Branded in Oasis Page 9

  Shiloh continued, "He's got the same green thumb as my mama." Unexpectedly, she asked, "Did he ever tell you about the woman who broke his heart?"

  "Yes, he did."

  Shiloh reached to pat Skye's hand. "I thought so. You've touched his heart. Believe me, he wouldn't tell you unless he has feelings for you."

  "Well, we started out kind of rocky, but we've become friends."

  Shiloh squeezed Skye's hand. "I'm not talking about friendship feelings, I'm talking about love. My boy might not admit it yet, but he loves you."

  Skye willed her eyes not to tear up.

  "And you love him," Shiloh said, and released Skye's hand. "But just like that garden, the full blooming of love hasn't happened yet. It needs time to mature."

  Kade glanced up and saw them watching him through the window. He waved, wiped his dirty hands on his jeans, and held up one finger, indicating he'd be a minute longer. Shiloh turned her walker around and said cheerily, "Honey, you have a seat while I pour that lemonade we talked about."

  "Oh, please, let me pour it."

  "Nope. You've got a kind heart, just like my boy, but I don't like being coddled. I like being up and around, doing stuff all the time. I'm only using this walker 'cause Kade made such a fuss about it. I love visits from friends and serving them my treats and drinks. Help yourself to a cookie." She pointed to a platter on the small kitchen table. "Those are tea cake cookies. The recipe was passed down from my granny, and maybe great-granny."

  Skye reached for a napkin from the holder and lifted a big, fat, golden cookie, while Shiloh opened the refrigerator and pulled out a glass pitcher and set it on the table. While she poured drinks into three glasses, Kade opened the back door and stepped into the kitchen.

  "Hello, Skye." He glanced at the binder she'd placed on the table. "Has granny seen any of the photos yet?"

  "No, not yet."

  Shiloh said, "Kade, you go wash up, son, and I promise not to look at anything until you return."

  Kade laughed and walked over to his grandmother, bending to kiss her cheek. "Granny, you can look if you want. I'm sure you and Skye have the photo thing covered." He glanced at Skye. "I'll be back in ten minutes."

  When he left the room, Shiloh handed Skye her lemonade, placed one in front of a chair for Kade, and then set her walker off to the side and sat across from Skye. Lifting her own lemonade, she sipped and leaned forward. Quietly, she said, "You know why he's going through with this modeling thing, don't you?"

  Skye frowned. "He said he wanted to earn some money."

  "That's right. He's earning money for my hip replacement."

  Like a light bulb that was suddenly switched on, Skye understood, and she couldn't believe she'd been so dense not to realize his reason sooner. She'd heard Kade mention the hip replacement at the biker bar, but hadn't put two and two together.

  Shiloh continued speaking softly, "Like I said, he has a kind heart. He's going to hire a caregiver to stay with me for as long as he can afford it after the surgery."

  Skye didn't know what to say. Finally, she leaned forward and spoke low. "I'll do everything in my power to make sure he gets the best agent possible." They heard a door close, and Skye sat straight in her chair, taking a bite of cookie. A few seconds later, Kade entered the room. His shoulder-length hair was wet and combed back. He looked like he'd just shaved and his pale blue eyes were a startling contrast to his deep tan. Considering that he was of Native American descent, Skye guessed that even without a tan, his skin would be beautifully golden. Her heart ached when she realized she'd soon be leaving him and this community she'd come to love. To distract her sad thoughts, she reached for the binder of photos. Kade sat in the chair beside her as she opened it to the first picture, the one she considered to be the finest of all the photos. First impressions were important, so she had showcased this photo to create a stunning one. She turned the binder around for Shiloh to see.

  The elderly woman clapped a hand over her mouth and said, "Oh…oh…oh."

  The picture had been taken outside the garage with Kade wearing the black leathers. He was sitting on his Harley with a smile that was barely discernable, like he was amused by something in the distance. The photo had a mystique that made the viewer wonder if his smile was for an unseen lover or the rugged terrain surrounding him. He exuded sensuous masculine strength, but with a hint of vulnerability. The picture made you want to touch the man, both physically and emotionally. You wanted to discover his secrets.

  Skye glanced nervously between Kade and Shiloh and waited for more of a response.

