Replacing the card, then the lid, Sophie firmly set the box on top of the dresser. “I’m not ready. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.”
“I don’t know that any of us are ever ready. Love kind of does its own thing, you know?”
Sophie fervently shook her head. “No, I can’t. I can’t put Caroline through all that again. I don’t want her getting attached to someone just to have him walk out on us.” Tears wrestled at the corners of her eyes, but she sucked in a deep breath and kept them from falling. She’d been the one foolish enough to fall for her ex’s charms. She’d suffer the consequences if it meant protecting her daughter.
“Then don’t introduce anyone to Caroline until you know they’re going to stick around.” Cadence pulled her into another side hug. Though she may never admit it to them, all these sisterly hugs were one of her favorite things about being all back together again. “Sophie, you deserve to be happy, with someone who appreciates everything you have to offer. He’s out there. I know he is.”
“I’m taking the scarf back.”
* * *
Her jumbled emotions about the scarf dissipated when Sophie pulled into Denver’s driveway, replaced by new concerns as she cut the ignition. She was breathing a little heavier than usual, suddenly remembering how many texts had gone back and forth between them today.
Determined to slow her erratic breaths before she went inside and made a fool of herself, Sophie forced a deep inhale. Everything felt so turned upside down. Shemissedhim today, and that was a problem she didn’t know how to solve.
Add to this that secret admirer business . . . She’d tried to figure out who would even know she wanted that scarf but quickly realized she’d told numerous people that was her pending reward. That’s what Sophie got for embracing the spirit of a small town. With the lilies on it, it was anyone’s guess who sent it.
The flowers—or the scarf—couldn’thave come from Denver. They’d been friends for so long, and surely if that had changed for him—which it definitely hadn’t—he’d come out and say it. No, she had a sneaky suspicion the flowers were from Caroline’s teacher, Mr. Andrews.
The thought hadn’t really sunk in until she spotted Caroline’s drawing on the fridge. Pink lilies. With a label,my mommy’s favorite. But such an expensive scarf threw her for a bit of a loop.
“Get it together, Soph.” She muttered these words to herself at least three times a day anymore when it came to Denver Grant. Feelings she hoped to shake were taking root and digging in. Here in his driveway, the control she thought she’d gained being away from him wavered. The harder she tried to shake these pesky feelings, the stronger they became. More than once today she caught herself wearing a cheesy, schoolgirl smile when they were exchanging texts.
The curtain moved in the front living room window. Denver, no doubt, checking on her to see what was taking so long. Out of time, Sophie slipped the hardcover notebook she’d picked up for him in her purse and forced herself out of the car.
The cool, crisp air promised autumn was close. Sophie adored their little town when the beautiful, however short, season hit. Sunset Ridge looked like a painting during those few weeks. She planned to continue running after her marathon was over, and looked forward to enjoying the multicolored leaves overhead her trails.
“Hey,” Denver greeted, pushing the screen door open and waiting for her on the porch.
Originally, Cadence promised they’d be home by seven, but Denver hadn’t minded at all when Sophie asked for extra sister time. They stopped for dinner and even ordered dessert. The chocolate lava cake helped her decide carb-loading for the marathon could start a few days early. “She asleep?”
“An hour ago.”
“Sorry I’m so late.”
“It’s no problem. Hope you found some good clothes?”
“That girl is set. Well, unless she has an unexpected growth spurt or decides moose are no longer cool. But fingers crossed she’s at least good through Christmas.”
She stepped inside first, all too aware how closely behind her Denver walked. Heat radiated in the gap between them. She could feel it even through her sweatshirt. She’d purposely changed into comfortable clothes before coming over, hoping it would help things feel . . . normal.
They didn’t feel normal at all. They feltcharged.
“Who won?” Sophie nodded at the Monopoly board strewn out on the coffee table.
“Caroline landed on Boardwalk early, so let’s just say she’s not doing too bad. She begged me not to put it away.”
Sophie stopped in the doorway to the living room, leaning against the door jamb. Caroline was tucked beneath a crocheted blanket, sleeping so peacefully Sophie hated to move her. It seemed almost cruel to wake her up. Sherlock slept on the other end of the couch, curled in a ball with his head resting on Caroline’s hip. “Thought he wasn’t allowed on the couch.”
“Try tellinghimthat.”
How could Sophie ever get Caroline her own dog if she was thisattached to Sherlock? Not that it mattered. With all the dogs coming in and out of the lodge, adding another to the mix would cause mass chaos.
“You hungry?” Denver asked.
“No,” Sophie answered quickly, knowing the best thing she could do was leave as soon as possible. “We picked up some dinner in Anchorage.” But that was more than three hours ago. Her stomach rumbled right on cue to give her away.
“You have to try her lasagna,” Denver said in a low voice so close to her ear she shivered. “I wasn’t too sure about Tessa’s suggestions. Then again, I’m not a professional chef. I’m happy to report that it turned out really good. Better than good, actually.”
