With One More Look At You

by Mary J. Williams

  "No, thank you."

  "Hot cereal? Pancakes? I'll heat up the maple syrup the way you like."

  "Just toast. Dry."

  Maeve put a hand to Sophie's forehead. "You don't seem to have a fever. Is your stomach upset?"

  "I feel fine. Honestly," Sophie added when Maeve didn't look convinced. "Congratulations. You finally filled me up."

  "Hmm." Still skeptical, Maeve popped two pieces of bread in the toaster. "I'm going to put in a load of laundry. Yell if you change your mind."

  "Did you raid the kitchen in the middle of the night?" Forbes asked when he and Sophie were alone.

  "Yes," Sophie admitted. "But that has nothing to do with it. I wanted to get Maeve out of the kitchen. Did you speak with your dad?"

  "Yes."

  Sophie's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Well? Talk to me. What happened?"

  Forbes found the idea tempting. More than anything, he wanted to tell Sophie. She would understand without passing judgment.

  Unfortunately, Sophie was the last person he could confide in. She was Joy's sister. Though the relationship wasn't a close one, it wasn't fair of him to lighten his load by dumping it onto Sophie.

  The fault for this mess lay firmly on him. He had to live with the knowledge that he might have prevented this mess if he had listened to her warning.

  Forbes wasn't above admitting to Sophie that he was wrong. He could survive the direct hit to his pride. Getting knocked down a peg or two might be exactly what he deserved.

  It would be selfish to tell Sophie the truth. And damned embarrassing. In keeping silent about what had transpired outside his father's office would be a blessing for both of them.

  "Come on, Forbes," Sophie urged when he took too long to answer. "You told Newt that you're taking time off before starting college. What did he say?"

  "Dad wasn't keen on the idea."

  "Really?" Sophie's eyes grew thoughtful. "I suppose it came as a surprise. When you explained it the way you did to me, he had to understand."

  If only it had been that simple.

  "Dad needed some time to get used to the idea." It was partially the truth. "We'll talk about it again when he gets back."

  "Back? He's only been home a short time." Sophie set down her half-empty glass. "Where did he go?"

  "He and Joy left for Seattle early this morning. It's just for a few days."

  Sophie's frown deepened. For a moment, Forbes thought she would say something. But when her eyes met his, he saw a flash of something. Pain? Worry? The words—whatever they might have been—didn't come. Instead, her gaze dropped his barely touched bacon and eggs.

  "Are you going to finish that?"

  To his surprise, Forbes felt his lips forming a genuine smile—something he wouldn't have thought possible. Sophie and her never-ending appetite. Shaking his head, Forbes pushed the plate across the table.

  "It's cold," he warned. "Maeve would be happy to make you some of your own."

  "No time."

  Sophie grabbed her newly toasted bread, slathered it with butter, then piled on the scrambled eggs. She rooted in the refrigerator, emerging with some pre-sliced cheese and a jar of mustard. Forbes watched in amazement as she assembled a makeshift sandwich.

  "What's the hurry?"

  "I have a math test this morning." Sophie grimaced. Arithmetic was still her weakest—and least favorite subject. "I want to get in another hour of studying before we leave for school."

  Tearing off a paper towel, she wrapped it around her creation. Sophie took a bite, sighing with pleasure.

  "Think that will hold you until lunch?" Forbes teased.

  "I doubt it." She said it in all seriousness. "That's why I keep a stash of snacks in my locker."

  It was like looking at a different person, Forbes thought as Sophie and her long legs strode from the room. Was it only August when she arrived all bristles and surly attitude? Back then, getting a few words from her, let alone a smile, had been like pulling teeth from a fully alert wild tiger.

  The change had been so gradual, Forbes hadn't stopped to think about it until now. Sophie brimmed with confidence and fun and… life. The edges were smoother, but just the right amount of snark remained.

  Shit! It added to the list of reasons he had to keep his mouth shut. Blowing Joy out of the water would be infinitely satisfying. But at what cost? Sophie's newfound happiness? His father's peace of mind?

  Forbes made a vow. He would protect Sophie and Newt from the truth at any price. Silence. It was the only way.