  Shiloh was the first to speak. "That's my boy! You've captured him perfectly. Oh, I can't wait to see more pictures."

  Slanting her gaze sideways, Skye looked at Kade. His eyes met hers and his remark made her heart sing. "I can see why you're at the top of your profession."

  She smiled happily. With the binder positioned so both Shiloh and Kade could see the pictures, she began turning pages. The photos were magnificent because they not only captured the likeness of a beautiful specimen of manhood, but the soul of a man of integrity—a man untouched by arrogance or self-absorption. When they reached the photos from the mine, Shiloh gasped again, and exclaimed, "How clever of you to use the mine as a setting!"

  Skye said, "I was going for a James Bond affect with the tux."

  "Oh, yes. I can see that," Shiloh replied.

  Skye turned the page to the last photo. She had wanted to open with a bang and close with another bang. This photo was a profile close-up of Kade staring pensively at distant mountains. He was wearing the blue bandana and had been leaning against the side of the garage when Skye used her zoom to snap the photo of him unawares. He wasn't posing or trying to portray any emotions. It was just him and his private thoughts.

  Kade glanced at Skye and lifted an eyebrow. "Secretly taking pictures again?" His voice held a touch of humor.

  She smiled shyly. "I couldn't help myself."

  Chapter 21: Goodbye

  Kade studied Skye's face as they looked at the last photo. She appeared tired and something else he couldn't quite get a handle on—maybe sad, or was it relief that she would soon be leaving for a more exciting place than Oasis.

  She closed the binder. "Do either of you want to make any changes? I've brought other photos if you want to switch some out." She started to reach toward her bag on the floor, but Kade shot his hand to her wrist to stop her. He glanced back at his grandmother. "They're fine with me. How about you, Shiloh?"

  "Goodness, goodness. I think they're perfect."

  Slowly, Kade released Skye's wrist. "Then it's settled."

  Skye had a pretty blush on her face when she said, "Okay. I'll upload the file via email to my contact so he can start making inquiries. I'll also mail him a binder so he has something physical." She pointed to the binder on the table. "And this one is yours. I have another at the trailer."

  Shiloh pushed the cookie tray toward Skye. "Have another cookie, honey."

  "Thank you. They're delicious."

  "Would you like some more lemonade?" asked Kade.

  "No. I'm good. But there is one thing I'd like to ask."

  "Anything," said Shiloh.

  Skye smiled. "I'd like to take some photos of the two of you together for my own scrapbook. I'll send you copies." With sincerity she said, "I've loved spending time with you, Shiloh." She turned to Kade. "And I've loved working with you, Kade. You're a natural."

  Kade noticed Skye's complexion had once again turned a pretty pink. He got a lump in his throat at the thought of her leaving. To conceal his emotions, he jumped up and said, "I'd like nothing better than to have pictures of me with my favorite gal." He reached to help Shiloh to her feet and positioned her walker in front of her.

  Shiloh began patting her hair. "Oh, I'm a mess."

  Kade said, "Granny, you are a beautiful woman and maybe you should be posing for magazines and not me."

  Reaching to cup Kade's jaw, she said, "And you are ful
l of it, my boy," but she grinned happily.

  Skye reached into her bag for her tiny camera and then took several photos inside the house and more outside on the front porch. Finally, she retrieved her bag and returned her camera to it. Kade knew it was time to say goodbye.

  Skye hugged Shiloh, kissed her cheek, and then turned to Kade. He said, "I'll walk you to your car." He reached to carry her bag for her. She nodded and led the way. He placed her bag in the backseat and then opened the driver's door for her. Her head barely reached his chest and he noticed some sun-lightened strands. She glanced up at him and said softly, "Goodbye, Kade. I'll call as soon as I know something."

  Kade stared into her eyes and decided the emotion he'd tried to decipher earlier was sadness. Before rationalizing his action, he lifted a hand to her neck, moved aside her hair, and lowered his lips to the warm spot at the junction of neck and shoulder. Slowly, he kissed her there. He'd wanted to kiss her lips, but he knew if he did, he wouldn't stop.

