With One More Look At You

by Mary J. Williams

  "Don't get me wrong. I love my sister. She's had a hard time." Joy could tell it was time to pull back. She had planted the seeds. That was enough for now. "This wasn't meant to be a knock against Sophie. She needs time to adjust. I simply wanted you to be aware of the situation."

  With a friendly pat on Forbes' hand, Joy rose to her feet, leaving him to mull over what she had said. Feeling his eyes on her, she couldn't resist putting a something extra into the natural sway of her hips.

  IF JOY HAD known what Forbes thought after their conversation, she wouldn't have been happy. As a woman, she never crossed his mind. Sure, he found her attractive. But in an abstract way. Aaron's mom was a looker. However, it would never occur to him to think of her in a sexual way.

  Joy was pleasant. Had a nice smile. She was involved with his father and was Sophie's sister. That was the beginning, middle, and end of the way Forbes thought of her. When he thought about her. With his busy schedule, that wasn't often.

  With football practice, his work on the ranch, and school starting in a matter of days, he had a lot on his plate. Yet he did find himself considering Sophie's situation. The seed that Joy had planted had taken root—but not in the way she had hoped. Instead of wanting to avoid all contact, he searched for a way to help.

  The way Forbes saw it—if Joy was correct—Sophie needed to meet some people her own age. The more friends she made, the less dependent she would be on her sister. She could lean on him instead. Not that she had shown any inclination in that direction.

  That was what niggled in his brain. Sophie came across as fiercely independent. Almost to a fault. With a shrug, he dismissed his doubts. After all, Joy knew her sister better than Forbes did.

  "Hello. Forbes? Are you in here?"

  Forbes looked around, tossing a salt-lick onto the back of the truck next to a half dozen others. The cattle needed the dark-pink blocks during the hot weather. Late summer was dry, and the forecast was for the heat—and lack of rain—to carry well into the fall. The foliage that contained essential nutrients was as sparse as the rain.

  They replaced the dark-pink blocks several times a year. Now that he had them loaded, Forbes was headed to the southwest grazing areas. Later in the week, he would cover the northeast.

  "Daphne?" Forbes took a bandana from his back pocket, wiping sweat from his face. "What are you doing here? It's pushing ninety in the shade. I thought you'd be getting in as much time at the lake as possible before school starts."

  "You left a message that you wanted to talk to me. Here I am."

  Like most of the kids in his class, Forbes had known Daphne Parks for most of his life. Blond, brown eyes. Head cheerleader. She was considered the prettiest, most popular girl at Cloverton High. Forbes couldn't argue.

  "I told your mom there was no hurry. I was going to stop by tomorrow after football practice."

  Smiling, Daphne laid a hand on his chest. She gazed up at him, whispering as if somebody other than the horses could overhear. "I thought I'd save you the bother."

  FROM HER SPOT outside the far wall of the barn, Sophie couldn't see what was happening. However, she could hear every word.

  Eavesdropping hadn't been Sophie's goal when she and Bailey set out for an after-lunch stroll. Taking the path along the river, they were ready to sit and enjoy a few minutes in the shade.

  Leaning her back against the wall, the dog flopping down beside her, Sophie had drifted off to sleep until Forbes woke her when he drove into the barn. But since she hadn't felt like moving—and she had no reason to alert him to her whereabouts—she had kept silent. How could she have anticipated that company would arrive? Female company.

  To speak up now would be awkward. Silently, Bailey laid his head on her lap. Sophie took that as his sign of agreement.

  "WHAT CAN I do for you?" Daphne started walking her fingers down his chest.

  Forbes laughed, squeezing Daphne's hand, he stopped it before it ventured any lower. He knew what she had in mind. It wouldn't be the first time they had fooled around. Neither of them looking for anything serious, it had always been fun and easy for them. Another time, another place, Forbes would have taken her up on what she offered.

  "That isn't why I called."

  Not the least bit offended, Daphne leaned against the truck, her tanned legs crossed at the ankles.

  "Your loss."

  "I'm well aware." Forbes set his gloves on the hood of the truck. Removing his baseball cap, he ran a hand through his sweat-matted hair. "I need a favor."

