“It looks great,” Cadence said, looking over her shoulder into the room.
“Thanks for helping me find every moose Aunt Patty planted in this place.”
“What are sisters for?”
Sophie’s phone buzzed in her back jeans pocket. She’d been waiting for a text from Denver to let her know how close he was to the ending of his book, but her text from two hours ago was unanswered.
“Mr. Jenkins?” Cadence asked, nodding at the phone.
“Yeah, I better take this.” She ignored Cadence’s raised eyebrow, hoping against hope he had news. Some explanation or promise of a new check on the way. After last night’s peaceful sleep due to Caroline staying over at Tessa’s, she yearned for her own place—her own bed—more than ever.
Slipping out of the den and down the hall into a small alcove near the guest’s back entrance, Sophie answered. “Mr. Jenkins, please tell me you have news. Any news.”
“Hi there, Sophie. I do havesomenews. Not sure how welcome it’ll be.”
Sophie recognized the erratic increase of her heartbeats in time to take a deep, calming breath and slow them. “What did you find out?”
Mr. Jenkins cleared his throat twice. “Mr. Kassels’ lawyers called me this morning.”
“And?”
“They can’t find him.”
“What?”
“He won’t return their calls. He hasn’t been home, or at least not answering the door any time they’ve stopped by.”
For a beat, Sophie wondered if something happened to Blake. Had he been in an accident, something no one had discovered? Maybe he was dead. She’d loathe the man for the remainder of her years, but she’d never wish death on anyone. Nor could she expend any energy on what happened to a man who’d abandoned her and her child.
“It’s pointless, isn’t it?” Sophie asked, aware that Cadence lingered a short distance away.
“I wouldn’t get my hopes up, Ms. Whitmore. I’m sorry to deliver such disappointing news to you this afternoon.”
“Thank you for doing everything you could,” Sophie said, and meant it. She held the phone to her ear for a few beats after the call ended, stalling long enough to compose herself before she faced Cadence.
It’s over. Truly over.
To lose the stipend that helped her and Caroline get back on their feet stung. Despite its loss, Sophie had a sense of relief. She would never again rely on Blake Kassels for anything. He was forever tucked into her past, to be brought out only when Caroline had questions about her nearly forgotten father.
“Thought you might like to see the cake,” Cadence said to Sophie, kind enough not to pry.
“Cake?” Had Sophie been so distracted with her call that she missed the drop-off? She rarely missed Tillie Grant making an entrance.
Cadence hooked her hand around Sophie’s arm. “C’mon.”
Smile fixed in place, Sophie made her way back to the den, apology for skipping out on the parade float preparations fully prepared. She was ashamed to have dodged helping in order to avoid Denver. They were adults. Friends.
Who’d kissed.
Yes, said kiss still left her slightly dizzy when she allowed herself to revisit it, however briefly. But they were adults who could continue being friends despite that slipup. Nothing had to change.Right?
Denver was the first thing she saw when she turned into the room. His head turned to glance over his shoulder, meeting her gaze. He wore his reading glasses and that debonair smile that had the single women in town begging for a date. Yet, he’d kissedherback. And it dawned on Sophie,shewas the only one who called it a mistake.
“Mom asked me to drop this by. I was desperate for a break.” When Sophie had yet to drop her gaze, he added, “Like it?”
“The cake, Soph,” Cadence whispered to her. “Do you like the cake?”
Senses returned, Sophie approached the table she’d staged along the back wall. Giant balloons rocked on either side of the cake, cartoon moose decals taped to them, thanks to Cadence’s ingenuity and quick thinking.