  She inhaled sharply and didn't move as his mouth trailed upward to her ear. Finally, he placed the lobe of her ear between his lips for an instant and then whispered, "Goodbye, Skye."

  Stepping abruptly away from her, he turned, but not before he caught a glimmer of tears in her eyes. He waged an inward war as he walked away from her. His body and heart wanted her, but his rational mind told him that she was just another heartbreak. He stepped inside the house as she drove away.

  Shiloh, sitting on the couch, met his gaze. Before she could say anything, he said, "I'm going to finish working in the garden."

  He was almost out of the room when she replied, "Ain't gonna help. She's in your blood and she ain't leavin'."

  Chapter 22: Agent

  Skye held back her tears for as long as she could, but before she reached the end of Main Street to turn onto the road leading to the trailer park, she was sniffling, and then she was sobbing big, fat tears. Pulling up to her borrowed trailer, she rushed inside before anyone could see her. In the bathroom, she rinsed her eyes and then wet a cloth to hold over them. Lying on her bed, she relived the morning spent with Kade and Shiloh.

  Turning onto her side, she stifled another sob. She might as well admit it, she was crazy about Kade. No, she needed to rephrase that, she was crazy in love with Kade. If he'd asked her to stay in Oasis and live in a trailer with him, she would have agreed.

  After an hour's pity party, she rolled off the bed and went into the kitchen to find something to eat. Barely tasting the yogurt she'd grabbed from the fridge, she watched the happenings outside her window. Goody was walking his dog Piggy; Lilac, Vera, and Pinky were sitting outside the Bounder RV that Max had lived in and gifted to Lilac as replacement for the truck-bed camper she'd been living in for years; and Gator, or maybe it was Hank, was trimming one of the few trees in the park. In spite of her sadness, she smiled when she remembered her brother's revelation about Gator and Hank. Seems there were two personalities inhabiting one body and no one gave it a second thought. Gator/Hank had become a beloved member of this wacky community.

  Her attention was captured by Desi and Willie walking from the direction of Desi's trailer. They took up positions in the middle of the road. Willie hit his fist into his mitt and then tossed a ball at the elderly man. A few minutes later, Max joined them. He caught the ball from Willie and then returned it hard. Willie grinned and his joy put a smile on Skye's face, but also sorrow in her heart.

  Tomorrow she was leaving.

  * * *

  Skye sat in one of the many Starbucks in Temecula, California, and sipped a Grande-sized Pike Place coffee. It was her favorite brew. Having just started her assignment to showcase tourist attractions in Southern California for The Temecula Scene Magazine, she jotted her itinerary for the coming week—visit several wineries in Temecula Valley Wine Country, ride a hot air balloon over the Temecula/Murrieta countryside, fly in a sky diving plane over Lake Elsinore and capture parachutists at the moment of launch, join a nature walk on the Santa Rosa Plateau...

  Her cell phone rang and her heart jumped when she saw the ID. It was Tyron. She'd emailed and snail-mailed Kade's portfolio so he could start scouting agents. Had he found an interested one? She'd been on pins and needles every day, although it had only been two weeks since leaving Oasis

  She answered cheerily, "Hello, my friend. Do you have good news?"

  Tyron laughed. He had a deep and sexy voice that Skye enjoyed listening to. He was a gorgeous man who would have been the perfect "hot guy" on the cover of a chick-lit romance, and although she could appreciate his appeal, she knew he wasn't wired that way. A couple of years back he'd broken up with a man he'd been with for years. It had devastated him, and he'd gone into a funk for over a year.

  Tyron said, "And if I say yes, what's in it for me? You know I might make an exception and have a hot fling with you."

  "Hot fling with me? No, not gonna happen. I'd never satisfy you."

  "Maybe you should leave that up to me to decide."

  When Skye remained silent, Tyron sighed, "Your silence speaks louder than words. So, okay, I have good news. You know who Phillip Viceroy is, don't you?"

  Skye barely kept from squealing. "Yes! Is he interested?"

  Tyron didn't answer.

  "Tyron, did you hear me? Is he interested?"

  He laughed, "I was just giving you the silent treatment, too."

  "Stop it! Tell me what's going on."