  "Name it."

  "Just like that?" Forbes narrowed his eyes. He knew Daphne never made anything that easy.

  "I resent your tone." Flicking a non-existent piece of lint from her sundress, Daphne sighed. "We're friends. If you need something that is within my abilities to deliver, it's yours."

  "Thank you."

  "That said—"

  "And the other shoe drops."

  "But it's such a pretty shoe." She held out her foot, showing off the strappy sandal.

  "What do you want, Daphne?"

  "You first." Understanding that she could push Forbes only so far, she said, "I promise. My terms are practically painless."

  "It's that part that has me worried. Our idea of painless might not mesh."

  Daphne opened her purse, taking out a pack of cinnamon-flavored sugar-free gum. She offered some to Forbes.

  "No, thanks."

  Thoughtfully, she removed the wrapper, popping a piece into her mouth. "I tell you what. We'll each state what we want. Put it right out on the table. Either we both agree, or it's no deal."

  Forbes had to give Daphne credit. She was a shrewd negotiator.

  "I'll go first."

  "Seems fair," Daphne said, executing a perfect bubble.

  "I know there's gossip around town."

  "That's like saying the sky is blue. You'll have to be more specific."

  Daphne knew exactly what he was talking about. And she knew he knew. The little… Forbes let it pass. After all, he was the one who started this.

  "Joy and Sophie Lipton."

  "Your father's friend and her sister? That isn't gossip, Forbes. It's like a gift from the Gods. There hasn't been so much speculation since… Come to think of it, I can't think of anything coming close. If I head back to town with a scoop, people will be beating my door down."

  "That's why you're here?" He was more disappointed than angry. "Jesus, Daphne. Doesn't friendship count for anything?"

  "What did I do that was so bad?" Daphne reasoned. "As long as I don't make anything up, who am I hurting?"

  Though purely a matter of semantics, Forbes wouldn't make a big deal out of Daphne giving into curiosity. She wasn't the first to casually "stop by" the ranch in search of information. Maeve didn't go into details, just stating that she had dealt with it.

  "Sophie Lipton." Forbes would be as brief as possible. "She took a placement test the other day."

  "I know."

  Naturally. "How did she do?"

  "I wish I knew." Daphne sent him a disgruntled look. "Mom invited Principal Breckenridge for dinner last night, but the woman was annoyingly closemouthed."

  In spite of himself, Forbes laughed. You had to love a small town.

  "Gifted. That's how she did. So well that she'll be starting the tenth grade even though she's had no formal education."

  "Rumor has it she was kept chained to her bed. In the basement. And she has to wear sunglasses all the time because her eyes are sensitive to light. And she's so skinny because—"

  "Bullshit."

  "All of it?" Daphne sounded disappointed.

  "Every word."

  "That's too bad. New students are hard enough to come by. But when we do get them, they're always so… ordinary."

  Forbes rubbed his shoulder, a slight smile curving his lips. "I don't know her very well. But the last thing I'd call Sophie is ordinary."

  "Is she pretty?"

/>   "I guess."

  "Prettier than me?"

  His head falling back, Forbes let out a long-suffering sigh. "You can relax. Sophie won't be a rival to your lofty position as queen bee. She's a kid who could use a break. Which brings me to the favor."

  "I don't hang out with sophomores." Daphne's shudder made her horror at the idea perfectly clear.

  "You don't have to. All I'm asking is for you to acknowledge Sophie. Say hello. Call out her name as you pass in the hall. Be nice, and the other kids will follow your lead."

  "They do look to me for guidance," Daphne preened

  Forbes swallowed his laugh. The only thing bigger than Daphne's heart was her ego.

  "Then you'll do it?"

  "Why not? I'll wave and say hello and steer all the gossip in the right direction. However," Daphne looked Forbes in the eyes. "If your new friend turns out to be a creep, she's on her own."

  "She isn't a creep."

  "Then there shouldn't be a problem. Now, about your end of the deal."

  Forbes braced himself. "Let me have it."

  "Take me to the homecoming dance."