  GRADUATION DAY AT Cloverdale High School wasn't any different than at thousands of other schools all over the country. Excitement tinged with nerves. The Future is Now. The senior class slogan was cheesy. Obvious. And pretty much said it all. Some had firm, set-in-stone plans. Others would play it by ear. Either way, they were leaving behind one life and stepping toward another. However, it turned out there was no going back.

  "We made it, buddy." Aaron slapped Forbes on the back. They and their classmates were gathered, about to march across the gymnasium in front of friends and family. "Can you believe it?"

  Forbes watched as Aaron tugged at the collar of his starched white dress shirt.

  Forbes slapped Aaron's hand away when he would have loosened his tie.

  "Knock it off. Your mom put a lot of effort into getting that thing just right. Don't mess it up. At least until the end of the ceremony."

  Forbes had watched the entire process. Part of him had found the sight of Aaron's tiny mother making her hulking son bend down so she could lovingly put the tie around his neck hilarious. Part of him felt a tug of sadness that his own mother wasn't there to do the same for him.

  Jesus, Forbes thought. He was only eighteen. How had he managed to get weighed down with so many regrets so early in his life? Some had been out of his control. Some were of his own making. Either way, he couldn't wait until today was over.

  If things went as planned—fingers crossed—the new start that Forbes desperately needed was only a few hours away.

  The beginning strains of Pomp and Circumstance had Mrs. Fletcher clapping her hands to gain everyone's attention. She was a strict taskmaster and a damn good English teacher. Out of respect—and a healthy dose of fear—the group quieted without her having to ask twice.

  "Aaron Green. Shouldn't you be standing next to Trish Gladstone?"

  "Yes, Mrs. Fletcher," Aaron muttered, moving to his proper place.

  After a brief inspection, Mrs. Fletcher nodded to one of the underclassmen whose job it was to man the gymnasium doors. "Shoulders back. Smile. And good luck. It has been a pleasure to have you in my class. Well, most of you."

  The comment—directed at nobody in particular—received the expected round of laughter.

  Forbes felt a sense of calm. After weeks of anxiety, it felt strange—yet welcome. Since his run in with Joy, he wasn't sleeping well. His appetite was almost non-existent. Home had become a relative term since he spent little time there anymore.

  School and baseball. Using a crazy schedule as the reason, he had all but moved in with the Greens. Forbes didn't believe for a second that Aaron's parents bought the lame excuse. They must have spoken with his father. But it was never mentioned. Not by them, and not by Newt.

  Aaron didn't ask. They were best friends. He was there if Forbes wanted to talk. Or not. On the weekends, he helped out on the ranch. Spring was a busy time. But all communication took place between him, Mike, and Jerry.

  Hardly a surprise. Forbes and his father had stopped talking. Beyond a few terse words and a grunt or two, it felt as if they were strangers. Worse. Enemies. The tension between them bordered on hostility. The one time Forbes tried to breach the divide, Newt's cold rebuff cut him to the core.

  Mike and Jerry kept quiet—which never happened. Maeve always seemed on the verge of tears. Sophie? Often stoic, the young woman made it impossible to tell what was going on inside her head. She was
smart enough to understand the tensions had to do with Newt and Joy. However, she held firm to her promise that the subject was off limits. Forbes wouldn't lift the moratorium. As a result, the few times they spoke, little of substance was said.

  The ceremony passed in a blur. Lost in his thoughts, Forbes didn't realize his name had been called until the person next to him jabbed their elbow into his ribs. Standing to a round of continuous applause, he walked onto the stage, shaking Principal Breckenridge's hand, automatically taking his diploma.

  Forbes glanced at the audience beyond the blinding lights. Mike and Jerry were out there. Maeve. Sophie. Newt—no matter what—would be sitting with them. He felt a familiar tug of sadness. Until he thought of Joy. Was she here? It was a silly question. The one positive he could find about not living at home wasn't having to worry about her ambushing him.

  Anger replaced sorrow when Forbes thought of Joy playing the dutiful wife and stepmother. That was the sticking point. The reason he hadn't tried harder to reach out to his father. Newt chose Joy without once asking his son to give his side.

