Hummingbird Lake Page 0,18
smiles are something to value, don’t you think?”
“I can’t argue with that,” Colt said, meaning it. That was the second “smile” comment he’d heard. Maybe he should give his position a bit more thought.
They made small talk for a few more minutes, and then the other couple took their leave. Melody turned to Colt and said, “I probably should be going soon, too.”
“All right. Why don’t we track down the elusive artist and say goodnight?”
It hadn’t escaped Colt’s notice that while Sage continued to work the room, she managed to avoid whatever section he occupied. He wished she hadn’t heard him express his reaction toward her work, but at the same time, her hostility intrigued him. Challenged him.
He positioned their approach so that Sage couldn’t see them coming and scoot away. Eavesdropping on her conversation, he discovered that she, too, was staying in a downtown hotel. Well, now. That’s convenient.
He smothered his grin when Sage turned toward them and her smile momentarily faltered. Melody said, “I need to get home, but I wanted to tell you I’m so glad to have met you. I would love to own a painting of yours someday, and that I absolutely plan on visiting your gallery next time we’re in Colorado.”
“Thank you so much,” Sage replied. “It’s been lovely to meet you, too, and I do hope to see you in Eternity Springs.”
She once again favored Colt with one of those fake smiles. “Have a good trip back to Washington, Rafferty.”
“Why, thank you, Sage. I so appreciate your good wishes.”
Colt took her hand, brought it up to his lips, and kissed it. “It’s been a revelation.”
She snatched her hand back, and Colt halfway expected to see her wipe it off on her dress. He couldn’t help but chuckle as he and Melody made their way back to her car.
“That was entertaining,” the lady observed as she slipped her key into the ignition. “I am so glad you accepted our speaking invitation, Colt. For many reasons.”
“I take it as a personal challenge never to bore my dinner dates,” he drawled. Melody laughed and pulled out onto the road, and Colt added, “Seriously, though, I appreciate having had this opportunity. You’ve given me something to think about where the job is concerned. I can see that doing this sort of outreach might be effective for our team.”
She dropped him off at his hotel with the promise to stay in touch, and Colt watched her car pull away from the curb. After checking with the bellman for the address he needed, Colt decided to walk. It was a great evening weatherwise, with mild temperatures and only a gentle breeze. Strings of white lights hung in the trees lining the streets, and an active nightlife gave Fort Worth an appealing downtown. He’d always liked visiting here as a boy. It’s a shame he didn’t get here more often.
He arrived at his destination in under ten minutes, and he was pleased to discover a restaurant next door with outside seating. Colt ordered a beer and sat down to enjoy the evening and await Sage Anderson.
“You were a rousing success, darling,” Steve Montgomery said as he pulled his car to a stop on the side street next to Sage’s hotel. “Are you absolutely certain I can’t take you to dinner to celebrate?”
“I’m certain. I’d probably fall asleep in my salad.” Sage leaned across the seat and kissed his cheek. “Thank you again for everything, Steve. You are my hero.”
“I love you, too, dear. Have a safe trip home and I’ll talk to you next week.”
Sage waved good-bye as he drove off, then turned the corner to enter her hotel. She hadn’t lied about being exhausted, but she was always exhausted. Mainly she’d skipped dinner because after two days away from Eternity Springs, the walls of the city were closing in on her. And this was only Fort Worth, Texas. Imagine what she’d feel in New York. As nice as the reception had been—well, except for that one not-so-nice surprise—she’d had her fill of people. Right now all she wanted was to hole up, order room service, and find her quiet.
Then a voice intruded. “Well, now. Isn’t this an amazing coincidence?”
Sage froze in her tracks. Colt Rafferty stood on the other side of a short iron fence marking a bar’s sidewalk seating. “No. I can’t be this unlucky. I can’t!”
He tossed cash onto his table, then easily swung his long legs over the fence. “Now that hurts my feelings.”
“Good. We’re even,