed it.
“I’m not angry with her, Sage. She did the right thing. She was too weak, and too addicted to take care of a child. Yes, my early years in foster care weren’t pleasant, but ultimately it led me to Jackson and Camden, and then Martin and Michael. My brothers by choice are my best friends, and with Martin, I learned that someone doesn’t have to share the same blood to be family. He was and is a great father, and I’m the man I am today because of him, so I’m grateful to the woman who birthed me.”
Sage found herself fighting tears as she listened to this man who was so much stronger than she was. If she hadn’t lived with her grandmother after her parents died, she didn’t think she would have been as strong. She didn’t know what to say.
“I’ve shared with you,” Spence said, and then waited. His opening up gave her the courage to share with him.
“I lost my parents when I was ten. My grandfather was taking my mom and dad fishing and their tire blew out over a bridge. They crashed through the guardrail into the river, and it took the rescuers eight hours to pull the car out. I still have a hard time discussing it. I was supposed to be with them but wasn’t feeling good that day, so I was home with my grandma. She told me it was the angels protecting me, but if that’s the case, why didn’t they protect my parents and my grandfather?” She knew she’d never have an answer to that question.
“We don’t always get to know the reason something happens, but I do believe our lives are shaped by every experience we go through. Maybe that feeling of helplessness is what shaped you into who you are, is what gave you the drive to be a doctor. No, it shouldn’t take losing your parents to find yourself, but everything really does happen for a reason.”
Spence reached across the table and took her hand, offering her the only comfort he was capable of giving right then. It wasn’t enough, and at the same time, it was exactly what she needed. She didn’t want to speak about it anymore, and he seemed to get that.
“Okay, we’re going to shelve conversation for now. The band is about to start, and I want to hold you.” Spence stood up, escorted her to the corner of the dance floor, and put his arms around her. Couples were already swaying to the recorded music coming from the speakers. When the live band started, the floor would be packed.
“Thank you for sweeping me off my feet tonight, Spence,” she said against his neck.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to do it, Sage.” He kissed her gently, giving her a taste of the way their night was going to end.
Well after midnight, Spence opened the door to their rooms at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The hotel was beautifully designed and appointed, with an ambience of high style and exclusivity, but this corner suite still managed to surprise Sage. They entered the living room to find a fire burning and soft lights. On every table sat a vase holding roses and lilies in colors and shapes she’d never seen before. It was romantic. It was perfect.
She walked to a window and looked out at the beautiful green hotel grounds through the bright lights that illuminated the area. Even after her years in California, she never ceased to be amazed at the beauty one could find in the middle of a metropolis. When she’d imagined cities as a child, she’d thought only of pollution and garbage. Thankfully, there were always oases to be found.