  As a result, Forbes didn't think he had a choice. Nothing—short of his father taking him aside for a much-needed heart to heart—was changing his mind.

  Without telling anybody close to him, Forbes was leaving with Aaron for Alaska. First thing in the morning.

  FORBES LIFTED HIS duffle into the back of the truck. Aaron—snoring away the effects of too much after-graduation partying—was strapped into his seatbelt, his head resting against the passenger-side window. Forbes hadn't been in the mood to celebrate, making it easy for him to lay off the alcohol.

  It was two in the morning. A cool breeze had come up off the river, prompting Forbes to pull on his jacket. When he had insisted they get an early start, Aaron had grumbled. Early was one thing. This was the middle of the night. However, dragging his friend away from the party hadn't been difficult. The bitter chill between Aaron and Cindy showed no signs of warming. After trying all evening to break the ice, Aaron gave up. Like Forbes, he was ready to get out of Cloverdale.

  Aaron's truck would take them to Seattle. From there, a plane to Alaska. This was the beginning of Forbes' longed-for adventure. The circumstances weren't great. Hell, they were downright shitty.

  Despite what Forbes left behind, a world of possibilities called to him. He didn't know what was waiting for him. But now that the time was at hand, he couldn't wait to find out.

  Forbes had said his goodbyes to Bailey, promising it wasn't forever. The dog seemed to understand. Non-judgmental. His eyes, filled with unconditional love.

  Just as Forbes was about to climb behind the wheel, he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. On the far side of the road, a shadowed figure wound through the trees heading up the side of the mountain. Close behind the two-footed creature came one traveling on four.

  Sophie and Bailey? Forbes frowned. What the hell were they doing out at this time of the night?

  "I'll be right back." Forbes shut off the truck engine.

  Aaron's answer was a muffled grunt.

  Taking the keys from the ignition—just in case Aaron decided it was a good idea to test his drunk-driving skills—Forbes took off after Sophie.

  The moonlight helped as Forbes found a well-worn path that wound around the trees. This part of the trail wasn't steep, making a gradual upward progression. It wasn't an obstacle-free trip. Fallen branches, large rocks that over time had made their way from the top of the mountain to hide under an outcropping of innocent-looking brush.

  Forbes cursed as the toe of his boot clipped a particularly large boulder. He stumbled, just saving himself from a nasty face plant. Forbes worked on two things. Keeping upright and the scathing speech he would give Sophie when he caught up to her. She shouldn't be out here alone. What if she fell and hurt herself?

  Picturing her broken, unconscious body lying in a bramble-filled ravine, Forbes picked up his pace, going from a quick walk to a fast jog.

  Forbes stopped to look around, wondering how Sophie could have gotten so far ahead of him. Almost three in the morning, the tall pines blocked out much of the moonlight, making it difficult to see more than a few feet in any direction. Since spotting her with his eyes wasn't working, he closed them and listened. An owl. The rustling of the wind in the trees. And…? There it was. Sophie might move like a whisper. Bailey wasn't as light footed. An enthusiastic runner, the dog never worried about letting the entire countryside know of his arrival.

  Moving to his left, Forbes danced around a sticker-laden bush but didn't quite manage to avoid scraping the back of his hand. It didn't hurt. And Lord knew he had suffered a lot worse. But damn it. He should have been ten miles down the road, the ranch in his rearview mirror. Instead, he chased after a crazy girl and her loopy accomplice.

  Forbes let out a self-deprecating laugh. He supposed that made him just as crazy as Sophie.

  The path suddenly widened, leaving behind the trees and bushes. In their place was a bluff that provided a spectacular, panoramic view. A long ribbon of glistening water, the river bordered the backend of the scene. The main house. Bunkhouse. Barn, corral, and various storage sheds. They sat in a row, sandwiched on one side by water, and on the other, field after field of green alfalfa.

  "We made it, Bailey." Sophie, her back to him, stood with her hand on the dog's head. "The truck is still there. I don't see Forbes."

  "That's because he's right behind you."

  To Sophie's credit, she didn't yell. Nor did she kick out Buffy style. However, just to be safe, Forbes didn't get too close until she knew it was him.

