“Well…”
“She’s doing great,” Aidan said, placing his hand on hers.
Luke’s gaze went from Aidan’s face to his hand, and then to Sophie. She blushed beneath his scrutiny.
“It’s pretty small fry—nothing like my work in the city.”
“What?” Aidan bristled. “You won that land dispute between Mrs. Nobbs and the trailer park.”
Sophie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You just made my point.”
“She doesn’t need to work,” Luke told Aidan.
“Yes, I do,” Sophie said. She refused to touch her nephew‘s trust fund for her own maintenance, and she wanted Luke to understand this. “Even if I didn’t need the money—I need to work. It keeps me sane.”
Aidan squeezed her hand. “You’re the sanest person I know.”
He was beginning to bug her and she couldn’t even say why. Now, she didn’t only not want to kiss him, she wanted him to leave. She wanted both men to go. Picking at her Stromboli, she wondered how her life had completely derailed from the path she’d been on.
Jamison seemed to pick up on her mood and began to fuss.
Sophie put down her fork and gathered him into her arms. “He needs to be changed,” she said, although she secretly thought that Jamison wasn’t the only one in need of a change.
#
The tension in the dining room had been high before Sophie had left the room, but with her gone, Luke felt as if he were swimming in a testosterone-infested shark pond. Making chit-chat with Aidan Mason was the last thing on his very long to-do list. From the look on Aidan’s face, he felt the same.
“So where’ve you been?” Aidan asked.
“I already told you, Germany.”
Aidan didn’t say anything, but bit into his Stromboli, knocking his fork against his teeth. “She could have used you,” Aidan said. “The last few months have been really hard.”
“You don’t think I know that?” Luke ran his fingers through his hair. “Look. I’m here now.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good thing.”
“You can’t have it both ways. Either she needs help or she doesn’t.”
“She gave up her career.”
“She’s still practicing.”
“It’s hardly the same thing. But she’s been incredible. Amazing, really.” Aidan’s voice softened with appreciation. “She gave up one world and started another for her sister’s child. And you know what? The life she had and the new life she’s creating for herself and Jamison are both equally spectacular.” Aidan took a sip of his water before saying what he obviously had been waiting to say. Luke could practically hear the words she doesn’t need you spilling from Aidan’s lips, but before he could say it, Sophie came back in the room.
She balanced Jamie on her hip. “Do you guys mind if I cut this party short? I’ve got to give Jamison his bath and put him to bed, and frankly, I’m knackered.”
Luke bounced to his feet. “Let me give Jamie his bath.”
Aidan shot him a dark look. “I’ll do the dishes.” He stood and started gathering the dishes from the table.
“Guys, no. You’re my guests. I don’t want you doing my chores.” She took a deep breath. “But I do want you to go. Please.”
Jamie waved at them goodbye.
#
The next morning, Sophie and Jamison sat beside Liz and Teddy on the front pew of St. Jude’s Church. Pastor Carl Mitchells, Liz’s husband, sat on the stand while Debra Jenks played Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” on the organ. Sophie hadn’t ever attended church regularly, but ever since her sister’s death she’d found comfort and a sense of community in the small stone chapel where her best friend’s husband led the congregation.