  "That's it?" He waited for more. When Daphne nodded, Forbes breathed a sigh of relief. "I was expecting something less… ordinary."

  "Ordinary? Are you kidding? No girl has ever wrangled you into taking her to a school dance. Never. Not one. This will be my crowning achievement. When we walk into that crepe paper-covered gymnasium, I will be a legend."

  "You're overselling, Daphne."

  "Maybe. Just a tad. But it will be a minor coup." Sidling close, her hand returning to his chest, Daphne smiled like a little girl waiting for a treat. "Do we have a deal?"

  "Why not?"

  Forbes had never understood why a fuss was made over such things. He avoided the drama by going stag. It saved him the major pain in the ass of trying to fulfill some girl's weird fantasy of the perfect date and the commitment that seemed to go along with it. One dance. One date. If it helped Sophie, it was a small—and relatively painless—price to pay.

  "My dress is royal purple. Buy my corsage with that in mind."

  "I can handle a corsage."

  "Naturally, we'll be voted king and queen."

  Knowing Daphne, Forbes didn't doubt she was right. He supposed it was part of that weird fantasy thing. What the hell. If she wanted her picture taken with a paper crown on her head, Forbes could smile for the camera.

  "Is that all? I have work to do."

  "For now. I'll fill you in on the details as we get closer to the big night."

  That brought Forbes up short. "How many details are we talking about?"

  "Minor. Miniscule. I promise."

  "Fine. You take care of the details. I'll be there." Forbes had committed to taking Daphne. He wouldn't back out. If she wanted to turn it into a circus, he would rather be unpleasantly surprised.

  "Don't frown. We'll have fun." Daphne's smile turned provocative, her hand sliding to the fly of his jeans. "Why don't I give you a sneak preview?"

  "I don't have time." Forbes groaned when she squeezed his rapidly rising erection.

  "From the feel of this," Daphne went to her knees. "It won't take long."

  "Daphne." Forbes leaned against the truck, his eyes closing. "This isn't necessary."

  "Which is why I want to." Daphne had his jeans around his knees before he put up another token protest. She licked her lips as if she were about to devour the sweetest lollipop ever made. "Believe me. It is my pleasure."

  "FOR THE LOVE of—" Sophie whispered with disgust.

  Eavesdropping on a conversation—especially one that concerned her—was one thing. Sophie drew the line at audio voyeurism. Putting her finger to her lips, she motioned for Bailey to follow. The dog didn't understand what his owner was doing on the other side of the barn wall, but Sophie thought he looked slightly embarrassed. She didn't blame him.

  Once they were clear of all the moans and groans, Sophie quickly put that part of the Forbes and Daphne exchange from her mind. Sex was a tool. Thank God she had never been witness to any of Joy's many conquests—the woman did have some sense of right and wrong. However, Sophie didn't need to see what went on behind closed doors—or not so closed barns—to understood how it worked.

  Quid pro quo. Apparently—even on a ranch in Eastern Washington—it was the same everywhere.

  "Not me, Bailey. Never. If I have to starve. Naked. In the freezing cold. I will die before getting on my knees for any man."

  Filled with a sense of self-righteousness, Sophie slipped into the house through the mudroom door. As had become her habit, she detoured through the kitchen, checking the cookie jar. Ginger snaps. Yum. Three should hold her until dinner.

  The house was quiet as Sophie made her way to her room. That wasn't unusual for late afternoon. Maeve was in town grocery shopping. Joy was never around. If she couldn't talk Newt into taking her shopping, she disappeared in his SUV. With his credit card. Alone, she returned around six o'clock. If Newt was with her, they rarely returned before one or two in the morning.

  Sophie didn't care what they got up to. She had found peace with her guilt over lying to Newt. He was an adult. Capable of making his own decisions. More importantly, he seemed genuinely happy. If it didn't last, it wasn't her fault. She wouldn't waste her time worrying when—for the time being—nothing was wrong.

  "Sophie?"

  Sophie jumped a foot. She had been so wrapped up in her thoughts—and so certain she was alone in the house—she hadn't noticed Newt walking down the hall.

  "Did I startle you?" he asked, stopping next to her.