  "Okay, okay. It's usually a bitch getting an appointment with Phillip, but when I emailed him a teaser pic—the first one in the album—he emailed back and asked me to call his assistant and make an appointment. When we met, I brought the binder with me and a CD copy, and the guy was blown away."

  This time Skye did squeal and a few people in Starbucks glanced in her direction. Her grin was so huge that they smiled back at her. She lowered her voice. "Okay, so what's the bottom line?"

  "Well, Phil Viceroy is known as being extremely cautious since he got burned several years back by that model—Chrissie Cabot—so his offer is for a single layout with Livingston Fashions that will appear in Vogue. He said that if Kade lives up to expectations, he'll offer something long term." Tyron paused for breath. "This is Kade's big break. Not many models get a first shoot this huge. I hope he's up for it."

  "He is. Now tell me about the money situation."

  Tyron chuckled, "One of my favorite topics. So, here's the scoop, Phil is willing to advance Kade seven thousand dollars and then issue a final payment of another seven thousand when the shoot is finished. But here's the cool part, all of Kade's travel expenses to and from location are covered. And hold on to your panties, the location is the Provence region of France."

  Skye sucked a breath as Tyron continued, "They're going to shoot throughout the area with the base of operation in Avignon. This guy not only gets paid well, he also gets an all expenses paid vacation. Did I do good, or what?"

  Skye could hardly contain her excitement. "You did awesome, but I never doubted you wouldn't. You always come through for me. Thank you. Thank you. I can't wait to call Kade."

  "So, maybe with all that gratefulness, we might get together so you can teach me all about women."

  Skye laughed. "Sorry to disappoint you, but you're going to have to find another woman to experiment with. I've got too much on my plate right now."

  "You can't blame a guy for trying. Hey, changing the subject, and not to sound eager, but I'm eagerly looking forward to my finder's fee. How soon do you think I might get paid?"

  "As soon as Kade signs the contract I'll Paypal it to you. When can you email the paperwork to me?"

  "Already done."

  "Great. Now I need to call Kade. I'll get back with you after I get his response. Of course, I expect he'll jump at it."

  Tyron replied, "If he doesn't, then he seriously needs to have his head examined. Talk to you later, hon."

  Chapter 23: The Call

  Kade rubbed the polishing rag over the chrome of a 1979 Honda G
old Wing he'd just restored, and heard his ringtone go off. It was an old rocker song by Lynard Skinnard. Without looking at the ID he continued polishing chrome with one hand and answered his call with the other.

  "Hello. Kade's Garage."

  "Kade this is Skye."

  He abruptly stopped polishing and sucked a breath. Before he could respond, she said excitedly, "You got a job offer from a top agent!"

  He tossed the polishing rag on the ground. "Yeah?" Skye's husky voice had his heart hammering.

  "Yes. His name is Phillip Viceroy and he works with several of the top fashion houses. Anyway, on a scale of one to ten of the most influential agents, with ten being the best, he's a ten, so this is very exciting." She rushed on, "Tyron sent me a copy of the contract Mr. Viceroy is offering and I've looked it over. It's all straight forward with nothing hidden, at least as far as I can see, but I'll have an attorney look at it." She paused and Kade heard her inhale before continuing, "Oh, Kade, I can't tell you how big this opportunity is."

  He still hadn't been able to get a word in, so he just listened. It was wonderful hearing her voice.

  She said, "So here's the gist of the contract. Mr. Viceroy is contracting with you for this one layout that will appear in Vogue Magazine!" Her voice registered her excitement. "And if everything goes as planned, he'll offer you a long-term contract. For this first shoot, however, he does have the right to dismiss you at any time, and that's pretty standard in the business. And as far as the money, he'll pay you seven thousand dollars upfront and another seven thousand at the successful conclusion of the shoot."

  Kade started to ask where the location was, but before he could speak Skye practically squealed, "And you'll never guess where the spread is going to be photographed. In France! So what do you think?"

  Kade had been agreeable to everything she'd said up until the France part. "How long would I be gone?"

  "Eight days. The photos are going to be shot at three locations in the Provence area of Southern France. I've been there and its one of the most beautiful places on earth. You're going to love it! Oh, and I forgot to mention that all your traveling expenses are paid. Honestly, I don't think you could have received a better first contract."