Chapter 5

I immediately fellin love with the Christianson's gallery. They had created small living rooms or bedrooms to show off their clients' sculptures and paintings. It felt like I was walking through a home and not a gallery.

"Art is for everyone," Roman said. "Plus, a little razzamatazz helps keep the interest of our patrons." He ended with a wink.

"Where did you get the idea for the rooms?" Justin asked. I knew he was cataloging every detail.

"Sage." He looked over his shoulder to where his wife and Sage were whispering.

"Julieanne knew that using the walls as the backdrop wouldn't keep a buyer's interest. She was telling Sage about that over tea one day, and Sage came up with the idea."

"I love it." I learned that humans like it when you get excited about an idea from time to time.

"I am partial. I love that girl like my own. I've been in this business for decades, so I know talent. Sage has something special. Timing and the economy have held her back. Otherwise, she'd be in New York at one of the elite galleries." I could tell from his look of pride that Roman truly believed that.

"I appreciate your opinion," I began slowly, unsure what I wanted to say or how to put it into words. "I have need of a…"

"She would not be a good agent," he told me quickly.

"No." I shook my head. "I've put a lot of work into training Justin. I can't give him up."

"Thanks," Justin grumbled.

"I need someone to organize and catalog my work. I'm to the point where I don't know what I have," I admitted.

"I keep telling her that she could be selling the photos instead of letting them sit around collecting dust," Justin chimed in.

"Sage has a great eye," Roman murmured.

Justin was waiting for me to say more.

I chose not to. This should be a conversation between Sage and me.

Julieanne answered a ringing phone. When she returned, she said, "We should leave for our reservation. We don't want to be late."

"It's called the Gypsy Tea Room, and Rosalie's grandparents were true Romani," Roman shared. "She's the owner."

For one moment, I wondered if I had met them. "Sounds fascinating."

At the restaurant, Sage was seated across from me, with Roman to my left and Justin to my right. Julieanne was still talking with the hostess and had not selected her chair.

"I'll let Rosie know you're here." The hostess left us.

"She's a character," Sage said, leaning closer.

I had no idea what to expect, which was interesting because I was rarely surprised.

A striking woman approached our table. "Welcome, welcome. I am Rosie." She paused as if expecting applause. "I've created a special menu for you." Her gaze traveled around the table and then returned to me. "It will be magical."

From the slight narrowing of her eyes, I could tell that she recognized I was "Other."

She then gave Sage a slight tip of her head.

A young woman approached to fill our water glasses, and Rosie left us.

The food was excellent. Rosie sent out platter after platter.

The talk covered many subjects: art, travel, gossip, and the history of Chicago. I was enjoying myself. I gave Justin a nod. I wanted to pursue Sage.

"Sage, what are you doing tomorrow afternoon?" Justin asked.

Her eyebrows drew together. "I don't believe that I have anything scheduled."

"We'd like to talk to you about an opportunity," Justin continued.

"How lovely," Julieanne said with a little clap of delight.

"Talia has a room filled with her work. She doesn't know what she has," Justin said.

The work needed to be done. I was resigned to the fact, although I dreaded being reminded of times long ago.

Sig made fun of the room, not that he couldn't lose himself for hours looking at my work. It had been his idea to petition Anton to allow an outsider onto the Redd's land and into the manor. The promises of the possible riches that could be earned had swayed our Packleader.

He had no interest in my career except for the money it could bring him.

Sage was intelligent. She would question how we lived and why I agreed to do so.

I needed to make sure my answers would satisfy her. The last thing we needed was for her to become nosey.

That would be dangerous to both of us.

I needed to talk to Sig.

Goddess, I hated how easily I turned to him in moments of doubt. A part of me wished that he would hate me. However, he seemed content to accept whatever I could give.

I didn't get to call Sig last night.

At the last minute, Justin arranged a dinner with one of the collectors we'd met at Serge's gallery.

I'd slept in this morning and now felt nervous about what I would say to Sage. My gut told me when she entered the restaurant off our hotel's lobby. My wolf had already accepted her into our lives.

"Am I late?" She started to unzip her jacket.

"No. Justin wouldn't stop talking. I came downstairs to escape."

"Sometimes, I need quiet when I have to think," she said after she sat down.

"Life at times can be very…loud."

She gave me a sweet smile in understanding. "Oh, tea sounds great." She was looking at my now empty cup. "The wind is nasty today."

"My home is in northern Canada. I should be used to the cold, but something about the weather here chills me."

"It's the lake," she explained. "The wind is brutal because it's coming off the water, which is icy cold this time of year."

"That's a good point." I looked around for a server.

He must have sensed our need because he rushed to our table and took our orders.

"Northern Canada? Sounds snowy and cold." Sage flashed a mischievous smile.

"It is desolate. We are miles from other towns by design," I shared.

"I don't understand."

"It's a long story. My family is odd. They cling to the old ways. Anton is the one in charge. He is considered the Leader, and what he says…goes."

Her eyes rounded. "Are you a part of a cu…. religion?"

"It does sound like a cult, now that I think about it." I made myself relax. I'd practiced this part. "The extended family moved to the Reddlands because they were persecuted many years ago. They chose a place that others wouldn't flock to. It's cold and snowy; it takes a hardy soul to survive there. Over the years, others have moved there, but mostly the population is related by blood or heart."

"I meant no offense," she told me.

"I've lived with it for so long. I only realize how strange it is when I've been away from it for a bit." I smiled at our server as he brought us our tea. "My mother died in childbirth, and my father served in the government. When he died, I was young. Anton's father cared for me. I have ties to the family and…"

"And even if they are difficult, they are yours," she finished for me. "We put up with a lot of crap from family."

I felt the weight lift from my shoulders. "That is very true."

"I know I wouldn't like to be alone in this world. Roman and Julieanne were my family." Sage blushed as she looked away.

"They put up with me." I shrugged.

"So, we must make allowances for them." Her grin showed a hint of mischief.

I decided to move ahead with my plan. "As Justin mentioned, I need someone to put order to my work. I was hoping that you might be interested. But before we go any further, I need you to understand that the Redds are odd. They're happy living their lives the way they do. You'll probably spend most of your time…working. There isn't much else to do."

"Where would I stay?"

"In the manor." I realized that I wasn't giving her enough information. "The immediate family lives in a big house."

"Together?"

"There is lots of room. Anton and his ma…wife have their own wing. The wing where I live and work has four floors. It has electricity, but it is drafty."

"It sounds interesting." Sage blinked quickly.

"You would work and do whatever you want in your downtime. Although, that would mostly be indoors and in our wing."

She leaned forward. "Tell me more." Her pretty green eyes flashed. "I find that I am in need of an adventure."

The poor woman had no idea.