  "I thought everybody was out of the house."

  "Joy and Maeve went to town. I had some paperwork to catch up on." Suddenly, Newt looked uncomfortable. "Sophie."

  "Was there something you needed me to do?"

  "No." He smiled. "You're always up for doing chores. Why is that?"

  "I like keeping busy," Sophie shrugged. "Any work on the ranch? It doesn't feel like work."

  "I've never seen anybody take to it so quickly. Maybe you were a cowboy in a different life."

  Sophie liked that. The cowboy part. But mostly the idea of a different life. She didn't like the one she had. Until now. Before she was born—if she had been given a choice—this was the one she would have picked.

  "I have something for you."

  Newt held out a box wrapped with a pretty red ribbon. The concept of receiving a gift was such a foreign one that Sophie stared at the package, unsure what she was supposed to do.

  "Take it," Newt urged, solving her dilemma.

  "I…" Sophie swallowed, searching for the right words. She held the box lightly, not wanting to dent the smooth, white exterior. "What is it?"

  Newt reached around her, turning the doorknob. "Open it and find out."

  Slowly, Sophie walked across the room, setting the present on her bed. She glanced at Newt. He stood half in, half out, waiting expectantly.

  With great care, Sophie slid the satin ribbon to one side not wanting to mess it up. She lifted the lid from the box, then pushed aside a layer of delicate tissue paper.

  "It's a dress."

  "For your first day of school. I know some of the kids like to dress up a little. Joy picked it out." Newt rambled, watching Sophie closely. "What do you think?"

  Sophie knew at first glance that it would be at least three sizes too big. Thank you, Joy. A non-descript brown cotton. At least it was soft. She took it from the box, moving to the mirror. It wasn't ugly. Or pretty. She decided it was the kind of dress a person wore if they wanted to blend into the scenery.

  "Well?"

  Tears filled Sophie's eyes, causing the expectant light in Newt's to fade. Quickly, it was replaced by worry.

  "You don't like it. It's awfully big looking. I guess Joy made a mistake with the size."

  Clutching the dress, Sophie took a hesitant step forward. Then another. She threw h
er arms around Newt's waist, burrowing close.

  "It's perfect," Sophie said, her cheek against his warm chest. And she meant it. It wouldn't have mattered what was in the box. The fact that Newt had gotten it for her made it the most beautiful dress ever made.

  Newt didn't hesitate to hug her back. To him, giving affection came naturally. He had no way of knowing it wasn't the same for Sophie. This was a first for her. To her surprise, it felt good. Right. Like something she could actually get used to.

  "I wanted you to have something nice." Newt patted Sophie's back. "If you want to return it, I won't be offended."

  "I wouldn't do that." Though it was tempting. The thought had come from Newt. Joy was responsible for the actual garment.

  "Think about it." Newt brushed her hair from her face before stepping back. "The owner of the shop in town is a friend of mine. She'll be happy to let you exchange the dress for something else. And while you're there." He took an envelope from his back pocket. "Buy some other things. Jeans. Shirts. Shoes. Whatever you need. A girl your age should do her own shopping."

  With one last smile, Newt closed the door behind him. Sophie wiped her eyes before opening the envelope. What she saw made her legs go all wobbly. She collapsed onto the bed. Money. With shaking fingers, she removed the bills. New, crisp twenties.

  Holy crap. With a laugh, she fell onto her back, tossing the money into the air. She ignored the twinge of guilt. She hadn't asked. Newt wanted her to have it. A gift. Freely given. No strings attached. Sophie vowed to work hard on the ranch. Whatever needed doing, she would do it.

  But for now? Sophie would buy what she wanted. Brand new. Never been worn. And all her own.

  Sophie gathered up the money. She returned it to the envelope, hiding it where nobody—Joy in particular—would find it. It was almost too much to believe. New clothes. And school started on Monday.

  Never mind what came before. As far as Sophie was concerned, her life began now.

  CHAPTER NINE

  FOUR MONTHS LATER

  "THIS IS ALL your fault."

  "I take full blame."

  "Good. Now, move your butt. I don't want to miss the team running onto the field."