  "You have to stop sneaking up on me." Sophie let out a whoosh of breath.

  "It's only sneaking if that is your intent," Forbes said, moving next to her. Sophie was right. From here, Aaron's truck was plain as day.

  "What are you doing up here, Forbes?"

  "Following you. Running around on these trails at night isn't safe."

  Sophie shrugged. "I do it all the time."

  Jesus. Forbes wished he had known sooner. Or maybe not. There wasn't a spot on this ranch that Sophie considered off limits. It had turned into her playground—one explored over and over again with complete freedom. He could explain the dangers until he was blue in the face. Short of locking her in her room at night, there was no stopping her. He doubted even that would work.

  "If you knew I was leaving, why didn't you simply say goodbye?"

  "I figured you wouldn't want me to." Sophie didn't look at him, keeping her eyes on the view.

  Forbes heard the hurt in her voice. Cutting Sophie out of his life hadn't been deliberate but a byproduct of everything else that happened. It seemed to be a pattern. Just as they started to build a friendship, something would come between them.

  "I'm sorry."

  "Okay."

  "Just like that?"

  "If I asked for an explanation, would you give me one?"

  "I can't."

  "Then I'll settle for your apology." Turning her head, she met his gaze. "You're going to Alaska?"

  Forbes nodded. "A year on my own."

  "Do me a favor?"

  "If I can."

  "Have a good time."

  That was it? Forbes had expected her to ask for something personal. Letters. Perhaps the occasional postcard. Sophie was hard to figure out. She certainly wasn't like any other girl he had ever known.

  "I'll do my best."

  Forbes didn't know why, but he took Sophie's hand. It was something he had never done. For a moment, he thought she would pull away. Instead, she curled her fingers around his. Something happened with that brief touch. A connection. An intimacy that he had neither the time nor inclination to analyze. The need to sneak away in the middle of the night had already heightened his emotions. That was his only excuse for what he did next.

  Forbes brushed his lips across Sophie's. Surprise flared in her eyes. But she didn't punch him. So, he kissed her a
gain. A little longer. There was nothing sexual in the gesture, though he felt a familiar stirring in his blood. Raising his head, he smiled, touching her cheek ever so lightly with the pad of his thumb.

  "Well, I'll be damned," he breathed, backing away.

  Sophie didn't speak. Or move. She looked confused, a frown furrowing her brow. Her first kiss. Forbes was sure of it. There were a hundred other firsts she would share with other men. But this would always be his.

  Forbes turned when he reached the trees. He waved, taking one last look at his home—at Sophie—before disappearing into the dark.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  TWELVE YEARS LATER

  "FIRE!" SOPHIE YELLED at the top of her lungs, though nobody could hear her except for a startled dog and whatever creatures came out after the sun went down. She didn't stop to worry about who was around. Instead, she ran—straight for the burning barn.

  Heart racing, Sophie didn't take the time to assess the severity of the blaze. With one hand, she grabbed a fire extinguisher—one of many placed strategically around the ranch building. A fairly new precautionary measure, up until now they mercifully hadn't needed to use. Holding the red canister between her legs, she pulled the metal ring from the top. With her other hand, she took out her phone.

  "What?" Mike's groggy voice answered after the third ring. It was the middle of the night. Anybody with a lick of sense—like the ranch hand—should be sleeping.

  "One of the barns is on fire," Sophie said, the calmness of her tone belying the adrenaline pumping through her body. Tucking the phone under her chin, she pointed the fire extinguisher at what looked like—fingers crossed—something they could contain before too much damage was done. "Grab Jerry and anybody else who is available and get down here as fast as possible."

  Sophie didn't wait for an answer, trusting Mike to recognize the urgency of the situation. If she didn't have help in the next two minutes, she would chow down on her favorite horse blanket. Without a water chaser.

  The blaze was small—thank God. However, the barn was filled with stacks and stacks of dry—extremely flammable—bales of hay. Left unattended, it wouldn't have taken long for it to turn into a pile of soot. Considering the price of feed, it would be cheaper to burn a stack of money.